The Taste of Italia: Milan, Pisa, Florence & Venice

Seventy-five days flew by quickly, and with just a week left, I embarked on a big trip I booked last minute. Three glorious days in Italy awaited: bustling Milan, leaning Pisa, tasty Florence, and floating Venice. I decided to indulge in Italy's diverse cuisine and save on excursions.

Despite previous experiences, I still packed last-minute and rushed through preparations. After a heavy meal on Thursday afternoon, and despite forgetting an umbrella, I managed to reach Frankfurt on time and soon boarded the bus. After a seat change due to an annoying child, I found myself without a window seat and near a crying, vomiting child (who lets kids on board, anyway?).

As I woke up on the bus, I was greeted by a stunning view reminiscent of Switzerland. Was I experiencing déjà vu in Italy? No, we had passed through the breathtaking Swiss mountain valleys, enveloped in fog and with sparkling rivers flowing below. It never gets old! Granted, I've only done this three times, but each ride here is exhilarating, amidst such natural beauty. Nature truly makes us forget the world's problems and restores our blissful peace, bringing back smiles.

However, as we entered Italy, the rains intensified dramatically. It was raining cats and dogs: water everywhere, from every direction. Hoping for better weather, I disembarked early from the bus, eager to start my solo adventure. Luck was on my side as I began searching shops for an umbrella; the rain subsided, giving way to bright, sunny weather, just as I had hoped based on my plans.

By the way, it's worth reiterating that student trips mainly serve as affordable transportation between two locations, leaving us free to decide what to do there. This freedom was the main reason I signed up for this trip, compared to more structured tours. For longer stays, we stayed in decent budget hotels, sharing rooms with traditional breakfast options. I know it's late to mention this now, but I just wanted to clear things up.

Back to the story. Since the bus parked near the Sfacesso Castello, I decided to explore the breadth of the fort, then hurried through the beautiful city to reach the impressive Dom cathedral.

I was awestruck by the impressive Italian architecture as I admired its incredible detail and precision. As I mentioned earlier, I wanted to focus more on enjoying Italy's delicacies rather than embarking on excursions. So, after wandering around the cathedral, I started my day with a delightful Pistachio Croissant and Cappuccino at a charming café.

From there, I ventured into the shopping spree at Emanuelle Victoria, reveling in the Italian blend of riches and masses.

After some enjoyable window shopping, I headed to the infamous Ciao Pizza and savored a delicious Pesto Focaccia.

With a full stomach, I was ready to visit the Leonardo Science and Technology Museum, an underrated choice in my itinerary. Being somewhat of a localite now, I took the tram. Not many would recommend this museum, nor was it listed in several itineraries. But I knew Leonardo was more than just an artist: he was a polymath. Having read some of his works, I was eager to delve into his amazing mind. And was it a great choice!

The museum offered profound insights into STEM fields, housed a life-sized ESA rocket, a massive submarine, and separate buildings dedicated to aviation, waterways, and railways. It beautifully described Leonardo's works and showcased models of his inventions. I even got to witness a piece of moon rock something I never expected to do!

Afterwards, I strolled back to Park Smpori. I saved the pizza, pasta, and gelato for Florence and opted for homemade sandwiches at the park. As the evening approached, I relaxed in the park, preparing for our stay in beautiful Bologna!

The next day, after passing by beautiful civil engineering structures, bridges, and tunnels, and enduring some traffic, we finally arrived at the Pisa Plaza: a marvel in itself!

Pisa was brief! Despite the intense heat and sweating on the asphalt, I managed to visit the center. After a quick few photos and some hurried poses, it was tough as a solo traveler to capture those perfect shots, especially getting the lean right.

Nonetheless, the plaza was bustling with people, and I squeezed in visits to the beautiful Cathedral and the incredible Leaning Tower before rushing off to our guided tour of Florence. While I regretted not having pizza in Pisa (sorry, Amma!), I couldn't resist buying several souvenirs from this wonderful city.

After a refreshing nap during our journey, we arrived in Florence, an architectural and artistic marvel. For a change, I decided to join a walking tour. As we strolled through the city's blocks, we witnessed the various art styles that shaped this beautiful city. From the Middle Ages to the Renaissance and the modern era, influenced heavily by the works of Giotto and Michelangelo, the stark differences in artistic styles were evident.

We walked along, listening to the historical significance of the Basilica, Dante's era, and admiring the engineering marvel of the Florence Cathedral's dome. We marveled at the glistening gold on the Baptistry and proceeded to the Ponte Vecchio, with its beautiful jewelry shops.

After pausing at the Palazzo and the Uffizi, our hungry souls craved sustenance. After indulging in a hearty meal of fireplace Pizzata Maringara and handmade Spaghetti Duomo, I wandered the city streets as the sun set, soaking in the beautiful views!

The last day started early. We arrived in the world's most beautiful city, Venice. As I woke from my usual bus nap, the intense summer heat drained me of energy.

From Trocho, we took a boat transfer to Venice. With limited time, I hurried around the historic and touristy spots: Basilica di San Marco, Torre dell'Orologio, Palazzo Ducale, Ponte di Rialto, and the Bridge of Sighs.

I savored a slice of pizza, antipasti, and gelato ice cream, completing my Italian culinary adventure.

After visiting a glass-blowing factory in Murano and the colorful island of Burano, we boarded a boat back to Venice. Enjoying consecutive boat rides back to Venice and Trocheteto against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset marked the end of my journey!