It’s me again—your one and only storyteller! I’d like to share how my Italian trip went. As you might (not) know, I live in Valencia, Spain. My sister came all the way from Colombia to spend the holidays together. So, we decided to fly from Valencia to Rome with the idea of exploring the country by bus and visiting different cities.
Once in Rome, we spent most of the day walking from our hotel near Roma Termini train station to the Colosseum. We visited during winter, and let me tell you, I’ve never experienced weather like that before! Seeing the Colosseum up close was incredible. Rome is truly a city for those who appreciate ancient structures and ruins. It feels like Italy takes great pride in its rich history.
After exploring Rome, we took a bus from what I can confidently call the worst bus station I’ve ever been to (and I’m from Latin America, so that’s saying something!) to Milan. Even though it sounded like a bad idea for our sleep schedule, the overnight bus ride wasn’t too bad—we managed to get some rest. We arrived in Milan around 9:00 am and immediately visited the Duomo. As a Colombian and a cycling enthusiast, it was a dream come true to be in the city where Egan Bernal claimed his Giro d’Italia victory.
That evening, my sister came up with the best idea: “Why don’t we take a bus to Venice?” A four-hour ride later, we arrived in Venice—a truly magical place. My favorite moments there were seeing the Alps and taking a water taxi through the canals. We even enjoyed a beer and some peanuts by the water. After this whirlwind adventure, we hopped back on a bus to return to Rome. That ride, unfortunately, was much rougher than the first. However, the night ended on a high note with the best meal of our trip: authentic Italian pizza and pasta!
Our final day was spent in Vatican City, which coincided with Christmas Eve. We were lucky enough to witness the Pope opening the Holy Door to mark the start of the Jubilee—a special Catholic tradition. We also visited several stunning churches before heading to bed early in preparation for our return to La Terreta (Valencia).
In conclusion, Italy is a country brimming with history. Every corner seems to tell a story. However, Rome and parts of Milan could use a bit more attention when it comes to cleanliness. Despite that, Italy’s beauty shines through in its breathtaking landscapes, ancient architecture, majestic churches, the Alps, and Venice’s iconic canals.