Two days in Padua: among saints, frescoes, and legendary cafés

Last night we arrived in Padua and was surprised by how clean and well-organized the city is. The cobblestone streets sparkled under the yellow glow of the street lamps, and every corner seemed to proudly showcase its understated, harmonious beauty. We hadn’t expected to find a city so clean and full of life – Padua …

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Como, Garda, and Georges: Chronicle of a Halberd Foretold

For the past two days, we have left behind the charms of Milan to explore Switzerland, and I must confess I haven’t regretted this decision for a single moment. Until now, I believed nothing could outshine the majestic splendor of Canada, but I was wrong: Switzerland reveals itself as a fairytale realm, a true paradise. …

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From Canadian Calm to Milan Chaos: Our Story

Our vacations are like an Italian espresso drunk at the bar, standing up: short, intense, and with a healthy dose of morning bitterness. Every morning, while the city is already buzzing with people and cars in every direction, our waking nightmare begins: Anna, our teenage daughter with the soul of an owl and the voice …

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Explore Turin: A Journey Through History and Art

I’m circling back with impressions from our very first visit to Turin, setting off from Genoa. Near Genoa, the highway feels like an endless succession of tunnels, but once you enter Piedmont, the road suddenly widens, and ahead rise the snow-capped Alpine peaks in all their glory. The landscape is truly breathtaking. Leaving the motorway …

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Exploring Turin: From Sacra di San Michele to Parco del Valentino

For two days we’ve been in Turin, one of Italy’s largest cities, famous for “la dolce vita,” but in a somewhat more sober and aristocratic version. Formerly the country’s first capital, the city today is an important cultural and economic hub in Italy. Turin (Torino), panorama from the Cathedral bell tower After World War II, …

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🐟 Meeting the Sea: Exploring the Aquarium and Museums in Genoa’s Porto Antico

Porto Antico in Genoa is the perfect spot for a day full of discoveries. You start at the aquarium, where transparent tunnels plunge you into the underwater world of seals, penguins, and exotic fish. Next comes the Maritime Museum, where exhibits on pirates, medieval ships, and ancient banks reveal the secrets of Mediterranean trade. In …

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Exploring the Enchantment of Cinque Terre and Portofino

There are days that feel like something out of a dream, and our day trip from Genoa to Cinque Terre and Portofino was exactly that. With the Ligurian Sea shimmering under the July sun, we set off on a coastal walk that left us sun-kissed and completely enchanted. We left Genoa early, the city still …

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Pisa and Palazzi dei Rolli

Yesterday morning, we left Rome driving a rented Peugeot 3008, with the rising sun just touching the Colosseum and our minds set on the next stop: Genoa. After a few hours behind the wheel and about €30 paid in tolls 😩, we stopped in Pisa, where the Leaning Tower seems to rise just to challenge …

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The Borghese Gallery and Villa Farnesina – Two treasures of Rome that are well worth revisiting

We’ve been in Rome for a few days now, and we’re already feeling what an Italian summer really means. The sun is everywhere, and the city reveals itself in all its splendor—and heat. 🥵 We walk a lot—on average about 10 km a day, sometimes even up to 15 km, especially when we wander off …

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Exploring St. Peter’s Basilica: A Timeless Marvel

Two years ago, we stood for the first time before the imposing façade of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. The emotion, the awe, and the sore neck from looking up so much were unforgettable. This year, back in Rome, we knew we couldn’t miss the chance to see it again. Not because we’d forgotten …

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