ITALY - Highlights, Visa, Itinerary, and Tips.
I've dreamed of visiting Italy my entire life. And finally, this country made it onto my around-the-world itinerary!
🗺 I was granted a single-entry Schengen visa for 22 days. I applied directly through the consulate, without any agents. As for the documents, it was just the basics: an application form, accommodation and flight bookings, insurance, bank statements, and a travel itinerary. Nothing overly complicated. I managed to visit 3 cities, and each left me with completely different emotions.
📍 Molveno
My first stop was Molveno, which is exactly where the European Championship took place. We came here to compete with our Russian swimming team. It's an incredible spot nestled between mountains and a lake, filled with an atmosphere of sports, support, and international connection. Events like this always remind me of how sports unite people from all over the world.
📍 Venice
Next, I headed to Venice, a city that truly blew me away. Narrow streets, canals instead of roads, and a constant feeling like you're inside a fairytale. I was lucky enough to catch the carnival, too. At night, Venice feels completely different—peaceful, beautiful, full of atmosphere, and in some empty streets, even a bit spooky.
📍 Rome
The next stop was Rome. I walked around so much here. I visited the Colosseum, both inside and out. It was purely breathtaking; I stood there for hours imagining how people's fates were decided here, and how the gladiator battles went down... The Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain, and countless streets in the city center. Wandering around the city was incredibly fascinating.
🇻🇦 A separate highlight was visiting the Vatican: the smallest country in the world. It's amazing that right inside Rome, there's an entirely independent country with its own history, vibe, and thousands of pilgrims from all over the globe.
💡 A few tips for anyone planning a trip to Italy:
👉 Bring comfortable shoes; you'll be walking a lot.
👉 It's best to buy tickets for popular attractions online in advance.
👉 Leave your place early in the morning. Fewer tourists and more atmosphere.
👉 Taking food to go is cheaper. Cafes always include a fixed cover charge (coperto) of €2-8 per person in the bill. Coffee at the bar is cheaper than sitting at a table—a true Italian lifehack ☕.
👉 Don't try to see everything at once; it's better to truly feel the city.
🍝 Must-try foods in Italy: Margherita pizza, pasta carbonara, pasta bolognese, lasagna, tiramisu, gelato, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, and an espresso at the bar.
🇮🇹 A few facts: Italy is one of the countries with the most UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world, and almost every region has its own distinct cuisine, dialect, and culture. Essentially, every trip here feels like visiting a different country within the same one.
In my next post, I'll talk about the other countries on my Eurotrip: Germany, France, and the Netherlands 🇩🇪🇫🇷🇳🇱
💬 Let me know in the comments if you've been to Italy and which city you liked the most! Or maybe you know some interesting facts about the Colosseum?
❤🙏 Thanks to everyone following my journey!
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🌍 There will be lots of useful stuff here from my around-the-world trip!