It may sound corny, but really, you can’t help but fall in love with beautiful Italy. The fact that Italians are a lot like Indians in behaviour and attitude, reinforces this!
The Train Journey:
We reached Italy by train from Switzerland. The train journey is a story in itself. The fantastic, clean, and super fast SBB train takes you from Lucerne in Switzerland to Venice, Italy in 7 hours 20 min, through Milan. We clocked 250 mph at one point. And it felt like we were floating! You can see the speed displayed in the monitor in front of you as you travel. The ride is through beautiful tunnels. Its amazing the number of tunnels the Swiss have dug under the Alps. Its an engineering marvel! You can see the machinery used for this phenomenal task in the Mining Museum in Lucerne.
We had planned and booked hotels in Italy for our journey. The hotels were all located conveniently close to the stations. Our plan was to go from Venice to Florence, Pisa and then Rome before we flew out of Da Vinci Airport in Rome. We had deliberately planned the train ride through these two countries to experience this scenic ride.
Venice
Venice turned out to be everything we have ever read about it. People had warned us (older people) not to stay in Venice as there was no way to transport your luggage except by dragging it around. The most comfortable way is to stay in a hotel on the mainland and travel to Venice for sightseeing.
We took a grand tour of the three famous islands in Venice. There are actually 118 islands in Venice connected by bridges and boats. Murano, Burano and Torcello. are three popular islands to visit. Murano glass is well-known and we had a chance to see glass making in action. You can buy some of the famous Murano glass after the tour too.
Burano island leaves every woman breathless with its exquisite lace! The finish, the designs are sooo beautiful! If you can afford it do buy a piece of lace to remember your visit by. Authentic Italian lace!
St. Marks Square, gondolas, the walks near the Grand Canal, it is a marvelous place.
After an overnight stay in Venice we left for Florence and Pisa the next day. its a short ride by train. Here you will be using the Italian train system either Trenitalia or Italo. The ride is as much fun as the destination! There are trains throughout the day, so you can plan your trip easily.
Florence:
Stay in Florence and visit Pisa by car or bus from there. We stayed at a hotel just opposite the small train station in Florence. It was a grand old hotel. By that evening we were at the Leaning Tower of Pisa. You can’t go there or anywhere without a horde of tourists around. Shopping is interesting as is the food! Authentic Italian food! We stopped for lunch at a small restaurant and dined on lasagna and cannoli!
Rome:
Rome! So excited to be here! Hundreds of years of history! The Colosseum took me back to gladiators and lions. the blood that must have been shed here. the terror, the crazed crowds…
My thoughts flew to the book The Last Days of Pompeii. Our wonderful guide was such a proud Italian! He was so proud of the fact that here is the cradle of western civilization – a thousand years of history. It is amazing to think that so much has survived as witness to the events of the past.
The buildings are so ornate, the cobbled streets, the slow life is fascinating. We observed that all the houses still had antenna for Free-to-Air TV in Rome! No dish or cable where we were staying! And this was in the 21st century!
Vatican City:
Our visit to Rome would be incomplete without a visit to Vatican city. Early morning at 8 am we waited at the gates of the City and our tour guide led us in. I was awestruck by the awesome museum, the Sistine Chapel, Renaissance frescoes, the Raphael rooms. I gaped with open-mouth at Michelangelo’s fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. – awed at finally ‘seeing’ God give life to Adam.
Never mind those rude Vatican guards. I was surprised to see how harsh they are. No one has taken the trouble to sensitise them to the fact that tourists are eager to see these beautiful, sacred places.
Da Vinci airport: Time to head home after a trip of a lifetime.
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I have only been to Venice & Milan… But I know what you mean 🙂 I wish to go back someday and see Rome, Florence and Sicily atleast.
My post on Venice is lined up for this challenge too.
Best choice, Lasagna in Florence is a must. Seems like u had a lot of fun. Good to read.
Sure did! Thanks for dropping by!
Yes worth a visit and do take the train through the Alps, it’s worth the time!
I have never been to Italy. But felt like I am in Italy while reading your post. Beautiful pictures and very expressive style of writing.
Thank you! You make my day! ❤️
Thanks Trapti that’s so nice of you to say that!
It was great virtual tour. Some years back I had planned going to Italy, but due to some reasons cancelled it. Now i regret cancelling the trip. I wish i too can go there soon.
Its truly a marvelous place to visit, I hope it happens for you soon!
After this virtual tour, I want to have a train ride passing through Alps mountain tunnels.
Lovely pics and thanks for the photo tour.
Italy is since long on my bucket list and this post makes it to the top.
Yes, I do hope you get to go soon!
Why did you say that the Italians are like Indians? Because of the ancient culture of both the countries?
Truly enjoyable post. Hope to read more of your travelogues!
Your blog seriously turned me to travel to these cities, they seem so beautiful, and such an amazing blog it is everything written so perfectly!!
Thank you for your kind words!
Such a wonderful virtual tour. This is one place I really want to visit someday.
Thank you so much Rashi. I wish you do! It’s an amazing country…
I really loved the post and wish to travel to Venice someday!! keep sharing such amazing post!!
Italy is in my bucket list for this winter and hope I would not fail to tick it off. Its indeed so beautiful that I am not surprised you left your heart there 🙂
The photos are so pretty. The cobbled streets, the ornate buildings, clear blue skies above, your vivid description took me on a mental trip to Italy 🙂
Thanks Leha, that’s so nice of you to say!
An amazing post and such beautiful photographs. As an armchair traveler, I am so glad to have seen Venice, Florence, Rome, and Vatican through you.
Thank you Ninu. Your words mean a lot to me! ❤️
I missed Venice during my last visit and from then onwards, planning to go back again. I loved Rome and Florence a lot. The museums are the best I can say, I wouldn’t get bored even I have to spend days touring them.
You are lucky to see the world
I wish one day i also visit some places outside india
Well you make me picturized the Italy and it was so so good
Thank you for your words of encouragement! You will surely make a trip one day!
Thanks for the Italy insight, we are planing to go this year, wanted to know two things how many days you spent in Italy and did you go to naples?
Have a great holiday! We spent 5 days in Italy and hope to go back again to see Naples and the rest of the coast
This post brought back so many lovely memories for me! I loved Italy too! I missed out on Venice though. Practically every street corner seems to have some or the other monument, the whole city of Rome is a treasure trove of history!
Yes it is exactly like you say! The value they give to beauty and art in Europe…!
I remember learning about the Leaning Tower of Pisa in school. At that time, I felt it was some story until I researched some more and found it real. And how are those babas sitting, one in the air?
I always wondered about the tower too! I do like to think those babas are still there!
haha! thanks so much for dropping by!
Lovely narration. Your pics are so beautiful. Badly wanna visit all the places mentioned especially Venice, it’s there in my bucket list for long.
Yes it took me years to get there, I hope you go sooner! It’s worth it!
One of my dear friends is traveling to this country in the coming week and I definitely forwarding this blog to her. This place is definitely in my soon to travel list and after reading such a beautiful post, I so want to visit it soon.
Thanks so much! Your words encourage me to keep writing!