I guess when someone says ‘Italy’ your mind immediately goes to delicious Italian pasta, diverse scenery, old towns – including Rome, of course! – and finally romantic dinners with lots and loooots of traditional Italian cuisine and wine. Just to imagining all of those things makes you want to hit the road right now – so that’s exactly what we did!
Milano
Our first stop was Milan. One of the biggest fashion capitals in the world has the most amazing Piazza del Duomo square, where you can take a look at the magnificent Milan Cathedral and take a stroll through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. You can enjoy ‘window shopping’ or – if you can afford it – treat yourself with a little high-end piece that would remind you of this trip!
Verona
Who doesn’t know the tragic love story about Romeo and Juliet that inspired Shakespeare any many other artist? If you are a hopeless romantic (or just a poetry lover) just like me, you should definitely visit La Casa di Giulietta and it’s world-famous Juliet’s balcony! When you are there, try to write a love letter – it may surprise you, how difficult of easy it can be sometimes to put your feelings into words! – and hide it behind the brick of the house like they did in the Letters To Juliet movie.
Siena
Fields of yellow sunflowers by the road, red vespa or a bulky old car with song Nel blu, dipinto di blu blustering out of speakers and amazing Tuscany all around us … Siena – small, archaic city – surprised us with narrow little alleys that allows you to get lost in its picturesque architecture features and art, not to mention the Piazza del Campo square, also famous for the Palio di Siena, a horse race that is ritually held twice every year during the summer as a reflection of the rivalry and competition between the city wards since the medieval ages.
Perugia
If you have the opportunity to visit Italy in the summer you mustn’t miss the Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia that hosts some of the world most famous jazz artist! Don’t like jazz? Visit the magic Perugina Chocolate House instead – treat yourself with 24.000 (chocolate) Baci (kisses) like Adriano Celentano, well- known Italian singer-songwriter.
San Marino
Short drive away from Perugia we took a stop to look at the world’s smallest republic – San Marino. You can se The fortress of Guaita on Mount Titano in the back od this foggy picture:
Rimini
We finished our trip by the sea – on the sandy beaches of Rimini. Although it can get very crowded in August, it did not feel like that at the time we were there. However; if it does get a bit too crowded, you can always ‘escape’ to the Rimini Eye or – if you haven’t by then – find a cosy gelateria and try a popular frozen Italian dessert – Gelato (and no, it’s not the same as ice cream!). A bonus tip: sandy Rimini beaches are full of (sea) shells; we collected some and put them into special vase (we also added a little sand). That home-made centerpiece will last a long time and so will the memories we created on the road!