At long last the time has come (drumroll please)… In this no-holds-barred post, I’ll be fully discussing the not one, not two, but three weeks I spent exploring Northern Italy, from the highest peaks of the Dolomites to the sinking waterways of Venice. Without further ado, here’s the breakdown of where I found worth seeing—and where I wished I had more time.

---

LAKE MAGGIORE
I’ll start off with this statement—the Lake Maggiore area is one of the most amazingly gorgeous places I’ve found on planet earth. After a flight into Malpensa airport (Mia Penasa airport, anyone?) I was greeted by the layers of mountains—covered by lush greenery— that surround the crystal blue lake, creating an illusion of peaks rising directly out of the water. Dotting the shoreline are dozens of grand, stylish hotels fit for Audrey Hepburn-era movies stars. I passed the last days of the summer season here eating delicious Italian cheese on rosemary crackers (rosemary, I discovered, is the signature herb of the country), paddleboarding on the lake, and relaxing my mindset. My favorite day, though, was not one I spent at the lakeside. No other activity was able to top taking a rickety, partially enclosed lift to the summit of one of the tallest mountains directly next to the lake. Only from the top could I truly get that expansive, 360 degree view of the beauty all around. 

THE DOLOMITES

In the mood for more mountains, I continued north to the Trento region. Full disclosure—I had a particularly special reason for wanting to visit this part of Italy. My family originally comes from a tiny village called Penasa (a village I share a last name with) and I was on a mission to see this tiny town with my own eyes. What I found did not disappoint. Nestled in the mountains and backing acres upon acres of protected land, the hometown of my relatives had not changed much since its founding centuries ago. Across from the village sign, a man stood in the middle of the road, surveying our surroundings. After finding out his name, I point to myself. “Mia Penasa”, I say. After a google-translated conversation and picture session for my scrapbook, I bid goodbye to the little village and moved along, ready to explore the ancient aristocratic city of Venice.

VENICE

Venice was the one place in Italy I regret not spending more time in. The stone walls of houses alongside the canals form a sort of labyrinth that makes for a storybook-worthy experience. While Venice has a reputation as a bit of a dirty city, it’s been cleaned up quite a lot over the years. The canals have been transformed from brown to blue, and I saw exactly zero rats! The city is busy (as to be expected) but with the way the streets are structured, it’s not difficult to get away from people. Venice is a destination for a reason. The oceanfront location, canals, and distinct architecture style make for an experience that just can’t be replicated elsewhere.

FLORENCE

The scenery of Florence was stunning, from the Duamo (one of the largest architectural marvels I’ve ever set eyes on) to the luxuriant Piazza of Michelangelo (the best spot to take in a panoramic view of the entire metro area). Around every corner, precise replicas of centuries-old statues serve as reminders of the rich cultural history people come from all around the world to get a taste of. Unfortunately, this also meant the city itself was overrun with tourists with no place to escape. I found the entry to the most famous museums to be laughably convoluted, from three hour long lines to five separate entrance points and countless long flights of stairs. Personally, I recommend visiting the Fountain of Neptune and the Galileo museum. As a day trip, the golden vineyards of Tuscany are a lovely place to enjoy a snack and a view. 

THE CINQUETERRE 

The Italian word for five is cinque, which is fitting (if not pushing the creative envelope) as the famed Italian riviera is home to five oceanfront towns. I took the train in between the towns, stopping off to explore the unique attributes of each one. Unexpectedly, I discovered each town was filled with focacciarias—and the focaccia they sell is to die for. I devoured a slice almost as soon as I arrived! Most of the towns were easily accessible, but reaching Corniglia does require a hike up 33 flights of stairs. The view at the top, which overlooks the ocean and surrounding towns, is worth seeing if you enjoy a short uphill climb. I walked to the view point, enjoyed the water crashing against the cliffs, snagged a slice of free pizza, and flew back down the stairs in hopes of catching the next train.

And that’s my trip to Italy, all summed up! Follow along for more travel adventures!