10 Days, 10 Cities: An Italian Adventure

Ciao!

This past week, we had our 10-day travel week, a much-needed pause from classes and the perfect chance to explore more of Italy. While studying at CIMBA, it’s easy to get caught up planning trips to other countries in Europe, but I’ve found that this longer break is the best opportunity to really experience the beautiful country we’re living in.

For our fall break, nine of us decided to make the most of it by traveling from the southern tip of Italy all the way back up north to Paderno, stopping in as many cities as we could along the way. We started in Sicily, then made our way to Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Rome, and finally ended in Florence before heading back to school. Each stop offered something different, from beaches and coastal views to ancient ruins and stunning churches; together, they made for an unforgettable ten days.

Days 1 & 2: Palermo, Sicily

Our trip began in Palermo, the capital of Sicily. We spent our first day wandering through the street markets, including the famous Mercato di Ballarò, which showcased the unique culture of Sicily. There were all sorts of fresh seafood, local specialties like panelle, and, of course, the best cannoli I’ve ever had. We also visited several of the city’s beautiful churches and climbed to the top of the cathedral for an incredible view of the city, definitely worth it.

The next morning, we headed to Mondello Beach, where we swam in the sea and tried one of Sicily’s treasures: granita, a Sicilian-style shaved ice served with a warm brioche bun. It’s easily my favorite treat I’ve had in Italy! After soaking up the last bit of sun, we boarded an overnight ferry to Naples, ready to wake up in a new city for the next part of our adventure.

Days 3–5: Naples, Pompeii, and the Amalfi Coast

We arrived in Naples early in the morning and started exploring right away. We walked through the city, visited the grand cathedral, and tried deep-fried pizza, a local specialty that lived up to the hype. Later that day, a few of us took a train to Pompeii and spent the afternoon exploring the ancient ruins. It was surreal to see how much of the city still stands after nearly two thousand years.

That evening, we traveled to Sorrento, the perfect Italian coastal town, and our home for the next couple of nights. The next morning was filled with a day trip to Positano, which was even more beautiful than I imagined. The colorful houses stacked along the cliffs looked just like the pictures, only better in person. (Tip: Italian bus rides can be wild, “travel gum” from the pharmacy was a game changer!)

The following morning, we took a short trip to Amalfi, where we swam in the sea and soaked in the stunning coastal views. That night back in Sorrento was one of my favorites because we ended our stay with a pasta-making class. It was so much fun learning to make pasta, ravioli, and tiramisu from scratch, the perfect way to wrap up our time on the Italian coast.

Days 6 & 7: Rome and Vatican City

We left Sorrento early on a FlixBus to Rome, an affordable and easy way to travel. Our first stop was Vatican City, where we walked through the Holy Doors of St. Peter’s Basilica, an incredible experience since it’s only possible during the Jubilee Year. Afterward, we explored Trastevere, one of my favorite neighborhoods in Rome, filled with calmer streets, amazing food, and a local vibe. Later, we visited the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain, both even more breathtaking in person. I also got to meet up with a friend from home studying in Rome, which made the visit even more special.

The next morning, we visited the remaining three churches with open Holy Doors to complete the Jubilee pilgrimage, then made our way to the Colosseum, one of the world’s most iconic landmarks. Seeing it up close really put the history of Rome into perspective. Between the ancient architecture and beautiful churches, Rome easily became one of my favorite stops on this trip.

Days 8–10: Florence

Our final city was Florence, the perfect place to end our long journey. After a busy week of constant travel, we slowed things down, shopping for gifts in the leather markets, wandering the beautiful streets, and, of course, admiring the Duomo, which was even more impressive up close. Florence was the ideal spot to relax and enjoy great pasta after such a full week of exploring Italy.

On our final morning, we took the train back to Bassano. We passed the time by sharing stories and laughs about our incredible trip, and even meeting some Italian students along the way.

Conclusion

Looking back, our 10-day journey across Italy was one of the most rewarding experiences of my time abroad. Each city had its own charm, from the lively streets of Palermo and the coastal beauty of Sorrento to the history of Rome and the elegance of Florence. I loved seeing how diverse Italy truly is, both in landscape and culture. It was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure I’ll never forget and a reminder of how much more of this beautiful country (and world) there is to explore!

Thanks for reading about my travel week, ciao for now!

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