Low-cost traveling is always challenging and needs much preparation. This post is how totally broke we headed up towards Italy!
No plane, no car, it was a bus. Me and my friends started in Prague, our beloved hometown. The journey to Rome takes 22 hours (doesn't include any stops) and the transport companies like Tourbus or Flixbus offer it for €114-122 for a roundtrip, depending on dates you want to take off. Check it out on https://www.goeuro.com/. European citizens, don't forget your ID card and a bit of exchanged money for all the countries you go through (mostly just euro is necessary). Non-european citizens, before getting your visa ready, check the limits of your visa-free stay for each country. You can hang out on the way for a while.
The journey in buses are always the best part for me, enjoying the hum, chats, being close to your friends. You know that this is a perfect moment. The first stop in Salzburg was short enough not to get tired. As we walked the center through where we took great shots of Hohensalzburg Castle and visited Mozart's Geburtshaus (his birthplace). Salzburg's must-eat candy is definitely Mozart's Kugel made of marzipan, pistachio and hazel nuts with chocolate. It is a good present for someone you care for. Have you ever spend a crazy sleepover squezed by your tourmates on movable beds while reaching Italy? I have.
The most beautiful thing on Venice is to see Grand Canal reflecting the Venetian architecture lining its bank. But watch out, Venice is usually, and for a good reason, known as overly pricey and cheesy getaway. We arrived in dawn and saw Venice silently waking up to daily fuss. While people were running late for work holding their café latte, we were chilling on benches in the shadow of Palazzo Ducale and watching pigeons digging in a piece of bread. Once we've crossed the Ponte dei Sospiri on the way back to the bus, we've read the story about this bridge and the prisoners.
Getting from Venice into the heart of Rome is already a fascinating part of the whole experience. The mid-fall weather is that it's sunny during the day but at night it turns into the Frozen Kingdom. HEATING WANTED! Our tour started at Colosseum which Italians are very proud of. It is the largest amphitheatre ever build, located in the center of the city. As next you need to scroll the Forum Romanum down with the Temple of Saturn. It is amazing that is still stands regarding its rich history. Altare della Patria is a monument built in honor of the 1st king of a unified Italy, Vittorio Emanuele II. A little statue of Altare della Patria is now decorating my room in Prague.
Get a break and go for some gelato! Italian ice-cream has a worldwide reputation. After you wipe your mouth out of the leftover nuts and cream on your cheeks, continue to a wonderful, however crowded spot where Fontana di Trevi, built of the same material as Colosseum, is settled. It is one of the oldest water sources in Rome. Nicola Salvi won a contest to design the fountain, however, some theories say he was not the first winner.
Even though you travel low-cost, do not try to steal the coins out of the water unless you purposely want to commit a crime! Our wise heads strongly recommended Flaminio Village Bungalow Park as the best low-cost option. Good night.
Vatican, I am coming! A city-state surrounded by Rome which is home to the Pope, has its own capital called Vatican City. Hell yeah, I did not expect that at all. Vatican covers a territory of 0.44 km². Vatican and San Marino are states within the state of Italy.
Covering 9 miles of that little state as Vatican, the Vatican Museums hold one of the world’s greatest art collections, including Greek and Roman sculptures. You can visit the world-famous Sistine Chapel.
Tips to Italy
- what to taste: Pizza, wine, Bottarga, Lasagna, Fiorentina steak, Polenta, Risotto, Carbonara, Truffles, Gelato, Tiramisu, Coffee
(How to drink coffee like an Italian - https://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/how-to/drink-coffee-in-italy)
- what to watch: The Lizzie McGuire Movie, La Dolce Vita, Roman Holiday, Three Coins in the Fountain
- what to learn: Hello Ciao
Goodbye Addio
Yes Sì
No No
Please Per favore
Thank you Grazie
Excuse me Mi scusi
- what to be aware of: Scooters!
