Hello, this is Enjoy Your Life. Today, I’ll be sharing my review of my trip to Italy.
Rome
Rome is so well preserved that it feels almost like traveling back in time. Anyone interested in the Roman Empire, Roman gods, or European history would love visiting this city. I was amazed not only by the grandeur of the ancient buildings but also by the thought of how many people must have struggled to build them centuries ago.
I arrived at the Pantheon, which was built in the 120s under Emperor Hadrian and originally dedicated to the Roman gods. Today, it serves as a Catholic church.
Walking along the Roman roads was fascinating—the stones are still the same as in ancient times, when wagons once passed through. Italy intentionally preserves them this way, not because they lack the money to redevelop, but to protect their history.
The whole city feels like a work of art.
I’ve visited many countries, and I think the greatest joy of traveling abroad is experiencing the unique cultures, histories, and traditions of different peoples and places.
Of course, I also enjoyed some delicious gelato along the way!
Next, I visited Piazza Venezia. This square, built in 1871, commemorates the unification of Italy. The statue in the center is of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of unified Italy.
Shall we watch the Piazza Venezia video together?
This is the Trevi Fountain, the most famous fountain in Rome.
Vatican Museums
I arrived at the Vatican Museums. The Vatican, located within the city of Rome, is truly remarkable. It is considered an independent country and serves as the center of the Roman Catholic Church.
Colosseum
I’ve arrived at the Colosseum, which was begun around 70 AD by Emperor Vespasian. It’s a famous site where gladiators once competed in the massive, circular arena.
I went inside the stadium, and seeing it up close was incredible.
Because of its age, ongoing restoration work is necessary to preserve this iconic landmark.
Summary: Is there anyone who doesn’t love Rome, Italy? I don’t think so. For anyone interested in European history, the Roman Empire, or Roman gods, Rome is an absolute must-visit. I believe it’s a city that people of all ages—men and women alike—should experience at least once in their lifetime. Personally, I’d give it more than five out of five.
Milan
When people think of Milan, Italy, many immediately think of fashion and shopping. Milan is also the financial center of Italy. The city is home to countless luxury brands. In the automotive world, there’s Lamborghini and Ferrari. In fashion, there are renowned names like Brunello Cucinelli, Valentino, Bottega Veneta, Versace, Prada, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Etro, and Zegna. It’s incredible that so many iconic luxury brands come from Italy, and most of the major fashion houses are based in Milan. This gives the city a true reputation as one of the world’s fashion capitals.
Galleria-Vittorio Emanuele II
Milan is famous for shopping, so of course I had to visit a shopping mall! I went to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, which is said to be the oldest shopping mall in Italy.
Arriving at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II was amazing. Completed in 1877, the building itself is incredibly luxurious and impressive.
Duomo di Milano
I’ve arrived at the Duomo di Milano in Milan.
The cathedral is truly impressive and has a very different appearance compared to the Duomo in Florence.
Summary: Milan is a city that anyone interested in fashion and luxury brands will love. I was amazed to learn that many luxury clothing and car brands familiar to Koreans are based in Italy, with most of the major fashion houses located in Milan.
However, Milan was slightly less captivating to me compared to other Italian cities, perhaps because Italy offers so many historical sites, natural landscapes, and other places to explore. Personally, I’d give it four out of five.
Venice
Venice is famous as the city of canals, isn’t it? The city has more than 100 islands connected by around 400 bridges. When I first got off the train, Venice was shrouded in fog, giving it a mysterious atmosphere. There were no roads, only canals, which is probably why I didn’t see any cars.
Venice is truly a beautiful city.
I traveled around by boat, which was a unique and unforgettable experience. I also walked around after getting off at the ferry stations, but I got lost quite often. Surprisingly, it wasn’t frustrating at all—it felt more like exploring a maze.
Since I was in Venice, I had to try the local Venetian spaghetti, and it was delicious!
Summary: Venice adds another layer of beauty to Italy. As I walked around the city, all I could think was how stunning it was. I kept feeling that Italy is truly enviable, as each city has its own unique charm and character, and all are incredibly attractive. Personally, I’d give it five out of five.
Florence
Florence means ‘prosperity’ in Latin, which might explain why it became the center of Renaissance art and architecture.
Piazza della Repubblica
The Piazza della Repubblica reminded me a lot of Rome.
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
The Duomo in Florence felt different from the Duomo in Milan. Personally, I found the Milan Duomo to feel sharp and masculine, while the Florence Duomo felt gentle and feminine.
My earlier impression of Florence, which I had from the Piazza della Repubblica, shifted when I saw the Duomo—it reminded me more of Rome. Yet, when appreciating the architecture on its own, I discovered a unique kind of beauty.
Summary: When I first walked around Florence, it reminded me a little of Rome, but the moment I saw the Duomo, that impression vanished completely. Unlike Rome, Florence has its own distinct beauty, and I truly enjoyed my time there. I highly recommend visiting Florence if you get the chance. Personally, I’d give it five out of five.
Cinque Terre
I traveled to Cinque Terre by train from Florence.
One of the joys of traveling by train is being able to look outside and enjoy the unique characteristics of each city as well as the natural scenery.
Rome and Florence preserve ancient architecture and have a special historic charm, but Cinque Terre offers something different. It’s a coastal region of cliffs and rocks along the Italian Riviera. From top to bottom on the map, the five villages—Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore—are all incredibly beautiful and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. The villages are connected by train, making it easy to explore them comfortably.
I arrived first at Riomaggiore Station, which is the first stop when traveling by train from Florence. After a short visit to the village, I took the train to the next village.
They had the stunning view of the sea from the train.
In Manarola, I marveled at how houses were built between steep cliffs and rocks. It’s hard to imagine how they managed to construct them, and yet the colorful houses blend perfectly with the natural landscape. Walking between the villages was a bit more of a workout than I expected, but it was worth it.
Along the way, I saw someone alone on a boat, probably fishing. The views were simply breathtaking.
To truly experience Cinque Terre, I recommend spending at least two days and one night. Trains don’t run very frequently, so taking your time to explore the villages is essential.
Summary: It was absolutely wonderful. I definitely want to visit again. It’s a place I would highly recommend to everyone. Personally, I’d give it more than five out of five.
Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is famous all over the world, isn’t it? It’s amazing to see the building tilting yet standing for so many centuries. I took a bus to Florence station, then a train to Pisa station, and finally another bus to reach the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
The building itself is beautiful.
When I arrived, I realized it wasn’t just the Leaning Tower—there were other impressive buildings around, making the entire tourist site quite large.
Here you can see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Because it’s more famous than the surrounding buildings, many tourists gather in front of it. The tower is an eight-story cylindrical structure, built in 1173, with construction spanning hundreds of years. Italy now limits the number of people entering the tower. Personally, seeing the mysterious yet precariously leaning architecture made me feel a little anxious about when it might fall.
This concludes my short visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Summary: The Leaning Tower of Pisa remains a mystery even today. Perhaps because of this intrigue, it attracts tourists from all over the world. At the same time, I couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious, wondering if an accident might ever happen. Personally, I’d give it five out of five.
Have a great day.
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