Postcard Journeys: A family holiday to Italy 🇮🇹🍕🎭
- Anes Mariya Lavy
- 23 hours ago
- 4 min read
Towards mid-August, my parents, sister, husband, and I went on a much-awaited family holiday to Italy. This was a trip that my sister and I had been planning for a long time. When we finally got around to it, it was wonderful to see everything fall into place, and the whole experience was seamless. Our journey began at Birmingham International Airport, where we took a 2-hour flight to Milan Linate Airport. Although I have travelled extensively with my husband and sister previously, this was my first time traveling to another country (apart from India) with my parents, making this trip extra special for us.
Upon arrival at Milan Linate Airport, we headed to our hotel in Milan, which was just a 20-minute drive away. After a quick freshen-up, we found a highly-rated North Indian restaurant for dinner and indulged in boiled rice, paneer, prawn curry, chicken curry, and chapatis. Needless to say, the food was incredible and a great start to our holiday!
The following morning, we headed off to Milan Central Station to catch our 4-hour train to Venice. On our way to the station, we grabbed some hot drinks and Italian sweet treats to fill our tummies. I treated myself to a hot chocolate (the classic!), a cannoli (a Sicilian pastry made of a tube-shaped shell of fried pastry dough filled with a sweet and creamy ricotta cheese filling), and a millefoglie (a traditional Italian dessert made of layers of crispy puff pastry filled with a creamy filling).
Our train journey was filled with jokes, fun, and laughter. It was such a wholesome experience to see my parents soaking in all the joy. Around lunchtime, we reached Venice, and I must say, as soon as we stepped foot in the city, I fell in love. One word that comes to mind is "charm." Venice is enchanting and is by far my favourite city in Europe — and I believe this is unlikely to change! For a bit of history, Venice was founded in the 5th century AD and is spread over 118 small islands that seem to float on the waters of the lagoon, composing an unforgettable landscape that inspired Canaletto, Guardi, Turner, and many other painters. Venice became a major maritime power in the 10th century and is an extraordinary artistic achievement.
We spent 2 days in Venice, filled with delicious pizza, lots of sightseeing, relaxing, and a memorable gondola ride. The weather was just right, not too hot, which made everything even more enjoyable! We had been warned that summer in Italy could reach 35-40 degrees Celsius, but luckily, we were comfortable. Venice was also where I first started using my Digi-cam, and I particularly enjoyed capturing the canals, food, landscapes, and the happy expressions of my family!
In addition to Venice, we visited Padua to see St. Anthony’s Basilica (a much-anticipated visit for my mum), Voghera to see my dad’s cousin, went on a day trip to Lake Como, and spent a couple of days in Rome, where we also saw the Vatican.
Lake Como had been on our itinerary from the beginning, and although we had a moment of uncertainty about whether we would actually go, it turned out wonderfully, and we managed to visit this stunning location. For a quick geography moment: Lake Como (Lago di Como) is located in Northern Italy and is shaped like an upside-down "Y," lined with colourful towns like Bellagio and Varenna. We also discovered the best gelato while in Lake Como – honestly, I need to return, even if it’s just for the gelato.
As for Rome and the Vatican, it was a surreal experience, to say the least. One thing I noticed about Rome is that it is a city of contrasts, blending ancient ruins, Baroque architecture, and bustling modern streets. Walking through the city, you might pass a 2,000-year-old ruin on your way to a café, only to find yourself in a quiet alley with locals enjoying their daily routines. This gives the city a layered, vibrant feel that is both chaotic and cinematic. The main spots we visited in Rome included the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain (one of my favourites), the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Vatican City. When visiting the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain, we learned that it’s best to go early in the morning (around 6-7 am) to beat the crowds and make the most of the views.
"I found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble" - Augustus, reflecting on the transformation and grandeur of the city
We truly made the most of our week-long trip to Italy, creating countless beautiful memories. From the scrumptious food to the stunning attractions, every moment in Italy was to be cherished. I can definitely see myself returning to Italy at some point in the future! Whether it's to explore more charming towns, indulge in delicious cuisine, or simply soak in the rich culture, there is so much more to discover in this beautiful country.
