-CURIOSITY HAS NO BORDERS-
Europe / A Travel Journal
Italy
A timeless blend of history, beauty, culture, and the simple pleasure of enjoying life
October 17-23, 2011
At a Glance
CAPITAL
Rome
LANGUAGE
Italian
CURRENCY
Euro (€)
BEST TIME
April–June & September–October
TIME ZONE
CET/CEST
DRIVING SIDE
Right
DAYS STAYED
7 Days
PLACES VISITED
Rome, Vatican City, Venice
Navigate This Journey
Jump to any part of this trip
Our Journey
How Italy Opened Our Eyes to the World
When we first booked our trip to Italy, we thought we were going to see the places we had always heard about—the Colosseum, Vatican City, the canals of Venice. And while those places were every bit as incredible as we imagined, looking back, they weren’t what truly defined the trip.
Where Curiosity Took Us
#1 Rome
Rome brought history to life in a way we had never experienced before. From walking through the Colosseum and Roman Forum to tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain and exploring lively piazzas, every corner of the city felt like a journey through time.
#2 Vatican City
Vatican City left us in awe with its incredible art, architecture, and centuries of history. We explored the Vatican Museums, stood beneath Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel, experienced the breathtaking beauty of St. Peter’s Basilica, and had the unforgettable opportunity to attend Mass with Pope Benedict XVI.
#3 Venice
Venice felt like stepping into another world, with winding canals, narrow streets, beautiful bridges, and historic buildings rising from the water. We explored the city on foot, took in the energy of St. Mark’s Square, enjoyed a gondola ride, and happily got lost discovering its quieter corners.
Funny Moments
The Adventure Began in the Backseat
The adventure began almost immediately after we landed in Rome.
We climbed into a taxi to take us to our Airbnb near Campo de’ Fiori, tired from the flight, excited to finally be in Italy, and apparently unaware that our first official activity would be testing the limits of the human nervous system.
A Hole New Experience
In Venice, we wandered into a restaurant that felt less like a business and more like we had accidentally walked into someone’s grandmother’s kitchen.
It was warm, cozy, completely unpretentious, and exactly the kind of place you hope to stumble across while traveling. We settled in, ordered our food, and everything was going beautifully.
Then I had to use the bathroom.
Smile… That’ll Be €40
Another memorable moment happened when I spotted a “gladiator” and immediately decided that I absolutely needed a picture with him.
Sarah, displaying much better judgment than I was, wanted no part of it.
Historical Feature
The Secret Passage That Saved a Pope
THE SACK OF ROME — 1527
On May 6, 1527, Rome woke to one of the darkest days in its history.
For years, Europe had been tangled in a struggle for power among kings, emperors, and the Catholic Church. At the center of that struggle stood Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and Pope Clement VII, whose political alliances had placed them on opposing sides of a growing conflict.
By the spring of 1527, an enormous imperial army had marched toward Rome.
Many of the soldiers had gone unpaid for months. Hungry, frustrated, and increasingly difficult for their commanders to control, they saw Rome not only as a military target, but as a city filled with wealth.
When they reached its walls, the situation quickly spiraled into catastrophe.
💡 DID YOU KNOW?
New members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard still take their oath on May 6 in memory of the guards who died defending Pope Clement VII during the Sack of Rome.
THE PASSETTO
This is the secret elevated corridor Pope Clement VII used to escape from the Vatican to Castel Sant’Angelo during the Sack of Rome.
📍 SEE IT TODAY
Visit the Passetto di Borgo and Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome to trace the route Pope Clement VII used to escape during the Sack of Rome.
Local Food
Food quickly became one of our favorite parts of traveling through Italy. Staying near Campo de’ Fiori in Rome made it easy to step outside and find lively cafés, neighborhood pizzerias, gelato shops, and local restaurants tucked into the surrounding streets. Meals were never something to rush through—they became part of how we experienced the city.
Must Try
- Pizza Napoletana
- Carbonara
- Cacio e Pepe
- Tagliatelle al Ragù
- Gnocchi
- Risotto
- Burrata
- Focaccia
- Gelato
- Tiramisù
Through My Lens
The Photo That Tells the Story
More Than a Beautiful Piazza
While the buildings and evening light first caught my attention, it was the people who made this photograph memorable. Artists displayed their work, friends gathered over dinner, and the square buzzed with everyday life. It reminded us that some of the most unforgettable travel moments aren’t found at famous monuments—they’re found simply by slowing down and observing the world around you.
Rome
Vatican City
Venice
Plan Your Trip
The little things that make traveling a whole lot easier.
🪢 Local Customs & Etiquette
💬 Useful Local Phrases
💰 Money, Payments & Tipping
📅 Climate & Best Time to Visit
✈️ Getting There & Getting Around
🛏️ Where to Stay
🛡️ Health, Safety & Hydration
📶 Staying Plugged In
🛂 Visa & Entry Requirements
Packing List
Pack smart. Travel lighter. Leave room for the unexpected.
🎒
Essentials
VIEW LIST ↓
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Lightweight, versatile clothing
- One modest outfit for churches and religious sites
- Light sweater or jacket
- High-SPF sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Refillable water bottle
- European plug adaptor
- Portable power bank
- Small crossbody bag or daypack
- Passport, cards, and some euros
- Personal medications
🧴
Nice to Have
VIEW LIST ↓
- Lightweight scarf or wrap
- Compact umbrella
- Foldable shopping tote
- Packing cubes
- Waterproof phone pouch
- Small portable fan for summer
- Camera gear
- Extra room in your luggage for souvenirs
🧥
Seasonal Additions
VIEW LIST ↓
Summer: breathable clothing, sun hat, portable fan
Spring & Fall: light jacket, compact umbrella, layers
Winter: warm coat, scarf, gloves, waterproof shoes
Rome & Cities: comfortable walking shoes, polished casual layers
Venice: waterproof shoes, light rain layer, compact umbrella
Coastal Areas: swimsuit, sandals, beach cover-up
Travel Lessons
❝
One pizza, one person. We don’t make the rules.”
❝
Rome will teach you history. Italian taxis will teach you prayer.”
❝
In Italy, calories don’t count if you walked over cobblestones to get them.”
❝
There is always room for gelato. This is science.”
❝
If a gladiator offers you a photo, assume Maximus takes cash.”
Our Curiosity Rating
Our completely subjective take on Italy — based on what we experienced, loved, photographed, ate, survived, and would happily do again.
Culture
★★★★
Wildlife
★
Photography
★★★
Adventure
★
Food
★★★★
Would we go back?
★★★★
Our Passport Stamps
Every stamp tells a story.
Written by
Ali Kubeck
Curiosity Has No Borders is more than a travel blog—it’s our journey of exploring the world with curiosity, connection, and an open mind. Together, Sarah and I seek authentic experiences, embrace the unexpected, and find meaning in the moments that can’t be planned. We hope our adventures inspire others to step beyond their comfort zones and discover how travel can change the way we see the world.
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We’d love to hear from you — whether you’ve been to this destination, have questions about the trip, or just want to share a thought. Comments are open below.
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