Reggio Calabria: The Toe of Italy's Boot

Reggio Calabria

Reggio Calabria is like the toe of a giant boot if you look at Italy on a map. Pretty neat, right?

This city is awesome because it's right next to the sea. Imagine building sandcastles and splashing in the waves every day! The beach here is so pretty that people call it "the most beautiful kilometer in Italy."

One of the coolest things in Reggio Calabria is these old statues called the Riace Bronzes. They're these big, muscly guys made of metal. They're so old that they were found at the bottom of the sea. Now they live in a museum where everyone can see them.

The city has this big old castle too. It's like something out of a fairy tale, but don't try to climb the walls! The people who work there might not think it's as funny as you do.

If you like yummy food, you're in for a treat. They have this special fruit called bergamot. It's kind of like a lemon, but fancier. They use it to make tea and even perfume!

At night, everyone goes to this big street called Corso Garibaldi. It's like a big party where people talk really loud and wave their hands around a lot. It's pretty funny to watch!

There's also a big park called Aspromonte where you can go hiking. Watch out for the wild pigs though - they really like to steal people's sandwiches!

The best part? When the sun goes down, you can see the island of Sicily across the water.

Reggio Calabria is a place full of fun, tasty food, and lots of things to see. It'll be an adventure you'll never forget.

Rossana Carlâ

Matera: Rocks!

I Sassi di Matera

Nestled in the southern Italian region of Basilicata, Matera is the city that puts the "stone" in "Stone Age chic."

Matera is a city literally made of rocks. It's in Italy, and it's so old and awesome that is listed as a "World Heritage site," which is just a fancy way of saying it's super duper important.

Imagine living in a cave house! That's what people in Matera do. It's like having a secret hideout, but way better because you don't have to build it yourself. These cave houses are so good at staying cool, it's like they have their own built-in air conditioning!

And the food here is yummy! They have this soup called "Crapiata" that sounds funny but tastes amazing. It's like a big bowl of magic beans!

Matera has tons of old churches too. Some are even carved right into the rocks! It's like someone said, "Hey, let's make a church, but make it extra cool by putting it inside a mountain!"

Did you know that movies are made here? Yep, even Hollywood wants to hang out here. Matera rocks!

Almost everything is in a cave, there's this huge underground water tank called the Palombaro Lungo.

If you visit, you can even sleep in a cave hotel! It's like camping, but with comfy beds and no bugs. Plus, you can pretend you're a cave kid from a million years ago!

So, if you want to have the coolest vacation ever, come to Matera! Just remember to bring your walking shoes - there are lots of stairs, and your legs might get tired. But trust me, it's totally worth it.

Rossana Carlâ

Genova: Streets so Twisty-Turny That Will Make you Dizzy

Imagine a place where the streets are so twisty-turny to make you dizzy. That's Genova! Also the tiny streets in Genova are so skinny, you might have to breathe in to let someone pass. People say Christopher Columbus learned to sail here because he kept getting lost in the city. Oops!

Genova has this awesome old port where you can see fish in a giant aquarium. It's more like the fish are watching a human TV show all day long.

There's this big fancy building called the Palazzo Ducale. It used to be home to the doges, important people who wore funny hats. Now it's where you can see cool art and maybe learn how to wave your hands around like an Italian when you talk.

In the middle of the city, there's a huge square with a fountain that sometimes splashes people without warning. It's like a surprise water park! I’ve warned you but I won’t tell you which square this is.

Genova is famous for its yummy food, especially this green sauce called pesto. People here love it so much, and they also spend a considerable amount of time arguing about how many pine nuts should be in it.

If you want to see the whole city, you can go up to this high place called Spianata Castelletto. On a clear day, you might see an island far away. Or maybe it's just a cloud that looks like an island. Who knows?

Genova has a super tall lighthouse called the Lanterna, and some people think if you make a wish while looking at it, it might come true. You never know, it’s worth a try I’d say.

There's also this cool church with stripes. It looks like it couldn't decide what color to be. Inside, there's an old bomb that didn't go boom. Lucky us!

Before you leave Genova, make sure to visit the Palazzo Reale. It's so fancy, you'll feel like a king or queen. It is also packed with shiny mirrors!

Genova is a bit like a clumsy puppy - it might trip you up sometimes, but you can't help but love it. Don't forget to take some pesto home. You can thank me later. Ciao.

Rossana Carlâ

Palermo: Defies Logic, Laughs in the Face of Order, and will Steal your Heart.

Today we start our adventure in Palermo! This Sicilian city is big and messy where grown-ups act like kids.

Picture this: You're standing in a place called Quattro Canti. It's where four fancy buildings are having a staring contest. If you spin around here, you might get so dizzy you accidentally marry someone.

Then there's this huge church that looks like it can't make up its mind. It's got many different styles and the locals love it, though, so don't make fun of it or they might force-feed you arancini.

On this note, Palermo's street food is like a crazy buffet. You can eat Arancini, fried rice balls as big as your fist or even try a sandwich with cow guts for the most adventurous. Bring some tummy medicine, just in case.

Now something super creepy-cool, the Capuchin Catacombs. It's full of really old, dried-up bodies wearing fancy clothes. It's like Halloween, but real and way older.

If you need a break from all the weirdness, head to Mondello Beach. It's where people go to be lazy in the sun. Warning: You'll see more hairy man-bellies than you ever wanted to.

When it gets dark, Palermo turns into a giant party. People hop from one bar to another like they're playing a game. You might see a grown-up wearing socks with sandals - try not to laugh too hard.

The markets here are crazy fun. Imagine a place where you can buy a whole octopus and a fake designer bag at the same time. It's like a treasure hunt, but noisier and smellier.

Oh, and the traffic? If you survive a car ride here, you deserve a trophy.

What a weird and wonderful place Palermo is. It's loud, it's messy, and it's full of surprises and yet it’s loads of fun.

Rossana Carlà

Florence: The Birthplace of the Renaissance and the Deathplace of Many Diets.

Today let's chat none other than of Florence! Surely one of the most beautiful cities.

Imagine walking down a long maze of old streets then BAM! You see this huge church called the Duomo. It's very very tall and I’m told it has unparallelled architecture - that of Brunelleschi. Then let’s zoom on this famous statue of a naked dude named David. Try not to laugh too much - it's fancy art stuff.

There's also this super old bridge called Ponte Vecchio. It's covered in jewelry shops that sparkle like a unicorn's birthday party! Let’s continue climbing up to Piazzale Michelangelo for a great breathtaking view of the city.

The Uffizi Gallery is this epic maze of art and packed with old-school masterpieces. When you're looking at the paintings, just nod your head slowly and go "Hmm" like you're deep in thought. Trust me, it'll make you look mad sophisticated, even if you can't tell the difference between some fancy Renaissance dude's art and a wine bottle label.

OMG, shoppers! You've gotta hit up the San Lorenzo Market. It's like, totally the IRL version of online shopping, but way cooler because you can actually touch stuff. There's so much leather!

Just a heads up: the sellers there are kinda intense. They'll be all up in your face trying to make a sale. It's like, chill dude! If you don't walk out with at least three "100% Italian leather" jackets and feel a tiny bit of "did I really need all this?" you're doing it wrong. #WhenInFlorence

Now, let's talk about the yummy food in Florence! The Florentine steak. It's HUGE - like, bigger than your plate huge! It's so big you could probably use it as a shield if you were a knight in shining armor!

Then there's this weird but cool thing called tripe. It's actually cow stomach! I know, it sounds gross, but trying it is like a food adventure. It's what the locals eat, so you can brag to your friends that you ate something super authentic.

And don't forget about the gelato! It's of course the Italian version of ice cream, but way better. It's so creamy and comes in tons of flavors. It's like regular ice cream put on a fancy Italian suit and decided to be extra delicious. You'll want to eat it every day!

Florence is like a big, tasty slice of history topped with extra fun. Just remember: snap lots of pics, eat tons of gelato, and maybe don't try to give David some shorts - people might get a bit grumpy about that!

Rossana Carlà

Naples: Chaos Isn't a Theory

Ready to take a fun trip to Naples? It's a city in Italy that's full of surprises. Let's dive in and see what makes this place so awesome!

First up, the streets of Naples. Imagine a giant game of bumper cars, but with real cars and scooters zooming around. It's like a big, noisy dance party on wheels! Crossing the street? That's where the real fun begins. It's like playing a video game in real life – dodge, duck, and dash your way across!

Now, let's talk about the old part of town. It's super old! The buildings are squished together like a big jigsaw puzzle, and the streets are so narrow you could high-five people on both sides at once. Cool, right?

But wait, there's more! Ever heard of pizza? Well, Naples is where it all began! The pizza here is so good qnd guess what? It's totally okay to fold your pizza slice like a taco. In fact, the locals do it all the time!

Wanna see something really weird? There's a whole secret city under Naples! It's a maze of tunnels and rooms deep underground. Just imagine all the hide-and-seek games you could play down there!

And then there's Mount Vesuvius. It's a huge volcano that looks like it's wearing a cloudy hat. Long ago, it erupted and covered a whole city in ash. Now it's sleeping, but who knows when it might wake up again? They have a say in Naples for the occurance of such an event: “Adda veni Baffon!” literally "Mustachioed guy won’t you come?”.

There's this super long street called Spaccanapoli that cuts right through the middle of Naples. It's like someone took a giant pizza cutter to the city! Walking down this street is like being in a parade – there are people everywhere, and tons of cool shops to check out.

If you like old stuff, you'll love the big museum in Naples. It's full of ancient treasures from a city called Pompeii that got buried by the volcano. There are statues, paintings, and even everyday things that people used thousands of years ago. It's like stepping into a time machine!

Oh, and don't forget to visit the Egg Castle! No, it's not made of eggs (bummer, right?). But there's a funny story about a magic egg hidden inside that keeps the castle from falling down. I wonder if the egg ever gets hungry...

Last stop: the San Gennaro Catacombs. It's a bit creepy, but in a cool way. It's like an underground city where people from long ago were buried. Don't worry, there aren't any ghosts (probably).

So there you have it, folks! Naples is a city that's loud, proud, and full of yummy food. It's got old stuff, new stuff, weird stuff, and everything in between. Just remember – in Naples, every day is an adventure. Who knows what crazy things you'll see or do? Maybe you'll discover a secret pizza recipe, or find a hidden tunnel, or make friends with a statue. The possibilities are endless!

Whether you're slurping spaghetti, dodging scooters, or exploring ancient ruins, Naples is sure to give you stories to tell for years to come. So pack your bags, bring your sense of adventure, and get ready for the trip of a lifetime.so fantastically fun!

Rossana Carlà

Milan: Where people take clothes too seriously and your piggy bank cries.

Ready for a wild ride through Milan? People are crazy about clothes and eat pasta like there's no tomorrow here.

First stop: the Duomo. It's this ginormous church and it's covered in so many pointy bits, it looks like a giant hedgehog made of stone.

Right next to it is this fancy mall called Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It's so fancy, even the name is hard to say! People go there to buy stuff that costs more than a spaceship. The funniest part? Watching other ladies try to walk on the slippery floor in their super high heels. It's like ice skating, but with more "Oops!" and "Oh no!" Not me, sorry. I’m glued to the floor with my trainers.

Hungry? Milan's got you covered. They're famous for this yellow rice dish called risotto. It's so yellow, it could probably glow in the dark. And don't forget the cotoletta - it's like a giant chicken nugget, but made from veal and as big as your face!

If you like soccer (or football, as they call it), you've got to see San Siro Stadium. It's home to two teams that are like oil and water - they just don't mix. On game days, the whole city turns into a crazy costume party with people wearing team colors everywhere.

Want to feel artsy? Head to the Brera area. It's full of weird shops and cafes where people pretend to be super smart while drinking tiny cups of coffee. You might even see someone reciting poetry in the middle of the street. Because nothing says "I'm cool" like rhyming in public, right?

There's also this super old painting called "The Last Supper" by a guy named Leonardo da Vinci. Getting tickets to see it is hard and you manage to find your way in, you only get to look at it for 15 minutes. It's like the world's fastest museum visit.

As the day ends, you'll see people doing this thing called aperitivo. It's like a contest to see who can eat the most free snacks while only buying one drink. Imagine if the buffet at a birthday party was a competitive sport - that's aperitivo.

If you really have no time, before doing anything else make sure you check out the Navigli area. It's got these cool canals that make you feel like you're in a mini-Venice. Just hold your nose - sometimes it smells a bit funky, and don't forget to practice your best "I'm totally a local" face - even if you're just there for a day. Milan might be fancy, but it's also fantastically fun!

Rossana Carlà

Lecce: A Pastiche of Pasticciotti and Baroque Bliss

Lecce is this super sleek city in Italy that's made of a lot of clear stone. As if someone took a bunch of fancy cakes and turned them into buildings - that's what Lecce looks like.

The city has this big church called the Cathedral, and it's so fancy it makes other buildings look like they're wearing old pajamas. Near it, there's another church that took longer to build than it takes you to do your chores 1000 times.

Lecce is built with this special stone that's so soft, you could probably carve it with a spoon. People make crazy sculptures all over the place. It's like the whole city is one big art project.

There's this huge old Roman theater too. It's so big, you could fit all the kids of an entire school in it. Somehow this theater also remained hidden underground for years, kind of like when you lose a sock in the washing.

The city is famous for these yummy pastries called pasticciotti. They're so good, people forget about boring stuff like eating vegetables when they're around. There's even a whole day to celebrate them.

People in Lecce also make cool stuff out of paper and glue. It's like arts and crafts class, but way fancier. They can turn old newspapers into amazing decorations.

At night, everyone goes for a walk around town. It's like a big parade of people showing off their cool clothes. And the best part? There's ice cream everywhere.

When it gets dark, the city lights up like a Christmas tree. It's super pretty, but watch out for the cats! They own the streets at night and act like they're the bosses of the city.

So, if you want to see a place that's fun, weird, and full of surprises, Lecce is your spot. Where else could you eat pastries all day without feeling guilty?

Rossana Carlà

Bologna: Porticoes, Pasta, and Peculiar Towers!

Bologna, “The coolest” city in Italy! Imagine a place where even the buildings look like they're playing dress-up - yep, that's Bologna!

The city has these super long (25 miles) covered walkways called porticoes. They're like giant umbrellas that never end. You can run, skip, or roll under them without getting wet when it rains. It's like the whole city is one big, fun maze.

Also, not content with just one tipsy tower like their Pisan neighbors, Bologna boasts TWO wobbly wonders. It's as if the city planners said, "Hold my wine" and decided to make architecture's version of a slapstick duo.

Now, let's chat about the yummy stuff. Bologna is famous for its pasta and a special meat called mortadella. It's so tasty, you'll want to eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The city loves food so much, they even have a nickname for it - "The Fat One". But don't worry, with all the walking you'll do, you won't turn into a meatball.

There's also this funny fountain with a big, strong guy called Neptune. He's surrounded by mermaids who look like they've been working out too much. Some people say if you walk around it the wrong way, you'll be stuck in school forever. Mamma mia!

Great to visit for the pasta, stay for the porticoes, and leave with a belly full of laughter (and probably mortadella).

Rossana Carlà

Bari: where Santa Claus Rules And Pasta Flies!

Lungomare di Bari

Bari is like a big playground by the sea, where pasta grows on trees and everyone speaks in hand gestures! As you wander the streets, it's a bit like playing charades with the friendly locals.

First up, there's Lungomare, Bari's seaside walk. It's like a giant water slide for your eyes, with the sea waving at you and the wind telling jokes only it understands.

Then, pop over to the Basilica di San Nicola. Home to the remains of St. Nicholas (yes, that's Santa Claus to you). Bari managed to 'borrow' these relics from Turkey in 1087 and never gave them back. Talk about a holy heist! Now, Bari is the only place where you can ask Santa for presents year-round.

In Bari Vecchia, or the old town, you can get delightfully lost. The streets are twisted like spaghetti, and the laundry hangs like flags of friendship. If you look puzzled, someone might just hand you a slice of focaccia to cheer you up!

And oh, the orecchiette pasta! It's like eating little bowls of happiness. If you're lucky, a grandma might show you how to cook them. But watch out, you'll leave with a full tummy and some new Italian words!

Once the sun goes down, Bari becomes a twinkly wonderland. People dance and eat gelato in the piazzas, and it's like everyone's your new best friend.

So, if you're up for some giggles, pasta, and magic, Bari is ready to welcome you with a big hug and maybe a plate of orecchiette. Just remember your appetite and your silly side!

Rossana Carlà

Venice: The Floating City Where Fish Are Landlords

Venice is a place like no other, where you might think the fish are in charge! The roads are made of water, and you get around in cool boats instead of cars.

Jump on a vaporetto, which is like a water bus, and cruise down the Grand Canal. Here, gondolas and boats bump into each other, and you can see tourists trying their best Titanic movie poses, while locals just shake their heads.

If you want a little workout, climb the Rialto Bridge. It's like a mini adventure for your legs, and the view from the top is awesome, or maybe it just feels like that because you've huffed and puffed your way up!

When it's time to eat, try the seafood. It's super fresh, and you might even feel like the fish are still plotting their escape. There's a dish called "squid ink pasta" that looks like it got into a fight with an octopus!

Don't forget to check out the amazing glass art on the island of Murano. You'll see people making beautiful glass pieces. Just be careful not to knock anything over!

At the end of the day, Venice is like a fun theme park that's gently sinking. You can have a gondola ride, which is not just romantic but a little bit of a wobbly adventure too.

So, pack your floaties and get ready to giggle a lot—Venice is waiting for you!

Rossana Carlà