Western Europe 2025

Visited on 22-23 July 2025 Sightseeing The Five Villages (order from North to South or from Genoa or Levanto side to La Spezia or Pisa side) Monterosso Most famous for the beach with huge amount of umbrellas. We went by train at late after the sunset, so we could not see the umbrella. There is a giant statue called Statua del Gigante at the north end of the beach. https://maps.app.goo.gl/tcdmhy5dxPENy5AWA Vernazza One of the most picturesque village with beautiful port. The nice photo spots are at the hiking course before and after the village. Carniglia I think it is the smallest and the quietest village. We stayed overnight at this village. The village access is the hardest (need to climb long zigzag stairs) from the station amongst the other villages, therefore the accommodation is cheaper than other village. Bus from the station to the village can be accessed using Cinque Terre card. Manarola One of the most picturesque village. The nice photo spot is at the overlook near the famo...

Visited on 23 July 2025, only for about 2 hours Sightseeing The City Wall It is the wall that surrounding the city. Surprisingly it is very wide.  Many people were cycling on the wall. 1, 2, 4 people bikes can be rented in many rental shops inside the walled city. The further from the station, the cheaper. 4 pax bike was EUR 18-20. Shop attendees were Bangladeshi with big attitude, when I tried to bargain, they told me to go to other shops. The nearest access from the station is Porta San Pierto. https://maps.app.goo.gl/qqkogN9aivpDDkE68 Piazza dell'Anfiteatro https://maps.app.goo.gl/KLk4nGH65bGfbWMq8 Converted into complex of houses, shops and restaurants.

Visited on 23 July 2025, only for about 2 hours Pisa Tower It is one of the most famous building in the world and the main tourist attraction of this city. You can climb the tower with ticket. There are several pretty spots between the station and the Tower. 

Visited on 24-25 July 2025  Sightseeing  Places covered in  Brunelleschi  Pass (EUR 30, all located in the same square): 1.  Brunelleschi's Dome The most famous spot in Florence. The dome is part of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The ticket reservation specifies the start time to climb the stairs. There are three levels to access, the first level is the lower indoor ring of the dome, then the outdoor level of the dome, and on the way down, the upper indoor ring off the dome. 2. Bell Tower It is the square tower located next to the cathedral entrance. Almost the same with the dome, we had to climb longstairs to access the observation decks. Due to the safety wiring, the view was better from the Dome. Access till 18:45 at the time of visit. 3. Baptistery It is the circular building behind the cathedral. The mosaic, the main attraction was under construction and not visible, so it was not attractive. 4. Opera del Duomo Museum Located at the back of t...

Visited on 25 July 2025   Val d'Orcia (Tuscany Scenic View, Road with Cypress trees) - One of the famous photo spot is at the entrance of Palazzo Massaini, a hotel https://maps.app.goo.gl/oKNG6x6oSjYNPEGz8   Gladiator Movie Scene - I found a bit difficult to find. ChatGPT made to go to this Terrapille Farmhouse https://maps.app.goo.gl/qPdGUQcRRRpBH3c49 Some cars parked here, then we have to walk to the point in Google Map shows as Gladiator scene: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GnknJUsFv2D2uqX16 Since we didn't have time, we only went nearby the farmhouse. We didn't go to the Google Map point since the grass looked short. - Other source informed access from Pienza village behind this church https://maps.app.goo.gl/Su4z62WfpybcxUyH9   Terma di Saturnia or Cascate del Mulino - Location in Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3bcjPVm9wVAxhLeSA - There is a large parking area, self pay at the parking machine, EUR 2.5 per hour. - The entrance to the cascaded natural hot spring is fre...

Visited on 25-26 July 2025 Sightseeing Colosseum (Colosseo) Ticket selling fast online (EUR 24 includes access to the Arena and Roma Forum). I saw people queuing at site, but definitely better to buy online at their official website. Many types of ticket, like with access to Arena, Underground or Attic. I bought the ticket with access to Arena which was EUR 6 higher than the standard one. The one with access to underground and Arena (same price with the one with Arena access) was not available (maybe sold out). ID was checked several times to match the name on the ticket. Roman Forum (Foro Romano) https://maps.app.goo.gl/4hR1aYUknDM6WRRF9 Complex of city next to the Colosseum. A large complex, nice for walk. Ticket included with Colosseum ticket though there is cheaper ticket that gives access to Roma Forum only.  Eating La Prezzemolina (pizzeria not far from Colosseum) https://maps.app.goo.gl/mLbtPprAa8BKZzMB7 Cheap and delicious. La Famiglia (Italian located near my hotel north...