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  4. I spent 6 days in Italy after dreaming of visiting my whole life. 8 moments felt downright magical, from stumbling upon a castle to sleeping in an art sculpture.

I spent 6 days in Italy after dreaming of visiting my whole life. 8 moments felt downright magical, from stumbling upon a castle to sleeping in an art sculpture.

I spent 6 days in Italy after dreaming of visiting my whole life. 8 moments felt downright magical, from stumbling upon a castle to sleeping in an art sculpture.
Insider's reporter spent a week exploring Italy by train, from Venice, to Rome, to Milan.Joey Hadden/Insider
  • Italy is a European country I always dreamed of visiting, until 2022, when that dream came true.
  • I spent six days exploring Venice, Rome, and Milan; and I thought some moments felt magical.

Growing up with my half-Italian family in a Manhattan suburb, I always dreamed of going to Italy.

Growing up with my half-Italian family in a Manhattan suburb, I always dreamed of going to Italy.
The author dreams of Italy in her grandparents' suburban home.      Joey Hadden/Insider

My dream finally came true in October 2022, when I spent six days exploring Venice, Rome, and Milan for the first time.

My dream finally came true in October 2022, when I spent six days exploring Venice, Rome, and Milan for the first time.
(From left to right): The author visits Venice, Rome, and Milan, in October 2022.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Four months after my Italian adventure, I'm still thinking about eight moments that felt magical and made the long-awaited trip everything I hoped it would be.

Four months after my Italian adventure, I
The author enjoys her time in Rome.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I visited Italy during a two-week train trip through Europe. To get to the country, I took an overnight train from Vienna to Venice.

I visited Italy during a two-week train trip through Europe. To get to the country, I took an overnight train from Vienna to Venice.
The author gets ready to board a Trenitalia train in Venice, Italy.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Then I traveled by train to Rome and Milan. I spent two days exploring each city.

Then I traveled by train to Rome and Milan. I spent two days exploring each city.
A map of Italy shows where Milan, Venice, and Rome are located.      Google Maps

While taking trains between cities, I remember looking out the windows and being stunned by the Italian countryside.

While taking trains between cities, I remember looking out the windows and being stunned by the Italian countryside.
Business-class seating on a train from Venice to Rome.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I found the rolling hills to be one of the most picturesque views I'd ever seen from a train. The scene looked like something straight out of my dreams.

I found the rolling hills to be one of the most picturesque views I
A view out the window of a train traveling from Venice to Rome in Italy.      Joey Hadden/Insider

My first stop in Italy was Venice, a 1,200-year-old city made up of islands connected by bridges on the northwestern edge of the Adriatic Sea, according to Britannica.

My first stop in Italy was Venice, a 1,200-year-old city made up of islands connected by bridges on the northwestern edge of the Adriatic Sea, according to Britannica.
Gondolas line the water on the coast of Venice.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Britannica

I'd heard of Venice's canals and car-free streets, but I'll never forget the moment I saw the city myself for the first time. I felt like I'd just stepped into a storybook with colorful buildings lining the canals.

I
A canal runs through Venice.      Joey Hadden/Insider

After wandering the streets of Venice, I took a gondola tour to see the city from a different perspective.

After wandering the streets of Venice, I took a gondola tour to see the city from a different perspective.
A view of Venice from a gondola.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I remember one moment during the ride when we were on a quiet, narrow path, and I began to notice how much more intimately I could see Venice from the canal.

I remember one moment during the ride when we were on a quiet, narrow path, and I began to notice how much more intimately I could see Venice from the canal.
Views from the author's gondola ride.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Being in a narrow canal allowed me to see homes from inches away, and seeing their foundations immersed in the water felt surreal to me.

Being in a narrow canal allowed me to see homes from inches away, and seeing their foundations immersed in the water felt surreal to me.
The author views homes from inside a gondola.      Joey Hadden/Insider

For my stay in Venice, I booked an Airbnb stay at Castello de Roncade, a castle and winery just outside of the city.

For my stay in Venice, I booked an Airbnb stay at Castello de Roncade, a castle and winery just outside of the city.
The author wanders the castle grounds surrounding her Airbnb stay.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I had another magical moment while wandering the castle's stunning grounds. They were filled with perfectly-placed plants and sculptures that I thought looked enchanting.

I had another magical moment while wandering the castle
The grounds of Castello de Roncade outside of Venice, Italy.      Joey Hadden/Insider

My favorite part of the grounds was a massive tree I found alluring. It was a 250-year-old Lebanon Cedar tree, a representative for Castello de Roncade told me. Looking up from underneath it made me feel tiny.

My favorite part of the grounds was a massive tree I found alluring. It was a 250-year-old Lebanon Cedar tree, a representative for Castello de Roncade told me. Looking up from underneath it made me feel tiny.
The grounds of Castello de Roncade.      Joey Hadden/Insider

From Venice, I traveled to Rome, a nearly 3,000-year-old city known for its rich history and romantic vibes.

From Venice, I traveled to Rome, a nearly 3,000-year-old city known for its rich history and romantic vibes.
Archaeological sites and historic buildings in Rome.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Insider

During my stay, I slept in a livable art sculpture I found on Airbnb, and I thought it was the most unique accommodation I'd ever experienced.

During my stay, I slept in a livable art sculpture I found on Airbnb, and I thought it was the most unique accommodation I
A livable sculpture in Rome that the author found on Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Airbnb

My host, Alessandro, told me he built the livable sculpture on the roof of his villa using recycled materials like car windows, scrap wood, and pieces of broken tiles.

My host, Alessandro, told me he built the livable sculpture on the roof of his villa using recycled materials like car windows, scrap wood, and pieces of broken tiles.
Inside the livable art sculpture.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Before booking this Airbnb, I'd never even heard of a sculpture home. I imagined it would feel like sleeping in a giant piece of art, with quirky design elements in every corner. Turns out, I was right.

Before booking this Airbnb, I
The kitchen inside the Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I'll never forget how amazing it felt to wake up inside this Airbnb with sunlight pouring in thanks to all the windows. I wish I could start every day with a moment like that.

I
The author enjoys the outdoor patio at her Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

While exploring the city on foot, I remember two special moments when I spotted artists sharing their work with people directly on the streets of Rome.

While exploring the city on foot, I remember two special moments when I spotted artists sharing their work with people directly on the streets of Rome.
Narrow alleys in Rome.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Under the shade of a tree near the Roman Forum, I watched an artist paint a chapel across the street. Seeing him in his own world in a public space among so many people was remarkable and inspiring to me.

Under the shade of a tree near the Roman Forum, I watched an artist paint a chapel across the street. Seeing him in his own world in a public space among so many people was remarkable and inspiring to me.
A man in Rome paints the 15th-century catholic chapel in front of him — Santa Maria di Loreto.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I had a similar feeling a few minutes later when I spotted another artist sculpting dogs from sand. I thought this was such a unique form of art and found it fascinating to watch.

I had a similar feeling a few minutes later when I spotted another artist sculpting dogs from sand. I thought this was such a unique form of art and found it fascinating to watch.
An artist sculpts dogs from sand on the streets of Rome.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The last stop of my trip was Milan, a northern Italian city known for being a world capital of fashion and finance, according to Britannica. But my most magical moment in this city had nothing to do with these things.

The last stop of my trip was Milan, a northern Italian city known for being a world capital of fashion and finance, according to Britannica. But my most magical moment in this city had nothing to do with these things.
Snapshots of Milan in October 2022.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Britannica

Instead, it came from an aimless walk around the city when I stumbled upon a red, brick castle that looked massive.

Instead, it came from an aimless walk around the city when I stumbled upon a red, brick castle that looked massive.
The entrance gates of Castello Sforzesco in Milan.      Joey Hadden/Insider

It was Castello Sforzesco, a 15th-century castle built by Francesco Sforza, a duke of Milan who founded the Sforza Dynasty, according to Britannica.

It was Castello Sforzesco, a 15th-century castle built by Francesco Sforza, a duke of Milan who founded the Sforza Dynasty, according to Britannica.
The castle viewed from Sempione Park on a misty, foggy morning in Milan.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Britannica

I thought the castle looked like it came straight out of a fairy tale, and since I wasn't expecting to find it in urban Milan, happening upon it by chance felt like magic to me.

I thought the castle looked like it came straight out of a fairy tale, and since I wasn
Snapshots of Castello Sforzesco in Milan.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Thanks to these special moments, I don't think I'll ever forget my first trip to Italy.

Thanks to these special moments, I don
The author enjoys her time in Italy.      Joey Hadden/Insider

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