A Little Pause in Gussago

( Satuario la Santissima, Gussago )

From the 9th of April till the 6th of May.

After five incredible weeks in Lugano and another five soaking in the energy of Milan, we tied the knot and spent a few dreamy days in Paris. When we returned to Italy, we swapped the buzz of the city for something quieter: Perla’s house in Gussago, a small village near Brescia. It’s definitely not the most convenient spot — public transport is limited and getting around without a car isn’t easy — but it’s peaceful, affordable, and gave us a much-needed breather after the whirlwind of the last few months. For now, this is our base. I’m searching for an internship in a company, and Carmel is looking for a hospitality job to practice her Italian and dive deeper into local life. We’ve got about a month here, and while it’s not glamorous, there’s something beautiful about this slow, in-between chapter.

Staying in Via Santa Croce 65, Gussago

DAY 1 – Wednesday 09.04.25

( Perla’s house in Gussago )

On our final morning in Paris, we woke up early at 6:30 a.m., got ready, and caught the metro and train out to Versailles. On the way, we passed by a supermarket, picked up some breakfast, and enjoyed it in the gardens of the palace as the day slowly began. At 9 a.m., the gates opened and we entered the Palace of Versailles, making our way through the stunning halls and, of course, the famous Hall of Mirrors—even more breathtaking in person. After the indoor visit, we headed back out into the gardens one last time, soaking in the grandeur before saying goodbye and took few pictures. By noon, we were on our way to Charles de Gaulle Airport for our flight back to Italy. Our plane departed at 15:25 and landed at Milan Malpensa around 16:55. From there, we hopped on a train to Milano Centrale, grabbed a quick dinner at McDonald’s, and then caught another train to Brescia. One final bus ride took us to Gussago, where we arrived around 9:20 p.m.—tired but full of memories. We went straight to sleep, hearts full from such a beautiful trip and still dreaming of all we had just experienced together.

DAY 2 Thursday 10.04.25

We had a slow start to the day, waking up around 9 a.m. and heading out to do some groceries at the nearby Conad. We had lunch at home and, in the early afternoon, went to pick up Carmel’s card from Mail Boxes Etc. Since the weather was beautifully sunny, we took the opportunity to check out the local gym and enjoy a little walk. It was one of those simple, feel-good days that make you appreciate the everyday moments. Later on we had dinner and an early sleep in.

DAY 3 – Friday 11.04.25

The morning started with a gym session, followed by a quiet lunch at home. In the afternoon, we sat on the balcony working new CV and job applications—productive but relaxed. We ended the day with dinner together and went to bed early, feeling good about how much we’d gotten done.

DAY 4 – Saturday 12.04.25

We woke up at 8 and headed to the gym to get the day moving. Back home, we spent some time organizing things on the laptop and then had lunch. Later in the afternoon, we took a nice walk through the village, stopped for an ice cream, and picked up a bottle of wine at Conad for a cozy anniversary dinner at home.

In the evening, we relaxed and watched a few episodes of I Cesaroni—a sweet, quiet way to end a lovely day.

DAY 5 – Sunday 13.04.25

Woke up at 8 am went to the gym home lunch cooked by Carmel then pics and carbonara lunch the all afternoon kept doing the photo album and I called my mum and then we had dinner and went to sleep.

First week from 14.04.25 to 21.04.25

( Easter at Gussago with Carmel )

Monday we woke up early and kicked off the day with a gym session. Afterwards, we spent the morning organizing things at home and sending out CVs. After lunch, we went out to print Carmel’s CV to drop off at various bars around Gussago. We made a quick stop at the post office to pick up a kit we needed, then headed back home to relax a bit before dinner. In the evening, we cozied up on the couch and watched two episodes of I Cesaroni. Tuesday we woke up around 7:30 AM and hit the gym again. Around 10 AM, I joined Carmel for a job interview at a local bar. The rest of the day was pretty focused — we stayed home and kept sending out CVs.Wednesday it was another early morning at the gym. After that, I accompanied Carmel to another interview. We came back home for lunch, then spent the afternoon applying for more jobs and writing. Meanwhile, Carmel went out around Gussago to handle a few errands, including returning a Shein order and stopping by the post office. In the evening, we had dinner and, of course, watched a few more episodes of I Cesaroni. Thursday followed a similar rhythm: gym in the morning, then home to focus on writing for most of the day. In the evening, I had a session with my psychologist. Afterwards, it was time for a shower, a quick dinner, and a few more cozy episodes of I Cesaroni. Friday we went to the gym early, then caught a bus to Brescia. First stop: Iliad, to sort out a new SIM card for Carmel. Afterwards, we visited the beautiful Museo di Santa Giulia, full of history and art. We had a lovely lunch at Antica Osteria La Grotta, a charming traditional restaurant. In the afternoon, we explored the Museo Tosio Martinengo before taking the bus back home, feeling happily tired from the day.

Saturday was a bit more complicated. Carmel went to the gym while I stayed home, and unfortunately, we spent most of the day arguing. Luckily, the evening brought some peace: our friends Perla and Vincenzo came over, and we all shared a delicious pasta all’amatriciana before heading to bed early. Sunday morning, we woke up around 8:30 AM and went with Perla and Vincenzo to Pasticceria Serlini for a sweet breakfast. Back home, we all pitched in to clean the apartment a bit before they left. For lunch, Carmel tried colomba for the very first time! Since it was raining, we spent the afternoon sipping hot chocolate and binge-watching I Cesaroni, perfectly embracing the cozy vibes.

Second week from 21.04.25 to 28.04.25

( Castello di Brescia, Italy )

Monday we spent a relaxed Monday at home, had lunch, and chilled for a while afterwards. In the afternoon, since the rain had finally stopped, we decided to go for a walk to Santuario La Santissima. It was a beautiful stroll — the sun was peeking through, and the atmosphere was lively, with lots of people enjoying the traditional Pasquetta vibes.Tuesday we woke up early, went to the gym, and spent part of the morning sending out a few CVs. After lunch, the weather was sunny and very warm, so we decided to return to La Santissima to take a few photos. On the way back, we stopped at Pasticceria Serlini to try their famous bignè — they were absolutely incredible! Then we headed home for a quiet evening. Wednesday was another early start and gym session. We stayed home most of the day, focused on sending out more CVs. In the evening, we treated ourselves to an aperitif at Alla Goccia Bar, enjoying a Piro and a Hugo before heading home for a good night’s sleep. Thursday we woke up at 7 AM, went to the gym, and caught the first bus to Brescia. From there, we hopped onto another bus to reach the Agenzia delle Entrate for our 10:30 AM appointment. After finishing there, we returned to the city center, visited the beautiful Duomo, and grabbed a quick slice of pizza and some focaccia at Il Pane di Maurizio Sarioli. The weather was stunning, so we walked up to the Castello di Brescia, soaking up the sunshine. Later in the afternoon, Carmel had an interview at My English School, before we finally made our way back home. Friday we started Friday with an early gym session. We had considered going to Lake Iseo, but since rain was forecasted, we decided to stay home. I focused on sending CVs in the morning, then spent the afternoon writing and making a homemade budino. In the evening, we cozied up and watched a few more episodes of I Cesaroni. Saturday started bright and early at 7:30 AM. We got ready, caught the bus to Brescia, and then the train to Iseo at 9:56 AM. Once we arrived, we queued up for the ferry to Monte Isola. The island was stunning — we wandered around, explored, and grabbed some pizza and focaccia from L’Isola di Ribola, enjoying a little picnic on the island. Around 2:30 PM, we caught the ferry back, then the 4:33 PM train, and the bus back to Gussago. Once home, we had a quick aperitif, and later that evening, Perla and Vincenzo came over and stayed the night.

Sunday we woke up early went to the gym and then say bye to Perla and Vincenzo and we spent basically the day organizing and packing everything for Venice and sending few more Cv out

Third week from 28.04.25 to 05.05.25

Venice 2025

During Easter me and Carmel we wanted to go to visit Venice but it was basically raining for two weeks in a row. So we posticipate.

DAY 1 – Monday 28.04.25

( Night at: Maison Pizzo Guesthouse, Venice )

( St Mark Basilica, Venice )

Took the bus from Gussago at 8:28 am got in Brescia took the train to Venice at 9:33 changed in Verona and arrived in Venice at 11:30 am we walked to the hotel did the check in and then we went to Burger King for lunch and then at 2:30 we joint the free walking tour with a meeting point at Campo Della Carità, it was a very interesting walking tour and we discovered few things about the city and a lot of history. Once it finished we went to visit Piazza San Marco and we went inside of Saint Mark’s Basilca and then we walked to Libreria Aqua Alta which it was very cool and then we passed by the hotel and we went out for an aperitif at Timon Vini where we got an non alcoholic beverage and we tried the cicchetti. Then we passed by the supermarket Coop and we went back to the hotel to eat something fast and then we went to sleep.

DAY 2 – Tuesday 29.04.25

( Night at: Maison Pizzo Guesthouse, Venice )

( Burano, Italy )

Woke up at 6:45 took the boat near the hotel at 7:40 am in 40 mins we arrived in Burano the city was amazing totally empty. We took few pictures around but the the camera stop working unfortunately so we went to a bar for breakfast Bar Cafe Palmisano trying to fix it and then enjoy a bit. After we grabbed a slice of pizza at Devil Pizza and then we took the ferry back to Venice at 12:55 pm.We went back to the hotel. The got an ice cream at Gelato di Natura at Campo Santi Apostoli. Then we went to visit Teatro La Fenice which there was trial of an opera going on actually and then we went for an aperitif at enoteca al volto – ombre cicheti to try other cicchetti and have an aperol spritz. And then we passed by ponte vecchio to take same picture and then we went for dinner at Ristorante da Raffaele at 7 pm as we booked which we had a really nice dinner and then after we walked back to the hotel to sleep.

DAY 3 – Wednesday 30.04.25

( Night at: Maison Pizzo Guesthouse, Venice )

( View over San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice )

We woke up at 6 am got ready and we did an Early walk through Venice before the crowds – best way to enjoy the quiet magic and have the occasion to take pictures near St Marks square. Stopped at Farini for breakfast.

Back to the hotel at 10 packed everything and then check out at 11 took few pics around the hotel and then we took the train to Verona at 12:10 and we arrived at 13:38.

Once we got there we stopped for lunch to grab same focaccia and pizza quickly.

Then the arena from the outside and then we line up to go in the garden of giulietta e Romeo only from the outside even if there was a very long line because is free visiting it from

The outside. And then we took the train back to Brescia and from there the bus to Gussago which we got there around 9 pm very tired from those days and exhausted by train and people. But for me it was very nice going back to Venice I always like that city and also visiting burano again and Verona.

Thursday gym in the morning noon home applying for Australian visa and then watched the cesaroni in the evening and we had dinner

Friday gym by myself physio at 9:30 am then home eat something quickly and at 12 pm nails then took the bus to Brescia and lashes at 2:15 pm then home

Saturday gym breakfast at the bar Pasticceria Serlini then toe at 11 am nail then train home eat someth and then left around 2:30 pm to take the bus to Brescia from there I took the train to Milan and a second train to Vercelli where my mum come sto pick me up.

Sunday we woke up got ready well organized my room and clothes then I got ready and I went with my mum and auntie to Camillo and Luigina’s house to celebrate their 60 year of anniversary wedding and we went for lunch at Il Ristoro and then my mum took me to the train station in Alessandria when I took the train to Milan and then Brescia once I got there was raining so I took a taxi and got home at 8 pm where Carmel was waiting for me and cooked dinner.

Last day in Gussago 05.05.25

Monday gym in the morning and then clean all day basically and packed with the new clothes that I got from my mum’s house then cersaroni and sleep. And the day after we left for the road trip.