Where I’ve been:

• Berlin 2013
• Erasmus in Trier 2016

During my Erasmus, I went on several day trips, including Luxembourg, Metz (France), Saarburg, Saarbrücken, Mainz and Wiesbaden, Strasbourg (France), Stuttgart, Burg Eltz, and Cologne, plus the Interrail and the last trip to Hamburg

• Kleve, Dusseldorf, Bonn and Wuppertal 2017

My first time in Germany.

5 days in Berlin 2014

( On the plan from Milan to Berlin during the sunrise )

For our first anniversary, my boyfriend surprised me with a trip to Berlin as a gift. It was such a thoughtful present, especially because neither of us had ever been to the city before. We had talked about visiting Berlin for a long time, so finally experiencing it together felt really special almost like ticking off a shared dream from our list.

The trip wasn’t just about seeing a new place, but about discovering it side by side. Walking through the streets of Berlin, exploring its history, and simply spending time together in a city that was new to both of us made the experience even more meaningful. It became one of those trips where the destination and the memories are equally important.

Even though it was January and the weather was very cold, that almost added something to the experience. Wrapped up in coats and scarves, we still spent hours walking around the city, stopping for warm drinks whenever we could, and taking in Berlin’s atmosphere in a different kind of quiet, wintery way.

DAY 1 – Friday 03.01.14

( Night at: Adina Apartment Hotel Berlin Checkpoint Charlie )

We flew from Milan Malpensa early in the morning, with a 06:50 AM departure to Berlin Schönefeld. It was still dark when we left Italy, and by the time we landed in Berlin, the city was just starting its day. After arriving, we made our way to the hotel, checked in, dropped off our luggage, and finally had a moment to settle in after the early flight.

Without wasting too much time, we headed out to explore one of the highlights of our trip: the Berlin Zoo. We ended up spending almost the entire day there. It was much bigger than I had imagined honestly, I had never seen a zoo of that size before. Walking through it felt like discovering a small world inside the city, with so many different animals and areas to explore. Even though it was January and quite cold, we didn’t really mind too much because we were so focused on seeing everything.

By the evening, we were completely exhausted from the early wake-up and the long day of walking. We went back to the hotel, had a simple dinner, and basically fell asleep quite early. It wasn’t an intense sightseeing day in terms of landmarks, but it was a perfect first introduction to Berlin simple, spontaneous, and just really nice to experience together.

DAY 2 – Saturday 04.01.14

( Night at: Adina Apartment Hotel Berlin Checkpoint Charlie )

We woke up early and decided to spend the day exploring Berlin properly, starting with some of its most iconic landmarks. Our first stop was the Berliner Dom, which immediately impressed us with its massive dome and beautiful interior. From there, we continued to the Alte Nationalgalerie, where we briefly walked around and took in the atmosphere of Museum Island.

We then made our way to the Berlin Wall Memorial, a very powerful and emotional place that really helped us understand the history of the city and its division. After that, we visited the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, a space that felt heavy and reflective, especially as we walked through the rows of concrete slabs in the cold air. We also explored the Berlin Wall documentation areas, which gave us a deeper insight into what life was like during the separation of East and West Berlin.

Later in the day, we reached the Brandenburg Gate, one of the most famous symbols of the city, and finally went up to the Reichstagskuppel. The view from the glass dome was incredible, even though the winter cold made it quite intense to stay outside for long periods. Walking around the city all day in January was definitely not easy, but it was absolutely worth it.

In the evenings, we went out for dinner every night at different places. Unfortunately, I don’t remember the names of the restaurants, but they were all very good and served typical German food. It was a nice way to end each day warm meals, cozy atmospheres, and a bit of rest after long hours of sightseeing in the cold.

DAY 3 – Sunday 05.01.14

( Night at: Adina Apartment Hotel Berlin Checkpoint Charlie )

( Brandenburg Gate, Berlin )

Today we spent most of the day at the Vorderasiatisches Museum, taking our time to explore its impressive collection of ancient Near Eastern artifacts. It was really interesting to walk through the exhibits and see such a different side of history compared to the rest of the city.

After the museum, we spent the rest of the day just wandering around Berlin a bit more, enjoying the atmosphere and discovering a few new streets and corners of the city. It was a more relaxed day compared to the previous ones, but still really nice to just take things slowly and soak everything in.

DAY 4 – Monday 06.01.14

( Night at: Adina Apartment Hotel Berlin Checkpoint Charlie )

We woke up early and started the day at Alexanderplatz, one of Berlin’s most iconic squares. From there, we went up the Berliner Fernsehturm, where we enjoyed the panoramic view over the whole city. Seeing Berlin from above really helped us understand how vast and varied it is.

After that, we took the train to Charlottenburg Palace to explore a completely different side of the city. The area around it was beautiful, with elegant pre-war architecture and high-end boutiques. The western district of Charlottenburg has a very refined, upscale atmosphere, and it felt noticeably calmer compared to the city centre.

We spent most of the day there, walking around, taking in the surroundings, and enjoying the contrast between East and West Berlin. In the late afternoon, we headed back into the city for dinner, ending the day after a lot of walking but also a great mix of views, history, and different neighbourhoods. n the late afternoon, we headed back to Berlin for dinner. I honestly don’t remember exactly where we went, but I do remember that every place we tried had amazing foodI really loved it. Each meal and of course local beers felt like a nice way to end such full days of exploring the city.

DAY 5 – Tuesday 07.01.14

We woke up a bit later than usual, took our time, and checked out of the hotel. After that, we left our luggage there so we could enjoy our last few hours in Berlin without carrying anything around.

We spent the rest of the day wandering through the city one last time, trying to take in as much as possible before leaving. We visited KaDeWe and went inside the Berliner Dom again, just to see it once more before heading back.

In the evening, we made our way to the airport for our flight at 21:00 from Berlin to Milan Malpensa. Once we landed, we picked up the car my boyfriend had left there and drove back to Casale Monferrato. I stayed the night at his family house, and the following day my mum came to pick me up.

Germany and Netherlands spring 2017

Sometimes the best trips are the ones you don’t overthink. This one started with a simple decision: I needed a break. Life had been busy, and I felt like I needed to step away for a few days, clear my mind, and do something different. That’s when I thought of Irma.

We had met during my first Erasmus in Trier, living in the same dormitory. She was one of those people who make a place feel like home, kind, supportive, and always there when I needed someone. After Trier, she moved to Kleve to continue her studies in Germany attending the university now, and we had always talked about visiting each other again.

When I checked flights and saw how cheap they were, around 20€ for a return ticket, it almost felt like a sign. Without thinking too much, I booked it. Just like that, a simple idea turned into a week-long trip back to Germany.

It wasn’t just about traveling, but about reconnecting with a friend, with memories, and in a way, with a version of myself from that Erasmus time. Going back to Germany felt familiar, almost comforting, but at the same time, it was different. This time, I wasn’t arriving as a student starting something new, I was returning with more awareness, more confidence, and a different perspective.

Visiting Irma in Kleve was special in a very simple way. There was no pressure to see everything or follow a strict plan. It was more about everyday moments, talking, laughing, catching up on everything that had happened since we last lived together. Those are the moments that often stay with you the longest.

What I loved most about this trip was how natural it felt. No expectations, no rush, just a quiet, meaningful break in a place that, in some way, already felt like home.

DAY 1 – Friday 12.05.2017

( Night at: Irma’s house in Kleve )

On the 12th of May, I flew from Milan Bergamo to Düsseldorf Weeze. The best part? I paid less than 20€ for both flights, which still feels unreal. The only downside was the timing. I had to leave my home in Alessandria at 4:30 AM to catch my flight at 8:35, which made for a very early and slightly exhausting start to the day.

When I arrived, my friend Irma was already waiting for me at the airport, which immediately made everything feel easier. From there, we headed to Kleve, the small German town where she was living.

Once we arrived, she showed me around her university. It was really beautiful, modern, and completely different from what I was used to. You could tell it was quite new, and the atmosphere felt very international and welcoming. She also introduced me to some of her friends, which made me feel comfortable straight away.

Later in the day, we decided to go for a short trip to Nijmegen in the Netherlands, which is very close to Kleve. We spent the evening walking around the city, enjoying the atmosphere and discovering a new place together. It was such a nice and spontaneous way to start the trip.

After that, we went back to Kleve, had dinner, and took it easy for the rest of the evening. After such an early start, I was definitely ready to rest. It felt like the perfect first day simple, relaxed, and already full of good moments.

DAY 2 – Saturday 13.05.2017

( Night at: Irma’s house in Kleve )

( Drachenschlosse, Germany )

We woke up early and took the train to Köln. From there, we changed trains to reach Drachenburg Castle, an absolutely stunning place. We really loved it—the architecture, the views, everything was magical. We even had a little picnic there, enjoying the lovely weather and the serene surroundings.

Afterwards, we took the train to Bonn. We spent some time wandering around the city, soaking in the atmosphere, and then relaxed in the University Park, which was the perfect spot to unwind. Later in the evening, we headed back home, had dinner, and called it a night another full day of exploring and enjoying the German scenery.

DAY 3 – Sunday 14.05.2017

( Night at: Irma’s house in Kleve )

We woke up early in the morning and headed to Düsseldorf. After exploring the city, on our way back home we made a stop in Wuppertal. Honestly, it wasn’t the most exciting detour; there wasn’t much to see or do, but it was still nice to stretch our legs I mean we just get off the train and get a little glimpse of the city before continuing our journey back home.

DAY 4 – Monday 15.05.2017

( Night at: Irma’s house in Kleve )

We spent the whole day exploring Kleve, starting with a morning at the zoo it was such a fun way to ease into the day. Afterwards, we wandered through the park and strolled around the charming streets of the city, snapping plenty of photos along the way. Later, we headed to her university, which was impressively modern, and while she took care of a few things there, I enjoyed taking in the campus vibes. By evening, we returned to her place for a relaxed and cozy dinner, the perfect way to end a day of exploring.

DAY 5 – Tuesday 16.05.2017

( Night at: Irma’s house in Kleve )

We woke up early and decided to make the trip to Utrecht, even though the train tickets were quite pricey. It was absolutely worth it we spent the day wandering through the city, exploring its canals, charming streets, and lively squares. We strolled along the Oudegracht and the Nieuwegracht, taking in the beautiful canal-side buildings and cozy cafés. By evening, after soaking in all the sights and atmosphere, we headed back to Kleve, tired but happy from a full day of adventure.

DAY 6 – Wednesday 17.05.2017

I woke up at 4 AM, and Irma accompanied me to the train station. From there, I took the train to Weeze, followed by a shuttle to the airport. My flight took off at 6:35 AM, and I landed in Milan Bergamo at 8:10 am.