New year 2015 in Amsterdam

( Amsterdam canal )

For our second anniversary on December 22, 2012, I surprised my boyfriend with a trip to Amsterdam, which also doubled as our Christmas present. We celebrated New Year’s Eve with a big dinner at his parents’ house in Casale Monferrato, enjoying laughter, delicious food, and holiday cheer. After just a few hours of sleep, we woke up early, packed our bags, and headed to Milan to catch our flight. The excitement of exploring Amsterdam together made the early morning start feel like part of the adventure.

DAY 1 – Thursday 01.01.2015

( Night at: Okura Hotel, Amsterdam )

We took an early flight from Milan Malpensa at 7:05 AM and landed in Amsterdam at 9:05 AM with EasyJet. Once we arrived, we stopped for breakfast at Starbucks to fuel up for the day. After that, we made our way to Station RAI and headed to the hotel to check in and drop off our luggage.

Later, we set out to explore the city, wandering through the museum district and strolling along the streets. It felt unusually quiet, almost like a ghost town, probably because it was just the day after New Year’s celebrations. For dinner, we ended up at an Argentinian restaurant since many other places were still closed, and the food was surprisingly delicious. To finish the day on a high note, we went up to the sky bar on the top floor of our 5-star hotel for a drink, enjoying the view before heading back to rest.

DAY 2 – Friday 02.01.2015

( Night at: Hotel Okura Amsterdam )

We woke up around 8:30 AM and started the day with breakfast at the hotel. Afterward, we rented two bikes and spent the morning and afternoon exploring Amsterdam from two wheels, pedaling through canals, narrow streets, and lively neighborhoods. For lunch, we kept it simple with a quick stop at McDonald’s before returning to the hotel to rest and recharge.

In the afternoon, we visited the Rembrandt House Museum, immersing ourselves in the world of the famous Dutch painter. After leaving the bikes behind, we stopped by a local pub for a beer and then experienced one of Amsterdam’s unique coffee shops and trying same legalised marijuana. Later in the evening, we headed back to the hotel to relax and sleep, ready for another day of exploring the city.

DAY 3 – Saturday 03.01.2015

( Night at: Hotel Okura Amsterdam )

We woke up at 9 AM, had breakfast at the hotel, and set out to explore more of Amsterdam’s incredible art scene. Our first stops were the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, immersing ourselves in masterpieces from Dutch legends.

For lunch, we stopped at Sumo Japanese restaurant, before continuing our walk through the city, taking in its canals, bridges, and charming streets. On our way back to the hotel, we paused in front of the Heineken Museum for a beer and a snack, enjoying the lively atmosphere without actually visiting the museum because at that time was already closed. After a full day of culture, food, and city wandering, we returned to the hotel to rest and recharge for the next adventure.

DAY 4 – Sunday 04.01.2015

We woke up at 8:30 AM, had breakfast at the hotel, and headed to the museum area to try ice skating for the first time. It was a bit wobbly at first, but also incredibly fun and memorable. Later, we rented a tandem bike a first for both of us and riding around the city together was an absolute blast. Exploring Amsterdam from a tandem bike gave us a whole new perspective and added even more laughter to the day.

For lunch, we grabbed a quick bite at Burger King before reluctantly heading back to the hotel around 5 PM to pick up our luggage. Our flight back to Milan MXP was at 8:50 PM, and we landed at 10:30 PM with EasyJet, closing a whirlwind, new experiences, and unforgettable memories.

Germany and Netherlands spring 2017

( Tulips in Netherlands )

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.