Italy (2025)

Enjoying vino + gelato near the Piazza de Ferrari

July 7–21, 2025

This trip combined rail travel through northern Italy with hiking in the Dolomites and time in several cities. It unfolded around an existing work commitment in Genoa and Trieste, with the rest of the itinerary built to explore the region by train and on foot.

Compared to other adventures, Italy balanced physical movement with food, cities, and logistics, rather than focusing exclusively on a single long route.

Route overview

Arrival in Milan
Milan → Genoa (rail)
Genoa — brief stay and city exploration
Genoa → Cortina d’Ampezzo (train + bus)
Dolomites — hiking and via ferrata
Cortina → Bassano del Grappa
Bassano del Grappa — meetings with Italian jewelry manufacturers and city exploration
Bassano → Trieste (rail)
Trieste — city time and hotel stay
Trieste → Venice / Murano
Departure

A long layover in Turin during rail travel included time spent watching an inline rollerblading World Cup competition near the station.

The Dolomites

Time in the Dolomites was based around Cortina d’Ampezzo and focused on day hiking rather than a continuous multi-day route. Hikes included sections of Alta Via 1 and a via ferrata, which stood out as a highlight of the trip.

Trails were well marked and supported by strong infrastructure, and conditions were favorable for extended days on foot. The combination of elevation, rock features, and access made the region well suited for single-day objectives rather than long backpacking routes.

Cities and rail travel

Movement throughout Italy relied primarily on trains and buses, which shaped the rhythm of the trip. Cities were experienced largely on foot, with time spent wandering neighborhoods, eating well, and observing architecture rather than following a strict sightseeing agenda.

Bassano del Grappa combined work meetings with exploration of the town and surrounding area. Trieste and Venice provided a slower pace at the end of the trip, with time split between walking, food, and short excursions. Staying on Murano offered proximity to Venice without being immersed in its busiest areas.

Looking back

This trip mattered because it showed how well hiking, cities, food, and work can coexist in a single journey. It reinforced northern Italy as a place worth returning to and demonstrated a different model for travel—one that balances movement on foot with cultural and logistical exploration.

Field Notes from Italy

View all Field Notes from this adventure →