Northern and Central Italy trip – December 2025 – Part one

And here we are! Excited… to be part of this journey around Europe?
Sorry, it took me a while to organise the time; I will start now to share with you my little trip in the old country. Here you are, the first part.

Here are the towns we have been visiting between the five regions of Italy: Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, and Umbria.

Bergamo
Sirmione
Padova
Venezia
Prosecco wine region
Bologna
Firenze
Pisa
Volterra
SanGiminiano
Siena
Castriglione al Lago
Perugia
Assisi
Gubbio

Let’s start from where everything started for me.

Bergamo

Bergamo city. #travelbergamo
A city of 100,000 people, a UNESCO site (Venetian Walls) and a beautiful mix of Roman, Medieval and Renaissance marvels. Take a sneaky peek at my favourite palaces:

Piazza vecchia, la funicolare, San Vigilio with its beautiful view of the old and new town, and the wall, obviously.
Two of the many churches (Santo Spirito and Santa Maria Maggiore) and the overall Christmas vibe.

I love it!

Sirmione

Sirmione, also known as ‘the pearl’ of Lake Garda, is the second stop on our trip to Italy.

From the moment you walk across the drawbridge of the Scaligero Castle, you’re transported into a medieval fairytale. Think narrow winding streets, the scent of lemons, and the turquoise waters of the Lake.

We spent the afternoon relaxing at the Terme, world-famous for its healing sulfurous waters, which flow naturally from the bottom of the Lake.

And ended up with a meal at the local fish restaurant. Yum!

What will be our next step?
#simoneberliat #travelitaly #sirmione #gardalake

Padua

Our third step in our trip to Italy. Exploring the timeless charm of Padua, Italy!

Here are some of the highlights from our visit!

The Astronomical Clock: Located in Piazza dei Signori, this is one of the oldest working clocks in the world (built in 1344!). Fun fact: The Libra sign is missing because, at the time, the zodiac system often grouped it with Scorpio.

The historic covered market “Sotto il Salone,” one of the oldest in Europe, with high-quality shops selling local and artisanal products, as well as restaurants and bars for spritzes.

Palazzo della Ragione: Standing tall since 1218, this former medieval town hall features a massive upper hall with a stunning fresco cycle of zodiac signs and a giant wooden horse commissioned in 1466 for a city carnival.

Prato della Valle: One of the largest squares in Europe, covering nearly 90,000 square meters. It’s an elliptical island surrounded by a canal and 78 statues of figures who shaped the city’s history.

Basilica of St. Anthony: Known locally as “Il Santo,” this 13th-century pilgrimage site is famous for its eight Byzantine-style domes and houses the tomb and relics of Saint Anthony.

Loggia del Consiglio: A beautiful Renaissance building that served as the seat of the city council starting in the 15th century.

Padua, you’ve been amazing! #padova #italytravels #history #veneto #exploreitaly #simoneberliat

Murano – Venice

Lost in the winter mist… There is nothing quite like Venice and Murano on a foggy winter day. The atmosphere is quiet, mysterious, and absolutely beautiful.

Our fourth day of holidays in the lagoon:

Murano Artisans: We started our morning on Murano Island, watching the incredible skill of the glass masters. Seeing a glowing piece of glass transformed into art in a matter of minutes is a tradition that has survived here for over 700 years.

St. Mark’s Magic: We headed back to Venice to walk through San Marco Square. The Basilica looked stunning, emerging from the fog—a masterpiece of Italo-Byzantine architecture that has stood since the 11th century.

Venetian Rituals: We finished the day the best way possible—finding a cosy bacaro to warm up. We tucked into some local cicchetti (those delicious small bites) paired with a classic Venetian Spritz.

The fog might have hidden the horizon, but it made the history of these islands feel closer than ever.

DOCG Prosecco

A slightly more modest day today, after visiting Venice yesterday, but equally beautiful.

The rolling UNESCO hills of Prosecco in Valdobbiadene, passing by the picturesque village of Follina with its Abbey, a lunch break at the #ristorocollagù in the heart of the Prosecco wine region, and ending the day at the Molinetto della Croda, a 17th-century watermill tucked into the rock, surrounded by lush green vines, dressed for the near coming Christmas.

Fun facts:

Heroic Harvest: The hills are so steep (some over 45° gradient) that the grapes must be harvested entirely by hand!

The Mill: The Molinetto della Croda in Refrontolo has actually inspired poems and film sets due to its unique position overlooking the “Croda” (the rock).

Bologna

Between the Books and the Bigoli: A Weekend in Bologna

Bologna is a city of two souls, and I spent the last few days falling in love with both.

On one side, there is “La Dotta” (The Learned). Walking through the shadows of the Two Towers (Asinelli and Garisenda) and under the endless porticos, you can feel the weight of history. It’s home to the oldest university in the world (founded in 1088!), and that academic energy still pulses through the medieval streets and the quiet, soaring aisles of the Basilica di San Petronio.

But then, you turn a corner into the Quadrilatero district, and you meet “La Grassa” (The Fat). It’s impossible to resist the shop windows of places like La Baita, overflowing with mountains of tortellini, wheels of Parmigiano, and enough Prosciutto to feed an army.

Whether I was admiring the Renaissance detail of the Fountain of Neptune, exploring the “Seven Churches” of Santo Stefano, or just sitting down to a plate of authentic tagliatelle al ragù, Bologna proved that the best way to feed the mind is to start by feeding the soul (and the stomach!).

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Today and this afternoon, visit the legends of Emilia-Romagna.

From the legacy of Ferruccio Lamborghini to the artisan mastery at Acetaia Giusti and the passion for organic land at Vigneto Saetti, with Sara Saetti (and her horse!).

Those are real hidden gems between Bologna and Modena, and exploring them with the best company was great. Ending the night with local Lambrusco and a mountain of Mortadella was the only way to go!

Florence

We came here for the food and art, and we found it in every single cobblestone. Florence was the “Laboratory of Europe”—the place where the Middle Ages ended and the modern world began.

Standing in front of the greatness of the Duomo humbled me, but also filled me with hope. If they achieved this with just simple tools, what are we able to achieve now?

The mechanical genius in Da Vinci’s workshop.
The Uffizi Museum, with its records of a long past.
The sheer power of the statues in the Loggia dei Lanzi.
The quiet beauty of the Ponte Vecchio is reflected in the Arno River.
Two days in Florence and I’m convinced: this city isn’t just a place; it’s a masterpiece that never ends.

Day 2 in Florence: Where the grandeur of the Medici meets the magic of Christmas.

In the morning, we headed to the Palazzo Vecchio—the scale of the Salone dei Cinquecento is something, only equal to the ego of the Medici family, you truly have to see it though.

We had then left for the Boboli Gardens, wandering through 16th-century statues and fountains that felt like a green labyrinth of history.

As the sun set, the city transformed. The Christmas markets in Piazza Santa Croce, with Dante Alighieri statue, and the “F-Lights” festival that turned the historic facades and the Ponte Vecchio into a glowing wonderland.

Let’s finish the day with a classic, Fiorentina steak (1.600 kg) and cantucci with Vin Santo.

Ps Special mention to the brave duck which was standing on the bridge for tourist attention.

It is not easy to post day by day and fit every beautiful thing we have seen, especially in Florence.

I will try my best for the future, but for this time I might have to split one day into three…

First part: Our visit to the Pitti Palace in Florence.

We started our morning slowly with coffee and pastries (because you can’t tackle the Renaissance on an empty stomach! ) before diving into the absolute opulence of the Palatine Gallery. My neck was sore for a while from staring at those incredible frescoed ceilings and gold chandeliers, but it was worth every second.

The highlight for me was the Museum of Costume and Fashion. Seeing the evolution of Italian style—from historical court gowns to modern couture—housed in such a regal setting is intriguing and inspiring. I have never felt so jealous. I do not wear women’s clothes.

Every stitch tells a story of craftsmanship that you just don’t see anymore.