Traveler Hikes Cinque Terre, Decides Venice Is Just Overpriced Maze With Gondola Traffic
KEY POINTS
- •Since 2016, the traveler visited 21 Italian cities mostly by train, including a four-month stay in Florence.
- •Cinque Terre’s coastal hikes and Verona’s Juliet letter-writing volunteers were personal highlights.
- •Naples struggled with pickpockets and inconvenient transit, while Venice’s expenses and crowds made it a one-time visit.
After 21 Italian stops since 2016—most explored by the miracle of Italy’s rail network—our fearless traveler lived four magical months in Florence (because college memories should always involve gelato and wine). Cinque Terre charmed with seaside hiking from Riomaggiore north, boasting colorful cliffside views perfect for Instagram or avoiding your relatives. Verona landed fairytale vibes, featuring secretaries of Juliet sorting love letters globally while our author moonlighted as the handwritten cupid. Catania, at Mount Etna’s smoky altar, offered dirt-enriched vineyards and volcanic stone churches giving Italians a legit goth phase. Naples, however, proved a pickpocket paradise wrapped in hilly chaos where convenience paired with taxi meter meltdown; Amalfi Coast got the upgrade. Venice? One and done, thanks to pocket-busting souvenirs, expensive food, and streets so narrow you’d need a GPS and consulting trust fund.
Share the Story
(1 of 3)Visited 21 Italian cities and walked away realizing Venice is the world's most confusing shopping mall with historic architecture and zero discounts.
Italy’s great: Florence made gelato art, Verona played Cupid offline, Naples trained pickpockets like Olympic athletes.
If you thought hiking between five villages beating Venice traffic was weird, try convincing your wallet Naples nightlife is worth the extra cab fare.
Source: Businessinsider | Published: 9/11/2026 | Author: Alison Van Glad
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