🇮🇹 Italy (Rome, Pisa, Venice)

Christmas in a Different World

Italy became the beginning of one of the most memorable journeys of my life—our first country during our Christmas trip across Europe. I traveled together with my parents and siblings, and from the moment we landed, everything already felt different from the places I had visited before. One of the first things that surprised me was arriving at Rome Fiumicino–Leonardo da Vinci International Airport and discovering that the airport had trains connecting terminals, something that immediately reminded me of Changi Airport in Singapore. It was a small detail, but moments like that always stay with me because I enjoy observing how cities and transport systems work. At that moment, it truly started to sink in that I was finally in Europe.

That realization became even stronger the moment we stepped outside the airport. Our tourist bus for the entire two-week European journey was waiting, and I was instantly greeted by cold air that caught me completely off guard. It was around 5°C, and coming from a tropical country, I quickly realized I had not prepared my outfit properly for winter. The cold did not feel unbearable—but it felt unfamiliar. That first breath of European winter became one of the strongest memories of arrival.

As we made our way through Rome, I immediately began observing the city around me. One thing that stood out was how many of the cars seemed smaller compared to what I usually noticed elsewhere—mostly sedans and hatchbacks moving through old streets and historic surroundings. I was also amazed by the sculptures and architecture that seemed to appear everywhere. Rome felt like a city where history was not locked inside museums but simply existed alongside daily life. Even ordinary streets looked like places worth stopping for.

Our first major destination was the Colosseum, and standing there felt unreal. Rome was one of those places I had only seen through movies, documentaries, and video games growing up. Most notably, I remembered spending hours playing Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, following Ezio Auditore da Firenze across a virtual version of Rome. Suddenly seeing places in real life that I once explored digitally created a strange feeling of familiarity. It felt less like discovering somewhere new and more like finally arriving somewhere I had already imagined many times before.

We also visited the Trevi Fountain, another place I had always wanted to see. When we arrived, however, it was packed with tourists. I never got the chance to do the famous tradition of tossing a coin and making a wish. At first, I felt a little disappointed—but eventually realized that simply being there already felt enough. Not every travel memory needs a ritual to become meaningful.

As the day continued, we explored more parts of Rome, took photos, enjoyed the scenery, and appreciated the cool weather. One of my favorite discoveries was trying Gelato. I still remember how unexpectedly good it tasted, and even now, years later, I occasionally crave it and compare every ice cream I eat to that experience. That evening, after settling into our hotel, my brother and I decided to go outside and buy coffee while walking through nearby streets. There was something peaceful about exploring Rome at night—quiet, cold, and unscripted.

Our first day in Italy felt full of surprises, but the journey was only beginning. Our next destination would be Vatican City, which deserves its own reflection because of how meaningful that experience became.

After exploring Rome, we continued north and made a short 2–3 hour stop in Pisa before heading to Venice. Even though it was brief, Pisa became one of those destinations you somehow recognize instantly. We visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa, took the usual perspective photos pretending to hold or push the tower, and explored the surrounding structures nearby. We bought souvenirs, and of course, I added another ref magnet to my growing travel collection. Before leaving, we had Italian food at an eat-all-you-can buffet, which became a surprisingly satisfying stop before continuing our journey.

Our final destination in Italy was Venice, and for me, this became one of the highlights of the country. Walking through Venice reminded me once again of another game from my childhood—Assassin’s Creed II, where Ezio Auditore’s story first began. When I saw the Campanile di San Marco, I immediately remembered climbing that same tower in the game years earlier. There was something surreal about realizing places I once explored virtually actually existed.

Another memorable stop in Venice was visiting a traditional glass workshop, where the owner demonstrated how glass products were crafted. Watching the process felt fascinating because something so delicate required such precision and skill. The meal I remember most in Venice was surprisingly simple—an Italian spaghetti that I generously covered with Parmesan cheese until it probably looked excessive. But somehow, eating Italian pasta in Italy felt different from anywhere else.

Our last night in Venice became even more special because it was where we spent our Christmas Eve. Even now, that thought still feels surreal to me—celebrating Christmas in Europe together with my parents and siblings. The atmosphere felt very different from Christmas back home: colder, quieter, and somehow more intimate. During the evening, we exchanged simple gifts with fellow tourists we had met throughout the journey. They were not expensive presents, but the gesture itself made the night unexpectedly warm and memorable.

Standing there in Venice during Christmas Eve, surrounded by old streets, winter air, and people from different places sharing a simple celebration, I realized travel is not always about famous landmarks. Sometimes the moments that stay with us the longest happen unexpectedly—in conversations, traditions, food, and ordinary acts of kindness. Italy became more than our first stop in Europe; it became the beginning of a Christmas journey and a reminder that some of the best memories are the ones you never planned.

When I think back to Italy today, I do not immediately remember the crowds or the itinerary. I remember the feeling of arriving in Europe for the first time, walking through places I once only visited in games and movies, eating gelato in winter, drinking coffee with my brother, and celebrating Christmas Eve far from home but somehow feeling completely at home. Italy was not just a destination—it was the beginning of one of the most unforgettable journeys of my life.