Along the heart of Italia

In Perugia, I couch surfed who lives all by himself. My interest for travelling to this place was because of its gorgeous structures and huge cathedrals, which made me go berserk! My first encounter with the people over there were basically students who were living in a vibrant and colourful wonderland. I instantly made a few interesting friends who made my trip even more happening. In the morning i used to wake up and drink a few beers and leave to play football with these guys. 

In the evening, I used to bring out my inner party animal and go pub hopping. I always have enjoyed good music as well as tripping onto it.

After a few days of party, I started living a rather more sight-seeing trip where I started exploring the local monuments and churches. These structure looked like a thousand year old ancient wonders of architecture. 

Another really great experience for me was that this whole place is situated on cliff - a definite treat for a backpackers.

I left Perugia and continued my journey to Florence, regarded as the birthplace of the Renaissance era. I came to Florence in a flexi bus at fifteen euros. The moment i got down from the bus I was awestruck. The gardens, the nature, their lifestyle, everything was in a sync with emotions.

Here i stayed in Archi Rossi hostel where i met this guy named Eric from US. With him I went out to see the famous and historic domes of Florence. I visited The dome of Michelangelo, Santa Maria del Fiore, Brunelleschi Dome.

The next day Eric left the hostel and i eventually ended up again meeting two beautiful Dutch ladies with whom together we went to sight-see the lush green gardens of Florence. These gardens were literal symbols of beauty. 

We came back to the hostel after a mesmerizing tour of Florence and later on chilled and had a nice cup of coffee.

Bologna is around 100kms from Florence which is known for its medieval architecture and its food. I again took a flexi bus from Florence and reached Bologna after a journey of around 2 hours. I couch surfed in bologna with a friend named Frencheska, who couch surfed with me back in India.

She came to pick me up at the bus stop and we headed back to her apartment which was in Piazza Maggiore. There I had a hot coffee after a long travel and dosed off.

My first morning in Bologna was pretty beautiful as I started to see the hustle and people sync in together. I went to a nearby café to have some food and coincidently had an interesting incident. While a was having food and coffee i had the surprise to meet the owner of the café who was a Pakistani. while having coffee had a decent conversation with him about living far from home, food, politics and family. I was amazed by how similar we are as neighbor. Both of us understood each other pretty well and had food which he himself made for me. The most humble gesture was in store for me as he didn't charge anything which left me lost in his great hospitality.

Later that evening I went out with Frencheska and her boyfriend Roberto for dinner in search for some good lasagna and believe me I was in seventh heaven when i tasted Bologna's famous lasagna. The food together with the ambience was amazing. The Northwest corner opens into Piazza del Nettuno with its Fontana del Nettuno, while the Northeast corner opens into the narrower Piazza Re Enzo, running along the flanks of the Palazzo Re Enzo that merges with the Palazzo del Podestà. Flanking the Piazza del Nettuno is the Biblioteca Salaborsa. This whole arrangement itself is an art.

The next day me and Roberto went out on a nearby mountain. We trekked for around 8 hours and was also lost for a while. The trek was adventurous and also tiring. After the trek i went back to her apartment and packed my things and just like that was awaiting for another journey.