Hey, what’s up?

Welcome to the final chapter of our Italy trip! I know — it’s been a journey (literally), and I can’t believe we’ve made it to Chapter 7. This one’s a little shorter because, well, everything felt like it was on fast-forward that day.

We kicked things off by driving to Venice airport to return our rental car (RIP to our beloved road trip buddy). Then came the goodbyes — Danial and Sara were flying off earlier, so we had a mini farewell session that felt both dramatic and rushed, like a scene from a low-budget rom-com. Meanwhile, me, Adam, and Hasha had a few more hours to kill, so we thought… why not squeeze in a Venice detour?

We grabbed return tickets for the water taxi — or maybe it was a water bus? Whatever it was, we were packed in with a bunch of other curious (and sweaty) tourists. The ride took around 45 minutes to an hour, and honestly, the view was worth every euro. It’s mind-blowing how Venice is just casually floating there with all its history, charm, and ridiculously aesthetic buildings.

We only had three hours in Venice, so it was speed tourism mode: activated. First, we fuelled up with food — obviously. Pizzas, squid ink pasta, gelato, and the holy grail of the day: tiramisu. I forgot the name of the café, but trust me, that tiramisu could convert a non-dessert eater. It was love at first spoonful. I also did my usual ritual of buying fridge magnets and questionable souvenirs I’ll probably regret later.

Most of our time was spent just strolling, sweating, and people-watching. The temperature? A cool 30+ degrees Celsius, perfect for baking cookies or, apparently, tourists. Venice was packed — a classic weekend crowd of selfie sticks, sunburns, and confused couples trying to read maps upside down.

We passed the iconic canals, of course. Gondola rides looked romantic and scenic, but since we were short on time (and not in a honeymoon phase), we gave it a miss. But if you’re visiting with your partner, do it. If nothing else, at least you’ll get a great photo for the ‘Gram.

Three hours flew by like three minutes. Venice gave us just a teaser, and now I’m convinced I need to come back — properly next time, with at least one overnight stay and a bigger appetite. We hopped back on the water bus, got to the airport just in time for our flight, and braced ourselves for re-entry into reality.

Now here’s the kicker — for the first time ever, I slept at the airport in England. Usually, I’d book a hotel nearby or catch an overnight bus. But this time, Hasha, Adam, and I embraced full backpacker energy. Sleeping on cold airport floors might not sound glamorous, but it’s definitely a core memory now. No, I didn’t sleep on the floor but someone did.

As I reflect on this trip, I realise how different solo vs group travel feels. Solo travelling gives you freedom (and full control of the playlist), but group travelling? It brings unexpected joy. I found myself doing things I’d never do on my own — hiking cliff edges in the rain, laughing till midnight, and eating way too much pasta. Traveling with friends made the whole trip feel fuller, funnier, and somehow more memorable.

I genuinely hope we all get to travel together again — maybe next time somewhere wild like Kazakhstan (I heard their mountain hikes are chef’s kiss).

And with that, I officially close the Italy series. Thank you for reading, for laughing along, and for surviving all seven chapters with me. You’re the real MVP.

Stay tuned for the next adventure.

Ciao, amici!