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15 Countries visited in 2025📍🌎😎

by All you can flyAsiaAustriaBangkokBarcelonaCountriesEuropeFreedom 50Frontier - AYCF!GreeceHCMC / SaigonItalyKoh Phi PhiLondonMadridMexicoNorth AmericanPersonal HistoryPhilippinesRocky PointRomeSingaporeSlow travelSpainThailandTravel bucket listTravels StoriesUnited KingdomUnited StatesVietnamVolaris - AYCF!Wizz - AYCF!

2025: My first full year taking a run at retirement!

2025 turned out to be my most traveled year ever—and somehow, I feel that I’m just getting started.

January – Vietnam
(HCMC, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, Phu Quoc)

February – Cambodia & Thailand
(Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Bangkok, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao)

March – UK & Europe
(London, Greece, Iceland, Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Italy)

April – October–US & Mexico

(Mesa and Rocky Point—two incredible home bases)

November & December – SE Asia
(Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, Bali)

Every trip felt different. Every move resets my brain. And somehow, it all worked out absolutely perfect!

2026: Already Booked (Of Course It Is!)

January to mid-April
Mexico, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Philippines

May to October (Homebases in Mesa/Mexico)

Volaris + Frontier all-you-can-fly chaos—route TBD, cheap is guaranteed

Nov and Dec– Europe by Rail-pass

Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Southern Spain/Portugal…
Eastern Europe is still being self-negotiated with my grade-three attention span.

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Paris and London – 100% tourist mode!

by AirBnbEuropeFreedom 50HostelsItalyTravels DealsWizz - AYCF!

The days were officially counting down, and I needed to start migrating toward London for my 9:00 AM flight back to Arizona on September 28th, 2025.

This was immediately after I’d just crushed a bucket-list item in Venice, which—geographically speaking—put me on the wrong side of Europe for someone trying to go home.

The plan was simple and therefore doomed:

get closer to Paris, then slide into London like a responsible adult traveler.

The Universe, however, had other plans.

I missed a connection.

Fourteen-plus hours later, I found myself on a first-class high-speed train—not because I planned it, but because exhaustion, fate, and poor timing had teamed up against me.

Sometimes luxury isn’t a choice.
It’s a consequence.

My September 2025 European tour both started and ended in London. I passed through on September 1st on my way to Faro, Portugal, and returned at the end for less than 24 hours after bailing on Paris early.

I’d been to Paris about 20 years ago, and it only took about an hour to remember why it’s not for me. If you don’t speak French, people can be rude—I experienced that almost immediately while trying to buy a train ticket. Apparently asking for a ticket in English is a bold move.

If you love Paris (like my very fashion-conscious niece Amber), check out Norse Airlines—they’ll get you there cheaply. If you’re more like me, grumpy and impatient, plan a short visit and bail early.

Below are a few photos from my brief stay in Paris—the week before the Louvre was robbed. I swear it wasn’t me. 😄

Eiffel tower ✅

Louvre ✅

Arc de Triomphe ✅

Notre Dame ✅

Train station to get to the Chunnel to London ✅

The high-speed Eurostar train between Paris and London is fantastic. It feels a lot like flying—security, early arrival, the whole routine—but it’s far more convenient than actually getting on a plane and dealing with an airport.

First things first, every time I arrive in London: 

I find a pub, order fish and chips, and grab a cold pint. It’s not cheap—fish, chips, and a beer run about $40 USD—but it’s worth it every single time.

Check out how light I pack!

I landed in London at 2 p.m. and left the next morning, which meant attempting to see the entire city in under 24 hours. I did as much tourist stuff as humanly possible, and by the time I boarded my long flight home, I was running on fumes.

Fish and Chips ✅

Big Ben✅

  London Eye ✅

Buckingham Palace ✅

Westminster Abbey✅

Mission accomplished! 🙌🏻

I racked up over 25,000 steps, took a nap that felt more like a system reboot, and then dragged myself back toward Arizona. Planes, trains, and automobiles—because apparently, I enjoy suffering in multiple forms of transportation to save a dime ..

✈️🚅🚗

Paris to London train ✅

London to Los Angeles flight ✅

Los Angeles to Phoenix rental car ✅

eBiked home from rental car drop-off. ✅

I can’t even begin to calculate how many miles I traveled last week—and honestly, ignorance feels healthier.

Czech Republic to Germany (Oktoberfest on September 20, because of course), then Switzerland, Italy, France, London, and finally back across the pond on September 28.

At this point, my passport deserves a nap, my legs are filing a formal complaint, and my internal clock has completely resigned.

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Venice, Italy – The Grand Canal🛶🍷👍🏻

by AccommodationsBuy me a beerEuropeFreedom 50HostelsItalyTravel bucket listTravel memoriesTravels StoriesWizz - AYCF!

I somehow managed to miss Venice the last time I was in Italy, so this time I overcorrected—with a casual 14+ hours on a train to make sure it happened.

To be fair, the journey was actually pretty incredible. We cut through a different part of Switzerland on the way to Milan, which would’ve been great if Milan hadn’t been in full Fashion Week mode. After about five minutes of that chaos, I was very happy to hop on the short train ride to Venice.

After that marathon travel day, my first Venice memory was asking someone in the train station, “Where’s the Grand Canal?” He pointed to my left and said, “You mean that one?”

Turns out the Venice Santa Lucia train station is literally sitting on the canal. Subtle city, Venice. Very subtle.

One of the things that completely blew my mind about Venice is that the water is the road. No streets—just canals. Water taxis, delivery boats, construction barges… and yes, I even watched a casket float by with the family following along as part of a funeral.

It’s strangely beautiful and slightly surreal, and somehow all of it works. Watching everyone calmly navigate canal “traffic” like it’s rush hour on Main Street was one of the coolest parts of being there.

Pretty much everyone was lounging by the waterfront with a wine in hand, and of course, we all drowned in spritzers like it was a civic duty.

I enjoyed them so much that I stocked up when I got home—because nothing screams “this isn’t Venice” like sipping a sad spritzer in Arizona while staring at a cactus.

It’s not the Grand Canal, but it’s still pretty glorious during a Jay’s playoff game.

Mix some SodaStream soda water with your favorite alcohol flavoring (Aperol, Aperix, or Rosé—because why not), toss in white wine, fruit, and orange slices, and boom: Venice vibes at home. Bonus: it costs less than a dollar instead of €5–8+ per sad spritzer by the canal. 🙌

Here are a few more GEMs from my Venice adventure—because someone has to show off while I sip my homegrown “canal.” that hauls waste water in AZ.

Want more Grand Canal vibes (without the €8 spritzers)? Check out my videos on YouTube—watch canals, gondolas, and chaos unfold from the comfort of your own home.

www.YouTube.com/@NorthAmericanDarrell

Don’t forget to hit subscribe and dive into over 1,500 travel videos—because apparently, watching me roam the globe is considered quality entertainment.

Venice’s history began in the 5th century.

Refugees decided building a city on stilts in a swampy lagoon was a brilliant idea. By the Middle Ages, it became a maritime superpower, raking in riches while everyone else was figuring out taxes. Centuries later, it joined Italy, and today it’s a tourist mecca of canals, gondolas, and carnival chaos. Basically, it’s a city that floats, dazzles, and occasionally smells like history, depending on which alley waterway you visit.

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Naples, Italy – Pompeii Museum

by AccommodationsItalyTravels DealsTravels Stories

Look for the cost, accommodation, and how to get there cheap at the bottom of this blog!

I am the first to admit that I knew very little about the history of Greece and Italy until my visit in the spring of 2025. Due to rain, I did not make it to the actual city, so this post will be dedicated to the Pompeii Museum in Naples, Italy.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. This article is about the ancient city of Pompeii. For the Classical Roman leader, see Pompey. For the Roman family, see Pompeia gens. For the Pacific Island, see Pohnpei.

Largely preserved under the ash, Pompeii offers a unique snapshot of Roman life, frozen at the moment it was buried, as well as insight into ancient urban planning. It was a wealthy town of 10,000 to 20,000 residents at the time it was destroyed. It hosted many fine public buildings and luxurious private houses with lavish decorations, furnishings, and artworks, which were the main attractions for early excavators; subsequent excavations have found hundreds of private homes and businesses reflecting various architectural styles and social classes, as well as numerous public buildings. Organic remains, including wooden objects and human bodies, were interred in the ash; their eventual decay allowed archaeologists to create molds of figures in their final moments of life. The numerous graffiti carved on outside walls and inside rooms provide a wealth of examples of the largely lost Vulgar Latin spoken colloquially at the time, contrasting with the formal language of classical writers.

Following its destruction, Pompeii remained largely undisturbed until its rediscovery in the late 16th century. Major excavations did not begin until the mid-18th century, which marked the emergence of modern archeology; initial efforts to unearth the city were haphazard or marred by looting, resulting in many items or sites being damaged or destroyed. By 1960, most of Pompeii had been uncovered but left in decay; further major excavations were banned or limited to targeted, prioritized areas. Since 2018, these efforts have led to discoveries in some previously unexplored areas of the city.

Pompeii is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, owing to its status as “the only archaeological site in the world that provides a complete picture of an ancient Roman city. 

It is among the most popular tourist attractions in Italy, with approximately 2.5 million visitors annually.

Pompeii was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius on August 24, 79 CE. The volcanic debris covered the city, burying it beneath a blanket of ash and pumice.

Following its destruction, Pompeii remained largely undisturbed until its rediscovery in the late 16th century. Major excavations did not begin until the mid-18th century, which marked the emergence of modern archeology;[5] initial efforts to unearth the city were haphazard or marred by looting, resulting in many items or sites being damaged or destroyed.[6] By 1960, most of Pompeii had been uncovered but left in decay;[7] further major excavations were banned or limited to targeted, prioritized areas. 

Since 2018, these efforts have led to discoveries in some previously unexplored areas of the city.

Less than ten years ago, which is what made this museum so fascinating to me. Here is the entrance:

I must have taken over a hundred pictures and videos, as everywhere you looked was incredible. 

Here are some favorite pictures, a nd you can find all of the pictures here:

One of the most incredible things about Pompeii is that they are still discovering new things as they continue to roll back time, excavating the site.  

The ruins at Pompeii were first discovered late in the 16th century by the architect Domenico Fontana. Herculaneum was discovered in 1709, and systematic excavation began there in 1738. Work did not begin at Pompeii until 1748, and in 176,3 an inscription (“Rei publicae Pompeianorum”) was found that identified the site as Pompeii. The work at these towns in the mid-18th century marked the start of the modern science of archaeology.

Here is a recent article I found that explains they are still discovering ruins:

Archaeologists make a breakthrough as life-size sculptures are discovered in a Pompeii tomb

Archaeologists make a breakthrough as life-size sculptures are discovered in a Pompeii tomb

Visitors to the site of Pompeii, the ancient Roman town buried (and so preserved for thousands of years) by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, don’t often think to look beyond the city walls. And it’s easy to understand why: there’s plenty on offer within this monumentally well-preserved town, from jewel-like wall paintings of myths and legends like Helen of Troy, to the majestic amphitheatre and sumptuously stuccoed baths.

But step outside the gates for a moment, and you’re in a very different – yet no less important – world.

For the ancient Romans, the roads and paths leading into and out of cities were crucial: not just for getting places, but as a very real kind of “memory lane”. Tombs lined these ancient byways – some simply bearing inscriptions to the memories of loved ones lost, others, more grand, accommodating space for friends and family to feast in remembrance of the dead.

Some of the tombs even address the passerby directly, as if their occupant could speak again, and pass on what they’ve learned. Take one Pompeian example, set up by the freedman Publius Vesonius Phileros, which opens with ineffable politeness: “Stranger, wait a while if it’s no trouble, and learn what not to do.”

Going into Pompeii, and leaving it, was about being reminded of ways of living and ways of dying – as well as an invitation to tip your hat to those who trod the path before you, and to learn from their example.

Click the link to read the entire article.

During my travels, I try to balance the cheap, thrifty and going for it while trying to remain on budget. It normally makes me feel like I missed out when leaving a new City/Country.

Rain or Shine, I will visit Pompeii as I missed out. I will share some sweet dance moves too! 🕺

How to get to Italy, cheaply: I recommend flying Norse Airlines from Los Angeles to Rome for $220. You can get to Los Angeles cheaply from anywhere in Canada and the United States using Google Travel. Consider staying in LA a day or two, doubling up your vacation, and saving a ton of money.  It is a quick ~$13 train ride from Rome to Naples. Keep in mind that the high-speed train can be very expensive, so check out the milk run to see the countryside.

Where I stayed: Hopestel Secret Garden. It was a great hostel in a historic building in the city center.  I paid $28 euros / USD 30 a night, which is spectacular for Naples City center.  There are also studio rooms that can be rented for about $12,5, which is also a steal in the area.

The best local beer and meal: PIZZA!  It was a no-brainer since Napoli is where pizza was invented. I tried several different variations and washed it down with a local Ichnusa unfiltered brewski, which hit the spot every time.

Would I return? 100% YES! I missed the most important historical area due to rain, Pompeii.

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Three months looking out windows!

by AccommodationsAirBnbAsiaBarcelonaEuropeHCMC / SaigonItalyLondonMadridRomeSingaporeSpainThailandTravel bucket listTravels DealsTravels StoriesVietnamWizz - AYCF!

I left Arizona on January 12th and didn’t return until April 7th, 2025, heading first to Vietnam and then bouncing across the globe. In order, I visited:

Vietnam → Cambodia → Thailand → London (twice) → Singapore → Greece → Turkey → Egypt → Italy → Spain

Eight of those ten countries were brand-new pins on my map, which made the whole thing feel even more unreal. 📍🌍

I spent the first three months slowly moving through Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. After that, I flipped the switch and went full chaos mode with my all-you-can-fly pass—whizzing (Wizz Air style) through London, Singapore, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Italy, and Spain.

Here’s the actual chain of planes, trains, ferries, and buses that somehow all worked:

✈️ Phoenix → Los Angeles
✈️ Los Angeles → Singapore
✈️ Singapore → Saigon (HCMC)

🚆 Saigon → Nha Trang
🚆 Nha Trang → Huế
🚆 Huế → Da Nang
🚆 Da Nang → Hoi An
🚆 Da Nang → Saigon
🚢 Saigon → Phú Quốc
🚢 Phú Quốc → Saigon

🚌 Saigon → Phnom Penh
🚌 Phnom Penh → Siem Reap
🚌 Siem Reap → Angkor Wat

🚌 Angkor Wat → Bangkok
🚢 Bangkok → Koh Tao
🚢 Koh Tao → Koh Phangan
🚢 Koh Phangan → Koh Samui

🚢🚌 Koh Samui → Bangkok
✈️ Bangkok → Singapore
✈️ Singapore → Athens

✈️ Athens → Istanbul
🚢 Istanbul → Princess Islands (day trip)
✈️ Istanbul → London
✈️ London → Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
✈️ Sharm El Sheikh → London
✈️ London → Naples
🚆 Naples → Rome

✈️ Rome → Madrid
🚆 Madrid → Barcelona
🚆 Barcelona → Madrid
✈️ Madrid → Rome
✈️ Rome → Los Angeles
✈️ LAX → Phoenix

(That doesn’t even include all the local buses, metros, tuk-tuks, and 25+ ride share ((Grab/Uber/Bolt/InDrive)) rides along the way.)

Three months in Southeast Asia.
Then a rapid-fire lap through Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.

It sounds insane written out like this—and honestly, it kind of was.

But that’s part of the fun.
And after traveling like this for three straight months…

Sometimes all you can do is drop a blog and watch miserable people be jealous. 😄

This was, by far, the longest—and most expensive—trip of my life.

I blew through my budget. And once that happened, I made the call to keep going anyway, because I was already there. I ended up canceling my Eurail pass and coming home three weeks early to stop the financial bleeding.

At the time, I didn’t think I’d ever use my all-you-can-fly pass again, so I went into “see everything now” mode and stacked as many countries as I could. I still missed a few, which means there’s a pretty good chance I’ll give it one more run someday—especially since I’m not renewing the pass.

And here’s the truth:

I have zero regrets about spending money on travel.
Not at the end of this trip.
Not at the end of any trip.

What I do have is better awareness.

Travel is worth it.
The memories are worth it.
The experiences are worth it.

I just need to be smarter next time in Europe and use train travel—pace it better, plan a little tighter, and learn from the mistakes without losing the magic.

That’s not regret.
That’s learning and sharing.

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Rome, Italy – Second visit to Vatican City!

by ItalyRomeTravel bucket listTravel memoriesWizz - AYCF!

I spent the last day of my recent travels in Rome, a place I’d already explored before. I’d checked off most of the major tourist traps on earlier visits, but it still felt essential to revisit the Colosseum and Vatican City—some places deserve more than one look.

Ironically, I chose a Sunday, which meant the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel were closed. Not ideal—or so I thought at the time.

Unbeknownst to me, I was about to get a much bigger—and completely unexpected—treat that day.

Below is a video I took earlier in the week, showing St. Peter’s Basilica from the outside, walking inside, and soaking in the atmosphere. Even without the museums open, this place never disappoints.

It was simply a good feeling knowing I was there on a day when Pope Francis was well enough to make a public appearance. With Holy Week approaching, it felt like an important moment—likely a quiet test of strength and endurance ahead of what is normally an incredibly demanding time.

Sadly, I later learned that he had to cut his speech short due to shortness of breath—and that this appearance would turn out to be his final public speaking engagement before his passing. Knowing that now adds a weight to the experience that I didn’t fully understand in the moment.

As I walked through Vatican City, the atmosphere felt different—solemn, but meaningful. A massive crowd was lined up to enter St. Peter’s Basilica, far larger than anything I’d seen earlier in the week.

It was one of those rare travel moments where you realize you weren’t just visiting a historic place—you were quietly present for a small but significant piece of history.

How to get to Italy (cheap)

If you’re coming from North America, I highly recommend flying Norse Atlantic Airways from Los Angeles to Rome for around $220 USD.

Getting to Los Angeles is easy and inexpensive from almost anywhere in Canada or the U.S. if you use Google Travel. Even better—consider staying in LA for a day or two. You essentially double your vacation while still saving a ton of money overall.

Where I stayed

I stayed at Freedom Traveler, which offered a single bed for €40 a night. Hotels in Rome can easily run $150+, so this was a no-brainer.

If dorms aren’t your thing, they also have private studio-style rooms for under $100, which is excellent value if you just want a quiet place to sleep. I stayed here twice—once before and once after my trip to Barcelona—and the staff were fantastic, always helping me get the best room available.

Best local meal & drink

Pizza. Obviously. 🍕

Rome is packed with corner spots selling freshly made pizza, and walking past them without stopping should honestly be illegal. While wine dominates in Italy (vino everywhere), I kept laughing because I’d walk into places with 10 taps, and every single one was wine. Beer lovers, adjust expectations accordingly.

My favorite pizza spot was just around the corner from Vatican City. I grabbed three slices (yes, all at once—you can see them stacked in the photo), and it was hands-down the best pizza I had in Italy.

Would I return?

To Rome specifically? Probably not.

Once I spent a full day at Vatican City and the Colosseum, I was ready to move on. I’d originally planned to stay a full week, but instead booked a last-minute trip to Barcelona to break things up.

That said, Italy absolutely deserves more time—just maybe not all in Rome. Cities like Venice, Sicily, Milan, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast are all worth visiting. One important lesson learned the hard way: book train tickets early. Last-minute fares were over $200, sometimes 5× the normal price, which is no different than flights.

If you plan to stay within one country, trains are amazing—but procrastination is expensive.

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Naples and Rome – pizza everywhere!🍕

by Italy

⬆️High School gym class⬆️

 

My first stop was Naples—or Napoli, as the locals correctly call it—the original, unapologetic version reminded me of High School gym class.

Fast-paced, intense, a little rough around the edges, and absolutely unforgettable history.

Home of the Pizza! 

The history of pizza began in antiquity, as various ancient cultures produced flatbreads with several toppings. Pizza today is an Italian dish with a flat dough-based base and toppings, with significant Italian roots in history.

A precursor of pizza was probably the focaccia, a flatbread known to the Romans as panis focacius, to which toppings were then added. Modern pizza evolved from similar flatbread dishes in Naples, Italy, between the 16th and mid-18th centuries.

The word pizza was first documented in 997 CE in Gaeta[4] and successively in different parts of central and southern Italy. Furthermore, the Etymological Dictionary of the Italian Language explains the word pizza as coming from dialectal pinza, ‘clamp’, as in modern Italian pinze, ‘pliers, pincers, tongs, forceps’. Their origin is from Latin pincere, ‘to pound, stamp’.

I had pizza every day that I was in Italy and even had a couple two a day!!

The below was one of my favorites near Vatican City. The Chef will make pizzas on massive sheets and then place them in the window for display.  Once you decide on a flavor or three, in my case, on this day, in the top left.  They take a pair of scissors, cut to your desired size and weight it for the amount. 

 

Below is fried pizza—basically a calzone that made better life choices and went into the fryer instead of the oven.

The second photo is my first meal after landing in Naples.
Stromboli is my favorite, so this one felt less like a meal and more like a reunion.

The rest?
Just random pizza stops along the way.
No plan.
No regrets for eating and not even being hungry!

Yummy!! 🍕😄

I definitely ate my share of pizza throughout Italy, especially Naples.

Every now and then I’d think, “Maybe I should order something else…”
And then immediately decide—
nope.

When you’re in the birthplace of pizza, branching out feels less like curiosity and more like betrayal.

You tell ’em, Boss!

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Rome – The Vatican & St Peter’s Basilica

by Rome

When in Rome – visiting the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica was not an option! I needed to throw a few Hail Mary’s so not a better place to make some peace. We had a good talk, and we are good! 👌 The Vatican grounds were a short 15-minute metro ride from my hostel and easy to access.  It was amazing to think that I could hop on a metro train and be there in under 20 minutes.

I blogged about my second time visiting, but here are more details, pictures, and videos.

The train ride from my hostel to Vatican City was under 20 minutes:

Once you exit the Vatican station, there is a short walk to St Peter’s Square.

The Pope has been very sick and made his last appearance the week I was in Rome before passing away.

Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 13 March 2013 until he death in 2025. He was the first Jesuit pope, the first Latin American, and the first born or raised outside Europe since the 8th-century Syrian pope Gregory III.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to a family of Italian origin, Bergoglio was inspired to join the Jesuits in 1958 after recovering from a severe illness. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969, and from 1973 to 1979, he was the Jesuit provincial superior in Argentina. He became the archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was created a cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, the 2013 papal conclave elected Bergoglio as pope on 13 March. He chose Francis as his papal name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Throughout his papacy, Francis was noted for his humility, emphasis on God’s mercy, international visibility, commitment to interreligious dialogue, and concern for the poor, migrants, and refugees. Francis believed the Catholic Church should demonstrate more inclusivity to LGBTQ people, and stated that although blessings of same-sex unions are not permitted, individuals in same-sex relationships can be blessed as long as the blessing is not given in a liturgical context.[2] Francis made women full members of dicasteries in the Roman Curia.[3][4] Francis convened the Synod on Synodality, which was described as the culmination of his papacy and the most important event in the Catholic Church since the Second Vatican Council.[4][5][6] Francis was known for having a less formal approach to the papacy than his predecessors by, for instance, choosing to reside in the Domus Sanctae Marthae guesthouse rather than in the papal apartments of the Apostolic Palace used by previous popes. In addition, due to both his Jesuit and Ignatian aesthetic, he was known for favoring simpler vestments devoid of ornamentation, including refusing the traditional papal mozzetta cape upon his election, choosing silver instead of gold for his piscatory ring, and keeping the same pectoral cross he had as cardinal.

Here are some additional pictures of my two days spent in Vatican City.

RIP Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025)

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Italy train travel! Fast and faster!!

by ItalyRome

I am at the point in my travels where I was supposed to be using a Europass to travel Europe by train.  

I bailed on that plan a month ago after taking a 20-hour train trip up and down the Vietnam coast.  I realize that taking a train across Europe would be a lot nicer than Vietnam but sitting in coach would be the same back breaking experience.

Here was the plan, and I still feel good about my decision as it is time to go home:

I did get a chance to take a train from Naples to Rome, which was pretty awesome and had me second-guessing. The ten-day Europass was an amazing deal, but taking the train once scratched that itch for $13 USD.

It was not the highspeed train as that was $60 and would have been an hour a half instead of four hours.

Since I enjoyed my first train experience in Europe, I followed it up with another train trip later that week! 

This time, I took the smoking fast-speed train between Madrid and Barcelona, Spain.

The train almost hit 300KM/H (292KM hour was the highest I noticed as I fell in and out of sleep for the three-hour trip.)  Imagine a flight doing ~500KM/H is about an hour and a half, and the train doing ~300KM/H is about three hours.

Amazing!

I had taken the “Chunnel” from London to Paris in the past, but this was a great reminder of how fast train travel can be compared to flying. The line at the train station was a lot longer than most airports, as they do not have the same setup, which can delay travel.

Lucky for me, I am a dumbass and went to the wrong departure station.  Once I realized it, I took a 15-minute taxi to the correct station and cut to the front of the line with my sob or SOB story, so it took less than five minutes as opposed to over an hour. 

It was stressful, but it worked out perfectly as I did not sleep.  I landed in Madrid and took the subway to the City Center and there was a football game on, so I jumped into the fun without finding a hostel.

After the game, I grabbed some tapas and beer and quickly found out that the prices were $150 euros that night.  After a bit of panic, walking in the rain and soul searching my shitty situation, I headed to the wrong train station. It all worked out amazingly as always!  

Check out all those tapas and awesome local beer!

The closest I have ever experienced Tapas is when a Ukrainian whips up a meal with whatever is in the fridge, and it turns out to be a five-star meal.  Same idea, a little bit of everything and refilling your plate.

What an amazing sequence of events, which is why I love to travel so much!  

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Italy! The Colosseum experience!!

by Rome

Below is the Colessem location about Rome and Italy in general.

The top can be zoomed in and out if you are curious!

I am not a big history guy, but Athens, Greece, and now Rome, Italy, had me caught up in the experience!

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, for all of us, as it was so overwhelming:

The Colosseum ultimately derives from the Ancient Greek word “kolossos,” meaning a large statue or giant. It is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of Rome, Italy, just east of the Roman Forum. 

It is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built, and is still the largest standing amphitheatre in the world, despite its age. Construction began under the Emperor Vespasian (r. 69–79 AD) and was completed in AD 80 under his successor and heir, Titus. 

Further modifications were made during the reign of Domitian (r. 81–96). The three emperors who were patrons of the work are known as the Flavian dynasty, and the amphitheatre was named the Flavian Amphitheatre (Latin: Amphitheatrum Flavium; Italian: Anfiteatro Flavio by later classicists and archaeologists for its association with their family name (Flavius).

The Colosseum is built of travertine limestone, tuff (volcanic rock), and brick-faced concrete. It could hold an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 spectators at various points in its history,[4][5] having an average audience of some 65,000; it was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles including animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, dramas based on Roman mythology, and briefly mock sea battles.

The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.

Although substantially ruined by earthquakes and stone robbers taking spolia, the Colosseum is still a renowned symbol of Imperial Rome and was listed as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. It is one of Rome’s most popular tourist attractions and has links to the Catholic Church, as each Good Friday, the Pope leads a torchlit “Way of the Cross” procession that starts in the area around the Colosseum. The Colosseum is depicted on the Italian version of the 5 euro cent coin.

It was about a 30-minute walk from my hostel to the Colosseum and the ancient ruins area.

I rarely pay to enter tourist traps, but this was another one that I could not miss out on. Here are some pictures and videos of the Colosseum inside and out.  It was so amazing to see, and unsure if these will help portray it properly

The area around the Colosseum, including the ruins, is an incredible experience.

wizz tail

Naples, Italy – home of PIZZA!🍕

by Italy

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza, you visit the home of the pizza!!  There are several variations, and so far, the stromboli and fried pizza have been amazing. 

As my European travels start to wind down on this adventure, I’ve found myself staying in hostels—and getting more comfortable with them than I ever expected.

In Naples, the average hotel costs around €75–€100 per night, which is roughly equivalent to the same price in U.S. dollars. The hostel I’m currently staying in? €28 a night—and honestly, it’s been great.

More importantly, I’ve met some genuinely like-minded people along the way. Good conversations, shared stories, and the reminder that travel isn’t always about where you stay—it’s about who you run into when you get there.

Turns out comfort isn’t always about square footage. Sometimes it’s just good people and a cheaper bed.

I honestly don’t remember ever paying to visit a museum. It’s just never really been my thing.

But after visiting Athens, and now Naples, the history became impossible to ignore—and even harder to resist.

So I did something completely out of character and spent my first day in Naples inside the Naples National Archaeological Museum.

And honestly?
I was blown away.

Room after room of artifacts, sculptures, and stories that somehow survived centuries—and here I was, just standing there in quiet amazement, wondering how this was never on my radar before.

These are some photos and videos from that first day—proof that even the most stubborn non-museum person can still be humbled by European history.

The weather has been cold and rainy, so I’m still debating how to spend the next day or two here before heading to Rome.

Fortunately, this is where hostels really shine.

Below are just some of the amazing options posted around the hostel—things to do, places to eat, and budget-friendly ideas I probably wouldn’t have found on my own.

That’s another underrated perk of staying in hostels:
Someone has already done the homework, and they did it cheaply.