I can't put on the exact words on what I feel right now reading the title alone. This trip was just, wonderful. It was fulfilling, It was life-changing, It was amazing and all the other good adjectives you could think of. It is a realization of a dream, a dream that i thought would never be possible.
WHEN DID WE START PLANNING THE TRIP?
It was in second week of January when out of the sudden I told my wife. "babe, alam mo wala akong memory ng birthday kasama ni Mama" and she jokingly answered "gusto mo doon nalang tayo mag bakasyon eh!" . We didn't take that seriously at first but few days after we talked about it, we tried checking how much it would cost a ticket to go to Italy online, To our surprise, It was not that expensive. So even without a visa yet, We booked a non-refundable ticket on March. So yeah, definitely no backing out! (Traveler Tip # 1: Always book your flight as early as possible to get the cheapest flight. All, i guess, know this )
We started to complete our requirements. In applying for a Schengen Visa, you cannot apply directly to European embassy (here in Qatar), You need to apply thru an accredited agency. In our case we applied in CKGS Italy Visa Application Center, Ground Floor, AMG Building, Madinat Khalifa South. First you need to apply an appointment thru their website "www.it.ckgs.qa" Also in the site, you can find the requirements for visa. Take note that only the embassy could accept nor decline your application. The visa and application cost 250Qr. You must only apply 45 days before your scheduled departure. In our case, We got our visa after 3 days!!
TRAVELLING TO MILAN-MALPENSA
We traveled through OMAN AIR, The plane was okay, not spectacular like Qatar Airways by far. We departed at 10:05AM and arrived in Muscat at 11:55PM (their local time) and Departed from Muscat at 1:30 Pm and arrived in Milan-Malpensa at 7:30PM. Just after immigration, I need to go to the toilet. (Traveler tip #2: Bring portable Bidet or bottle of water for flushing as European only uses tissue.) We arrived home at 11 PM.
Traveler tip #3: Schedule your itinerary
Though we have scheduled some of the activities we will do, we opted to insert some free, vacant times for rest and unplanned activities. We were there for 3 weeks anyways, yet we seize the moments still.
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| The Milan Cathedral It took almost 6 centuries to build. It is the seat of Milan's Archbishop |
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| Sforza Castle- It was built by Duke of Milan, Francesco Sforza. It houses Milan' several art collections |
The Galeria Vitorrio Emmanuelle is one of the worlds oldest shopping center located just beside the cathedral. It houses signature shops like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Missoni, Just Cavalli etc. Here you can find the spot where Piolo Pascual of the movie Milan make ikot-ikot. According to some, when you do that while wishing, your wish will come true,
Traveler Tip # 4: Mind your belongings and beware of pickpockets and gimmicks
Do not trust easily. In the cathedral while i was taking picture, I rose my hand and suddenly one African approached me and put grains on my hands, I can't do anything because the pigeons started flying towards me. After that, he is asking for 10 euro. Freaking crazy! because he did not stop chasing me, we gave him 5 euro. (20 riyals)
Traveler Tip # 5: Exchange your money in your country, Not in the country your travelling to. Buy Euro directly.
We exchanged our money in US dollars in Qatar, however, you can also buy Euro directly. When we exchange 2000$ in Milan, They only gave us 1500 Euro, instead of 1700. They have 12% commission. 200 euros, thats 1000 Qatari Riyals, (13,500 Php) gone. Sad.
Traveler Tip # 6: Prepare yourself before Traveling. Do Cardio Exercises. Cause believe me when I say there are lots of walking.
Traveler Tip # 7: Wear a comfortable, sport or rubber shoes. there are lot of moments where i told my wife to sit for a while because my feet were aching. so in order to avoid unnecessary breaks, wear a comfortable shoes.
Traveler Tip # 8: Don't expect the People to know English. They're not required in school to learn english. so better accustom yourself in their language, the basic ones at the very least. Bonjourno is Good day, Ciao is hello/goodbye, Grazie is Thank you.
Traveler Tip # 9: Bring bottled water from home. Well, since almost everywhere is a tourist spot, expect that everything is expensive. Bring bottled water from home, and do not throw it if empty cause all around there is a potable drinking fountain and you can refill your bottle with it.
On the Next day, I was able to meet my friends from Barcelona, Sky and Ryan with their friend Mary Grace and Melvin Saballa, who lives in Italy. We went to see where the Aldub movie was shot. Okay Im a fan, haha. I really want to visit that place but when I asked my sister about it she said its very far from their place. So when Sky told me that we're going to Lake Como, I was thrilled!
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| ALDUB in IMAGINE YOU AND ME haha |
PAVIA, ITALY
On the 3rd day, we went to PAVIA, Italy with another highschool friend who lives in Italy, May Jill.
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| Ponte Coperto Bridge |
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| Castelo Visconteo FR: Ryan, Sky, me, Mary Grace and May Jill |
SEPTEMBER 11!
Sept 13: Venice, Italy
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| Gondola in Venice |
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| Grand Canale
SEPT 16- 18 VATICAN CITY AND ROME
This is by far, the best trip with my family!
Traveler Tip # 10 Choose AirBnb
AirBnb is an online market place that enable people to find places to rent for vacation. It is like booking.com only that you can book a whole flat/ apartment in a price of a hotel room.
This below is our apartment! it was very pretty. The owner Flamina, is very nice. She explained almost all the tourist spot we could go!
 
St. Peter's Basilica- The papal enclave inside of Rome. Catholic Tradition says that it is where the Apostle, St Peter, was buried.
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TREVI FOUNTAINIt is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and the most beautiful in the world. A traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome.
A lot of popular movies were shot here like the Lizzy Maguire, When in Rome and Milan.
CASTELLO DE SAN ANGELO
This was once became a prison and execution place, as well as the Pope's resting place. Now it is a Museum.
   
ROME COLLOSEO
 
The Roman Forum is situated in the area between Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Three thousand years ago, this valley between Campidoglio and the Quirinal, which was to become the future social and political centre of one of the greatest empires of ancient times, was submerged in marshland.
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| St Paul Minor Basilica |
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| Piazza Victorrio |
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| Pyramid of Cestius
The Arch Of Constantine is a Triumphal arch in Rome. It was erected by Roman Senate to commemorate Constantine's Victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge.
 
PARIS, FRANCE SEP 20-22, 2016
Travel tip # 11: Not all the places in Paris have wifi. Load mobile maps of the places you will go so with or without internet you can navigate the area. I had no problem with that cause my wife is a natural Dora the explorer.
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| The Eiffel Tower |
Travel Tip # 12: Hop on Hop off Bus
For the price of 20 Euro (80 Riyals), you could go to the different tourist spot in Paris. you can drop off to places and hop on to different bus again (of the same company) if you wish to go on the other tourist spot. Worth the Price and is valid for 24 hours.
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| The Mona Lisa Painting by Leonardo the Vinci. The only interesting (at least for me) inside the Louvre Museum. |
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| Arch of Triumph |
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| Notre Dame De Paris |
Last Stop, VERONA, Italy.
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| Veranda of Juliet |
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| Verona Arena |
We came back to Doha on Sept 30. Leaving Italy was like leaving the Philippines. Its a very breath-taking place. a place where you want to spend your whole life with. After this trip, Hazel and I promised that we would try to travel as many places as we could. It may be a waste of money as what other people may say, but as long as this money is an earned money, it is not waste at all. We can always earn money, but not memories.
