FIRST TIME TRAVELING TO ITALY – DAY 1

First Time Europe Trip by Motorcycle

Belgrade – Croatia – Slovenia – Italy (726km in one day)

This is your chance to experience Italy like never before! With MY First Time Trip to Italy, you’ll see the country like a local. This exciting adventure will take you through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Italy and beyond.

It’a an Adventure

You’ll be able to visit historical sites, explore amazing cities, and take in stunning views from the seat of your motorcycle. If you’re looking for an adventure, there’s no better way to see Europe than by motorcycle.

On this trip, you’ll explore Italy by motorcycle, making your way through winding roads and picturesque villages. This is the perfect trip for anyone who wants to see Europe in a unique and exciting way.

I’m a mom and adventurer for people who did not read my previous articles. I love to travel, visit exciting places, art, motorcycles, and all of those things that make life worth living. I started my blog with some beautiful memories, that I would like to share with my daughter when she grows up, with my friends and family, and with my new friends, you. One of these memories is a trip around Italy. In the following stories, I will get you through some fascinating cities of this magnificent country and I will share some of my feelings and opinions about that country.

Have you ever wondered, have you made the right decision? Have you ever changed your mind when planning big things? I wondered just before my big dream trip. This is the story of my first and great day, when I embarked on a two-week journey through Italy, a country known for fashion, architecture, opera, design, food, and so many other things. There is also the story of the dilemma of whether I made the right decision to travel alone on a motorcycle, which can be risky for several reasons, and my feeling through this whole new beginning of something important to me in life.

Final Decission

I got up in the morning and drank coffee. It was cloudy outside, and I wondered if I should go and was it a realistic idea. I packed reusable 14 socks, 14 underwear, and 14 T-shirts, rolled them up, so I had as much room as possible for my wardrobe. I planned to throw away what I was carrying after a day of driving and thus reduce my luggage during the trip and increase the space for things I would buy. I went to David (my mechanic) to say goodbye and give me a blessing :), or just confirmation that my decision is good, to make it easier for me. He asked me if I was sure.

It has already started to rain in Belgrade. I wasn’t sure if I should stop and put on the rain suit. I was in such a hurry to go. By the way, I forgot to tell you, I got a rain suit from my dear friend Popsi. I did not buy it. Who read my previous story about planning (link of my Blog Post), knows what I am talking about. If I remember well, most of the things and motorcycle parts I got from my friends. I am so grateful for that!

Way through Croatia

It seemed to rain harder and harder. I decided to stand under the overpass and get dressed before I was completely wet. It was a good move. After that, it only got colder while I was driving through Croatia. The rain stopped after a while, but I would have been wet if I hadn’t changed, and then the suit protected me from the cold when I was passing through Zagreb. It was 14-15 degrees. It’s not fun on the bike, especially since it’s a humid climate, so it feels colder than in a drier climate zone, as I think.

Most motorcyclists were riding in groups and, I saw couples embarking on their travels. I liked that, to be a part of that motorcycle journey into the unknown.

As I walked away, my thoughts subsided, and I began to enjoy the moments of driving. Whether it was cold no longer mattered. Everything became unreal, beautiful, and the feeling of freedom intensified. I felt powerful and capable. I wondered why I hadn’t done it before. And, why do I always complicate it with the question of whether I do something or not?

And I realize that’s the fear we all have within us. Some less, some more, but we are all constantly afraid to reach for some endeavors just out of fear. Hmm… is it possible that I may have made a ton of decisions wrong just out of fear? Yes, it’s possible! My thoughts raced through my head in that big helmet that I didn’t even like very much because the name Lorenzo was written instead of Valentino Rossi! I have nothing against Lorenzo. Let’s be clear, but Vale is Vale :).(Who is following MotoGP (https://www.motogp.com/ ), knows what I am talking about).

Slovenia

A lot of thoughts went through my head when I arrived in Slovenia. I was delighted with nature. It is a lovely country. Enchanting lakes and forests always leave me breathless. Of course, I didn’t want to pass Slovenia without stopping at the gas station, which was suggested to me by a friend Moroccan, an experienced motorcyclist :), who said that this place is good to eat.

Every Serb need to eat well. We are not capable of doing anything on an empty stomach. The food is similar to ours I Serbia, yet once we were in one country, Yugoslavia. I enjoyed the sun shining and looked forward to Italy smiling at me. I felt butterflies in my stomach and readily headed towards the border of Slovenia with Italy.

The border was quite close, and I became impatient to see new landscapes. It’s hard to explain that happiness. I arrived in Italy, a land of sunshine, charming architecture, and good Mediterranean food. As if from postcards, tall cypresses lined up like a fence on the road, and the sun broke through the canopy revealing new shades of green, blue sky, and white clouds. The road was flat, and music was playing through my headphones while I was driving. There is nothing better than that.

Ponte di Piave

And here I am in a hotel room after a while of driving, precisely 726km. It’s such a nice feeling when I saw the soft bed after an 8-hour drive. Overjoyed, I told my closest friends and family that I was alive and well. I took a shower and relaxed for a bit.

Tired, I went for a walk around the town. I could not wait to see a small Italian town. It is an indescribable experience of satisfaction as I traveled and managed to fulfill my plan. I was tired but blissful. I knew it would be good to book a room in another city tonight. Hopefully, I will find something nice room. However, I decided to book accommodation after dinner.

Walk through the city

Ponte di Piave is a tiny town with a couple of pedestrian zones and buildings that slowly introduced me to Italian architecture and style. I liked the place. It inspired me to draw again. It seems like a small magical place full of taverns and small squares for gathering people and socializing.

Where to eat

Planning other accommodation

…I’m thinking, and now I need to find some accommodation in Verona. I am going to visit Verona in 3 days, so I need a place to stay. It’s so exciting and adventurous to plan my trip alongaway. I still have two nights to spend in Venice, so I don’t have to worry too much, but I don’t want to think about it, feel the tension, and constantly think if I will have a place to sleep on the third day.

It was the holiday season, so a lot of hotels and motels are fully booked. And so I was enormously tired, but I gathered my strength and started looking for accommodation. I found a small room. It looks neat, clean and cute, and has breakfast included. Perfect! As soon as I booked the room, I fell asleep.

Small things make life beautiful

That first day may have passed without any particular actions and experiences, but I feel enriched with emotions and excitement, hard to explain. That first day, where I covered many kilometers, was a challenge for me and something unknown, something I’ve never done before. That uncertainty and insecurity brought me excitement, as well as a question that came to me throughout the trip. How much do we need to make our lives interesting and exciting?

Useful links:

• Accommodation in Ponte Di Piave, Hotel Noventa: https://www.noventahotel.it/
• Pizzeria Plavis: https://www.facebook.com/RistorantePizzeriaplavis