In a distinctive twist on the classic European backpacking journey, one traveler embarked on a mission to collect iron-on badges as her chosen mementos. These lightweight, affordable souvenirs perfectly suit the backpacker lifestyle, occupying minimal space while symbolizing each destination visited.
First Stop: The Floating City of Venice
Venice, the inaugural destination, presents a mesmerizing world where canals serve as thoroughfares and bridges connect a stunning, intricate maze. Embracing the art of purposeful disorientation, the traveler deliberately avoided digital maps, allowing herself to drift through the labyrinthine backstreets. This approach enabled Venice to unveil its secrets gradually, with each turn offering new discoveries.
Discovering Authentic Venetian Dining
The strategy for locating genuine local restaurants proved remarkably effective. The process involved identifying bustling establishments positioned near major tourist attractions, then deliberately walking past them. Continuing until laminated menus disappeared typically led to authentic culinary treasures tucked away in cobbled alleys.
Dawn Exploration of Venice's Iconic Landmarks
Staying at Generator Hostel on Giudecca Island, the traveler caught the first morning ferry to the mainland for a pre-dawn adventure. Accompanied by her less-enthusiastic-about-early-mornings partner—primarily recruited for photography duties—she experienced Venice in rare tranquility.
The stone pathway beside Palazzo Ducale stood remarkably empty, a stark contrast to the thousands of visitors who would crowd the area later. St Mark's Square, known locally as Piazza San Marco, appeared miraculously vacant, offering a sight typically reserved for those willing to rise exceptionally early.
Architectural Marvels and Pigeon Encounters
The square serves as Venice's primary public gathering space, featuring the breathtaking Byzantine Basilica as its centerpiece. The magnificent Torre dell'Orologio towers above with Renaissance grandeur. In a perhaps ill-advised moment, the traveler sat among the square's pigeons—a decision that later contributed to a stomach illness requiring three days of dietary restrictions while in Italy, described as particularly challenging given the country's culinary reputation.
Memorable Moments and Souvenir Hunting
As fresh morning sunlight bathed the city, the serene atmosphere created an unforgettable experience. Later that morning, while navigating the narrow laneways, the sound of Italian schoolchildren chattering and their shoes clip-clopping on cobblestones created a cherished memory.
The true excitement arrived upon discovering the first iron-on badge, marking the official commencement of a continent-wide collection. Despite leaving Venice without her only pair of prescription glasses—now resting at the bottom of the Grand Canal—the badge collection's beginning felt particularly sweet, symbolizing the start of an open-ended European journey.
