Endearing places throughout Europe

A couple years ago I had an opportunity to visit a country that left me fascinated and made me cherish every memory I have experienced there – that remarkable place was Italy. Seeing same widely known places in front of your TV or computer screen and in real life creates totally different perception.

I guess I should start with an introduction how I ended in majestic Italy. The year was 2000th when my parents took me to school for the first time. As later I found out I was not included into a usual group. My classmates and I had not only to study subjects that belong to students but also learn Lithuania’s traditional folk dances in prestigious “Seltinis” group. Time passed and it became a passion. Later we started participating in festivals and competitions all across Europe. It was life changing experience to get to know other cultures and sites especially Italy’s.

Italian atmosphere is felt just when the border is passed. Grape fields, small old style villages, dry weather –all these signs told us that we were in Italy. After several hours of travelling by bus our first destination was reached – Venice. One of the biggest attractions in Europe firstly seemed a little misleading till we arrived to the old part of it by a boat. The surroundings really made all of the group admire every building, gondola and the unbelievable town as a whole. I always expected Venice old town to be tourists and souvenir shop place. However, I was stunned when exploring the St. Mark’s square I see people wearing suites and handling briefcases heading to their work place. Life boils in the city not only as in a tourist attraction center but also as in a usual city with unusual streets with floating gondolas.

Next stop was an impressive city in its own way – Rome. Travelling by metro creates a picture of Rome as of a modern city till you walk out on the ground level and a view of Coliseum and Arch of Constantine opens. Then imagination plays it part recreating gladiator fights and everyday life of ancient Romans. Another extraordinary place that is a big attraction was another country in the middle of Rome that is Vatican City. Most religious half square kilometer area creates its charm with a huge square surrounded by numerous columns. All of it ends up with a Renaissance style basilica of St. Peter that enchants is the bowl that ends up on the roof of basilica.

Without any question Italy is my mostly beloved country. I look forward to end up there in the future.