From the singular focus of the Colosseum, we moved to the sprawling heart of the empire right next door: the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. After a manageable 30-minute line for security, we were walking on the Via Sacra, the main street of ancient Rome. This was where it all happened—the commerce, the politics, the triumphs, and the betrayals. We wandered among the skeletal remains of grand temples, towering arches like the Arch of Titus, and the Curia, the ancient Senate House. It takes imagination to reconstruct the vibrant city from these ruins, but as you walk, you feel the undeniable weight of history beneath your feet. We then made the gentle climb up Palatine Hill, the most exclusive neighbourhood in the ancient world, where emperors built their lavish palaces. From here, the panoramic view over the Forum and across to the Colosseum is spectacular, offering a true sense of the city's ancient layout. Throughout this long walk under the Roman sun, we were incredibly grateful for the city's numerous public drinking fountains (nasoni); filling our bottle with the constant flow of cool, refreshing water was a lifesaver.

Exiting the Forum, we found ourselves directly in front of the immense Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland), a colossal white marble monument honoring Italy's first king. After admiring its grandeur, we grabbed a delicious panini and ate it on our walk towards the Trevi Fountain. The piazza was incredibly crowded, but the beauty of the Baroque masterpiece was undeniable. We made our way down to the fountain's edge, tossed our coins to ensure our return, and took in the stunning sculptures. To complete the moment, we treated ourselves to our very first Italian gelato from a nearby shop—a taste of pure bliss.

After tossing our coins and enjoying our first gelato, a short, ten-minute walk brought us to the tranquil Piazza della Rotonda and its ancient marvel, the Pantheon.

The square itself, with its beautiful fountain, offered a welcome moment of rest. We had pre-booked tickets, and as our time slot arrived, we approached the entrance. The building's exterior, with its massive Corinthian columns and ancient inscription, feels like a direct portal to the past. But nothing prepares you for the moment you step inside. We all looked up in unison, our jaws agape. The vast, coffered dome with its famous oculus—a nine-meter opening to the sky—is a work of pure architectural genius. A single, powerful beam of sunlight pierced the space, moving like a celestial spotlight. To think that this perfectly proportioned, unreinforced concrete dome was built nearly 2,000 years ago is simply astounding. It was a serene, spiritual experience, a quiet moment of awe after the grand scale of the Forum.

Our final stop for the day, just a five-minute walk away, was the spectacular Piazza Navona. This vast, oval-shaped square, built on the site of an ancient Roman stadium, felt like the city's living room. It was alive with artists selling their paintings, musicians playing, and people relaxing at the outdoor cafes. The centerpiece is Bernini's magnificent Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers), a masterpiece of movement and drama. By this point, however, our energy was fading fast. Sarmee and Dabbu were tired, and to make matters worse, our mobile phone battery had finally given up. It was time to head back. We easily found a nearby bus stop where the digital display clearly showed which bus would take us towards our Airbnb. The "tap and go" feature on our Forex cards made the journey seamless; there was no need to fumble for tickets. That evening, I ventured out to a local supermarket for essentials and brought back a freshly made Margherita pizza, baked in a traditional oven as I watched. It was the perfect, simple end to an epic day of exploring history.

Next, we journeyed towards the stunning Amalfi Coast. On the way, we stopped at a local factory in Sorrento that produces the region's famous Limoncello. We were treated to complimentary tastings of the lemon liqueur, while Dabbu enjoyed lemon-flavoured chocolate. Sarmee picked up some lovely lemon-scented soaps for gifts. The view from their terrace was picture-perfect: the brilliant blue of the Mediterranean Sea with the imposing silhouette of Mount Vesuvius in the background.

We were given two hours to explore the charming cliffside town of Sorrento. We soaked in the breathtaking coastal views, Sarmee did some souvenir shopping, and we all tried a local specialty: lemon sorbetto served inside a frozen lemon shell. It was tangy, refreshing, and delicious. We arrived back in Rome late, around 8:30 PM. Tired but happy, we ordered pasta from a place near Termini. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to our taste, but it was a minor blip in an otherwise perfect day.

Our final stop was St. Peter's Basilica. The sheer scale and opulence of the world's largest church are overwhelming. We stepped inside to marvel at its magnificent dome, Michelangelo's poignant Pietà, and the ornate decorations that adorn every corner.

In the evening, we collected our luggage and headed to Roma Termini. A dinner of chicken burgers and fries from a station eatery filled us up before our high-speed Italo train to Florence. A delay of 80 minutes meant we arrived at Florence's Santa Maria Novella station late, around 9:20 PM. After a short walk and a small wait for our host, we finally checked into our apartment, ready to discover the birthplace of the Renaissance.

We allowed ourselves a slightly later start, beginning our walking tour of Florence around 9:30 AM after a breakfast of paninis. Our first stop was the city's heart: the magnificent Florence Cathedral, or Duomo, with its iconic red-tiled dome and Giotto's Bell Tower. We then made our way to the Basilica of Santa Croce, the final resting place of great Italians like Michelangelo and Galileo.

Our 12:30 PM slot at the Accademia Gallery was next. The gallery is home to one of the most famous sculptures on earth: Michelangelo's David. Seeing it in person, in all its colossal and perfect detail, was a lifetime experience.

For lunch, we found a gem: an Indian restaurant called Palace of India. The butter naan and chicken tikka masala were absolutely delicious, a wonderful taste of home. Energized, we continued our tour, walking through the Piazza della Signoria with its open-air sculptures, across the famous shop-lined Ponte Vecchio bridge, and finally, we made the climb to Piazzale Michelangelo. The reward was the most famous panoramic view of Florence. Watching the sunset paint the sky in hues of orange and pink over the Duomo and the Arno River is a memory we will cherish forever. A convenient bus ride brought us back to our apartment, where we happily ordered dinner from Palace of India using the Glovo app.

Another early start saw us at the Santa Maria Novella station for our 7:30 AM group tour of Tuscany. Our guide, Barbara, was brilliant, conducting the tour in both English and Spanish from our comfortable double-decker bus.

Our first destination was Pisa. The drive through the Tuscan countryside was scenic, but nothing prepares you for the sight of the Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), where the famous Leaning Tower stands beside the cathedral and baptistery. It leans even more than you imagine! After taking the obligatory photos, we picked up some souvenirs.

Next, we drove into the heart of the Chianti region to visit a winery. We were seated at beautifully pre-arranged tables for a light lunch and wine tasting. While the Sangiovese wine was lovely, the food (salami and spreads) wasn't quite to our liking. However, the experience of being surrounded by rolling hills and lush vineyards was simply magical.

Our journey continued to San Gimignano, a stunning medieval walled town famous for its well-preserved towers, like a medieval Manhattan. It felt like stepping back in time. We wandered its charming streets and grabbed a pizza to complete our lunch.

The final stop was Siena, a city built on three hills. A local guide showed us around, explaining the history of the fierce city-state rivalries and its unique central square, the Piazza del Campo. It was a fascinating glimpse into another Tuscan jewel. We returned to Florence tired but fulfilled, and for the third night in a row, ordered a delicious dinner from our favourite Indian restaurant.

We checked out of our Florence stay at 10 AM, storing our bags securely near the station for a few euros. This gave us a final morning to explore the city on foot, discovering new streets and soaking in the atmosphere one last time. We had an early lunch at Palace of India and did some last-minute shopping for Italian leather goods, picking up some purses and bags.

Our 6:05 PM Italo train back to Rome was perfectly on time, and we arrived at Termini as scheduled. We checked into our new hotel, conveniently located right opposite the station, for our final night.

On our last morning, we took the metro to the Spagna stop to visit the famous Spanish Steps. The area was bustling with people. We climbed the elegant staircase to the church at the top and enjoyed the view from the piazza. From there, we took one last walk to the Trevi Fountain for a final photo before heading back to Termini. A quick stop at a supermarket inside the station allowed us to buy Italian chocolates and pasta to take home.

Finally, we collected our luggage and caught the airport bus. After a meal at the airport, we boarded our Etihad flight, tired but with our hearts and camera rolls full. We flew through the night, connecting in Abu Dhabi and Delhi, and safely landed back in Kolkata on the morning of October 7th.