The R in Erasmus Stands for Roaming

I’m Marvin, an Erasmus student in Turin, and my wish was to discover new places—not just the classic tourist destinations, but especially smaller towns with their own unique charm. In my final blog about my exchange semester at Politecnico di Torino, I want to take you along on my journeys and share some personal recommendations.

Novara

My first little trip took me to Novara in February. Novara is a town of about one hundred thousand inhabitants, located between Turin and Milan. I have to admit, I fell in love with this place right away. For many, it might seem unremarkable and small, but for me, it’s a hidden gem nestled between the big cities. A beautiful old town, small highlights like the Basilica di San Gaudenzio or Castello di Novara, and very friendly people. You escape the hustle and bustle of the big city and can explore a lovely corner of Italy—completely without tourists.

Additionally, I got to experience a real carnival for the first time. It wasn’t as big as the one in Venice, but it was still an impressive and new experience to see what a special event this festival is, and how much more atmospheric and rich in tradition it is celebrated here compared to Austria. I rounded off the trip by attending a football match of FC Novara, the Italian third-division team, where coincidentally a friend of mine also played.

Milan

Milan is a city you have to see at least once in your life. During my semester abroad, I visited la capitale della moda at least four times. The city is too big to see everything, and yes, Milan definitely has its own magic. The hotspots around the Milan Cathedral, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and the Castello Sforzesco are simply impressive. For football fans, San Siro is of course a must-see, and I can only confirm that—it’s, in my opinion, the best football stadium in Europe. I got goosebumps when fifty thousand Italians literally sang their anthem out loud during the international match against Germany that I attended.

Unfortunately, I also experienced that the city never really rests. No matter the time of day, crowds are everywhere, especially around the historic sights. After a long day of sightseeing, you’re truly happy to be back home.

Sanremo

My first trip to the sea was in March. I chose Sanremo, a place most people know because of the Sanremo Festival. But Sanremo is definitely more than just the festival and is a great choice for students looking for an affordable short trip, thanks to its inexpensive hotels in the city center. Even though the Ligurian coastal town is only three hours south of Turin by Flixbus, I felt like I was in the deep south. The beautiful promenade along the beach, the long harbor, and the narrow, sometimes very elegant old town of La Pigna invite you to take long walks. A special place is the Santuario Diocesano, from where you get a panoramic view over all of Sanremo.

I can clearly recommend Sanremo as a travel destination!

Padua

I also highly recommend a visit to Padua. Just a stone’s throw from Venice, this city has its own unique flair. Padua is especially known for the Prato della Valle, one of the largest squares in Europe, and as a lively university town with a well-maintained historic center. There are many nice bars, good restaurants, and plenty of shopping opportunities. We also visited the medical museum, which was very interesting and well presented. Looking back, I have to say that Padua is the place I could most imagine living among all the places I visited during my trip. The city simply exudes a very special charm.

Como

I had mixed feelings about Como. I also spent a weekend there and must honestly say that I can only partially understand the hype. The view of Lake Como, surrounded by elegant villas, is undoubtedly impressive and reminiscent of scenes from an Italian classic film. The narrow alleys with their numerous upscale restaurants and bars also invite you to linger. However, the crowds—millions of tourists in a relatively small town, with queues even at the gelato shops—significantly detract from the experience. The old town itself, at least compared to other Italian cities, feels rather average. I can’t judge the atmosphere in the surrounding towns by the lake, but I suspect it’s much more relaxed there.

Florence

I can well understand why Florence ranks so highly on many people’s lists of Europe’s most beautiful cities. The highlights of this city are too many to count on two hands. Starting with the impressive cathedral, which is especially spectacular in the evening, the Ponte Vecchio—one of the oldest arch bridges in the world—and the Piazzale Michelangelo, from where you get a magnificent view over the entire city. It’s worth setting off without a map, as there is something to discover around every corner. And although Florence is well visited, the side streets are mostly quiet and invite you to linger. A culinary insider tip from me: Pizzeria Spera, a small pizzeria on the outskirts of the city with only seven tables—fast, affordable, and absolutely delicious.

Santander

Traveling by train from Turin to Bergamo, then flying back and forth for just sixty-four euros, I had an affordable and eventful visit with a friend who was spending his Erasmus semester in Spain. To those of you who applied for an Erasmus semester in Santander: congratulations, you made a great choice—I loved the city and its mentality. The most important school in the capital of Cantabria isn’t actually the Universidad de Cantabria, but clearly the surf school. Surfing was a completely new experience for me, one I can wholeheartedly recommend to everyone.

What else does Santander offer besides beautiful beaches? Probably the best paella in Spain, affordable tapas on every corner, and even the summer residence of the Spanish royal family—the Palacio de la Magdalena. And not to forget: countless bars where the party goes on until the early hours.

Zurich

When you hear “Zurich,” expectations are naturally high. I had high hopes as well but was unfortunately disappointed in the end. Real highlights were missing, and the pricing is quite steep—even by Swiss standards. Zurich is undoubtedly a well-kept city with a beautiful lake, no question about that. But once is enough, and we left after just three hours.

Basel

Basel, on the other hand, won my heart! The reason for my trip was the Eurovision Song Contest final, which couldn’t have gone better from an Austrian perspective. Basel impresses with a well-preserved historic old town, many nice cafés and bakeries, and an overall positive vibe throughout the city. The view of the Rhine completes the picture and makes Basel an absolutely worthwhile place to visit.

Vicenza

Vicenza is a city that flies a bit under the radar but offers everything you need for a beautiful and romantic city trip. The historic city center is lovely and clean, with cozy cafés on every corner. Around the Basilica Palladiana, you’ll find romantic restaurants and nice bars. There are also some interesting exhibitions and regular family-friendly events—like the book festival that took place during my stay. The city’s location is ideal for excursions to the region: Verona, Padua, or Lake Garda are quickly reachable by train. The only downside is the large contrast between the charming city center and the outer, sometimes less tidy neighborhoods.

Verona

Verona is easily accessible by train and definitely worth a visit. The spectacular arena is especially impressive. We would have loved to attend an event there. A tip: buy your tickets for the arena online—you not only save a few euros but also avoid long waiting times. The city itself offers many beautiful streets with small, charming hotspots like the famous Casa di Giulietta or the lively Piazza Bra. Verona is a city you should see at least once.

Modena – Bologna

On my trip, I made a brief stop in Modena and Bologna. Modena immediately impressed me with its calm atmosphere. Everything can be comfortably explored on foot, and I especially loved the Piazza Grande with its impressive cathedral as well as the small alleys perfect for leisurely strolling. The city felt pleasantly relaxed and left a very positive impression. In Bologna, the main sights are also within walking distance: Piazza Maggiore with the Fountain of Neptune, the Basilica of San Petronio, and the famous two leaning towers (Asinelli and Garisenda). However, the city was noticeably more crowded, with tourist crowds everywhere, and the big “wow” effect didn’t quite hit me, even though the historic setting is certainly worth seeing.

Gargnano

To conclude my Erasmus semester, I went with my girlfriend to Lake Garda. Traveling there without a car is quite challenging since every bus line around the lake is called “202,” and the schedules are generally chaotic. All the more beautiful was the stay itself, and anyone looking to truly relax and enjoy the charm of Lake Garda will find the perfect spot in Gargnano. We stayed at Albergo Gargnano, right by the small harbor, with a room overlooking the lake. That’s really worth it, as the view is simply enchanting. There are some nice restaurants right on the water, and it’s definitely worth trying the different fish dishes. Additionally, there are plenty of small public beaches.

Need more travel tips around Italy from another perspective? Then check out Karin’s blog “Erasmus+ in Padua: 8 Travel tips for Italy”.
And if you are already sold on the idea of spending a semester in Italy (or another European destination within Erasmus+), check out the intranet TU4U on the webpage “ERASMUS+ Student Mobility for Studies – Europe” to learn more about the next steps that you need to take to start your journey!