This week on Wander Every Day, I’m joined by my sister-in-law Christina, who went on a month-long slow-travel adventure across Switzerland, Italy, and Spain. From postcard-perfect aperitivo moments in Milan to a hidden gem village in Cinque Terre, Christina shares not just where she went — but what it felt like to be there.
We talk honestly about the cost of traveling Switzerland (is it worth it?), the simple magic of sipping wine in small Italian towns, and how meeting a local artist in Florence became a highlight of her trip. And when Spain came calling… did she secretly regret leaving Italy behind?
🗺️ In this episode, we chat about:
• Why Switzerland’s beauty requires planning to allow for a budget price tag
• The perfect aperitivo moments in Milan 🍸
• A hidden gem in Cinque Terre (that isn’t where most tourists go)
• Meeting a passionate artist in his Florence gallery 🎨
• Second-guessing whether leaving Italy for Spain was the right move
• The slower, reflective side of travel — and what Christina would change next time
We also talk European trains, review some top bar cafés in Milano, and really dive into whether traveling Europe in summer is worth the price, traffic + heat.
Whether you're mapping out your next Europe trip or wondering if Italy deserves more of your itinerary — this episode’s for you.
🎧 Let's wander.
Recommendations:
Felix - Milano
Mag Cafe - Milano
Bar Bello - Montreal
Pastaficio di Canneto - Genova
Il Gattaccio - Vernazza
Timestamp
0:00 Introduction to the Pod
2:41 Christinas Travel Style: Travelling with Friends, Authentic Travel Experiences + Preferred Pace of Travel
19:18 Switzerland: Fribourg, Montreux Jazz Fest, Gruyère cheese, Lausanne Beach Day + Marzili Bern
29:25 Switzerland is Expensive: Food + Trains (including the Bernina Express)
37:23 Milan: Appetitivo Hour, Duomo at Golden Hour + Speak Easy Culture
43:03 Genoa: Pastaficio di Canneto Pasta Restaurant, Unexpected Beach Vibes + Castelletto Views
46:47 Cinque Terre: Hidden Gem Town + Hiking Path, Overtourism in the Main Towns + Efficiency of the Train (Unless it’s on strike…)
57:50 Firenze “Florence”: Art Gallery Socials, Surviving the Heat + Day's Flashback to Engagement Pics in the Bardini Gardens
1:02:52 Quick Taste of Bologna: Bolognese, Food and Wine
1:04:37 Madrid: Spain Regrets?, El Retiro Park + Navigating Madrid Train Station
1:10:51 Barcelona: Beware of Phone Thieves, Jamon Iberico + Sitges
1:23:55 This or That: Euro Summer Edition
1:24:47 Listener Questions: People Watching at Apperitivo Hour + Where Would You Go Back