My first month in Japan

Hello everybody, it’s me, Phil and welcome to my world (blog).
In Japanese, I would say 久しぶり(hisashiburi) which means ”long time” that I don’t post here on my blog. It is actually more than one month since I have arrived here in Japan, but why did I not write about anything? I mean, there is a lot to say about Japan.

The reasons why I did not use yet my blog website are many. First of all, because I do not have enough time. Secondly because the first weeks it was really a huge cultural shock. I think I am getting used to the Japanese life style only now. Anyway, I do not to focus why I did not post because now I am actually doing it! YASSS! 

I do not know how to start because there are so many things I would like to say. As I mentioned before, initially it was just a little bit weird to be here in Japan because I dreamt so much about this country that probably I had some kind of idyllic image. Therefore, since I always had the idea of Japan stuck on my mind, when I arrived here it seemed to be all “fake”. I was wondering, “why I am here?”, “is it even real?”, “am I still dreaming?”.

Some weeks passed, I met so many people during this period, both Japanese and from many different countries around the world. I took so many pictures, actually more than 1,200! I still have a lot to learn about the Japanese culture and the Japanese culture itself, but right now I feel very motivated and every day I want to give my best before going to sleep at night. I can’t wait for many other new experiences in the following months in this amazing land!

I promise nothing. I usually have a personal diary where I write down everything my mind thinks. However, since I arrived in Japan I am writing nothing and only taking tons of pics. So I will try to keep active weekly my blog, and if I manage it maybe I could write also some posts directly in Japanese so I can both improve my Japanese and let Japanese people know about my opinions.

Hope you enjoyed this little post, and if there is something you want me to talk about in the next post, just comment below.

7 things you can't miss doing in Madrid

Hello eveyone! Welcome back to Monday’s post. As you may know, last week I was in Madrid and I spent six beautiful days in the Spanish capital city. But what to visit in this happy and colorful place? What are the things that you can’t miss? So, here there is a new #TravelNote: 7 things you can’t miss to visit in Madrid.

1) Being royal in Madrid

The Royal Palace is one of the most famous buildings in this city and still today it is the Spanish Royal Family residency. I recommend to have a walk at evening after dinner: you can find many street artists + the gardens are so amazing.

2) Go to "retire" at the parkAre you tired of life? Go to retire yourself to El Ritiro park (this is the meaning in Spanish “retire”). It is the biggest in the city, and it is very HUGE! There is even a lake inside where you can rent a boat and go around.

3) Egypt? You may think it is a photo taken in Egypt. No, it’s always Spain. Debod’s Temple is a gift from Egypt to Spain when was helped to save Nubia temples.

4) A little bit out from Madrid

This is not actually Madrid. It’s Toledo. It was the ancient city of Spain and here many peoples came: Arabs, Romans, Jews … indeed in this old little cute town you can find many churches, but also some synagogues.

5) A little bit of art

In Madrid there are two very important art museums: one is The Prado museum where you can find the most iconic paintings of Goya, Hieronymus Bosch, Tiziano, etc. The other museum is Reina Sofia museum: I suggest this one if you are a big fan of Salvador Dalì.

6) Eat Paella!

Paella is a traditional Spanish dish made of rise, and ingredients can be fish, meat or vegetables. I think it is so delicious!

7) Sunday Market

If you want to experience something different from the most famous spots full of tourists, and if it’s Sunday, I suggest the local market located in El rasto neighborhood. They sell EVERYTHING. From old-fashioned furniture to funny t-shirts.

8) Spend all your money on shopping!
YASSS. Go to Gran vía, the main and big commercial street and there you can find the most famous shops: H&M, Zara, and a Primark made of 5 floors!!!

And if you didn't watch it yet, here there is my vlog!

What to do in a cold day in Zurich (Switzerland)

It is the most populated city in Switzerland, but not its capital city. I’m talking about Zurich!
As you maybe know, I didn’t go again to my Lady Gaga concert, because this time was CANCELLED! You can’t imagine how sad I felt. But that’s all another story. Now, with this new #TravelNote, I want to talk you about my nice day in this Swiss city.  

Well, first of all I want to tell you how we (my mom and me) arrived to Zurich. By bus! Yes! From Venice till Zurich. The bus was the famous “FlixBus” and if you don’t know this bus company, I highly recommend you. They organize trips all around Europe and the prices are quite chips.
It was also very nice to observe all the snowy mountain villages. I am not used to see certain views (I come from Sicily!).
When we arrived in Zurich, in the evening, the temperature was not that cold. But when we woke up the day after, everything was white!!! It was a true surprise! Even though then the snow turned into rain. 

After we had breakfast, we took the tram (in the city there is no tube, but the tram is very comfortable), and directed ourselves to the city center. It was very nice walking through the picturesque streets, and the houses, are just so cute!!! They look like the one of marzipan. The main monuments to visit are Grossmünster, which is the ancient Dom of the city, where the Swiss Protestant reform has begun under Ulrico Zwingli, who also translated the Bible into German. Another important church is Fraumünster with its gothic style. If you go in summer time it is also very nice to have a tour around the lake with the ferry, but I don’t think it is the case when it is snowing. Anyway, if you feel cold outside, you can also visit the National Museum in front of the main train station. I personally find it very interesting and found many fun facts. For instance, did you know that muesli was created in Switzerland? (I always eat yoghurt with muesli at morning).

I think Zurich is a very quite but beautiful big city that you need to visit at least once in your life. But just some few warnings before you go.
1) Prices! It’s VERY VERY EXPENSIVE. Especially food. I bought two Brezels, you know I much I paid? 10 francs! In euro, it’s around 8.
2) Don’t come on Sundays. If you want to go shopping it is not a great idea since almost every shop is closed.
3) If you can’t stand cold weather, don’t come on winter. I would suggest you on early autumn. When I went there on September the weather was really perfect!

I hope you liked this TravelNote. See you next Thursday for a new one!
And if you want to see more pictures, just follow me on Instagram.

5 things you can't miss to visit in Bratislava!

Welcome back to Phil's World with a new #TravelNote. Last time I wrote about "5 things you can't miss to visit in Prague". Today's post is about the unconventional city of Bratislava! Why unconventional? Because it is different from the other capital cities, it is not famous as Vienna or Prague, it is not that big city, it is calm, and relaxing. In the past, the city was named Pressburg by the Germans. The current city was named Bratislava only by 1919 through a survey to citizens. Today Bratislava is Slovakia capital city and the biggest one of the whole country.
So let's start with "5 things you can't miss visiting in Bratislava". HERE WE GO!

1) The white castle

Above the hill of the city there is this white castle, almost perfect with its symmetries. It is the "Castle of Bratislava", now home of the Parliament. During the 16th century it was home to the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

2) What a friendly statue!

Bratislava is full of bizarre statues. One of these is Cumil, the one who is in charge of sewerage. The statue, like many others, has been there since 1997 to make the city a little more cheerful than the gritty architecture of the communist regime.

3) Is it Disneyland?

It may look like a Disneyland castle, but it's actually a church. Just because of the unusual coloration it is often called "Blue Church", but is dedicated to Elizabeth of Hungary, grown in the white castle.

4) OMG! Is that an UFO? 

Commonly called "UFO" for the round building on the top, this is the Novy Most, one of the most impressive bridges on the Danube. Going up there is a luxurious restaurant, and on top a beautiful panorama of the city. It is advisable to go to sunset.

5) A bit of shopping is never a bad idea

It may sound foolish to go to a mall on holiday, but believe me if you've been tired a bit of the town or of the hot weather, a visit is worth it. There are two malls in the city! What I recommend is called "Eurovea" and is not far from the city center, next to a park.

Now I should go because my friend is waiting for me at the library to study together. See you tomorrow with a new video :) 

5 things you can't miss to visit in Prague!

Welcome back to a new #TravelNote post! Last time I made a list of "8 things you absolutely need to visit in Vienna", today it's Prague's round. Before suggesting you the top-5 things to visit in this pictoresque city, I want to specify that I have been in Prague for just one day because I was staying overnight in Vienna. Anyway, if you have the chance, I reccomend to stay some more days in the fantastic Czech Republic's capital city. And now ... HERE WE GO! 

1) Check out what time it is!

I am talking about the astronomical clock located in the "old town" of the city. Why is this clock so popular? The mechanism is quite complex, there are three different clock face: the astronimical one, "The Walk of the Apostles" where every hour you can see the twelve Apostles that move, and another one that shows the twelve months of the year. 

2) Imagine one world as one!

Yes, I am talking about the legendary John Lennon. In Prague there is a whole wall dedicated to him. Why in Prague? Because during the Communist regim he became an idol, a source of hope for many young Czechs. Today, you can find many peaceful sentences and graffiti on the wall. 

3) Have a walk in the Jewish neighbourhood

Prague has been for many centuries a big centre in Europe for the Jewish community. Indeed, not so far from the "old town", you can find a Jewish neighbouhood with many sinagogues. I reccomend to visit at least one of them!

4) OMG! Venice is pursing me! 

Ok, in Venice the houses are kind of different, but this place is named "The Little Venice". There are actually water channels and our friendly tour guide explained us that in the past the city was flooded several times. 

5) Take many pictures in the awsome Charles bridge!

Charles bridge is one of the most famous sposts in Prague. Charles IV was actually the Bohemia's king at that time and it was him who asked to build it. It is made in stone and it is long 515 meters. 

I hope you liked this TravelNote. Next time I will write about Slovakia's capital city: Bratislava! 

And, if you missed my vlog about my latest trip, here it is!

8 things you can't miss to visit in the elegant Vienna!

If you have followed last week my Instagram story and Facebook page, you should know that I have been in Vienna (and not only) for holidays. And as I promised, here it is a new #TravelNote about my stay in the Austrian capital city!
So I prepared a list of “8 things you can’t miss to visit in Vienna”. HERE WE GO!

1) The huge St. Stephan’s Cathedral

Situated in the heart of the city, when you get out from the subway stop Stephansdom, you will see it in front of you! It became through the years the city’s symbol and its spire, one of the highest in the world, can be seen almost from every corner of Vienna.

2) Have a walk in Wonderland!

I am just kidding, but doesn’t it seem a place from a storybook? It is actually the Hundertwasser village, an alternative neighborhood projected by the homonym artist and architecture. Its goal was to “make happy” a not so wealthy neighborhood of Vienna. And I think he succeed with his idea. It is absolutely my favourite area of the city! 

Have a look at the public toilets!!! 

3) Visit Hofburg … what?

Hofburg, situated not so far from the center of the city, was for many centuries the heart of the Austrian power. Today it is the current Presidential residence. Not bad. 

4) Go back to the past with Sisi museum

Have you ever heard about the beautiful princess Sisi with very long hair? Well, if you entered inside the Hofburg there’s a big museum dedicated to her and to silverware used by the Royal family. This in the picture is only the centerpiece (and I did not manage to photograph all of it!) 

5) Schönbrunn: Sisi's house

Schönbrunn castle is the famous Vienna’s imperial palace. The queue to enter can be sometimes very long, so I suggest to book from your sofa at home. (click here to book)

6) Be kissed by art!

Did you recognize it? It is the famous painting The Kiss by Gustav Klimt. The real one! You find it inside the huge Galerie Belvedere and there you will find many other Austrian/German and other famous artists such as Monet. 

7) It’s time to have fun!

I love so much amusement parks! So I couldn’t miss to visit this one! Its name is Prater and is well known for the panoramic wheel. A ride is highly recommended! 

8) Have a sacher cake 

After have visited all the main places of the city, sit in a typical café, relax and have a delicious piece of cake. The one I suggest, and perhaps the most famous, is the sachertorte, which is a chocolate cake served with cream.

See you next Wednesday with a new #TravelPost about Prague! And Friday, too, with a new video on YouTube!

And to finish, I want to congratulate with arianna.michi and fedegattolini who guessed where I had to go through my Instagram stories :D

If you have any question about Vienna, send me a tweet at @itsphilworld with the hashtag #TravelPost. Bye!!!

8 things you absolutely need when you travel

Sometimes even the most desired journey can be wearisome. That long travel that never ends, the hot weather that does not help you or being sit in the small chair of the airplane can be exhausting. This “Travel Note” is different from the others because I am not going to talk about a specific place, but this time I am going to give you a list of tips to make the tiring trip a little bit more enjoyable, all thought but Phil, obviously! Here we go with the “8 things you absolutely need when you travel”.

1) a camera

It’s true that the best memories are kept in your heart, but wouldn’t it be a pity to go to New York and not even have a picture in Times Square? Bring with you a camera, not obligatory a big and expensive one, but just a little digital one which is perfect to keep it in your purse.
I use my Nikon waterproof camera which takes discrete pictures. I suggest a camera rather than the cell phone because you are not distracted with the various applications, and besides it makes you a real traveler!

2) Happy and catchy music

As I said before sometimes a trip can be very long, maybe even endless. So why not to listen to your favourite songs, and sing along with your travel companions? For instance, I love to listen to my favourite pop stars such as Lady Gaga, Katy Perry or Madonna, while I fly above the clouds.

3) A book

In the frenetic everyday life can be hard to have time to read a good book, so why not to take the chance to do it while you’re waiting your number gate at the airport? I personally do not read so much, but I think that life is too short to waste time, so when I travel I like to bring something to read.

4) A good rucksack

 When you have arrived at your destination, you will probably walk a lot, buy many souvenirs for friends and family, and then you get thirsty and need to drink. And where do you keep all these things? I usually use this green Eastpack rucksack, which is big enough to keep all my things.

5) Comfortable shoes

Do not attempt to travel or go sightseeing with high heels or with sandals. You will regret it so badly! Instead, wear a pair of shoes that are comfortable, you are used to walk with. On my luggage I bring both my beloved converses and my sneakers.

6) A power bank for your cell phone

You have a lot of missing calls because your friends want to know in which part of the world you are, but your cell phone is out of charge and can’t contact anyone? My biggest suggestion is to buy a good power bank (because there are also the cheap ones and do not work). For this one I paid 10 euros, so it is not that big deal.

7) Sunglasses is always a good idea

Whether you are at Maldives or in Island, I believe sunglasses need to be always in your travel rucksack. Why? Well, when you bought a low cost flight, but it’s at 2 am, your eyes will look like the panda’s ones!

8) Happiness and enthusiasm 

To travel is always an exciting experience, so be motivated, and curious as a little child. When I visit a new country I take pictures without interruption and say all the time “Wow!!! Look that!”.

Indeed, I am very excited because tomorrow I am gone for my vacations!!! Where do I go? GUESS! If you say exactly where I am going, you will be mentioned in my next post.

I beg you pardon if this Friday, next Monday and next Wednesday there will be no posts on my blog because I will be the whole day taking pictures. However, I will still post something on my Facebook page and on my Instagram story!

Bologna and its leaning towers

During my absence in my blog, in April, I went to visit the beautiful city of Bologna with my dear friend I did not see for months. Even though I am Italian, I had never visited it before. Bologna is one of the most famous cities in Italy, also famous for its ancient universities and its towers. It is one of the Italian cities with the largest and most-well preserved historic center. Therefore, if you are in the neighborhood I recommend going to a visit.

Obviously, as mentioned before, one of the most important monuments is its towers. There are three, but the most famous is the "Torre degli Asinelli" (Tower of little donkeys), and next to it there is the "Torre Prendiparte", which is just like the Pisa Tower, a leaning tower. You can also climb to the top of the tower with only three euros. However, be careful, the stairs inside are very narrow, so if you are suffering from clustering phobia, perhaps it is better you do not enter.
Even though it is not that easy to get to the top, when you arrive, you see a heartbreaking view of the city. It feels like flying over the city and see all the cute red roofs of the houses. The tower is height 97,20 meters and inside there are 498 steps!!!

Here it is a picture that shows the very narrow (and dangerous) stairs to get to the top of the tower.

Besides its towers, in Bologna, there are also many ancient churches and one of the most famous is Basilica di San Petronio in Piazza Maggiore, the main square of the city. The church was built between 1390 and 1659 and it is said it is the largest church of world built by bricks.

If at the end of your day, you still have a little bit of time, I suggest you a ride to the “tourist train”, a very friendly train that makes you a little tour of the city while you comfortably sit down and take some pictures.

Phil hopes you like this brief article. See you next Wednesday with a new "Travel Note". Ciao! :D