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About

Ciao

and welcome to My Italian Diaries!

Whether you stumbled upon my blog guided by the power of SEO or drawn by the stars, I couldn’t be more thrilled to have you here.

My name is Valentina Nicastro, and I’m a travel writer and content creator based in Italy.

Since an early age, I have fostered a deep passion for travel. It all began when I took my very first study abroad trip at the tender age of 11. That exhilarating experience of exploring a foreign country, meeting new people, and embracing thrilling adventures left an indelible mark on me.

about Val

Since then, I have been fortunate to visit incredible destinations around the world, all while overlooking the wonders within my own homeland for quite a long time. Ah, the memories! I worked as an au pair in a remote Irish village during my university days, then lived in both Dublin and London. Meanwhile, I continued my exploration of the world – from traversing the epic Trans-Mongolian railway to walking the Great Wall of China and immersing myself in the vibrant rhythms of Cuba, I was always seeking out the most exotic destinations. At that time, I genuinely believed that as magnificent as Italy may be, it couldn’t possibly rival the countless other mesmerizing places I yearned to discover.

But the more I traveled abroad, the more I started to look at my country with different eyes. The amazing people I was meeting during my trips, with their infectious love for everything Italian and their amusing and sometimes clichéd perspectives, made me realize that the country I come from is actually really cool!

about Val
about Val
about Val
about Val

And then

it happened

One day I was sitting in front of my computer ready to plan another exciting adventure abroad and something inexplicable took hold of me. Looking at the world map and scrolling through airfares, my mind went blank and all I could think of was how many places I had yet to see in Italy. That’s how I decided to put my passport aside for some time and embark on a grand exploration of Italy, documenting everything in this travel blog which I evocatively titled My Italian Diaries.

about Val

This new chapter has led me on a voyage of discovery, immersing myself in the breathtaking regions and captivating towns that make Italy so extraordinary. With each passing day, I learn that Italy extends far beyond the iconic destinations of Venice, Florence, and Rome. And that my country is imperfect in so many ways, but each flaw contributes to its incredible uniqueness.

Within the pages of My Italian Diaries, you’ll find a collection of stories, photographs, and tips about Italy gathered during my travels across the country. Whether you’re yearning for thrilling city breaks, enchanting day trips, or immersive regional adventures, I’ve made it my mission to unearth the hidden gems and unexplored corners of Italy.

As you immerse yourself in these articles, I genuinely hope to inspire you to set forth on your very own adventure through Italy, where extraordinary discoveries and unforgettable memories await at every turn.

Buon viaggio!

Are you a magazine, a local tourism board or business looking to create enchanting tales of Italy?

Visit my “Let’s Collaborate” section and let’s join forces to create
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5 fun facts

about me

When I’m not immersed in documenting Italy, you’ll find me donning my communication consultant hat, weaving words as a content writer and bridging linguistic divides as a translator.

I have the timeless wisdom of Mark Twain tattooed on my right rib: Explore. Dream. Discover.

I may have a blog and be glued to my trusty smartphone, but deep down, I’m a hopeless pen and paper romantic. I could spend hours in a stationery shop and rarely leave without a new notebook.

Similarly, never once have I succumbed to the allure of a Kindle. The scent and rustle of aged pages totally captivate me. Ah, the joy of delving into the dusty shelves of second-hand bookstores – pure joy!

Some of my proudest accomplishments to date include conquering 170km on foot along the Via Peuceta from Bari to Matera and crossing the finish line at a 12k run in Ibiza (quite an unusual venue for my first and only sporting competition – I know, don’t ask…).

Grazie mille for reading My Italian Diaries!

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