Buongiorno, amici miei! (Good day, my friends!) This is your trusty gnome, Oliver, reporting in from the heart of Italy. Today, I’ll be recounting my 25.5 kilometer trek from the quaint town of Bormio to the beautiful Ponte di Legno.

As I walked through vineyards and olive groves, I couldn’t help but notice the striking architecture that seemed to tell a story of its own. But, out of everything, one observation stood out in particular. A small, yet bustling marketplace in the middle of nowhere. It was as if it had sprouted out of the ground, teeming with life and color. The air was filled with the aroma of fresh fruits, cheese, and the chatter of locals. Here, in the midst of the Italian countryside, life was as vibrant as any city.

As I strolled through, an old local gentleman smiled at me and said, “La vita è troppo breve per mangiare e bere male.” (Life is too short to eat and drink poorly.) Ah, the Italian philosophy!

So far, my little feet have carried me 3150.5 kilometers across stunning vistas and through charming towns. From the glitzy Saint Moritz to the serene Bormio, then back to Bormio again and finally to Ponte di Legno and Arco, each city has left its unique imprint on me. All this in just 114 days!

As I continue my journey, I’m reminded of a local song I heard at a tavern in Bormio, “Nella vecchia fattoria, in mezzo alla campagna“. (In the old farm, in the middle of the countryside.) It makes me chuckle every time and it’s a perfect representation of this charming Italian countryside.

So, until next time, remember in the words of the philosopher Luigi Pirandello, “La vita non è sogno ma è un inferno di svegliati.” (Life is not a dream but a hell of awakened ones.) Arrivederci! (Goodbye!)

Ciao from Ponte di Legno, a city that whispers tales of the old and the new. I’ve been fascinated by two things here. First is the Valle delle Messi, a pristine valley that’s as enchanting as a Botticelli masterpiece. They say, “La bellezza della natura è un dono infinito” (The beauty of nature is an infinite gift).

The second is the city’s rich history, especially the World War I remnants. The city was a vital frontline, and the remnants whisper tales of bravery and sacrifice. As the great composer Verdi once said, “La musica è la lingua universale dell’umanità” (Music is the universal language of mankind). Here, the remnants play a symphony of the city’s past, echoing through the silent mountains.

Ah, Italy! Where every city is a verse in a beautifully written poem, every street a melodious note in an extraordinary symphony. From Ponte di Legno, with love. Arrivederci!