Ramya Pasupuleti’s love for travel isn’t just a hobby; it’s an evolving story of her deep-rooted desire for simplicity, elegance, and the allure of new experiences. Fresh off a 23-day whirlwind trip across Europe, she shares not only the stunning landscapes and rich cultures she immersed herself in but also the unexpected adventures that made the journey truly memorable.
“My trip to Venice, well, it actually started with our time in France, particularly Paris,” Ramya begins, eyes lighting up with excitement. “There’s something about European cities that charms you instantly—the tiny apartments with a minimalist touch, the winding streets, and the small spaces that feel like home.”
Though Venice was a highlight, the journey across Italy and France had many moments to cherish. “We ventured through so many places—Florence, Milan, Venice and even made it all the way down to Sicily. Exploring Sicily was an unforgettable experience. We were chasing clean beaches, away from the crowded tourist spots. We asked our B&B host for recommendations, and he pointed us towards this hidden gem. It took us multiple trains and quite a bit of walking, but it was worth it. We got there late, just before everything started closing, but watching the sun dip into the sea was magical.”
But not everything went as smoothly as planned. Her adventures are peppered with hilarious mishaps, from their almost-missed Tomorrowland concert to a bizarre pizza incident that left them laughing well into the night. “We were supposed to go to Belgium for Tomorrowland, but the logistics didn’t work out. Italy had us in its grasp, and the thought of traveling back and forth was just too exhausting. So, we stayed and decided to soak in the beauty of Italy instead,” she chuckles.
Then came the infamous pizza story. “We ordered what we thought was a chicken pizza, but when it arrived, it didn’t look quite right. Turns out, it was donkey meat! We freaked out, asked them to change it, and they just removed the donkey pieces and added chicken on top. The smell was still there! I barely took a bite,” she recalls, shaking her head at the absurdity. “That was a €30 pizza, and I could only manage one bite!”
While Italy offered an array of mishaps, Florence proved particularly tricky. “We lost both of our suitcases during a layover in Rome. Can you imagine? All our shopping from Paris was in there—luxury bags, clothes, everything! We spent the day without luggage, just waiting, but eventually, we got the bags back. That moment when we saw our suitcases… pure happiness.”
Despite the challenges, she fondly remembers every twist and turn. “Every day brought something new. We had planned our trip in such a way that we were constantly on the go, and although it was hectic, we embraced the chaos.”
When asked about her time in Venice, her face lights up again. “Ah, Venice! People always ask if it smells bad, but I honestly didn’t notice anything. The city is beyond beautiful—the canals, the food, the atmosphere. It was our last stop on this incredible journey, so there was a bittersweet feeling. We knew our adventure was coming to an end, and that made everything feel even more special.”
Her travel memories extend beyond just the scenic beauty. Her cultural observations brought a new perspective to her European travels. “One thing that stood out to me was the level of safety. In Paris, we were constantly warned about pickpockets, and we clutched our bags as if they were babies! I don’t think I’ve ever held onto my bag so tightly, not even in Hyderabad. It’s funny how those warnings can get to you, but thankfully, we were safe.”
And what’s a trip to Europe without indulging in the local cuisine? Though her food experiences were mostly delightful, they also came with their fair share of surprises. “By the end of the trip, I was so tired of bread and pasta,” she laughs. “We even had a mishap where we ordered a dish, thinking it was chicken, but it turned out to be something entirely else. Food is a big part of any trip, and while we had some amazing meals, there were definitely moments that tested our adventurous spirit!”
But above all, it’s the stories of self-discovery and minimalism that punctuate her travelogue. “Being in Europe really made me appreciate the idea of minimalism. Everything feels so compact and thoughtful there. It inspired me to dream about building my own condo someday—a small, cozy space I can call home.”
And if she could build this dream home anywhere in the world? “Hyderabad, of course,” she says without hesitation. “It’s home, and nothing compares to that feeling.”
As she reminisces about her 23-day European adventure, one thing becomes clear: travel, for her, isn’t just about visiting new places. It’s about discovering new aspects of herself, collecting memories—both perfect and imperfect—and laughing at the mishaps along the way. “Europe has a charm that I’ll never forget, but at the end of the day, home is where the heart is. And for me, that’s always going to be Hyderabad.”
“When I say that Taormina is more fashionable than Paris or Milan, I mean it!” she exclaims with a playful smirk. “It’s all so classic—you know, really classy. The crowd was clean, chic, and everyone was carrying their Hermès and Birkins like it was a fashion runway.” She lets out a soft chuckle, reminiscing about her recent Italian escapades. “But… then came the bedbugs,” she adds, her voice dipping into a more dramatic tone.
Yes, you heard that right. Bedbugs. In Taormina, of all places. ” I woke up one morning, covered in red spots, and freaked out! I clicked a picture, threw it on Google Lens, and guess what? Bedbugs! Oh no.” She rolls her eyes, recounting the whole ordeal. “And in Europe, none of these BnB hosts will ever admit to having bedbugs. I mean, can you imagine the scandal? So, they kept denying it, but yeah, that’s what happened. A little souvenir from Taormina, I guess.”
She laughs it off, as if it were a funny anecdote she’ll be telling at dinner parties. “Europe is beautiful, but yeah, it comes with its share of challenges. Never say I didn’t warn you!”
But Taormina was just the beginning. “Oh, and Capri,” she sighs, this time sounding completely exasperated. “We went from Sorrento to Capri, and let me tell you, it was one of those days. We didn’t know there was this chairlift thing to take us uphill, so what did we do? We walked! In the blazing heat! For 50 minutes uphill!” she says, wide-eyed with the memory. “I think it was even more than 50 minutes. We were done. Completely done with Capri at that point.”
But don’t think she gave up. “After finally reaching the top, we saw all the luxury shops, and that sort of cooled us down. We thought, okay, we made it. Time to shop!” Just as they started to feel victorious, a new problem cropped up. “The last ferry back to Sorrento was at 6:30, and we reached the port at 6:40. No more ferries. I was like, What now?”
That’s when Naples came into play. “We were told we could catch a ferry to Naples and then a train or bus to Sorrento. But everyone kept saying Naples is dangerous, that people would kill us or something. I was freaked out!” she admits with a nervous laugh.
But hunger took over, and the thought of a famous Napoli pizza tempted them into the city. “We decided, okay, let’s at least grab a pizza. But when we got there, there was this massive line, and time was ticking. Google said the last train was at 9:00, and we had no idea how we’d make it back.”
Cue the cab drama. “I called a friend, and they advised us to take a cab. The driver quoted us 150 euros for a 40-minute drive, but safety comes first, right? So, we did it. By the time we reached Sorrento, we had to take another cab to our BnB—180 euros in total! That was the moment I knew we were done with Capri.”
Despite it all, she stays remarkably upbeat. “I shared the whole saga on Instagram. You know, we had a lot of fun and discovered so much on our own. It really gives you this sense of independence when you’re in a new country. Your thought process evolves; you see things differently.”
With a mischievous grin, she adds, “Honestly, I think experiences like this should happen. How else would I be able to warn people or know what not to do next time? I don’t take anything negatively. I just laugh it off—it’s all part of the adventure. Now it’s just another story to tell.”
And speaking of travel, who would she hypothetically love to jet-set with from her own circle? “You know, I find it weird to think about traveling with someone from my fraternity. For me, it takes a real comfort level to travel with anyone,” she says thoughtfully. “But if I had to pick someone, it would be Ria Amin. No one can replace hershe’s my go-to travel buddy. Anytime, anywhere.”
In the end, her trip may have been filled with unexpected twists, but that’s what makes it memorable. After all, what’s an adventure without a few surprises?
