Author: fkasara

I'm Sara, a Northern Italian with experience in Italy's travel industry and hospitality sector. Other than the classic travel tips, in my blog I mainly share cultural and lifestyle aspects of the Belpaese, that often elude tourists, yet make our country unique. Be inspired, avoid cliches and let Italy spice up your life!

A new Renaissance for blogging?

On By fkasaraIn Blog4 Comments

The last post on this blog dates back to more than two years ago and, in that instance, I was complaining about how the system based on algorithms, had taken the joy out the art of blogging and posting on social media. A system meant to be feeding the trolls and promote internet drama to create more interactions.  A system that pushed viral content in your feeds rather than the one of people you chose to follow in the first place. 

Now, two years have passed and the era of AI has arrived. AI-generated content is the new norm and many jobs related to content creation have already been replaced by “the machines”. Social media that used to focus on amateur pictures are flooded by AI-generated images and videos, and by carousels containing text, copy-pasted from who knows where. On the paper it should be the end of blogging.


The truth is that I believe, and hope, some sort of new Renaissance will come. Competing with free AI-generated content will be impossible. Those relying on content creation for their income will definitely have a really hard time, but, you might believe it or not, I feel that for a niche of us this will be a plus and a relief.

People who have the need to create, to express themselves, will stick to writing and they will do it for the fun and joy of it. No more focusing on stats, views and monetization, but free self-expression and genuine need for connection. I like to believe that also many passive users will benefit from it, as they are fed up with this system, of the same trite content popping up in every platform. AI might provide well-chosen words, but the real and empathetic human experience is something machines will never be able to replicate.

Feed your spark.

Algorithms are not evil. People are.

On By fkasaraIn About Me12 Comments

Saying that I’ve been blocked is an understatement. At least in terms of writing, because, for the rest, my existence has been quite eventful.

Life as a tourism worker is never stuck in a rut: trains become your legs and the luggage your home. By now I never totally unload not I put them away.

As all things, this way of living has its pros and cons: it surely can be exciting, however “the thrill” can wear you down, especially when extended for a long period of time.

Age plays also a more relevant role as years go by: the older you become, the higher is the crave for harmony and peace of mind, rather than for fun and excitement.

This kind of mind shift takes one by surprise at first, especially if, when growing up, adrenaline and a lack of boring routine were essential things to function properly. How does one age without even realizing it?

This change impacted my relationship with writing and my online presence as well, both of which have become more and more sparse. To be honest with you, however, I haven’t really missed social media.

The exchange of views with people having different opinions used to be a way to connect, grow and even boost myself. I need that kind of mental stimuli to feel good.

However, we all know it, for most people this isn’t the case: having a different opinion means “attacking other’s freedom of speech” or being arrogant. Social media’s feeds, which once were the modern version of the agora, have become trashcans where people can vomit their hate and pick up fights over the most insignificant things. The other day I had the insane idea of scrolling through my Twitter feed and random people were tearing each other apart on whether it is proper to put the IBAN on wedding invitations or not. Are we for real?!

People complain about the toxicity of modern society and about algorithms driving our lives, yet we are the first to feed said algorithms with negativity and malice, spreading hate like a cancer.

I’ve had the privilege to meet great people over the years on the internet, yet trying to keep up with their updates meant delving into said toxic algorithm-driven feeds, which show what they want us to see rather than the accounts of the people we are interested in. And what they want us to see is controversial content which generates interactions and “internet drama”.

For this reason, I am not interested in playing this game anymore. I would still love to keep in touch with you people, but I just cannot stand social media feeds anymore. I will post and try to keep in touch with the people I want to through notifications and I will concentrate more on the blog, which is my personal ground.

Putting boundaries is sometimes necessary for mental health.

Classic Italian Songs: “La Guerra di Piero”, the Italian “Blowin’ in the Wind”

On By fkasaraIn Italian Music4 Comments

Friends, few months ago I shared a Spotify playlist composed by 30 songs I considered to be the ones that Italians see as “great classics”. Some of you have already listened to this playlist, but I thought it was about time to give some sort of context and explain what’s behind these songs and their lyrics.

Continue reading “Classic Italian Songs: “La Guerra di Piero”, the Italian “Blowin’ in the Wind”” →

Pompeii vs Herculaneum: Differences, Tips and Why You Should Visit Them

On By fkasaraIn Italian Archaeological Sites8 Comments

The archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum are the closest image you can get of how a town belonging to the Roman Empire worked and looked like. The devastating eruption of 79AD of Mount Vesuvius buried these cities under molten rock and ashes preserving them from the unavoidable spell cast by the course of time. Check this article in which I explain how and why you should plan a visit in these incredible time capsules.

Continue reading “Pompeii vs Herculaneum: Differences, Tips and Why You Should Visit Them” →