Solo Travel Italy: My Peaceful Trip to Crema and Hidden CMBYN Gems
I arrived in Crema at about 7pm in June 2024, armed with a completely over-filled backpack and sense of wonder at this place I had found myself in. I strolled the town peacefully, with Sufjan Stevens playing through my headphones...
Crema gained popularity as a tourist destination after its feature as the main setting for the 2018 Luca Guadagnino film “Call Me By Your Name”: a 1980s queer summer romance story between characters Elio and Oliver (originally an equally fantastic novel), that touched the hearts of viewers worldwide. Crema as I saw it, was everything that it was in the film; beautiful, sleepy, and magical.
If you’re a Call Me By Your Name lover visiting Crema, I would definitely recommend a trip to the tourist office on your first day. They fully embrace fans of the film, and make sure to give you lots of information, as well as a map of all of the filming locations in the city- you can even see props from the movie! Of course, I made multiple trips to the famous 'Elio and Oliver doorway’ from the film, which is on a little side street off the Piazza Del Duomo, and it was so special to see that fans have made their mark here by signing their names- small moments like this made me completely forget I was alone in my travels- I felt such a sense of community with the fans who had visited before me.
In fact, it was perhaps this trip that made me realise just how much I love doing things ‘alone’. I think most of all, solo travel allows for a lot more spontaneity, for example, a 7am bike ride to the stunning Laghetto dei Riflesi, or a stroll to the city library after dinner.
One of the most memorable moments from my trip was the day I visited Fontanile Quarantina, or ‘Elio’s Secret Spot’ in the movie; a tiny lake clearing, quite honestly, in the middle of nowhere- the epitome of a ‘hidden gem’. I spent the day reading, dipping my toes in the ice-cold water, and eating an amazing vegan apple pastry from a cafe in Crema (Gglace).
Then, when I begun packing up my things, ready to embark on the 45 minute bike ride back, I realised my phone had run out of battery. I had absolutely no way of knowing how to get back (I followed google maps the whole way there and even then took some very wrong turns). Moreover, it was 35 degrees and I had hardly any water left! Admittedly, this was all very irresponsible of me, however, I managed to find my way back by following road signs and other people on bikes, and eventually, turned up at my airbnb with a questionable sunburn and a good lesson learned!
This slight mishap, along with every other unforgettable experience on my solo trip to Crema, taught me most of all, to trust myself- that I could really, truly, do things on my own. But also that, when travelling alone, you’re never completely on your own; on this trip I found that if I looked hard enough, I had the best company; the characters in the books I brought along with me, the lady in the cafe who remembered me after I kept coming back for vegan pastries, and the birds who loudly sung every evening by my shuttered window.
- An evening stroll to the ‘Duomo’ (cathedral) to see it lit up at night, followed by a vegan
nocciola ice cream at Piazza Giovanni.
- Taking the cycle path to Fontanile Quarantina- you go through some cute villages, and it’s
flat all the way, so it’s a very enjoyable ride. Even if you are not a fan of Call Me By Your Name, the little lake is so peaceful to sit by and read a book- I found my mind instantly became quiet as soon as I arrived there.
- A day trip to Lake Garda- a short train ride to Treviglio, and another from Treviglio to Desenzano Del Garda: a beautiful town with lovely little beach areas where you can enjoy a swim in the amazingly clear lake!
- Plan all of your transport properly, ahead of time. It takes 3 trains to get into Crema from
Milan airport, and so making sure you have all the timings and stations correct saves a lot
of stress, especially when you aren’t relying anyone else to plan for you.
- Don’t overpack! As I mentioned, transport to Crema is pretty long (but worth it), and so
to feel as safe and comfortable as possible when walking around on your own, it’s best
not to be carrying super heavy bags or suitcases.
- Embrace the fan base- due to the popularity of the movie, there is a lot more information
out there about Crema now, and you can read or watch the experience of lots of tourists
online, which definitely helped me to feel a lot more comfortable visiting. I also
encountered some really friendly fellow fans of the film whilst on my trip!
- Bring a disposable film camera- I constantly look back on the film pictures I took on my
trip, and I felt safer taking pictures this way when alone, as it meant I didn’t have to keep
getting my phone out.
- Go with the flow- the best part about solo travel is that you are on your own schedule, so
if you just feel like sitting in the sun and reading your book for the whole day, do it! That’s just as valid a way to enjoy the city.
I think that this beautiful destination is not just a must visit for the Call Me By Your Name fans, but also for the slow-living enthusiasts, for those seeking a quiet destination with a small-town, countryside feel- it’s the perfect escape.
Hopefully you enjoyed reading about my trip to Italy, and if you would like to stay up to date with my adventures, then make sure to follow me on Instagram @girlaboutsolo and subscribe here to keep in touch with our twice monthly newsletter!
