Munich

Munich is an elegant, understated and at the same time lively city. The total absence of reckless concrete sprawl, traffic and pollution, the impeccable urban decorum and the care for greenery, to which the administration and the citizens are particularly attentive, make it an ideal city for quality of life. Nothing like our metropolises, buried in concrete and neglect. The large parks are crossed by clean rivers, and perhaps for this reason too they are enlivened by the presence of swans, geese and mallards, which approach the curious and enchanted passer-by trustingly. In Italy it would be impossible, there would always be some vandal or some stupid little kid ready to pester the poor animals, making them move to quieter places. It is sad to note that what abroad is often preserved and valued, with a strong sense of civic duty and respect, is destroyed here at home.

Travelling in these places, then, must teach us something, to improve and learn from those who are far ahead of us. The images speak for themselves: no potholes in the roads, no graffiti on the walls, clean streets, zero traffic, the city parks are kept like "paintings" and nobody, not even the most uncivilised tourist, would ever dream of leaving a piece of paper on the ground, or of shouting loudly. Another mark of civilisation: dogs go everywhere, in the parks as in the shops, no prejudice and none of those shameful no-entry signs so dear to Italian administrations and mayors.