u/Bihema

I’m nearing 15 years as a designer in the industry and honestly, I’m tired. The politics, accelerated calendars, constantly changing workflows, chasing trends and newness nonstop, and the underlying ageism.

I still love design and product, but I’m aggressively trying to pivot into something adjacent. The hard part (which I’ve known for quite awhile) is realizing how specialized fashion is. You spend years refining your skillset, your eye, and expertise that’s so valuable inside the industry, but outside of it, a lot of those skills don’t translate well anywhere else.

Curious how others are feeling right now. Are you still optimistic about staying in fashion long term, or are you to trying find a way out?

I’m planning a trip for about 9 days (early July) and am currently deciding between Italy focused around Rome/Florence, or Stockholm and Copenhagen. Minus 2 days for arrival and departure.

Main interests are medieval armor museums, architecture, exquisite bakeries, and local crafts.

I’m a huge maximalist when traveling and like absorbing as much as physically possible each day. I’m very much the type to pick a direction and aimlessly explore until I can’t walk anymore. For most historical monuments, it’s usually more of a “see it, appreciate it, and move on” experience for me unless it’s something major.

One concern I have with Rome is the heat and crowds during July. I’m aware it’s one of the biggest global tourist hubs, but I’m wondering if the sheer density of people combined with the extreme heat might start to wear on the experience after several days.

I’m also curious whether Florence is truly worth adding for a first Italy trip, or if focusing entirely on Rome would make more sense. From what I’ve read, Florence seems much more walkable and atmospheric, but I’m wondering if splitting time between the two cities would elevate the trip or just make it feel rushed overall.

The alternative would be Stockholm and Copenhagen. I’ve already been to Oslo and honestly felt like 2 days there was enough and found it a bit boring overall. Because of that, I’m wondering if Stockholm and Copenhagen would feel distinct enough from Oslo to justify choosing them over Italy for this trip.

Arrival/Depature points are fixed.

Option 1 - Italy / Rome and Florence

* Day 1 - 4 Rome

Colosseum, Vatican City, Castel Sant’Angelo, architecture, bakeries/cafés, wandering Trastevere, luxury shopping, piazzas, historical arms/armor collections at Castel Sant’Angelo and the Capitoline Museums, Roman Forum, Pantheon, Local Markets, Train out to some suburbs etc. View Points

* Day 5- 7 Florence

Stibbert Museum, Palazzo Pitti, Bakeries, wandering side streets and markets, View Points

* Day 8 - Return to Rome - Relax and Souvenir runs.

* Day 9 - Departure

Option 2 - Stockholm and Copenhagen

* Day 1 - 4 Stockholm

Gamla Stan, Royal Armoury, Vasa Museum, waterfront wandering, Scandinavian design stores, cafés/bakeries, ferry rides, and medieval armor/weapons collections at Livrustkammaren, View Points, Local markets. Train out to some suburbs

* Day 5 - 7 Copenhagen

Nyhavn, bakeries, local ceramics/design shops, waterfronts, wandering, Rosenborg Castle and the National Museum of Denmark for armour

* Day 8 - Return to Stockholm - Relax and Souvenir runs.

* Day 9 - Departure

I’m planning a trip for about 9 days (early July) and am currently deciding between Italy focused around Rome/Florence, or Stockholm and Copenhagen. Minus 2 days for arrival and departure.

Main interests are medieval armor museums, architecture, exquisite bakeries, and local crafts.

I’m a huge maximalist when traveling and like absorbing as much as physically possible each day. I’m very much the type to pick a direction and aimlessly explore until I can’t walk anymore. For most historical monuments, it’s usually more of a “see it, appreciate it, and move on” experience for me unless it’s something major.

One concern I have with Rome is the heat and crowds during July. I’m aware it’s one of the biggest global tourist hubs, but I’m wondering if the sheer density of people combined with the extreme heat might start to wear on the experience after several days.

I’m also curious whether Florence is truly worth adding for a first Italy trip, or if focusing entirely on Rome would make more sense. From what I’ve read, Florence seems much more walkable and atmospheric, but I’m wondering if splitting time between the two cities would elevate the trip or just make it feel rushed overall.

The alternative would be Stockholm and Copenhagen. I’ve already been to Oslo and honestly felt like 2 days there was enough and found it a bit boring overall. Because of that, I’m wondering if Stockholm and Copenhagen would feel distinct enough from Oslo to justify choosing them over Italy for this trip.

Arrival/Depature points are fixed.

Option 1 - Italy / Rome and Florence

* Day 1 - 4 Rome

Colosseum, Vatican City, Castel Sant’Angelo, architecture, bakeries/cafés, wandering Trastevere, luxury shopping, piazzas, historical arms/armor collections at Castel Sant’Angelo and the Capitoline Museums, Roman Forum, Pantheon, Local Markets, Train out to some suburbs etc. View Points

* Day 5- 7 Florence

Stibbert Museum, Palazzo Pitti, Bakeries, wandering side streets and markets, View Points

* Day 8 - Return to Rome - Relax and Souvenir runs.

* Day 9 - Departure

Option 2 - Stockholm and Copenhagen

* Day 1 - 4 Stockholm

Gamla Stan, Royal Armoury, Vasa Museum, waterfront wandering, Scandinavian design stores, cafés/bakeries, ferry rides, and medieval armor/weapons collections at Livrustkammaren, View Points, Local markets. Train out to some suburbs

* Day 5 - 7 Copenhagen

Nyhavn, bakeries, local ceramics/design shops, waterfronts, wandering, Rosenborg Castle and the National Museum of Denmark for armour

* Day 8 - Return to Stockholm - Relax and Souvenir runs.

* Day 9 - Departure

I’m planning a trip for about 9 days (early July) and am currently deciding between Italy focused around Rome/Florence, or Stockholm and Copenhagen. Minus 2 days for arrival and departure.

Main interests are medieval armor museums, architecture, exquisite bakeries, and local crafts.

I’m a huge maximalist when traveling and like absorbing as much as physically possible each day. I’m very much the type to pick a direction and aimlessly explore until I can’t walk anymore. For most historical monuments, it’s usually more of a “see it, appreciate it, and move on” experience for me unless it’s something major.

One concern I have with Rome is the heat and crowds during July. I’m aware it’s one of the biggest global tourist hubs, but I’m wondering if the sheer density of people combined with the extreme heat might start to wear on the experience after several days.

I’m also curious whether Florence is truly worth adding for a first Italy trip, or if focusing entirely on Rome would make more sense. From what I’ve read, Florence seems much more walkable and atmospheric, but I’m wondering if splitting time between the two cities would elevate the trip or just make it feel rushed overall.

The alternative would be Stockholm and Copenhagen. I’ve already been to Oslo and honestly felt like 2 days there was enough and found it a bit boring overall. Because of that, I’m wondering if Stockholm and Copenhagen would feel distinct enough from Oslo to justify choosing them over Italy for this trip.

Arrival/Depature points are fixed.

Option 1 - Italy / Rome and Florence

* Day 1 - 4 Rome

Colosseum, Vatican City, Castel Sant’Angelo, architecture, bakeries/cafés, wandering Trastevere, luxury shopping, piazzas, historical arms/armor collections at Castel Sant’Angelo and the Capitoline Museums, Roman Forum, Pantheon, Local Markets, Train out to some suburbs etc. View Points

* Day 5- 7 Florence

Stibbert Museum, Palazzo Pitti, Bakeries, wandering side streets and markets, View Points

* Day 8 - Return to Rome - Relax and Souvenir runs.

* Day 9 - Departure

Option 2 - Stockholm and Copenhagen

* Day 1 - 4 Stockholm

Gamla Stan, Royal Armoury, Vasa Museum, waterfront wandering, Scandinavian design stores, cafés/bakeries, ferry rides, and medieval armor/weapons collections at Livrustkammaren, View Points, Local markets. Train out to some suburbs

* Day 5 - 7 Copenhagen

Nyhavn, bakeries, local ceramics/design shops, waterfronts, wandering, Rosenborg Castle and the National Museum of Denmark for armour

* Day 8 - Return to Stockholm - Relax and Souvenir runs.

* Day 9 - Departure