Italian adventurer retraces Marco Polo's journey

PAESTUM, Italy — Inspired by Marco Polo, who traveled to China along the ancient Silk Road more than 700 years ago, Italian traveler Vienna Cammarota set off from the legendary explorer's hometown Venice on April 26, 2022, to retrace the route on foot.

With a simple backpack and two trekking poles, 74-year-old Cammarota has covered more than 20,000 kilometers and passed through dozens of countries. Before entering China, the last stop of her journey to the East, she returned to her southern Italian hometown of Paestum in August for a short break.

The journey is more than just a personal challenge, Cammarota said in a recent interview. It is a mission to witness firsthand the impact of China's Belt and Road Initiative, or BRI, and to share the experiences with the world, she said.