Italian grandmother puts her best foot forward

It's the satisfied look on the faces of people she's met that impressed her most, as she has witnessed people from European and Central Asian countries benefiting from the Belt and Road Initiative, she says.

As a hiker, Cammarota has paid special attention to road and bridge constructions, among which she was impressed by the Peljesac Bridge in Croatia, a project built by a consortium led by the China Road and Bridge Corporation.

Cammarota says the 2.4-km bridge not only connects the country's southern and northern regions but also shortens the distance between the island of Korcula, where Polo once lived, and the land.

It is just one of the bridges, highways and railways built under the BRI she has witnessed.

"When I see these marvels, I feel my heart swell with emotion. It's only by witnessing them firsthand that you can truly grasp their incredible nature," she says.

Authorities from the Chinese destinations on her travel route will offer assistance and guidance.

The welcoming ceremony and interactive experiences in Xinjiang were among the efforts for Cammarota by multiple parties, including the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the China Arts and Entertainment Group and the Xinjiang culture and tourism department. They aim to showcase the timeless charm of the Silk Road and highlight the new achievements of the BRI, thereby promoting cooperation and exchanges between China and the countries along the Silk Road, according to the organizers.