Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to experience many “firsts” in this game, but my most recent one was especially memorable: attending Italy’s first Mega-Event, Geocaching Made in Italy! (GCBCRTC).
From the moment I arrived in the Castronno region outside of Milan, it was clear that the organizing team had created something special. Throughout a weekend packed with events, they showcased their passion for geocaching and the beauty, hospitality, and food that Italy is known for.
One of the best parts of any geocaching event is the people, and this weekend was no exception. I had the chance to reconnect with friends I’ve met through the game while also meeting so many wonderful geocachers for the first time. It was a reminder of how this hobby brings people together across countries, languages, and cultures.
The festivities began Friday evening with Aperitivo Made in Italy! (GCBKD2R), held in a stunning setting along the shores of Lake Varese. As the sun set over the water, geocachers gathered to share stories, laughter, and plans for the weekend ahead. Everywhere I looked, there were smiling faces and joyful reunions.
Saturday marked the historic centerpiece of the weekend: Italy’s first-ever Mega-Event! Despite the warm temperatures, roughly a thousand geocachers made their way to the event grounds to be part of this milestone. There was always something happening, whether it was exploring Adventures, searching for a creative traditional cache featuring Signal the Frog, or participating in contests designed to put geocaching skills—and sometimes completely unrelated skills—to the test.
One of my favorite memories was taking part in a challenge that involved running as fast as possible while carrying two pizza boxes along a fixed course. Another let me put years of soccer experience to the test in hopes of winning a prize. I didn’t win either competition, but that didn’t matter. The activities were filled with laughter, friendly competition, and the kind of shared joy that makes geocaching events so memorable.
But the festivities were not over after the Mega-Event. The next day, we helped clean up part of the geocaching gameboard during CITO Made in Italy! (GCBKZV7). The weekend concluded with one final gathering—Pizzata Made in Italy! (GCBKZVG)—where pizza, friendship, and plenty of stories provided the perfect farewell.
Looking back, what stands out most is the warmth and generosity of the organizing team. They made me, my fellow Lackeys, and geocachers from around the world feel incredibly welcome. Their dedication and hard work created an unforgettable experience and a historic milestone for geocaching in Italy. I am so grateful to have been part of it.
PakarPBN
A Private Blog Network (PBN) is a collection of websites that are controlled by a single individual or organization and used primarily to build backlinks to a “money site” in order to influence its ranking in search engines such as Google. The core idea behind a PBN is based on the importance of backlinks in Google’s ranking algorithm. Since Google views backlinks as signals of authority and trust, some website owners attempt to artificially create these signals through a controlled network of sites.
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