VENICE

Venice is one of the most romantic and beautiful in the world. This is my second time to Venice and i’m so excited to be back. Clearly, the time I spent there were not enough and I would have absolutely loved to stay longer. In this blog, I’m going to tell you where we visited and where we stayed.

Let’s dive in!

If like me, you’re travelling to Venice from Milan, the easiest way to get there is by train. The trip takes about 2 hours 10 minutes by Trenitalia and one-way ticket costs 100 Euro. Booking in advance online can save you an average 50% compared to buying your ticket on the day at the train station. So it is better to book your train ticket online. The Venice Santa Lucia train station is the main train station that travellers arrive/depart from Venice.

Where to Stay in Venice

We stayed at the “Carvinal Palace” which is an amazing hotel. The hotel is situated in a quieter area of the city but has lots of nice restaurants nearby that are a little cheaper than staying closer to Mark’s Square. The hotel location is very close to Tri Achi ferry station.

What to do in Venice

St. Mark’s Basilica is located in the heart of St. Mark’s Square. It is probably the most identifiable structure in the city. Like most popular attractions, there are many ways to experience the Basilica. By far, the most interesting academic visit was to the upper floor museum, as the history of the church was covered fairly comprehensively.

Doge’s Palace

This is an extremely beautiful, incredible art, statues inside and outside and full of history. I suggest to book the secret as this gives so much unknown background and you explore otherwise unseen parts of the palace.

Burano

Burano island is about a 40 minute boat ride from Venice. Once you get there, be prepared to be charmed by the colorful picture postcard views. The island is very relaxing, peaceful and rejuvenating and the colorful houses are definitely a worth seeing site. You won’t regret it!

The island is a gem tucked away from the city and it is much less crowded then Venice itself.

Gondola

Although it is expensive, you can’t miss taking a gondola ride in Venice. It is a very romantic way to spend with your loved one. We didn’t take the gondola ride this time because we had the experience last time when we visit. But if you are in Venice, it’s definitely worth it. It’s 80 Euro for a 30 minute ride.

Prepare to get LOST

Venice is very small and we have only ever wandered around without a map and you can cover the entire place in this way within a day. However, prepare to get lost! We spent half an hour trying to find a restaurant we had spotted earlier in the day and could no way find it. Prepare to walk a lot and it’s part of the fun. ENJOY!

MILAN

The fashion capital of Italy, and the second-most populous city in Italy after Rome. The best way to get around the city is by foot. If you are not a shopaholic, then this is a guide in Milan for you.

Duomo di Milano

It’s the main attraction of Milan. It’s actually breathtaking. We went there for photos in the early morning to beat the crowd. This is such a beautiful cathedral. It’s definitely worth the climb up to the top for the stunning view of Milan. My advice would be to purchase the fast track tickets online to avoid the 45 mins queues.

Navigli

Best to visit the Navigli canal during the evening. It has a large option of restaurants where you can enjoy dinner. This is also a great place to stroll, shop, and people watch.

The colors in the sky that reflects in the water make this place a romantic destination. I think this is the most beautiful place in Milan.

Castello Sforzesco

The castle is maintained well and it is probably the 3rd most important sight in Milan. ( We walked to the castle after visiting the Duomo.) We enjoyed leisurely walking through the castle grounds and the surrounding park.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

The structure and layout of this building is very impressive. For those whose sightseeing is like shopping, this place is a true paradise. Full of high-end brand shops like Prada, Louis Vuitton, Versace and Gucci. Did you know this is home to the FIRST PRADA STORE?

The Leonardo Da Vinci Museum is also located at the end of the mall.

Exchange Rate: If you have cash and go to exchange it, you will get robbed. It’s better to put your money on your credit card and use that as your debit card. The exchange rates are much better.

Overall, we had a wonderful time in Milan. We are looking forward to visit Milan the 3rd time. This time we only spent 2 days here in this beautiful city. Hopefully next time when we come back, we could spend longer time to explore much more.