Dreaming about going back to Italy, I found footage of my last trip to Milan. So, to have a break from WFH topics, these are my tips on how to make the most of a single day and enjoy Venice as much as possible:
- Great lunch with a view
- Gondola ride
- Museums visit
- Sightseeing
- Designer shopping
- Get the perfect shot to remember this trip
- And, of course, happy hour!
If you are in Milan, start your day by taking the 7:30am train leaving Milano Centrale and getting to Venezia-Santa Lucia by 10am. Trains depart every hour!
My favorite is Italo Treno which offers a same day Club Executive ticket for 38.90 Euros each way. The ticket includes the most exclusive ambience and access to the lounge Italo club with complimentary coffee, drinks and snacks. After two and a half hours, I arrived in Venice.
Walking to Piazza San Marco from the train station is a pleasure and it takes about 25 minutes. Take your time. There are many charming streets along the way. So many wonderful water views from the bridges.
The window shops are filled with souvenirs. I must say, check where the items are produced as there are many that are not “Made in Italy”.
Arrive in Piazza San Marco with exclusive jewelry boutiques. Marco Bicego, one of my favorite designers, has a store and the prices are lower than the prices in the U.S.! All made in Italy.
For lunch, we selected The Grand Canal Restaurant and Bar which has a great view of the Venice Lagoon. Enjoy the typical dishes of Venetian tradition, expressed with maximum taste and harmony. My friend and I ordered lamb chops, seafood and wine. Buonissimo!
After lunch, we can rest our feet on the gondola ride. It is important to agree on the length and price of the gondola ride before jumping on it. Keep in mind that a 30- minute ride costs 80 Euros. We chose the 100 Euro ride which takes you to the canals within the city. It lasts about 40 minutes. This was one of the goals of the day trip: Get the perfect shot on the gondola as souvenir. I did spend time choosing a gondoliere that would look good on the picture. I think we did good!
Museums are a must. Tickets for Palazzo Ducale are around 15 Euros and it is really breathtaking! There is art all over. The ceilings are stunning!
Always on my agenda: luxury shopping. At Fondaco dei Tedeschi, the fanciest mall in Venice, you have many options:
- Check early or, better yet, book online in advance. Select your desired time to go to the rooftop terrace. Visits are free of charge. Sunset time is what I recommend. Unforgettable. This is not a crowded touristy point, so don’t forget to include it in your itinerary!
- Stroll the boutiques and see the latest fashion in Italy. Prices are similar to the U.S. The Fendi Peekaboo was around five thousand Euros. Such a beautiful bag…a work of art.
- Enjoy a happy hour cocktail surrounded by breathtaking architecture.
At 8pm board the train back to Milan. The area where the train station is located is beautiful as well. Arrive in Milano Centrale at 10:30pm.
Ciao Ciao Venezia! A presto!
