Bucket List: Travel to Italy (3 times). Check.
Italy is one of my favorite places in the world, and it has been for over 10 years - since my first visit. This is when I began begging my dad to go see his homeland (after all, he is 100% Italian). But he put it off for years, saying he only wanted to vacation on white sand beaches. It wasn’t until 2019 that he decided he wanted to go - he had vacationed in Antigua and met two Londoners who told him he HAD to see Italy. So began my planning for a 6 person, 10 day trip to Italy.
Stop 1: Venice.
City on water. Venezia, as the Italians say it, is really the only place in the world like it. Even though it was my third time back, it still took my breath away.
We flew in (and out) of Rome, because it was much cheaper to do so and then use public transit to get to our destinations. A quick 45 minute train from the FCO airport to Roma Tiburtina got us onto a nearly 4-hour train to the island of Venice. It may seem like a long time, but after all that traveling we were ready for a relaxing ride and a much-needed nap.
We chose to vacation in the fall, October. Because Italy isn’t so fun when it’s cold, and it’s definitely not fun when there are a million other people visiting as well. Prices also die down in the off-season. It was the perfect mix. I brought a bunch of layers, but I only needed a light jacket at night over my tee.
If you’ve read any of my other blog posts, you’d know I’m a huge Airbnb-er. When traveling, you get to experience life like a local for a great price. My first Airbnb was a corner apartment with seven windows overlooking a canal. Could every morning have this view?
A must-do in this city is a gondola ride. It may be a little pricey, but it’s the best way to see the city. And it really is an experience like no other. You can even ask your gondolier (yes that’s what they’re called, I had to look it up haha) to sing for you! Just don’t make the same mistake I did and forget your motion sickness meds. It was worth it in the end, though.
One of my favorite things about Venice is how you can just wander. You’ll find little nooks and crannies, tilted buildings and pomegranate trees.
As much as I love wandering around this city on water and taking in the culture, there are a few historical spots we made sure to check out during our 3-day stay:
-Piazza San Marco with the Basilica and Campanile
-Doge’s Palace
-Rialto Bridge
-Grand Canal
Now, let’s get to the food. THE FOOD. Italians aren’t huge on breakfast, so you’ll find quaint cafes with croissants, pie, and espresso for your morning. I don’t drink coffee in the states, but I love me a shot of Italian café.
As for lunch, some of my favorite spots are along the Grand Canal. Not only is the view to die for, the pizza is too. For dinner, make sure you add Trattoria alla Fontana and A Beccafico Arte to your list. Their specials are delish, and their hospitality cannot be matched. When we arrived at Trattoria, there was no more seating outside. With us being a larger group of six, we accepted we’d have to sit inside. Well, the waiters asked if we wanted to be outside and then literally brought out a table and six chairs for us.
Up next: Florence. See you there!
