Gradico Milano, ma amo Venezia

My first two and a half days in Italy and it was raining for the most part of it. Luckily, we picked the right day to visit Venice. The weather was perfect last Saturday. It wouldn't have been my ideal travel arrangement to head out immediately after servicing a 12-hour flight, but the it was an opportune chance to go with good company and I didn't want to miss out.

We caught a train from Villapizzone to central station (~15 mins), where we bought tickets to Venice on the 10:35am train. It took us 2 hours and 40 minutes to reach, cost us €26.50 each one-way for 2nd class. Even with 2nd class there was numbered seating, but it is not uncommon to find other people in your seat when you board the train.

The train was full. Venice is a popular weekend destination for locals, especially when the weather was acceptionally good (that day was followed by three consecutive days of rain).

Upon arrival, we just followed the crowd on foot around Ferrovia, leading us along lanes like Lista di Spagna and Rio Terra San Leonardo. We were enthralled by the activity around us and were happily snapping away. It is really like you'd imagine from movies - the old coloured buildings, the cobbled-stone lanes, displays in shops and inviting entrances to quaint Italian eateries.

We stopped for gelato and continued exploring on foot until we couldn't resist passing off another restaurant.

A quick consult with Justin's travel book over lunch and we realised we couldn't go very far on foot alone. We found the nearest ferry point, San Marcuola, and took it to Salute to visit Piazza San Marco. The ferry is €6,50 per hour. There are also day passes.

We caught an awesome view of Rialto, also known as "the lovers' bridge" whilst on the ferry.

San Marco Square absolutely amazed us. We loved the buildings, the atmosphere, everything. There, we saw the Loggetta and Bell Tower, the Clock Tower and most importantly the Basillica San Marco - gorgeous!

Another gelato later and we made our way back from Rialto to Ferrovia to catch the 4:20pm train back to Milano Centrale.

What makes Venice Venice is the absence of motor-vehicles on roads, the random non-grid layout of the lanes and the fact that its main means of transportation is via the canals.

I had the "I can't believe I'm here feeling" several times there.

Milano Centrale is an impressive building. Makes one feel small as the splendour of the concrete structure.

Off to Venezia!

By the waterside at Ferrovia.

First stop, gelato!

On the ferry to San Marco with te Rialto bridge in the background.

Seafood pasta. Squisito!

A church at Salute.

Piazza San Marco.

Basillica San Marco.

At the pretencious street in Venice. Brands brands brands!