Murano

This itinerary provides highlights of "The Big 3" in Italy - connecting to each city utilizing the wonderful Italian railway. It is a 12-day itinerary and provides tour recommendations, hotel recommendations as we well as some great restaurants and bars to check-out. Also included, a day trip out to Cinque Terre. This itinerary is based on a trip we did back in October of 2019 with friends of ours. Some updates have been added based on client trips I have booked to Italy since then, and include some of their recommendations. Please enjoy!

Venice, also known as the "City of Canals”, “The Floating City” and "Serenissima”, is a place like no other - charming through its intricate alleys and walkways over the canals, with no cars/scooters or traffic noise to spoil the romance in the air. Gondolas floating here and there, idyllic cozy terraces just around every other corner, Italian delicacies all over and relaxed people wandering about. Venice's culinary delights include Sarde in Saor, Risotto al nero di seppia (black squid ink risotto), Bigoli in salsa, Baccalà mantecato (whipped codfish), Fegato alla veneziana (liver with onions), and Risi e bisi. Don't miss cicchetti (small plates) and Tiramisu for dessert. Highlights: 🍾 Bellini is the name of a cocktail invented in Venice about 80 years ago. A Bellini consists of peaches and Prosecco (Italian version of Champagne). The peaches are squeezed and the juice is mixed with Prosecco. The glasses in which the Bellini is served have to be very cold. For the typical Venetian Bellini only white peaches are used. 🛶 A gondola is a traditional narrow and long Venetian rowing boat. The boat is steered by one person called a gondolier with the help of one long oar. Centuries ago, gondolas were the main means of transport in Venice. Now they have become a very popular tourist attraction, and perhaps the most recognisable symbol of Venice. Although a bit expensive (standard gondola rides in Venice have a fixed cost of 80 euros for a private 25-30 minutes tour. At night, however, the cost of a gondola ride is 120 euros for a private 25-30 minutes tour. If you desire to stay longer, tell the gondolier and ask for the price before the start of the tour) a gondola ride might just be the most romantic thing to do in Venice. 🥠Baicoli is a typical Venetian biscuit. The shape of the biscuit resembles that of a sea bass, hence the name - "baicoli" means "sea bass" in the Venetian dialect. Back in the old times, when Venetian sailors prepared for long journeys, the captains made sure to procure a lot of baicoli. The biscuits were used as bread, and because of being very dry, they could survive for a very long time. Baicoli are typically vanilla-flavored, and are sold in metal boxes, easy to transport and keep fresh for long. The metal boxes, in which the baicoli are sold today, carry a picture of Venetian men and women in traditional clothing of olden times. Other traditional sweets to try: Mandorlato di Cologna Veneta (especially at Christmas). 🍘 Frittelle - They are Venetian doughnuts served only during Carnival. They can be stuffed with pistachio cream, zabaione and chocolate.

Join us as we delve into Italy’s wonders, offering tips and recommendations to make your Italian adventure spectacular. This travel guide is your companion to discovering the heart and soul of Italy in 15 days. GUIDE CONTENTS: 👉🏻 Essential Planning Tips - Best Time to Visit - Entry Requirements & Schengen Visa Process - Currency and Money Tips - Tourist Tax - Tax-Free Shopping - Packing Tips - Language and Common Phrases - Safety and Health Tips - Cultural Etiquette - Accommodation Booking Tips - Useful Apps and Websites - Transportation Tips (Flights, Trains, Car Rentals, Taxis, etc.) 👉🏻 Suggested Itineraries for - Milan - Venice - Florence & Tuscany - Rome & Vatican City - Amalfi Coast - Naples 👉🏻 Each city or region itinerary above consists of - Day-by-day breakdown with places and things to do in the morning, afternoon, and evening - Each place has a note or tip - Tips for Prime Attractions and Experiences - Transportation Tips - Stay Recommendations - Dining and Eateries Legends: ⏱️ - time needed at the place €€€ - expensive ⏰ - book early 📸 - photo op tip This guide is perfect if any of the following applies to you! 👉🏻 It’s your first time visiting Italy. 👉🏻 You wish to explore this country's main highlights, but in a limited time of two weeks. 👉🏻 You have no clue where to begin planning your Italy trip. 👉🏻 You have a rough idea of what you want to do, but trying to figure out the details of each city or experience overwhelms you. 👉🏻 Ensure you don’t miss out on any critical bookings. Our 15-day Italy trip has been one of the best highlights of our lives! After several weeks of research across blogs, forums, reviews, YouTube videos, IG reels, and whatnot, we’ve consolidated the best in this guide. Here’s what to expect from this guide and how to make the most of it. ✨ The first half is dedicated to essential travel tips that are even more important than the itinerary. Knowing in advance about transportation, currency, useful apps, and more will help you avoid any surprises during your precious, limited time in a new country. ✨ The second half explores the different destinations in Italy. It lays out a recommended itinerary for each city. But more importantly, it highlights the nitty-gritty details about their most significant stops so that you can immediately start acting on the bookings in your trip planning. ✨ Pay close attention to the *Travel Smart tips* in each section. ✨ Each day's itinerary has been tried, tested, and optimized based on lessons learned, so you don’t have to make the same mistakes and waste your vacation time. ✨ Look for links to booking resources and websites throughout the guide. ✨ All spots in the guide are mapped and categorized. You can filter them and click on them to review the official website and address. You can also open the places in your Google Maps and save them during your planning. If you have any questions after purchasing the guide, you can reach us at madoverexploring@gmail.com.