Venice, Verona & Milan
About Venice, Verona & Milan
With beautiful bridges across the canals filled with the famous gondoliers all overlooked by stunning architecture that is famous the world over, Venice is no ordinary destination that few places can rival. The city is one that breaks all conventions – 118 separate islands are linked by over 400 bridges. Grand palaces seemingly teeter on the very edge of canals, bridges full of locals and visitors appear to levitate over the water and whole streets can disappear at high tide. Venice remains surprisingly compact and easy to explore on foot – which apart from the multiple vaporetti water buses is the only way of getting around.
Piazza San Marco (St Marks Square) is the famous epicentre of all things Venetian. The extravagant basilica towers over the square with its 5 domes and numerous arches. The grand Doge’s Palace is next door along with the Campanile bell tower which offers superb views over the city. Piazza San Marco is also a departure point for one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments which is the ride along the Grand Canal in a famous gondola. The famous Bridge of Sighs connects the opulence of the Doge’s Palace with the new prison and is named after the sighs of prisoners who passed across.
Away from the main tourist squares, the back streets are easily navigated on foot and offer a real insight into Venetian life. Visitors to these can see the canals from a different perspective and rub shoulders with the locals in canalside café’s. Indeed, locals say the best way to enjoy their city is to put the map away and simply get lost!
Equally romantic – Verona is just 75 mins on average from Venice. The home of Shakespeare’s famous star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet, Verona is also famous for opera, and it’s open-air markets and Piazza Bra where the roman Amphitheatre seats 14000. Secretive streets are lined with colourful buildings and medieval architecture. The city was partially moulded by the Scaglieri family who once ruled. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Sight acknowledged for the medieval and Renassiance architecture, beautiful bridges and parks.
Just 15 mins further by train, are the twinkling shores and epic mountains of Lake Garda where the warm microclimate combined with a sub-alpine setting attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually all eager to enjoy the water . It’s all about the food and wine in both Verona and the surrounding countryside – the famous local wine is Valpolicella, wine bars are tucked away in corners but spill out into the piazzas of the city.
Milan really is one of a kind. This stylish city in northern Italy is where it all started for fashion superstars such as Armani, Versace, Prada, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana. Today, the city centre is packed with their flagship boutiques, plus locals who really know how to put an outfit together. It’s also a centre for interior designs too, making it perfect for those looking for cutting edge ideas.
However, Milan holidays are not only about style worship. A visit is to the city is also a chance to encounter some spectacular bucket-list treasures, including Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper and the city’s extraordinary Gothic cathedral. On top of this, Milan really knows how to have a good time - there are some superb restaurants in the city centre, and the city is famous for being the home of ‘aperitivo’, a delicious buffet of snacks to accompany any sundowner.
As well as the dazzling architecture of the city centre, Milan boasts the charming Navigli district, a network of canals lined with bars and restaurants that’s a favourite nightlife spot for the fashionable locals. Visits to Milan will thrill those who love clothes and design, but there’s plenty here for everyone, from art and architecture to fantastic food and wine.