Italy Travelogue Part 1: Milan & Venice 4-Day Itinerary – Duomo, Italo Train, St. Mark's Square

The square in front of Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano), our very first stop in Italy. (Photo: TIME TRAVELER editor)

Itinerary overview (Sept 15–18)

Day 1 | Milan: the first sight of the cathedral square

As soon as we came out of the metro we were stunned by the sea of white spires of Milan Cathedral, and the square was as crowded with people as with pigeons. We followed an itinerary we had planned in advance: from Central Station we took metro line M3 (the yellow line) to Duomo station, and the cathedral is right outside the exit. We also climbed to the cathedral's rooftop terraces and saw the white spires up close, one after another.

A must-eat: Luini's panzerotti

Fried panzerotti we queued for near the cathedral, with a crisp, piping-hot crust. (Photo: TIME TRAVELER editor)

"Panzerotti Luini" was written on our itinerary, and the shop is right near the cathedral. They are just right to eat while walking.

Risotto alla Milanese

Golden risotto alla Milanese on a red-and-white checked tablecloth, with a glass of Spritz. (Photo: TIME TRAVELER editor)

Coming to Milan, of course we had to try the local signature dish, a plate of risotto alla Milanese.

Milan pizza two days in a row

While travelling we sometimes eat only two meals a day, and on both Sept 15 and Sept 16, before leaving Milan, we ate pizza at the same restaurant.

Day 2 | Italo high-speed train from Milan to Venice

The inside of an Italo train, with the fields of the Lombardy plain outside the window. (Photo: TIME TRAVELER editor)

This time we took the Italo high-speed train. According to our itinerary, the train left Milan at 11:35 on Sept 16 and arrived in Venice at 14:03. The station on the main island of Venice is Venezia Santa Lucia, and the Grand Canal is right outside the exit.

💡 Transport tip: from Milan to Venice you can choose Italo or the Italian state railway Trenitalia. Timetables and fares change every day, so check the official website or app before you leave and book early. We booked our tickets online in advance.

After arriving we followed our itinerary and took "line 2" (the vaporetto) towards Rialto to find our accommodation.

St. Mark's Square and the Campanile

St. Mark's Square, surrounded by long arcades, under the usual Venetian cloud cover. (Photo: TIME TRAVELER editor)

St. Mark's Campanile (Campanile di San Marco), visible from every corner of the square. (Photo: TIME TRAVELER editor)

We dropped off our luggage and headed straight to St. Mark's Square. This time we did not climb the Campanile and only admired its towering figure from the square.

A Venetian must-eat: squid ink risotto

Glossy black squid ink risotto, the dish we most wanted to eat in Venice. (Photo: TIME TRAVELER editor)

Squid ink risotto is one of Venice's signature dishes, and the black sauce comes from the ink sac of the cuttlefish.

Day 3 | Wandering Venice: Rialto Bridge, tiramisu and street snacks

A cup of tiramisu from I Tre Mercanti – our dessert time. (Photo: TIME TRAVELER editor)

Calzone and focaccia in a street-side shop, with the prices written right on the sign. (Photo: TIME TRAVELER editor)

The Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) and wooden mooring posts along the canal. (Photo: TIME TRAVELER editor)

The best way to enjoy Venice is to put the map away and wander – every turn brings you to another little bridge.

Day 4 | The canals at dawn and the Doge's Palace

Early in the morning, before the tourists arrive, the canal is so quiet you hear only the water. (Photo: TIME TRAVELER editor)

The courtyard of the Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale), with the dome of St. Mark's Basilica visible behind. (Photo: TIME TRAVELER editor)

Going out for a walk a little after 7 a.m. was our favourite time in Venice. After visiting the Doge's Palace we took the Italo to Florence – read the next post for the rest of the story!

Practical tips

• Metro: in Milan we used metro line M3 (yellow) between Central Station and the cathedral, which was very convenient.
• Between cities: from Milan to Venice we took the Italo high-speed train, about 2.5 hours (based on our train that day).
• You can also compare Italy train tickets on Trip.com.
• Getting around Venice: on the main island you mostly walk or take the water bus (vaporetto), and with large luggage allow extra time for boarding and getting off.
• Hotels: Find Milan hotels on Trip.com · Find Venice hotels on Trip.com

Next post: Italy Travelogue | Florence + Cinque Terre + Pisa: Climbing the Duomo Dome, Giotto's Bell Tower and the Manarola Seaside View (Part 2)

--- Image credit: all photos in this article were taken by the TIME TRAVELER editor; faces of people are covered with the editor's original character stickers.

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