🇮🇹 Italy Travel Diary - Day 3 & 4 Venice Check-in

On Day 3 and 4, we explored Venice. As usual, we woke up naturally at 11 AM and took a 2-hour train from Milan (ticket price around €55💶). Instead of staying on the island, we chose a hotel in the Mestre area for better value. I recommend staying within a 10-minute walk from the train station, preferably near the 4L or Bus 2 stops. A pleasant surprise: Venice buses accept contactless credit card payments directly – carrying a Wi-Fi-enabled credit card makes travel super convenient. 💳🚌 After settling in on the first day, we decided to explore the island, grab some food, and scout the area. We stumbled upon a hidden gem – Vestopazzo, a handmade jewelry store with affordable prices. Spending over €40 gets you a blind box gift! My earrings and necklace together cost less than €40 – absolutely in love! 😍💍 On the second day, we followed the efficient route shown in Figure 1. After taking the bus, we got off and instead of crossing the Accademia Bridge, we turned right and walked along the river. We passed by a highly affordable gelato shop where a handsome server scooped a single ball (€2.2) into what felt like a double portion! 😍🍦 The riverside walk was full of scenery at every turn, and best of all, there were very few tourists. It was easy to capture stunning photos 📸. Seagulls and pigeons by the canal often come looking for food, so bringing some bread is a good idea. 🥖🕊️ We walked and took photos for two hours before reaching our first check-in spot: the Accademia Bridge. This wooden arch bridge, named after the Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia, is the only wooden bridge spanning the Grand Canal, connecting the Dorsoduro and San Marco districts. It offers a classic vantage point for capturing the Grand Canal, gondola fleets, and the Santa Maria della Salute. 🌉📸 Since we took our time in the morning and the later famous spots were crowded, we didn’t stay long at the subsequent check-in points. St. Mark’s Basilica (skipped due to ongoing renovations and numerous vendors in the square). The canal area in front of the square, which offers a view of the Santa Maria della Salute across the water – a common scene on Venice postcards. 🏛️🌊 The Bridge of Sighs, a filming location for many movies. Legend says couples who kiss under the bridge will love each other forever. 💏❤️ The Rialto Bridge, with the best photo spot on one side of the bridge (as shown in the picture). By then, both the photographer and model were exhausted, so we ended the trip early and headed back. Tips: For better value, consider staying in Mestre near the 4L or Bus 2 routes. 🏨 Buses accept credit card payments directly – just tap your Wi-Fi-enabled card when boarding and alighting. 💳🚌 Google Maps stopped working in Milan – we switched to Amap which provided accurate and efficient routes. 🗺️ The blue sky and colorful buildings pair perfectly with bright-colored clothing. Yellow, red, and blue are excellent choices. 👗🌈 #Venice #ItalyTravel #Travel #MyTravelMemories