Rome to Venice Journey
We had arrived in Italy through Rome, as we shared here.
During our initial planning, we considered hopping on a train to Venice right after stepping off the plane (since we had scheduled several days in Rome at the end of our Eurotrip). However, we decided against it to avoid starting our trip on a stressful note in case of flight delays or cancellations.
And so, Day 2 of our journey in Italy kicked off early as we set off for Venice!
We had already purchased high-speed Ítalo train tickets through the Omio app. A huge bonus of booking through this platform was receiving 2 GB of free mobile internet for 48 hours, which Gaby used, while Gerardo relied on his 20 GB BNeSim plan.
🚆 Tips:
- Get €10 OFF your first booking over €50 on Omio using coupon code: viaj0p0d4c8p.
- If you need reliable mobile data with non-expiring plans and regional coverage, we highly recommend BNeSim. Use code VIAJOXMICUENTA for 30% OFF your first purchase.
We took several Ítalo high-speed trains throughout Italy and wholeheartedly recommend them! They proved to be super comfortable and extremely punctual. We also suggest creating an Ítalo account to earn "Più" reward points. You can enter your Ítalo member code when booking via Omio and still stack your points, unlocking perks like VIP lounge access or free ticket redemptions.
Arrival in Venice & Heading to Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica
We arrived at Venezia Santa Lucia station, and the second we stepped outside, absolute magic happened. We fell head over heels for the city right then and there: the Chiesa di San Simeon Piccolo, gliding gondolas, water taxis, and that wonderful, otherworldly chaos that exists nowhere else on Earth.
Our hotel was just across the canal, but we spent ages taking photo after photo before even moving. Our eyes could barely register so much beauty. We checked in at the main reception and were shown to our room located just around the corner in a slightly weathered building over a side canal. We initially thought, "Well, it's just a place to sleep," but the location was superb.
The real pleasant surprise was the room itself: spacious, beautifully decorated, with a huge bathroom and an unforgettable canal view. We almost didn't want to leave... but our eagerness to see St. Mark's Square and the Basilica won out!
Here are accommodation options to choose from:
Always check the most recent reviews to confirm current hotel conditions.
If considering a hotel rated below 8, make sure it has at least 300+ reviews for better security.
We weren't stressed about our Doge's Palace entry time because we had a flexible ticket slot (valid from 12:00 PM until closing). We got this major perk by booking through Tiqets, whereas official site tickets require strict timed entry. We paid the exact same official price with free cancellation included and entered whenever we pleased—a massive advantage!
⚠️ Tourist Note: Distances on maps in Venice are deceiving! The maze-like streets, the need to locate specific bridges to cross canals, and waiting times for vaporettos mean every walk takes significantly longer than expected. Always build in a 20 to 30-minute buffer so you don't miss scheduled visits.
Walking through Venice streets feels like a dream come true. Crossing footbridges over quiet canals, getting delightfully lost without a map... Our immediate destination was the San Tomà traghetto stop.
The Traghetto Secret: Gondola for Only €2
Like kids with a new toy, we were dying to try the local traghetto: a shared, stripped-down gondola used by Venetians to cross the Grand Canal. It costs just €2 per person and takes about five minutes, but the experience is fantastic! The gondoliers dress in traditional attire and don't accept tips. We actually repeated this ride (and made it even better) on our final day—which almost cost us our train!
🎥 Video: What is the €2 gondola crossing like?
Tap the image to watch the video. Look for the black star icons on the video map to locate stops!
No matter your budget, a gondola ride in Venice is an absolute must-do!
We continued wandering through historic piazzas, spotting ancient stone water wells, artisan shop windows, and eventually arrived at the legendary St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco). Violins playing outside historic cafés and ringing church bells completed a breathtaking scene.
St. Mark's Basilica & Its Terrace View
We toured St. Mark's Basilica and its rooftop terrace first, followed by the Doge's Palace.
Terrace tickets can be bought inside the church: while in line, a QR code lets you purchase tickets directly on your phone. The queue was practically non-existent, and both the museum and terrace were delightfully uncrowded.
Inside the museum, you'll find the original Roman bronze sculpture of the Horses of Saint Mark (taken from Constantinople in 1204). Stepping out onto the terrace lets you admire the outdoor replicas while soaking in spectacular panoramic views over St. Mark's Square.
An absolute highlight—100% recommended!
When planning your daily walks, keep high tide levels (acqua alta) in mind so you don't find yourself wading through flooded walkways unexpectedly.
⚠️ Very Useful Tip: To track real-time tide levels in Venice ("acqua alta"), join the official Telegram channel: Centro Maree Avvisa for precise tide forecasts.
The Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale)
It is massive and packed with sheer splendor. You'll stand speechless before such artistry—everything was built to display Venetian power and impress visiting dignitaries.
During the tour, you cross the famous Bridge of Sighs, through which prisoners passed on their way to the dungeons. You can also explore the historic prison cells. There is a "long route" and a "short route"; we took the long route, though you can skip parts if you want to save time.
⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTE: Doge's Palace tickets sell out quickly! Book ahead via official channels or through Tiqets for more flexible entry options at the same price.
We stopped at the museum café for cappuccinos, watching gondolas glide past right outside a large glass doorway—a mesmerizing view! The cloakroom is completely free, which is a great perk.
🎥 Video: View from Doge's Palace Café to the Canal
Venice by Night
At night, Venice transforms completely. Dimly lit narrow alleys give off a cinematic, almost thriller-like vibe—you half expect Jack the Ripper to step out from the shadows! The markets were completely deserted, though Rialto Bridge was still buzzing.
Tired but thrilled, we had dinner at a local restaurant picked based on top Google reviews. We consistently use high Google ratings to pick restaurants while traveling, and it never fails us!
Day 2: Murano, Burano & Correr Museum
After a buffet breakfast at Hotel Canal, we went straight to buy a 24-hour Vaporetto pass. A light drizzle began falling, but staff confirmed water bus services to Murano and Burano run rain or shine.
We arrived in Murano, got off at the first stop, and visited a glass factory to witness the legendary Murano glassblowing process live. Afterwards, we strolled down the main canal toward the lighthouse, surrounded by stunning glass lamp posts and artworks.
🎥 Video: Walk through Murano & Glassblowing Art Factory
Tap to watch. Tip: Visiting an authentic glass factory is a must!
From Murano, we caught the vaporetto to Burano under steady rain ☔️—happy as ever anyway! Photos don't do justice to how vibrant and charming this island is. We explored its rainbow-colored streets, but as rain picked up, we headed back early to explore more of main Venice.
🎥 Video: Burano Glowing on a Rainy Day
Tap to watch.
Rainy days mean far fewer crowds in an otherwise packed destination!
We took advantage of the rain to visit the Correr Museum (Museo Correr), included free with our Doge's Palace ticket. Highlights include ancient sculptures dating over 5 centuries BC—literally traveling back in time over 2,500 years!
🎥 Video: Correr Museum - Bucentaur Model
Tap to watch.
This model depicts the Bucentaur, the official state barge of the Doge of Venice used during the ceremonial "Marriage of the Sea."
Famous for its lavish gold leaf decorations, it symbolized Venice's maritime supremacy.
Afterwards, we popped into Starbucks to recharge our batteries. When the rain cleared, we returned to Rialto Bridge, bought souvenirs and postcards, and enjoyed the lively atmosphere.
Day 3: The Final Dash for the Train
The day started splendidly. With check-out in mind and our train to Milan departing at 10:57 AM, we figured we had plenty of time for one last mini-adventure.
We wanted one final €2 traghetto gondola ride to etch the Grand Canal into our memories forever. Having our bags packed and two full hours ahead, we thought it would be a breeze... but this is Venice!
We walked through the only garden square in Venice to catch the water bus toward Santa Sofia, near Rialto Bridge, home to one of the longest and prettiest traghetto crossings.
The gondola crossing on the canal was pure magic! We were thrilled, snapping photos and videos while the gondolier even pulled off a quick dance move on camera (check out our traghetto video at the top of this article!). Ancient, majestic palaces framed a fairytale setting.
Realizing time was flying faster than expected, we asked to ride back on the same traghetto to our starting vaporetto stop. Being the only passengers making the return trip made it even better!
Once off, we hopped on the vaporetto with just minutes remaining on our 24-hour pass.
The vaporetto zig-zags back and forth across the Grand Canal. We were still several stops away. Seeing that the closest stop was across the canal, we made a hasty decision to jump off one stop early, fearing we'd miss our train.
We planned to run along the canal edge like a waterfront promenade. But to our horror, the walkway abruptly ended at a dead-end canal wall! We had to backtrack deep into the island interior to find another footbridge. In Venice, streets never go in straight lines!
Our panic spiked with every passing second.
We literally sprinted through Venice's cobblestone alleys to grab our bags and check out. Thankfully, check-out took only two minutes!
With our hearts pounding in our chests, we ran across the large bridge leading to Santa Lucia train station. We burst onto the platform right next to our train just as a train officer gestured for us to jump into the very first carriage—warning us we wouldn't reach our assigned seats in time before doors closed!
Huge sigh of relief! A heart-in-mouth moment that taught us a valuable lesson about timing in Venice.
Remember: if you miss a high-speed train in Italy, your ticket is non-refundable and non-transferable (unlike regional trains), and replacement tickets are expensive!
And that wraps up our Venice journey. Next stop: Milan!