Aveiro is a small coastal city in central Portugal. It is known as “the Portuguese Venice” for its canals and waterways, similar to those in Venice, Italy. The top experiences in Aveiro include taking a boat tour through the canals, strolling through the city center, indulging in local pastries, and venturing beyond the city center […]
What’s on your European bucket list? From world class museums and ancient archaeological sites to stunning natural wonders, Europe boasts a diverse array of attractions that attract millions of visitors every year. The Colosseum, the Eiffel Tower, and the Acropolis top the list for many first time visitors to Europe, but you can also explore […]
This 10-day itinerary through Northern Italy features Venice, the Dolomites, Verona, Milan, and Lake Como, with hiking suggestions, hotel recommendations, and practical planning advice based on our numerous trips to Italy. We’ve visited Italy numerous times, exploring these destinations on separate trips over the years, hiking in the Dolomites, wandering the canals of Venice, strolling […]
It took us three trips to Venice to finally step inside St. Mark’s Basilica. On our first visit, it was closed for renovations. On our second, we didn’t make time for it. By our third trip, we weren’t leaving without seeing it, so we went twice. We started with the nighttime tour, and it turned […]
Venice is one of the most photogenic cities in Italy. Simply wander its canals and squares and you’ll come away with quite the compilation of photographs. But if you’re looking for elevated viewpoints and photography ideas, this guide has you covered. We’ve visited Venice three times: once as a young family traveling on a tight […]
One day in Venice itinerary: 3 different ways to plan your time, whether you want the top sights, the quiet canals, or a mix of both. If you are planning to spend one day in Venice, there are several ways to do it. Do you want to spend the day visiting the top sights in […]
Our 2-day Venice itinerary, refined over three visits and built for first-time visitors who want to see the highlights without wasting time in line. If you are planning your first trip to Venice, this itinerary is built for you. With 2 days in Venice, you have just enough time to visit the highlights of this […]
There’s a moment on the train from Rome to Florence, about an hour in, where the landscape shifts from the flat Roman countryside to something greener and hillier, and you realize you’re already in a different Italy. We’ve made that journey more than once over six trips to Italy, and it never gets old. This […]
It is no secret that Europe is home to some of the world’s most beautiful destinations. From grand historic cities and charming fairytale towns to soaring mountain ranges and sun-soaked beaches, there is a seemingly endless list of gorgeous places to explore. Whether you are planning your next trip to Europe, or just trying to […]
With one week in Europe, you have an infinite number of possibilities for coming up with your “perfect” itinerary. Do you dream of visiting world-class cities like Paris, Barcelona, or Venice? Or would you rather hike the Alps, go on a scenic train ride, explore the beautiful beaches and coastal towns in southern Europe, visit […]
We have been to Italy six times, and this route — Rome, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, Florence, Tuscany, the Cinque Terre, and Venice — is the one we recommend above all others for a first visit. We’ve traveled every stretch of it firsthand and refined the planning advice in this post trip by trip. What […]
Most of Slovenia is landlocked, with the exception of a tiny sliver of land that stretches out to the Adriatic Sea. Called Slovenian Istria, there are three small coastal towns that dot this short but beautiful coastline: Koper, Izola, and our favorite, Piran. With a colorful main square, medieval walls, a bustling harbor, and lots […]
Choosing where to stay in Venice is one of the biggest decisions you will make as you plan your trip to this city. The location of your hotel will have a big impact on your overall experience. Venice is made up of neighborhoods, also called sestieri, and each neighborhood has its advantages and disadvantages for […]
With 10 days in Italy, you have enough time for an incredible trip, but not enough time to see everything. That’s the good news and the hard news at once. Italy is enormous, wildly varied, and deeply worth savoring. The biggest mistake most people make when planning a 10-day Italy itinerary is trying to fit […]
Venice is a photographer’s paradise. With its maze of canals, its colorful, crumbling facades, and gondolas silently drifting through the city, it’s hard to leave Venice without a memory card full of beautiful images. In this article, we display our 20 favorite photos of Venice, Italy. So far, we have visited Venice three times. The first […]
After six trips to Italy, these are the 25 places to visit in Italy we keep recommending — the ones that reward first-timers and repeat visitors alike, from the iconic cities of Rome and Florence to lesser-known gems like Matera and Puglia. We’ve been to Italy six times over the past ten years, and we’re […]
Europe is a joy to explore. With world-class cities, medieval towns, historical sites, the snowcapped Alps, gorgeous beaches, and some of the world’s most delicious food, you have the perfect ingredients for your next vacation. If you want to spend 10 days in Europe, we have ten amazing itineraries to share with you. In this […]
Discover 20 things to do in Venice, Italy, from strolling its canals and island-hopping to Murano and Burano, to visiting St. Mark’s Basilica and the Rialto Bridge. Venice is one of our favorite spots in Italy. With its winding canals and centuries-old architecture, it’s an easy place to fall in love with, and small enough […]