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If you’re planning on visiting this stunning city and are wondering what you shouldn’t miss in Venice, make sure to keep on reading. In this article I will tell you all about what you can see in Venice in two days.

See my itinerary on this map:

Trip map created with Wanderlog, for itineraries

Day 1: Rialto and Piazza San Marco

On our first day in Venice, we stuck to the touristic highlights. Sometimes, these can disappoint, as is the case with for example Manneken Pis in Brussels or The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, but I promise that you won’t be disappointed when visiting Venice’s main attractions.

Walk, explore, discover

Visiting only two things in one day maybe doesn’t sound like much, but a big part of Venice’s charm is that the city itself is one big open air museum. You can spend hours wandering the cosy, narrow streets flanked by colourful stately houses, while you walk over many of the three or four hundred bridges (the official numbers vary) crossing the numerous canals.

The keyword of visiting Venice is “walking”. Walk, walk, walk and walk some more. Explore all the streets, let the city guide you and take you wherever you feel like. Behind every corner there’s something new to admire.

Rialto bridge with gondola
The Rialto Bridge is one of the highlights of Venice

Visit the Rialto bridge from all sides

Somewhere along the way, you’ll find yourself at the Rialto bridge, crossing the Canal Grande. Both the Rialto bridge and Piazza San Marco are very well indicated with yellow signs pointing you in the right direction. So even if you wander off in a small street, or are exploring a new piazza or nook of this city, these yellow signs will tell you how to reach the main attractions of the island.

Make a compulsory stop at the top of the Rialto to take pictures of the Canal Grande, or walk along each side of the canal to take pictures of the Rialto bridge. It’s a sight for sore eyes. Another way to see it, is from above, by going to the Fondaco dei Tedeschi shopping mall. Here you can admire the Rialto and the rest of Venice from their rooftop terrace.

Enjoy some amazing Spritz and tasty cichetti at Bussola

Enjoy a Spritz and indulge in cichetti

If all the walking has made you thirsty, make sure to go for a cocktail at Bussola at Campo Bella Vienna, close to the Rialto. The Aperol and Hugo Spritz are to die for. Venice actually has their own type of Aperol Spritz, Select Spritz, made from Select liquor instead of Aperol. It is a bit more bitter than Aperol, so be aware of this if you’re not a big fan of bitter flavours.

In case you’d rather have a nibble, have some cichetti at Al Mercà. Chichetti are basically the Venetian answer to tapas. You order small sandwiches filled with mouth-watering ingredients like truffle cream, brie, spicy sausage and many, many more.

Piazza San Marco
A deserted piazza San Marco, definitely not something you see often

Piazza San Marco

Considering cichetti are fairly small, it’s very well possible you’re still a bit hungry. On the way to Piazza San Marco, you’ll find a delicious gelateria, where you can taste some of Venice’s finest ice cream.

The gelateria is called Gelatoteca Suso, and when we walked past we were immediately lured in by flavours like Mimosa, Cheesecake, Chocolate and almonds, and more. Also, the queue consisting of only Italians, told us the ice cream must be good. Believe me, it was some of the best I’ve ever had, so make sure to stop by Suso!

Piazza San Marco is located less than 10 minutes away from Gelatoteca Suso. Venice’s most popular square has a lot to offer: the gorgeous Basilica di San Marco, museo San Marco, Palazzo Ducale, etc. You can visit all of these if you’d like. We admired them from the outside and continued towards the Ponte dei Sospiri, another one of Venice’s main attractions.

One warning: if you’re planning on having a drink or a bite of food on Piazza San Marco, be aware it will cost you a lot. Some of the places offer live music, which you end up paying for. A simple cappuccino can set you back as much as €25! Opt for some of the bars and restaurants in the side streets instead, they are much cheaper.

Chances are, you’ll already be quite tired from walking all day and you’ll be looking into where to get your next Spritz or some more of those cichetti…

Day 2: Murano and Burano

On day two you can take the opportunity to explore some of the neighbouring islands. Two of the most famous ones are called Murano and Burano, which are famous in their own right.

Getting from Venice to Murano and Burano is fairly easy thanks to the ferries. The best way to get there is to leave from the ferry station Fondamenta Nove. From here you can choose between several different lines (3, 4.1, 7, 12, 13 & 18) which stop at Murano. The trip only takes about 10 minutes.

Man blowing glass
Murano is known for its glass

Admire a glass blower at work in Murano

Murano is known for its glass production. In this cosy little town with colourful houses, you can watch the glassblowers as they showcase their talent and make the most gorgeous sculptures, glasses, bowls, plates and much more.

There are dozens of different shops selling all kinds of goods made out of glass, and you’ll be amazed at how skilled these craftsmen are. I promise you, it’ll be difficult to leave Murano without buying a little something in glass for yourself.

Murano glass isn’t cheap, at least not if you’ve got your eye on something bigger, like a glass bowl or vase. These can cost more than €60, so it’s not for everyone’s budget. Luckily, all shops also sell smaller items, such as little gondola’s or animals made out of glass. These don’t cost as much and you can buy a small souvenir for as little as €5.

The colourful houses of Burano have become a tourist destination thanks to Instagram

Admire the gorgeous and colourful houses of Burano

From the Murano ferry stop “Murano Faro”, you can take the ferry (line 12) to Burano. This stretch takes a bit longer, around 30 minutes. Burano has mainly gotten popular in the last couple of years, thanks to Instagram (of course). When setting foot on Burano island, it becomes clear almost immediately why this town has shot to fame on the “Gram”.

All the houses on this island are painted in the most gorgeous, bright colours. It’s hard to describe how beautiful the colours were, and pictures don’t even do it justice.

Just like Murano, Burano isn’t that big, so it probably won’t take you too much time to stroll through it. However, the island has lots of cosy cafés where you can order another Spritz or nibble on a cichetto as you admire the gorgeous houses. It’s definitely worth the detour.

Afterwards, you can just hop on the next ferry back to Fondamenta Nove and you’re back on your way to Venice. At this point, your time in this beautiful city will be coming to a close, but make sure to enjoy the last couple of hours you have by exploring the cosy, small streets even more.

Cathedral in Venice
Behind every corner hides a new piazza, bridge, cosy street

To end your visit: explore a bit more

As I said before, a big part of Venice’s charm is walking the streets and admiring every alley, corner, house, bridge and canal. The city definitely has lots of highlights to offer, but for me personally, you get the best image of Venice by walking as much as possible.

Two days is a decent amount of time in Venice, but I assure you that you won’t be ready to go home yet. Venice, to me, is a city I want to keep on going back to, despite having been there several times before. It has this magical spell which makes you want to come back for more. And I’m sure you’ll be vowing to yourself to come back one day in the near future.

Tips:

  • Have an ice cream at Gelatoteca Suso
  • Enjoy the cichetti at Al Mercà close to the Rialto Bridge
  • Try a Spritz at Bussola
  • Go for a tasty dinner at Muro San Stae
  • If by any chance, you crave steak in Venice, make sure to go to Al Grill
  • You can buy your ferry tickets at one of the many stations (either at the till or the ticket machine)
  • Try a tramezzino (triangle sandwich)
  • If you’re visiting Venice in off season, consider taking a gondola. Before May 1st, they cost €40 for a 25 minute ride, compared to €80 during high season
]]> Winter hike to Monte Faiè https://www.wondersoftraveling.com/2021/02/25/winter-hike-to-monte-faie/ Thu, 25 Feb 2021 16:31:05 +0000 https://www.wondersoftraveling.com/?p=2582 In times like these, when COVID has the whole world in its grip, we tend to take any chance we get to do anything that resembles normal life. So when the province I live in, Piemonte, went into a yellow zone, we immediately took advantage of the opportunity to travel within our region. We went for a little weekend getaway to Lago Maggiore. And since I love hiking, we decided to squeeze in a hike during our short weekend trip. Destination: Monte Faiè. Today I will tell you all about this hike and how to get there.

Monte Faiè

Monte Faiè is located on the Piemontese side of Lago Maggiore. The mountain stands tall at 1352 metres and overlooks not only Lago Maggiore but also Lago di Merluzzo, a smaller neighbouring lake, and Lago d’Orta. It’s the ideal hike for anyone who loves gorgeous lake views.

How to get there?

If you want to hike up to Monte Faiè, there are two ways to go about it:

  • Option 1: Alpe Ompio
    If you leave from Alpe Ompio, the hike takes about 2.5 hours round trip and you have to hike up about 400 metres (dislevel).
  • Option 2: Bracchio
    The second option is longer and more strenuous. If you leave from Bracchio, the hike takes 5 hours round trip and you hike up 1000 metres.

Since we wanted to take advantage of the gorgeous weather, and not being locked up in our flat, we chose the 2nd option. Therefore, the information you find below is only applicable to this hike leaving from Bracchio.

Starting point of the hike

Bracchio is a small town 11 km (+/- 15 min) away from Verbania. You have to keep following Via Bracchio until you reach one of the two parking lots just before Trattoria il Risottino.

Here you can park for free the whole day, which is always handy. From the parking lot to the start of the hike, it takes about 10 minutes. You keep following Via Bracchio until the end and then take a right towards the church. Here you pass either left or right by the church and then keep following the road (Via Zanotti). You then turn left towards Via Montebello I and you have arrived at the start of the hike.

Once you reach the start of the hike, you will see a sign pointing both left and right to get to Monte Faiè. Having done both (we took left to hike up and came back the other way), I would suggest following the left sign (A52). This trail is a lot more scenic and you aren’t constantly walking in the forest.

1st part of the hike: Towards Vercio

The viewpoint from Vercio boasts gorgeous views

During the first part of the hike you will still mainly be walking in between the trees, but from time to time you see the lakes looming in the background. It will be hard not to turn around to take in the gorgeous views, but luckily there are several viewpoints along the way where you can stop and enjoy the landscape.

From Bracchio to Alpe Vercio, it takes about 1:15 and once you arrive there, you should make sure to walk up to the viewpoint. Here you already get an an amazing view of all three lakes, but it’s definitely worth to continue hiking up to see the view all the way from the top.

2nd part of the hike: Towards Cromlèch del Monte Faiè

Monte Faie with views of Lago d'Orta in the background
The 2nd part of the hike was quite strenuous

So far, the hike isn’t too strenuous or technically difficult. The second part of the hike becomes a bit more treacherous, especially when you do it in Winter, like we did.

From Vercio towards Cromlèch del Monte Faiè the trail becomes quite a bit steeper and zigzags up the flank of the mountain. After about half an hour after leaving Vercio, you turn the corner and from here it becomes very steep. We didn’t have any sticks with us and we basically crawled our way up the snowy hillside, using trees and branches to pull ourselves up (note to self: buy sticks!).

At this point we realised that going down this way wouldn’t be the best idea, so we decided we were going to do the whole Monte Faiè loop to get back to Bracchio. This part, towards the crest, took us about another 30 minutes. However, I’m sure that in Summer this normally doesn’t take as long.

3d part of the hike: Towards Monte Faiè

Monte Faie view from the top
The view from the top of Monte Faiè is gorgeous

Once we reached the crest, relieved we managed to scramble our way up, we were convinced Monte Faiè was just behind the next hill. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. We hiked over several hills before we reached the actual summit and sat down for lunch. Despite the efforts and the aching muscles, the view was absolutely worth it!

We arrived at the top about 2:45 after leaving the car park. As I said before, I’m sure it doesn’t take as long during Summer when you don’t have to plough your way through snow and the trail is easier to find.

The descent

After a refreshing (literally, our hands were freezing and shaking) stop and lunch, we decided to not turn around and go back the way we came from. The trail was a bit too slippery for our liking, so we decided to follow the A54 trail back to Bracchio. This way we’d make a loop around the mountain and we wouldn’t have to take the same road back.

This trail is a bit easier, and took us past Alpe Olmio (the other starting point). We realised that this is probably the most popular route to take to get to Monte Faiè but we still felt like the A52 trail was more scenic.

From Alpe Olmio we still had another 1:15-30 to get to the car park. At times the trail isn’t indicated that well, so it doesn’t hurt to have maps.me downloaded (since this works much better for hikes than Google Maps).

By the time we reached the car, our legs were shaking and quaking. No surprise, we hadn’t done any other hikes to warm up, we went straight from sitting on the couch all the time to hiking up and down 1000 metres in about 5 hours.

Conclusion

It took our bodies a whole week to no longer ache, but it was so worth it. I’m sure the pictures will give you a pretty good idea why. If you’re ever around Lago Maggiore, I would definitely recommend this hike. Even if you’re not the biggest hiker, it’s possible to reach Monte Faiè with less effort. In that case, I would advise leaving from Alpe Olmio. You’ll still be rewarded with those gorgeous views at the top.

If you do leave from Bracchio, like we did, I would advise to for sure take route A52 to hike up. Also, if you end up hiking up there in Winter: make sure to bring sticks, you won’t regret it.

Have you ever hiked around Lago Maggiore? Do you have any tips for my next visit? Please feel free to leave a comment!

Want to know more about what you can do in Piemonte? Read my blog about things to do in Torino, the capital city of Piemonte!

]]> What to do in Turin, Italy https://www.wondersoftraveling.com/2020/01/23/what-to-do-in-turin-italy/ Thu, 23 Jan 2020 18:19:25 +0000 https://www.wondersoftraveling.com/?p=2530 For the last 4 months I’ve been living in the Alpine city of Torino in Italy. I’ve spent a lot of hours exploring the beautiful streets of Turin. Of course, I still haven’t seen and done everything there is to do or see, but I still wanted to share my favourite spots and activities with you.

Explore the beautiful piazze

Italian cities are known for their gorgeous town or city squares (or “piazze” in Italian). Whether it’s Piazza San Marco in Venice, Piazza Del Campo in Siena or Piazza del Duomo in Milan. Italy boasts hundreds of gorgeous squares. Turin also has several amazing piazze that are worth a visit. After all, Turin was Italy’s first capital!

Some of the most beautiful squares of Turin are located quite close to each other. I would recommend going to Piazza San Carlo and Piazza Castello. Both squares are connected by Via Roma, the shopping street where you’ll find high-brow fashion stores. After visiting these two piazze, I would suggest walking along Via Po to Piazza Vittorio Veneto. All three squares are located in the city centre, so they will give you the chance to explore Turin’s most remarkable spots and highlights.

Enjoy the Alpine views

The city of Turin is surrounded by gorgeous mountains. The Alps are only about an hour drive away. This means you can get amazing views of the mountains from the city centre.

There are several ways to admire the Alpine views. There is the Monte dei Cappuccini, easily reachable from both Via Po and Corso Vittorio Emanuele II on foot. Once you reach the foot of the hill it only takes you 10-15 minutes to walk up. You can also drive up, but the roads are narrow and parking spaces are limited. Also, walking up makes the views so much more worth it, no? Once you reach the top of the Monte dei Cappuccini, you’ll get a gorgeous view over Torino, its most famous landmark the Mole Antonelliana and the Alps.

A second option to see the beautiful Alps, is to go to the Superga. Superga is a hill located a little bit outside of the city centre. It is very easily reachable by car and by tram. From Piazza Castello you can take tram 15 which brings you to the foot of the hill. Here you can take a funicular up for €9 round trip (during the weekend). The ride up takes about 20 minutes. The Superga boasts gorgeous views of Torino and the Alps.

Another option (but definitely not the last one), is going up the Mole Antonelliana. As I mentioned before, this is the main landmark of Turin. The Mole houses the National Cinema Museum, which is definitely a must see. It also houses a lift which brings you to the top and allows you to see the beautiful surroundings of Turin. Tickets cost €11.

Visit one of the many museums

visit-one-of-the-many-museums

Speaking of the Cinema Museum, Torino is home to lots of different museums and palazzi. One of the most famous museums is the Egyptian Museum, which has been around since 1824. A visit to this museum will set you back €15. Here you will see lots of artifacts dating back to Ancient Egypt. There are also several mummies on display and lots of amazing statues.

The Cinema Museum is also worth a visit. A ticket costs €15 as well (including a trip up to the top of the Mole). The museum guides you through the history of cinema and shows you what happens behind the camera. It’s spread out over several floors and is very interactive.

Another interesting museum is the Museum of the Italian Risorgimento. Although, you can take “interesting” with a pinch of salt here. It all depends on whether or not you’re interested in Italian history. I, for one, am so I enjoyed exploring this museum which tells you all about Italian history and the unification in the 19th century. You also get to see the very first parliament of Italy and the bedroom of the first Kings of Italy.

Museums in Turin aren’t particularly cheap, which is why it might be interesting to get the Museum Card. This card costs €52 and allows you multiple entries to all museums in Turin. Other interesting and notable museums are: The Lavazza Museum, Juventus Museum and Venaria Reale.

Stroll around in the beautiful parks

To be fair, I haven’t explored that many parks yet during my time here. But I really like Parco del Valentino and felt like it was worth mentioning. This park is located along the riverside of the Po. In this park you’ll find a museum, castle and a Medieval village. It’s the ideal spot to unwind for a bit or go for a walk. I especially liked walking through Parco del Valentino to Ponte Isabella and walking back on the other side of the Po. From Ponte Isabella you spot the Mole one one side and mountains on the other.

Cheer on Juventus or Toro

cheer-on-juventus-or-toro

After living in Malta for 3 years, it was nice to finally be able to attend a football game of high level again. I personally root for Juve, so I loved going to the Allianz Stadium to watch Cristiano Ronaldo, Dybala, Buffon, etc. play in real life. As you can imagine, tickets for a Juventus game don’t come cheap, but it’s definitely worth it.

While Juventus might be the most known football team of Turin, it definitely isn’t the only one they have. Turin is divided in die-hard Juve and Toro fans. Watching Toro, or Torino, play doesn’t set you back as much as watching Juventus. You can get tickets for around €20 and you still get to see big teams play (Napoli, Roma, Inter, etc.). The stadium is also located relatively central compared to the Allianz Stadium and can easily be reached on foot or by tram.

Indulge in delicious Italian food

indulge-in-delicious-italian-food

A trip to Italy wouldn’t be complete without sampling some of the best food Italy has to offer! After 4 months here, I can tell you: I haven’t had one bad meal yet. The cuisine in Torino is delicious. I’ve had some of the best pizza and ice cream in Turin. Here I’ll share some of my favourite places (this is only a short list since I haven’t been to that many restaurants yet. I try to avoid eating out too often since living in Italy usually leads to gaining weight).

  • Amici Miei: located on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, this pizzeria has everything you want: tasty pizza at very reasonable prices. Not only is the pizza delicious, also the pasta and salads are to die for.
  • Pizzium: located on Largo IV Marzo and Via Eusebio Bava. Here you won’t find the typical Italian pizza like prosciutto e funghi, margherita, quattro stagioni. The pizza here are named after the different Italian provinces. They are a bit more pricey than at Amici Miei, but they’re finger-licking good.
  • Fratelli Pummarò: located in Via Principe Tommaso. This is one of my favourite pizzerie in Turin. The pizza is amazing, the service fast and the prices cheap. What more do you want?
  • Volver: okay, this is not an Italian restaurant but it’s too good to not mention. Here you can indulge in Argentinian cuisine. The empanades, cheeses, steaks, dulce de leche, everything was amazing.
  • Lucco: this gelateria is also located on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. Here you’ll taste some of the most delicious ice cream you have ever had in your life. I can personally attest to that, and I’ve had plenty of ice cream in my life (believe me!). It’s out of this world.

Once I’ve done more exploring, I will update this post to share my favourite spots, eateries and things to do. Keep checking for future updates!

]]> Castelmola: a hidden Sicilian gem https://www.wondersoftraveling.com/2018/04/02/castelmola-hidden-sicilian-gem/ Mon, 02 Apr 2018 11:47:25 +0000 http://www.wondersoftraveling.com/?p=930 Happy Easter everyone! I decided to make the most of the long weekend and headed to one of the most beautiful towns in Italy: Taormina. Because we had already been to Taormina twice before, we decided it was time to pay Castelmola a visit. Castelmola has been classified as “one of the most beautiful villages of Sicily”, and boy that is not an understatement! 

Castelmola

Where is Castelmola located?

Castelmola is a small village with only about 1100 inhabitants. It is located on top of a hill that towers over Taormina and the Ionian sea and has spectacular views on Mount Etna. The bus ride to the village is also very spectacular and makes you really admire the skills of the Sicilian bus drivers. From Taormina there is a bus that drives up to Castelmola every 45 minutes. You can take the bus from the bus terminal in Taormina or from the bus stop in front of the city entrance, Porta Messina. A round trip ticket only costs 3 euros! If you prefer to take the bus to Castelmola and walk down, then this will cost you 1.90 euros. The bus ride only takes about 15 minutes and gives you the opportunity to admire the amazing surroundings of Taormina and Castelmola.

Castelmola

Bird’s eye view from the castle

As the name of the town already suggests, Castelmola is the proud owner of a castle. This castle was built by the Normans and can still be visited today. However, don’t expect a proper castle. At the moment there are only ruins left. This doesn’t ruin your visit to Castelmola at all, because from up top you get an amazing view over Taormina, the Ionian sea and Mount Etna. You will get a spectacular view from all sides of the castle, and you won’t know where to look first. The way to the castle is clearly indicated when you arrive at Castelmola. It takes about 5 – 10 minutes to hike up the steps to the castle. You can’t visit this cosy village without paying the castello a visit.

Castelmola

Castelmola

Small and cosy streets

One of the things I really like about Italy is that most of their towns and villages consist of very narrow and cosy streets. Castelmola may be a very small town (you won’t need more than 2 – 3 hours to wander around), but it has such a charming feel to it. While you explore the cosy streets, you will bump into charming cafés and bars while every once in a while you catch a glimpse of Mount Etna or the sea. What more can you want?

Bar Turrisi

One of the most remarkable bars of the village is Bar Turrisi, located on Via Pio IX. Because of its, er, interesting decoration, tourists from all over the world head to Bar Turrisi. Don’t be surprised when you see lots of people snapping pictures of literally everything in the bar: the chairs, remarkable statues, interesting wallpaper in the bathrooms, etc. Do you want to know why? Head there and see for yourself (or you can of course always do a quick Google search…). The bartender was extremely nice and let us try out some almond wine and Sicilian granita. 10 out of 10 for hospitality and creativity!

Castelmola

Castelmola

Because the village is so small, you don’t need much time to see all of the town. We spent about 2 hours in this cosy village, wandering the streets and enjoying the spectacular views. Castelmola is a must for anyone who’s visiting Taormina or Messina. I can’t believe it took me 3 visits to Taormina before discovering this hidden gem!

]]> Taormina: a Sicilian gem https://www.wondersoftraveling.com/2017/11/11/taormina-sicilian-gem/ https://www.wondersoftraveling.com/2017/11/11/taormina-sicilian-gem/#comments Sat, 11 Nov 2017 16:31:05 +0000 http://www.wondersoftraveling.com/?p=815 After moving to Malta almost 3 years ago, I decided I had to visit Sicily one day. Since Malta is only about 90 km away from Sicily, it wasn’t that difficult to make this dream come true. First time I went there, I took the Captain Morgan tour which leaves from Malta and goes by ferry to Sicily. During this tour I got to see Taormina for the first time. Before going to Sicily, I didn’t know that much about this lovely city. Today I would like to tell you why you should put Taormina on your bucket list.

Taormina is located on the east coast of Sicily, about 50 kilometres away from Messina. This beautiful city is situated on top of a hill which looks out over the Ionian Sea. I would advise you to not drive all the way up to the city, first of all because there is not that much parking space and second of all, the hill is extremely steep. It’s better to park at the foot of the hill and take the cable car up. It goes every 15 minutes and costs you 3 euros one way.

Cosy and vibrant streets

You enter the city through the beautiful Porta Messina. This entrance leads to the main street of the city, the Corso Umberto. Here you’ll find tons of shops selling souvenirs, restaurants serving amazing Italian food and stores selling fashionable Italian clothes. It’s lovely to just wander through the main street, with a tasty gelato in your hand, and explore the small and cosy streets leading up to Corso Umberto. It will give you that special feeling which, to me, you can only get in Italy. Take your time to explore the streets of Taormina, since I only got 3 hours and felt like it wasn’t enough to see everything. Taormina may not seem like a big city, but it has beauty around every corner.

Taormina Taormina

Ancient Greek Theatre

One of the highlights of Taormina is the Greek Theatre, which is located about 450 metres away from the Porta Messina. The theatre dates back to the 7th century before Christ and is used for concerts during Summer. To be able to visit it, you need to pay 10 euros entrance fee. For this price, you’ll be able to walk around throughout the entire theatre. Not only is it it massive, it also boasts spectacular views over the coastline of Sicily and Calabria. And if you’re going on a bright and beautiful day, you might even spot Mount Etna from here! This place is a must if you are planning on visiting Taormina!

Taormina

Taormina

Beautiful Piazza Duomo

Taormina, just like most Italian cities, also has a beautiful Piazza. Piazza Duomo is located in the Old part of town. Just follow Corso Umberto, and you’ll arrive there. On the Piazza Duomo you can spot the Church of San Nicola, which dates back to the 13th century, and a baroque fountain which is decorated with centaurs. This square is the perfect spot to sit down and unwind a bit before you continue your visit to Taormina. This city has more beautiful piazze than just Piazza Duomo. Another square you should definitely visit is Piazza XI Aprile. One of the things I loved about Taormina, is that you constantly bump into new and beautiful corners. There is always something new to see!

Taormina

Giardini della Villa Comunale

When you walk down from the Greek theatre, you can spot the gardens of the Villa Comunale. I took some time to stroll through these beautiful gardens. If you make your way to the end of the park, you’ll once again see amazing views over the Sicilian coastline and Mount Etna. This is the perfect spot to relax a bit if the touristy crowds in the city feel a bit suffocating to you.

Isola Bella

The area surrounding Toarmina is so beautiful that you’ll find highlights even outside of the cosy city. When you make your way back to the parking lot with the cable car, make sure to visit Isola Bella, or “Beautiful island”. This island was private property until 1990. Nowadays you can take a boat from Isola Bella which will bring you to the Grotta Azzura. The water in this cave is strikingly blue, and attracts many tourists every year.

Taormina

As you can see, Taormina and its surroundings have so much to offer. It would be a pity to not visit this city once in your life. The culture, landscape and atmosphere of the city are so amazing you won’t be bored one second!

Have you ever been to Taormina? What was your favourite part of the city?

]]> https://www.wondersoftraveling.com/2017/11/11/taormina-sicilian-gem/feed/ 1 My 3 biggest travel disappointments https://www.wondersoftraveling.com/2017/10/31/3-biggest-travel-disappointments/ https://www.wondersoftraveling.com/2017/10/31/3-biggest-travel-disappointments/#comments Tue, 31 Oct 2017 17:41:12 +0000 http://www.wondersoftraveling.com/?p=805 Whenever people go on holiday, you often get the idea that everything is great. Their trip is amazing, the food is delicious and the people they meet are wonderful. However, we all know there can be a downside to traveling too. Maybe you experienced something scary or you had very high expectations about something which turned out to be disappointing. Today I would like to share my 3 biggest travel disappointments with you. Because it’s always interesting to know what NOT to see or NOT to spend money on, right?

Mount Etna

Mount Etna dominates the Sicilian landscape. The volcano can be seen from miles away. Whoever goes to Sicily doesn’t want to leave the island without climbing up Mount Etna. I was one of those travellers who really wanted to go the top of Mount Etna. Unfortunately, I never managed to get there. Since I’m living in Malta, I booked a 1-day excursion to Sicily where I was promised I would be going to the summit of the volcano. Usually I’m not a big fan of taking guided tours, but since I kind of decided to go on a whim, I didn’t really have any other choice. This, obviously, meant we were confined to a strict schedule. The tour operator only took us to Mount Etna at 3 PM, which frankly, is way too late to make your way up there.

The bus dropped us of at the parking lot, from where you can take a ski lift. I was told this lift was going to take me to the summit of Mount Etna. However, once again, this was not the case. Moreover, this lift cost me 30 euros both ways! Since I figured I was going to see the crater/summit I decided to pay for it since I didn’t know when I would be coming back to Sicily.

Once I stepped out of the lift, I realised I was nowhere near the summit of the volcano. The lift had dropped us off at the foot of the summit, from where you need to take a jeep to actually go to the top of the mountain. This, once again, would cost 20 euros! Since time was running out, I decided not to take the jeep and just wander around for a bit. It was still impressive to see the volcano from this close, but I couldn’t get over the disappointment of not seeing the summit. Not only did I not manage to see the top of the volcano, I had also spent 30 euros for basically no reason!My 3 biggest travel disappointments

Skywalk

Eversince they opened the Skywalk in 2007, I dreamt of one day stepping out on the glass platform myself. Back in 2014 I finally got the chance to go to the Skywalk. This however, came at quite a big cost. I had to pay 75 dollars just to enter the park and walk on the Skywalk. I figured I would go for it since it seemed like such an amazing experience. So, with 75 dollars less in my wallet, I made my way over to the entrance of the park. Once I was there, I was told I wasn’t allowed to take any cameras or phones with me. Surely paying 75 dollars would grant me the permission to take pictures? Alas… I had to put my belongings in a locker and wasn’t allowed to have anything with me when walking on the platform.

So does that mean I have no souvenirs of the Skywalk at all? Not really, since they offer a photographer who goes on the Skywalk with you and takes your pictures for you. This at only 15 dollars per picture! Frankly, I was quite outraged. This trip to the Skywalk was bordering on 100 dollars by now… However, I did want some kind of souvenir, so I decided to buy one picture. After my visit, I decided that I would never again take a 3 hour detour to visit the Skywalk. I would also recommend everyone: don’t see the Grand Canyon from the Skywalk. Go to the north or south rim instead!My 3 biggest travel disappointments

Manneken Pis

The last item on my list of biggest travel disappointments is Manneken Pis. This statue can almost be seen as part of the cultural heritage of Belgium. Everyone knows about him, and basically everyone has visited him at least once in their lives! If you ever visit Belgium, it will almost be impossible not to spot him. He’s on all our souvenirs and there are pictures of him at every souvenir shop. So, you would expect this statue to be impressive right?

I have seen Manneken Pis, located on the corner of the Stoofstraat and the Eikstraat, several times in my life by now. And I have to admit… It’s kind of a disappointment. He’s only about 58 centimeters tall. Most people who visited Brussels told me that Manneken Pis was the biggest disappointment of their trip to Belgium. Does that mean you shouldn’t go visit him? Well, he’s often dressed up in very nice clothes (such as the national football kit), which makes him look quite cute. But do be prepared that you will most likely feel very disappointed when you lay eyes on him!

My 3 biggest travel disappointmentsThose were my 3 biggest travel disappointments so far. I’m well aware I will most likely write another blog post like this in the future. Not every trip or country you go to is amazing. There will always be moments when you’re disappointed by something. What are your biggest travel disappointments? Please feel free to leave a comment!

]]> https://www.wondersoftraveling.com/2017/10/31/3-biggest-travel-disappointments/feed/ 2 Everything you need to know about hiking Cinque Terre https://www.wondersoftraveling.com/2017/09/29/everything-know-hiking-cinque-terre/ Fri, 29 Sep 2017 10:07:56 +0000 http://www.wondersoftraveling.com/?p=764 One of my favorite holiday destinations is Italy. I love their culture, cuisine and amazing landscapes. Italy has something for everyone. I have done quite a lot of traveling in this beautiful country, and I have to admit that hiking Cinque Terre was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done (my other favorite hike was Trolltunga). I would recommend this hike to everyone, you will be stunned by the amazing nature and cosy coastal towns!

When is the best time to hike Cinque Terre?

I went there in April, when the weather is already very pleasant in Italy. I would recommend going from April to October since there is less chance of rain or bad weather. Anyone who’s into hiking knows that weather is a very important factor, so you want to make sure you can enjoy this beautiful walk in all its glory. You won’t enjoy it in the rain!

Also be aware of the fact that it gets insanely crowded during July and August. If you’re not a big fan of big crowds of people, then April, May, June, September or October might be better for you.


How long does hiking Cinque Terre take?

Cinque Terre consists of, as the name already suggests, 5 towns. All these five towns are connected via a hiking trail or a railroad. If you decide to walk from town to town, it will most likely take you about 6 hours. This, of course, depends on your fitness level. You also have to take into account that you will most likely spend some time strolling in the streets of the beautiful towns. This could easily make your hike take up to 7 hours or more.

However, be aware of the fact that at this moment the hiking trails between Riomaggiore and Manarola and between Manarola and Corniglia are closed. If you want to check what the current situation is like, I recommend visiting this website.

Where do you start the hike?

You can start your hike from both sides. Either you leave from Monterosso al Mare (up north) or from Riomaggiore (south). I opted to depart from Monterosso al Mare, which proved to be quite challenging at times. The trail is quite steep and in the beginning you have to walk up a lot of steps. If you prefer a slow and easy start, Riomaggiore might be your thing. The roads are paved and very easily accessible.

Is it easy to find the trail?

Yes. The trail, which is called the “Sentiero Azzurro” (or Blue Trail), is marked well. If you’re leaving from Monterrosso, you will see signs which say “Per Vernazza”, which is the second town you will visit on your trip. Just follow these signs and you will easily find the trail. Be aware that it can be quite steep, there are lots of steps which make it quite challenging and intense. However, the whole trek is so stunning you will easily forget about your painful knees or feet.

Do you have to pay money to hike Cinque Terre?

If you decide to hike from town to town, you have to purchase an entrance ticket which costs you about 7,5 euros. You can buy this pass at the information offices of all 5 towns or in the railway stations of Levanto & La Spezia.


Do you have to bring any special equipment?

Hiking Cinque Terre isn’t exactly the same as hiking in the Alps. However, I would advise you to wear good shoes. Don’t wear your flip flops! Make sure you’re wearing good workout shoes or hiking boots. Other than that, you don’t have to bring any special equipment.

Stack up on water and some snacks, but since you will be visiting 5 towns, you will have plenty of opportunities to buy more things in case you run out. However, buying anything in the towns will obviously be very expensive. If you want to avoid spending too much money on overpriced drinks and snacks, make sure you bring everything before you start the hike.

Also, don’t forget to bring sunscreen!




 

Can you visit Cinque Terre without hiking?

Do not despair if you’re not a big fan of hiking because this doesn’t mean you don’t get the chance to visit the amazing coastal towns! There’s a train that takes you to all five towns. A 75-minute ticket will cost you 2,10 euros. You can also decide to hike parts of the trail and then take a train to get from one town to the other. You can basically decide for yourself how you visit Cinque Terre. An other option is visiting the towns by boat.

Can you bring your dog on the hike?

Yes, when I hiked Cinque Terre I brought my dog with me. Just bear in mind that you have to keep your dog on leash and he/she isn’t allowed on the beaches.

Have you been thinking about hiking Cinque Terre? Is there anything else you’d like to know before going? Please feel free to leave a comment!

]]> Weekend getaway: Bologna https://www.wondersoftraveling.com/2017/09/06/weekend-getaway-bologna/ https://www.wondersoftraveling.com/2017/09/06/weekend-getaway-bologna/#comments Wed, 06 Sep 2017 10:21:06 +0000 http://www.wondersoftraveling.com/?p=723 Six years ago, I moved to the capital of the Italian province Emilia-Romagna: Bologna. Even though other Italian cities like Rome, Venice and Florence are a lot more popular than Bologna, this beautiful city has so much to offer that it can’t be overlooked.

La rossa, la grassa, la dotta

Through the centuries, Bologna has been given several nicknames. It is now mostly known as “la rossa, la grassa, la dotta”, or “the red one, the fat one and the wise one”. When visiting this city, it will become almost immediately clear why these nicknames are being used to describe Bologna.

One of the first things you notice when arriving in Bologna, is the beautiful red color of the city. The inhabitants of Bologna are known for being more left-wing voters, which is also why it’s called “la rossa”. “La grassa” refers to the fact that the city can be described as the “belly of Italy”. You can indulge in tons of delicious food and various delicacies such as mortadella, tortellini and ragù alla Bolognese. While strolling through the streets of the old center of Bologna, you’ll see lots of small shops which sell these tasty delicacies. You won’t go hungry in Bologna!

Bologna’s last nickname, “la dotta”, refers to the fact that the oldest university in the world was founded here. The Università di Bologna dates back to 1088 and takes pride in the fact that Copernicus, Petrarca and Erasmus were once students here.

Medieval culture on Piazza Maggiore

Bologna is the ideal city if you want to go for a short getaway. Book a 3-day city trip and explore the many streets of this beautiful city. It might not be as magical as Venice, nor does it have as many highlights as Rome; but this city has so much to offer.

When walking on Piazza Maggiore, you’ll feel like you’re stepping back into the Middle Ages. This square is surrounded by stately and beautiful buildings which were all built during the Middle Ages. Palazzo del Podestà was already constructed in 1200 and is one of the oldest buildings on Piazza Maggiore. In front of this palace, you can find the Basilica of St. Petronio. Almost 700 years after the first stone of this church was laid, the Basilica of St. Petronio still remains unfinished. The reason for this, is that Pope Pius IV could not stand the fact that the inhabitants of Bologna wanted to build a church that was bigger than the Basilica of St. Peter in Vatican City. Even though the church is left unfinished, it is definitely worth a visit.

Another interesting highlight that you can find on Piazza Maggiore is the fountain of Neptune. Earlier this year, Facebook censored a picture of the fountain because it was “too explicit”. Take a look at the fountain yourself, and you’ll realize why a lot of people chuckle when laying eyes on it.Weekend getaway: Bologna

Piazza Santo Stefano

The whole city basically bathes in a medieval atmosphere. You will also realize this when arriving at Piazzo Santo Stefano, east of Piazza Maggiore. Several antique markets and cultural events are held on this square. When I studied in Bologna, international students would gather in front of the church to catch up and have a drink. The Basilica of Santo Stefano consists of several churches which were all founded in the early Middle Ages. Some of these churches, such as Basilica del Sepolcro and Basilica dei protomartiri San Vitale e Sant’Agricola, date back to the fourth and fifth century. When entering this beautiful complex, you will feel like you’ve traveled back in time. If you’re a big fan of ice cream, just like me, you should stop by Cremeria Sette Chiese, where you can try out some of the best ice cream of the city.

Culinary Walhalla and shopping paradise

In case you’re traveling to Bologna to do some shopping, you won’t be disappointed. The most famous brands are located in the Via dell’Indipendenza. The more luxurious and exclusive brands such as Armani and Michael Kors can be found close to Via Farini. You’ll constantly bump into cool shops and boutiques. One of the most cosy areas of the city is the Quadrilatero, which is situated in between Piazza Maggiore and the two towers. This is the place to be if you want to discover the culinary side of Bologna. In this neighborhood you’ll find hundreds of shops which sell local products. If you’re looking for fresh Bolognese products, look no further. Here, you’ll also find a lot of trattorie or osterie where you can taste some delicious food.

Weekend getaway: Bologna

The Two Towers

Next to this culinary neighborhood, you can find the two towers. These skewed towers characterize the skyline of Bologna and were built in the middle ages by the nobility. They wanted to show to all the other families how rich and prestigious they were. By the end of the 12th century, a staggering 100 towers were built in Bologna. Today only 20 of those remain. The biggest of the two towers dates back to the beginning of the 12th century and is called “Torre degli Asinelli”. If you fancy climbing almost 500 stairs, you’ll be rewarded with an amazing view over Bologna and its surroundings. You can get tickets for only €3, so unless you’re afraid of heights, you don’t have any excuse not to go and take a look. Unfortunately, you cannot visit the Garisenda tower.

If all this physical activity has made you very hungry, I’d suggest going to Gelateria Gianni. This gelateria is located at the bottom of the Garisenda Tower and is known for producing the best ice cream in the whole city. I know what I’m talking about, Gelateria Gianni was my favorite ice cream place when I lived in Bologna.

Fare l’aperitivo

As I mentioned earlier, the oldest university in the world is located in Bologna. “La dotta” is also a very lively student city. In 2015-2016 more than 80.000 students enrolled at the Università di Bologna. And everyone knows, where there are students, there is a lively atmosphere. The student neighborhood is situated around Via Zamboni and Piazza Giuseppe Verdi. Here you can find lots of cafes and restaurants which are very budget friendly. I would advise you to try out “l’aperitivo”. When studying in Bologna, this was one of my favorite activities. I would make my way over to Caffè Zamboni, order a cocktail for €8 and enjoy the unlimited buffet! As you can imagine, this concept is extremely popular, so I would advise you to arrive early to make sure you get a table. If you only go over to Caffè Zamboni at eight PM, chances are big you won’t be able to find a table anymore.

Santuario della Beata Vergine di San Luca

In case you want to do some physical activity after eating tons of pasta, tortellini and ice cream; I would advise you to visit the santuario di San Luca. This basilica is located 3 kilometers outside of Bologna city center, and can be reached by foot in about one hour. In order to get there, you have to mount 666 steps under beautiful arcades. While making your way to the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views on the city. However, you’ll only get the most amazing view once you’ve arrived at the basilica. I would recommend walking to the basilica and having a pick nick once you’re there. Also take your time to stroll around a bit and to visit the sanctuary.

In case you don’t feel like climbing stairs for three kilometers, you can also opt to take a bus or a tourist train. The train leaves from Piazza Maggiore and takes you to the top of the hill.

Weekend getaway: Bologna

My tips for visiting Bologna:

  • Visit the anatomical theater in the Archiginnasio
  • Stop by Gelateria Gianni or Cremeria Sette Chiese to try out delicious ice cream
  • Make your way to Caffè Zamboni and try out the aperitivo
  • Go to Caffè Piccolo e Sublime for drinks
  • Go dancing in Tresor or Lo Chalet
  • Visit the weekly market on Piazza dell’8 Agosto, every Friday to Sunday
  • Taste the local delicacies such as tortellini, mortadella or ragù alla bolognese
]]> https://www.wondersoftraveling.com/2017/09/06/weekend-getaway-bologna/feed/ 2 What to do in Valle d’Aosta if you’re not into hiking? https://www.wondersoftraveling.com/2017/08/23/valle-daosta-youre-not-hiking/ https://www.wondersoftraveling.com/2017/08/23/valle-daosta-youre-not-hiking/#comments Wed, 23 Aug 2017 10:57:19 +0000 http://www.wondersoftraveling.com/?p=606 Valle d’Aosta is a region in Northern Italy which attracts tons of passionate mountain climbers and hikers every year. From easy hikes to mountain cabins, to the highest peaks of Europe, it has something for hikers from all levels. However, for a lot of people it is just a region they have to pass on the way to other Italian provinces such as Piemonte or maybe Liguria.

For the last 25 years of my life I have spent basically every summer in this autonomous Italian region. It is safe to say I almost know it like the back of my hand. I know it’s heaven on earth for hikers from all over the world, but what if you’re really not that into hiking? Don’t despair, Valle d’Aosta definitely has something for you!

Amazing Roman remnants

The city of Aosta has amazing remains of the Roman times. In the first century BC it was already under Roman rule, which becomes quite clear when you pay a visit to the city center. The beautiful Arco d’Agosto, dating back to 25 BC, welcomes you when you enter the city. Within the city walls you can also spot the Porta Praetoria, built in the 1st century AD. Close by, you can also find the remains of a Roman theater and an amphitheater. For just €7 you can visit this site. These are just a couple of the many Roman remnants in Aosta. I would definitely recommend a visit to these beautiful structures which will take you back to the Roman times!

 

What to do in Valle d'Aosta if you're not into hiking?

Admire the highest peaks at Punta Helbronner

Just because you don’t like hiking, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy amazing views on the highest mountain tops of Europe! If you take a drive to Courmayeur, you will be able to take a skyway up to 3.500 meters altitude. Here you can soak in breathtaking 360° views on the Mount Blanc, Dent du Geant, and tons of other beautiful mountains. Beauty doesn’t come for free though, so you will have to pay €48 for a return ticket, but believe me, this price is more than worth it! You can also choose to have lunch here, which will most likely be an unforgettable experience!

What to do in Valle d'Aosta if you're not into hiking?

Bring out your inner Tarzan or Jane in one of the adventure parks

You might not be into hiking, but maybe swinging from tree to tree or taking a zipline is more your thing? Then you should definitely try out one of the many adventure parks in the region. There are 6 different parks to choose from, but my favourite is Parco Avventura Mont Blanc. Here you test your skills on 7 different tracks (from easiest to most difficult). You also have the possibility to try out a 130 meter long zipline! You can easily spend an entire day here. I only arrived after lunch and I unfortunately didn’t have time to try out all the different tracks. So don’t make the same mistake as I did, arrive early and enjoy a day full of fun activities!

What to do in Valle d'Aosta if you're not into hiking?

Go for a walk with Saint Bernard dogs

At the border between Switzerland and Italy, you can find the Grand Saint Bernard hospice. Ever since the 18th century people bred these dogs here. Nowadays during winter, they stay in Martigny in Switzerland, but for summer they move back to their original home: the Grand Saint Bernard Pass. Here you can see the cute dogs and you can even take them for a walk!

What to do in Valle d'Aosta if you're not into hiking?

Go skiing in Breuil-Cervinia

You might wonder, how can one ski during summer? Well, it is possible in Valle d’Aosta! Put your skis or snowboard on and make your way to Breuil-Cervinia, where you can ski at an altitude of 3500 meters. This means the snow doesn’t melt and you can ski year round. I have never done it before, but it seems like a very cool thing to do! Imagine skiing mid July, while the sun is shining and the temperatures are high; you probably have never done something like this before?

What to do in Valle d'Aosta if you're not into hiking?

These were my tips for Valle d’Aosta if you don’t like climbing mountains! If you have any more tips, please feel free to share them in the comments!

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