Tag: Italy

TORCELLO – a church, a bridge, and 15 residents

Posted onAuthorRenata27 Comments

If you are going on a day trip to Burano, the colorful gem in the Venetian lagoon, you should definitely spare an hour or two to cross the 150 meters to the island of Torcello. Here, a church, a bridge, and 15 permanent residents are awaiting you.

Chiesa di Santa Fosca on the island of Torcello where you can visit a church and a bridge
Chiesa di Santa Fosca on the island of Torcello.

While the islands Murano and Burano are beautiful yet still not that very different from the main island, the so-called Centro Storico, Torcello is a whole different world with very few landmarks surrounded by meadows and fields.

Enjoy the silence.

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Complete Guide to COMO – a Lake to Like

Posted onAuthorRenata Green95 Comments

I love Italy: The gelato, the papagalli, the dolce far niente. Somehow, my head got tangled in these clichés like a fork in a heap of spaghetti. The funny thing is: On my frequent trips to Bella Italia, I actually find these clichés reflected in the reality around me. Just like around the North Italian lake land.
Need proof?
Here is a complete guide to the wonderful Lake Como – truly a lake to like.

Sail and motorboats quay at Colico, the Northernmost village at Lago di Como - a lake to like
Sail and motorboats quay at Colico, the Northernmost village on Lake Como’s shores.
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A Day in BURANO: United Colors of Venice

Posted onAuthorRenata20 Comments

I know, I know: There is so much to explore in Venice’s Centro Storico, the historic center, that adding yet another beautiful place seems crazy. But believe me: If you set sail to spend a day on the island of Burano, you won’t regret it – since it will add some very unique colors to your visit to Venice.

Renata Green on a Day Trip to Burano from Venice
Life in bold colors.
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A Day on MURANO: It’s a Crystalline World

Posted onAuthorRenata27 Comments

Visiting Venice, you absolutely have to venture out on a day trip to discover the Crystalline World of Murano, located in the dreamy Venetian lagoon.

The Vetreria Ducale, adorned by a sign of Guerrieri pottery, and to the left the Ferro & Lazzarini glass factory. Murano Crystalline World
Some of the best places to shop for glass on Murano island: The Vetreria Ducale, adorned by a sign of Guerrieri pottery, and to the left the Ferro & Lazzarini glass factory.

Most visitors to Venice stay and explore only the Centro Storico, the historic center. However, there is a total of 120 islands in the lagoon of which only 11 are permanently inhabited. Of those islands, Murano is the third largest one – after the Centro Storico, obviously, as well as the Lido di Venezia. As a matter of fact, Murano consists of seven small islands divided by eight channels and connected by bridges.

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CINQUE TERRE – The World’s Most Picturesque Hiking Trails

Posted onAuthorRenata88 Comments

The Cinque Terre, connected by the world’s most picturesque hiking trails, are built on terraces above the deep blue Ligurian sea.

Riomaggiore, one of the Cinque Terre from where you can take world's most picturesque hike
View of Riomaggiore from the Ligurian sea.

Gimme five! High five! Scattered way up high on the steep hills of the Ligurian coast are many small, picturesque villages. Yet, only Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare became world-famous for their scenic views and overwhelming beauty. In 1997, they made it to the list of Unesco World Heritage Sites – along with Porto Venere and the islands of Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto.

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LA SPEZIA and PORTO VENERE – Precious Gems on the Ligurian Coast

Posted onAuthorRenata79 Comments

Overshadowed by the world-famous Cinque Terre, the beautiful coastal town of La Spezia and the nearby village of Porto Venere tend to be strongly underrated.

View of Porto Venere from the Sea.
Beautiful Porto Venere, sean seen from the sea.

Yet these precious gems on the Ligurian coast are definitely worth the visit.

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Day Trip to CAMOGLI – The Most Colorful Beach Town East Of Genoa

Posted onAuthorRenata47 Comments

Camogli is a colorful beach town just one hour East of Genoa, you know, one of these typical fishing villages with tall, colorful houses that make Italy so picturesque and lovable and are just the perfect destination for an amazing day trip.

View of the port of the colorful beach town of Camogli
Italy – just like praised in romantic songs.

Also, it’s definitely not by mistake that the bay that stretches from Genoa all the way to Portofino was named Golfo Paradiso, if you know what I mean.

Hence, let me guide you to beautiful Camogli so you can spend a day in paradise.

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TIVOLI – Villas, Waters, and Wealth. A Day Trip from Rome

Posted onAuthorRenata103 Comments

A day trip from Rome took me to Tivoli where I found mesmerizing villas and playful waters. In short, the remnants of Antique Roman wealth.

View of Tivoli from Hadrian's Villa, seen when visiting the Villas on a Day Trip
The so-called Poecile with the Roman Campagna in the backdrop.

Mind you, already Mr. Hadrian used to spend relaxing weekends at Tivoli almost 2,000 years ago.

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Day Trip to SIRMIONE – an Antique Holiday Retreat on the Shores of Lake Garda

Posted onAuthorRenata14 Comments

Sirmione is a small town located on the southern shore of Lake Garda and the perfect day trip destination if you are looking for a classic and classy retreat.

Historic Peninsula of Sirmione
Entering the historic peninsula of Sirmione.

The town’s historic center is picturesquely located on a peninsula protruding into the lake.

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MURANO – BURANO – TORCELLO: A Self-Guided Island Tour

Posted onAuthorRenata13 Comments

Sure, there is a lot to see in Venice’s Centro Storico, the historic center, yet, there are also those smaller gems. In this guide, I show you how to visit Murano, Burano, and Torcello, comfortably on a self-guided tour. It’s actually pretty easy and inexpensive to visit these three islands on a day trip from Venice.

Getting to Murano by Vaporetto
Travelling between the islands in the Venetian Lagoon is very easy. Therefore, you can happily visit Murano, Burano, and Torcello on a self-guided tour.
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