One Night in Venice: A Whirlwind Adventure from Milan

We hopped on a high speed train from Milan to Venice, a smooth ride of about two hours and fifteen minutes. It was the perfect way to kick off our Venetian adventure fast, comfortable and with plenty of room to stretch out and daydream.

Arriving at Venezia Santa Lucia station, right on the edge of the Grand Canal, instantly felt like stepping into another world. From there, we made our way to our hotel the H10 Palazzo Canova, just a few steps from the Rialto Bridge. Being booked through Booking.com gave us flexibility with dates and payments, which is a lifesaver when planning family travel.

The hotel itself felt like a dream: a restored 19th-century palazzo with elegant rooms overlooking the Grand Canal and a rooftop terrace bar with unforgettable views. It was the kind of place that immediately makes you feel like you’re in the heart of Venice.

After dropping off our bags, we set off on foot to explore. Tucked away down a quiet alley, we discovered Libreria Marco Polo a cosy little bookshop filled floor to ceiling with books in every language. It was one of those rare finds that makes wandering aimlessly so rewarding.

From there, we drifted towards St. Mark’s Square, which truly lives up to its reputation. We paused to admire the ornate basilica, watched pigeons swirl above the crowds and soaked up the lively atmosphere as cafés spilled music and chatter out into the square. With only one night to enjoy, we kept things simple and sat people watching over a cold beer and a plate of antipasti, the perfect way to soak in the Venetian vibe

Tucked along one of the prettiest little streets we found Snack Bar Da Piero, a classic Venetian stop with a few tables spilling out onto the cobbles. The bar itself was simple and unfussy, the kind of place locals drop into for a spritz or espresso, with a glass counter full of cicchetti little Venetian snacks perfect for sharing. Outside, the street felt like a movie set, lined with pastel painted buildings and washing strung across the balconies. It was one of those moments where Venice slows down, away from the busy squares, and you feel like you’ve stumbled into the city’s real everyday life.

Venice worked its magic on us quickly. Even in such a short visit, it was impossible not to fall in love with its canals, hidden treasures and the feeling that every corner was waiting to be discovered.

Final Thoughts

We didn’t bring the teens on this trip, but we so wished we had. They would have loved every moment, from the maze of canals to the excitement of St. Mark’s Square. To make it even more special, we happened to be there in February during the Venice Carnival. Everywhere we turned, locals and visitors were dressed in elaborate masks and costumes, filling the streets with colour and music. It added a magical, theatrical touch to an already unforgettable city and we couldn’t help but imagine how much our teens would have enjoyed being swept up in the festive atmosphere.