KOSHASRINI: EUROPE TOUR .. DAY-14

15-10-2025 : WEDNESDAY

At Milan Central Station

By Train from Milan (Milano Centrale) to

Venice (Venezia Santa Lucia)

The "Red Arrow" (Frecciarossa) high-speed train

by Trenitalia

2 hours 30 minutes .. 260 KMs

From the sleek streets of Milan

to the shimmering canals of the "Floating City."

Venice is truly magical,

especially in that mid-October light.

Venice in a Heartbeat. Venice is a dream.

Train just entering Venice

With only six hours on the clock, every minute was a masterpiece. From the rhythmic sway of a gondola ride to the breathtaking views atop the Rialto, it was a whirlwind of salt air, ancient stone, and Italian sun. It turns out, we don't need a week to fall in love with Venice—we just need an afternoon.

The Grand Canal: A Gallery on the Water

While it feels like a river, the Grand Canal is Venice's main "high street."

Here are the architectural gems we saw on its banks:

San Simeone Piccolo (The Green Dome)

Located right across from the train station, this is the first building to welcome the Visitor. Its massive copper-green dome and Neoclassical temple front make it one of the most photographed churches in the city.

Santa Maria di Nazareth (The Scalzi Church)

Right next to the station, this masterpiece of Venetian Baroque features an incredibly intricate white marble facade. It’s a stunning example of the "more is more" philosophy of 17th-century design.

Palazzo Papadopoli

A grand 16th-century palace on the bend of the canal. Today, it houses one of the world’s most luxurious hotels (the Aman Venice), where celebrities often stay.

The Icon: Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge)

The bridge we walked across is the oldest and most famous of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal.

• An Engineering Marvel. Completed in 1591, it was considered so daring at the time that many architects predicted it would collapse. Instead, it has stood for over 400 years.

• It is a single stone arch supporting two inclined rows of shops. These shops are divided by three walkways: two along the outer railings and a wider central one.

• Walking "both sides" allows the Visitor to see the contrast between the bustling markets of the San Polo district and the elegant palaces of San Marco.

A gondola ride is the quintessential Venice experience - it is the best way to see the city from the perspective it was built for.

• Stepping into a gondola transforms the city; suddenly, the towering palazzos seem even more grand as we glide past their water-lapped doorsteps.

• There is a unique, rhythmic silence to a boat ride in Venice, broken only by the gentle dip of the oar and the distant calls of fellow gondoliers echoing through the narrow side canals.

• Drifting under low-hanging stone bridges and through hidden waterways, we felt transported back centuries, seeing a side of Venice that is completely invisible from the walking paths. What an Experience.

• While the Rialto Bridge is a hub of energy, the boat ride offered a peaceful, floating sanctuary to soak in the architectural wonders of the Grand Canal. A total Contrast.

Clicks & Clips …

Made a local friend while waiting for train! This young Yellow-legged Gull, seems to be common in Venice, added a lovely touch of nature to my journey.

• While resting under a tree near the station, I found myself in the quiet company of a local feathered resident, a speckled young gull who seemed just as content as I was to simply watch the world go by.

• Even the wildlife in Venice has a certain charm; this curious bird joined me for a peaceful moment in the shade before I began my journey back to the bustle of Milan.

After boat ride thru Venice, now sitting in Venice station to be back to Milan. People from all over the word. Everything different. Body structure, Attire, Language, Habits, Behaviour, et al. A different experience.

On train back to Milan