The Charm of a Northern Italy Free Trip!!

What impressed me the most during this journey wasn’t the famous tourist spots, but rather the small alleys and countryside towns along the way 😂. The newly restored old walls, local taverns, and supermarkets with prices so cheap you’d doubt you’re in Europe—all of these made me fall in love with this place instantly! If you’re someone who enjoys "traveling without much planning, just wandering around," I highly recommend this Italian trip! 【Milan】The City of Cathedrals and a Transportation Hub Milan is the gateway city to Northern Italy, and EVA Air flies directly to Malpensa Airport (MXP) here. While the Milan Cathedral is truly magnificent, I found the city itself to be somewhat cold and not among my top favorites. It’s more of a transit point than a destination. As for transportation, the Malpensa Express airport train is super convenient, with frequent departures, and there are 24-hour shuttle buses, so you’ll never worry about missing your flight. A small tip: there are three airports in Milan, so make sure you don’t go to the wrong one! 【Bologna】My Favorite City of This Trip ❤️ Perfect for Slow Living ❤️ Absolutely my kind of place!!! Bologna isn’t the type of city with tons of Instagram-worthy spots, but it’s the kind of place you’ll fall in love with once you stay there! The red arcades, affordable and delicious pasta, and markets and bookstores perfect for solo wandering—it’s all so charming. The transportation is convenient, and there aren’t as many tourists, so I highly recommend staying here for at least three nights to truly experience the city’s rhythm. A small downside is that accommodations can be pricey, but if you book a good Airbnb, you’ll find it surprisingly cost-effective (and you might even get early check-in, which is a total win). 【Venice】I Didn’t Have High Expectations, But It’s Truly Beautiful! Honestly, I initially thought Venice was just a "tourist photo spot," but as soon as I stepped into this water city, I was captivated. The canals are stunning, the architecture feels like a movie set, and every corner makes you stop and admire. Although accommodations are expensive and hard to find, and some areas feel a bit eerie at night, I think the best way to enjoy Venice is to plan for about 1.5 days. Spend the day taking photos, and in the evening, ride a gondola or find a cozy little bar to relax. I’m super regretful that I didn’t take many photos because I was busy looking for hotels 😓