Wandering Italy: Milan, Venice, Lake Como, Genoa, and Portofino

Italy was one of the highlights of my Euro summer, and it did not disappoint. From the bustling streets of Milan to the serene pebble beaches of Portofino, each city had its own personality, moments that made me laugh, and moments that made me sweat, sometimes literally.

Milan

We rolled into Milan with zero plans and honestly, I am glad we did. Milan is hyped as a glamorous city, but there really is not that much to do. We visited the famous spots like the Duomo, which is breathtaking in person, and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, which felt like a mall designed for royalty.

The real game-changer for me was pasta. I ordered carbonara for the first time in my life, and it changed everything. I went on to order it several more times across Italy because I am big, simple as that.

The best part of Milan was discovering QC Terme Milano, a spa I’d had on my bucket list for so long & forgot about up until this trip..whoops! It is hands down the most amazing spa I have ever been to. Pools, saunas, steam rooms, hydrotherapy, and relaxation spaces make it feel like a wellness wonderland. Pictures do not do it justice. The only tricky part is it is very romantic, so there were a lot of couples treating it like more than just a spa (if you’re catching my drift…). The food there was not great, so I recommend eating before you go, but it did not take away from the experience at all.

Milan gave me life-changing carbonara and an unforgettable spa experience. It also reminded me that some places look better on Instagram than in real life.

Venice

After Milan, we took a day trip to Venice, which honestly is all you really need. You can see most of the city’s magic in a single day. We strolled through the streets, shopped, ate, and rented an old-style boat that made me feel like I had stepped into a movie. It was hot, like hotter than hot, the hottest I have ever been, which made wandering the streets a little more challenging but somehow made the experience even more memorable. Venice is beautiful, and I am just glad I got to experience it in person.

The best part was the atmosphere itself. The canals, the gondolas, and the overall vibe make it feel like a living postcard. The crowds can be a lot, but they do not take away from how stunning the city is.

Lake Como

After Venice, we headed to Lake Como for a day trip. We visited Villa del Balbianello in Lenno, which is famous for being a filming location in Star Wars. The villa was breathtaking, with gardens and lake views that looked unreal. The hike to get up there was steep and tiring, and I made the rookie mistake of wearing heels. By the time we reached the top, I was a little over it before I could fully enjoy the view.

The villa itself was hands down the highlight of Lake Como, and the uphill climb in heels was the headache I will never forget.

Genoa

Genoa was a mixed experience for me. The city itself felt a little sketchy, and at times I felt ignored or stared at in ways that made me uncomfortable during quick food stops and walking around the alleyways. It is not a city with a ton of attractions, and the darker streets definitely added to that uneasy feeling.

That said, our hotel, B&B Hotel Genova Principe, was in a prime location next to the train station. The rooms were huge with tall European-style windows that opened onto the streets, which made me feel like I was in a classic European room. Walking around the city was mostly how we got from place to place, and while it sometimes felt unsettling, it also gave a real sense of local life.

Genoa worked well as a home base for our day trip to Portofino because it is more affordable than other nearby cities. The food was a major highlight. We had dinner at Soho, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and loved it so much that we took their bread to go. The seafood was exceptional and easily one of the best meals of the trip. Genoa also had the best Bershka I found anywhere in Italy, which I cannot ignore as a small win.

The highlight of Genoa was Soho and the food experience, while navigating the city streets and feeling a little out of place made it more challenging.

Portofino

Portofino ended up being my favorite spot in Italy. It felt like stepping into a dream with pebble beaches at sunset, serene waters, and colorful buildings that look straight out of a magazine. We spent the day hopping between different beaches and just soaking it all in.

A funny thing about Portofino is that a lot of the beautifully painted architecture is just artistic facades. Up close, you can see that it is not exactly how the buildings are built, but it does not take away from the magic.

We also visited Castello Brown, which required a steep uphill walk that had me breaking into a sweat. The views from the top were completely worth it, overlooking the bay and iconic pastel buildings.

The beaches at sunset and the views from Castello Brown were the highlights. The uphill walks were exhausting, but they made the reward feel even better.

Italy gave me a little bit of everything. Fashion and pasta in Milan, canals and gondolas in Venice, cinematic beauty in Lake Como, local charm in Genoa, and serene perfection in Portofino. Each city had its highs and lows, but together they made Italy one of the most unforgettable chapters of my Euro summer.