🇭🇰🇨🇳
Hong Kong + Shenzhen
Jun 13–21 · Joaquin + Martin (Harrison joins for Shenzhen)
9 days
Miami → San Francisco → Hong Kong ✈️
UA1257 dep MIA 8:00 AM → SFO (6h 3m). 2h 42m layover. UA869 dep SFO 1:45 PM → HKG (14h 10m, crosses International Date Line). Total ~21 hours. Arrive Hong Kong Sunday evening.
✈ UA1257 + UA869
Boeing 737 MAX 9 + 777-300ER
$2,384 paid · Conf: 1658111778494111
🌊
Crossing the Date Line — you lose a day
Arrive Hong Kong 🛬
Land HKG ~7 PM. Immigration + customs. Airport Express to Kowloon (24 min, HK$115). Check into Kowloon Shangri-La (64 Mody Rd, TST). 2 Deluxe Twin rooms. Rest — you've been traveling 21 hours. Late dinner near the waterfront.
🏨 Kowloon Shangri-La · Conf: 1658110909091418
HK$3,805 · 1 night
🌃
Kowloon waterfront at night
HK → Shenzhen + Factory Day 1 🏭
MTR cross-border via Lo Wu or Futian (45 min). Check into Futian Shangri-La (4088 Yitian Rd, Floors 26–32). Afternoon: van pickup, eyewear factory visits in Futian/Longhua. Review samples. Harrison joins.
🏨 Futian Shangri-La · Conf: 1658110909110148
CNY 7,200 · 3 nights Jun 15–18
🚇 MTR cross-border
🏭
See glasses built from raw plastic
⭐ SZIOF Trade Show
Shenzhen International Optical Fair at Futian Convention Center — walking distance from hotel. Thousands of optical exhibitors: lens suppliers, frame manufacturers, smart eyewear companies. Collect samples, meet with key suppliers. Networking lunches with factory leads.
⭐ SZIOF Main Day
🚶 Walk to Futian Convention Center
🔭
Prototype smart glasses everywhere
Factory Day 2 + Huaqiangbei 🔌
Follow-up supplier meetings from SZIOF leads. Negotiate MOQs and pricing. Possible Dongguan factory run (~1hr drive). Evening: Huaqiangbei electronics market — world's largest. Multiple floors of every gadget imaginable.
🛒 Huaqiangbei — tech paradise
Possible Dongguan drive ~1hr
🔌
Thousands of stalls — every component ever made
Factory Day 3 → Back to Hong Kong
Morning: final factory sessions. Harrison departs Shenzhen. Joaquin + Martin cross back to HK via MTR (~45 min). Check into Crowne Plaza Causeway Bay (8 Leighton Rd) — rooftop pool, executive lounge. Evening: Temple Street Night Market.
🏨 Crowne Plaza CWB · Conf: 1658110927630999
HK$6,034 · 3 nights · Pay at hotel
Floors 11–23 · Rooftop pool
🌆
Rooftop pool with city skyline
🐉 Dragon Boat Festival — Day 1
Public holiday. AM: HK Science Museum (500+ exhibits, giant kinetic sculpture — HK$20). Noon: Star Ferry to Central (HK$5 — do not skip). Peak Tram + Sky Terrace 428 (HK$118 combo RT). Peak Circle Walk (3.5km, shaded, free). Evening: Temple Street dai pai dong — salt & pepper squid, clay pot rice.
🐉 Dragon Boat Festival — public holiday
⛴ Star Ferry HK$5
🚡 Peak Tram HK$118
🐉
Star Ferry = best HK$5 of your life
Ngong Ping Crystal Cabin + Big Buddha 🪷
MTR to Tung Chung → Ngong Ping 360 Crystal Cabin (glass floor over mountains and ocean — HK$315 RT, book online at np360.com.hk). Big Buddha: 268 steps, 34m bronze statue. Po Lin Monastery vegetarian lunch (HK$78 set). Wisdom Path. Afternoon: Bus 21 to Tai O stilt village + pink dolphin boat. Evening: Tim Ho Wan at Olympic station — world's cheapest Michelin star (BBQ pork buns).
⬜ Book Ngong Ping ONLINE — sells out Saturdays
🛕 268 steps to Big Buddha
⭐ Tim Ho Wan · HK$80–130
🪷
Glass floor above the ocean
Last HK Morning → HKG Airport ✈️
Flexible morning. Options: Ocean Park (The Abyss drop + Hair Raiser cliff coaster), or Sneaker Street + Mong Kok gadget market. Last HK meal. Transfer directly to Hong Kong International Airport. Lufthansa LH797 dep 11:25 PM → Frankfurt. No Shenzhen airport — depart from HKG.
✈ LH797 HKG→FRA dep 11:25 PM · Conf: 1658112215516127
$1,398 paid
Then LH248 FRA→MXP arr 10:35 AM Jun 22
🛫
Next stop: Italy
🇮🇹
Rapallo — Italian Riviera Base
Jun 22–25 (Mon–Thu) · Full family · Dimora in Piazza (Conf: HMQWFCE2RB)
3 nights
⛴ Portofino Ferry — Servizio Marittimo del Tigullio traghettiportofino.it · 2026 prices confirmed
| Company | Consorzio Servizio Marittimo del Tigullio |
| Website | traghettiportofino.it |
| Dock in SM Ligure | Piazza Mazzini 33A, Santa Margherita Ligure (waterfront) |
| Route | Rapallo → Santa Margherita Ligure → Portofino → San Fruttuoso |
| Crossing time | SM Ligure → Portofino: ~20–25 min |
| Price SM → Portofino | €12 one-way · €20 round-trip per adult |
| Price Rapallo → Portofino | €14 one-way · €22 round-trip (if boarding at Rapallo) |
| Tickets | Dock ticket office ONLY — not available online |
| Min passengers | 20 pax required per departure — morning boats usually fine |
| Return to Rapallo | Yes — same line. Portofino → SM → Rapallo on same ticket |
| Castello Brown | €10/adult · Free under 12 · Open 10am–7pm (Jun 26–Aug 31) · ⚠️ CLOSED Jun 27 |
| Paraggi Beach | 5 min walk or water taxi from Portofino harbor — some lido sections paid, public strip free · Clearest water on the Riviera |
👨👩👦👦 Family Reunion at Malpensa → Rapallo
Joaquin + Martin land MXP T1 at 10:35 AM (LH248 from FRA). Valerie + Adrian arrive on AA206 (MIA→MXP, Conf: DPMCHM, seats 22D+22E). Pick up the Noleggiare rental car — Audi A6 automatic, 5 pax (Conf: 1658111823416694, shuttle to Via Cipriano Facchinetti 51). Drive ~1.5 hrs to Rapallo, check into Dimora in Piazza (Corso Giacomo Matteotti 26, lockbox). Tonight: groceries, easy dinner, settle in. You've traveled far enough.
👨👩👦👦 Family Reunion!
🏠 Dimora in Piazza · HMQWFCE2RB
🚗 Noleggiare Audi A6 · Conf: 1658111823416694
$149 prepaid · 7 days
🇮🇹
First real Italian meal tonight
Portofino + Paraggi Beach ⛵
Drive 15 min to Santa Margherita Ligure. Buy ferry tickets at the dock booth (Piazza Mazzini 33A) — €12/adult OW or €20 RT. Take the Tigullio ferry to Portofino (~20 min across the gulf). Arrive by sea — the only right way to arrive. Explore the harbor. Hike up to Castello Brown (10 min from harbor, €10 adults, free under 12, open 10am–7pm). Panoramic views over the gulf. Descend, grab a gelato. 2 PM: Lunch at Langosteria Alparayi — reservation confirmed. Spend the full afternoon at Paraggi (5-min walk/water taxi from harbor — turquoise water, the clearest on the Riviera). Evening: Tigullio ferry back to SM Ligure, drive home to Rapallo.
⭐ 2 PM Langosteria Alparayi — reservation!
⛴ Tigullio Ferry SM→Portofino · €12/adult OW
🏰 Castello Brown · €10 adults, free <12
🏖 Paraggi beach all afternoon
⚠ Castello closed Jun 27 — today is fine
⛵
Harbor looks like a movie set
🚂 Cinque Terre — Early Start!
Leave Rapallo by 7:30 AM — before cruise ships unload. Drive 30 min to Levanto, park at P4 Stazione Fs (Via On. Zoppi, ~€13 for 8 hrs). Buy the Cinque Terre Train Card (Treno MS) at Levanto station or online at card.parconazionale5terre.it — includes unlimited CT Express trains + all hiking trails + buses. Best order: Monterosso first (north, beach, arrive before heat), then Vernazza (the most iconic — medieval harbor, castle tower, best views in all CT), then Manarola (the postcard shot — golden-hour cliff village, swim off rocks, start of Via dell'Amore). Skip Corniglia with kids — 365 stairs from the station. Ride CT Express back to Levanto from Riomaggiore or Manarola. Martin (12) counts as adult for the card price; Adrian (8) gets child rate.
🌅 Leave by 7:30 AM — beat the cruise ships
🚂 CT Treno MS · ~€29.50–35/adult · ~€20–23.50/child (late June)
Family of 4 estimated ~€79–93 total
📱 Buy online: card.parconazionale5terre.it
#1 Monterosso · #2 Vernazza · #3 Manarola
🏘️
Top 3: Vernazza, Manarola, Monterosso
🏖
Forte dei Marmi → Tellaro
Jun 25–29 (Thu–Mon) · Full family
4 days
Check Out Rapallo → Forte dei Marmi 🚗
Check out of Rapallo Airbnb (Dimora in Piazza — 3 nights done). Drive south ~1hr 30min. Option: stop in Camogli en route — colorful fishing village, beautiful harbor, best focaccia in Liguria. Or just drive straight through. Check in at Una Hotel Forte dei Marmi (Via G.B. Vico 142). Forte dei Marmi is Tuscany's most elegant beach resort — wide beaches, pine forest, marble mountains behind. Easy first evening here.
🏨 Una Hotel Forte dei Marmi · Conf: verify!
Optional stop: Camogli en route
⚠ Booking not found in DB — call to confirm
🏝️
Tuscany's chicest beach town
Forte dei Marmi Beach + Check In Tellaro 🌊
Start with a workout. Full beach day at Forte dei Marmi — fine sand, calm flat water, the Apuan Alps forming a backdrop. In the afternoon, drive ~45 min to check in at the Tellaro Airbnb (tower apartment with sea cliff view, Conf: HMXRFXRKPE, checkout Mon Jun 29 11 AM). Drop luggage. Then drive back to Forte dei Marmi for the rest of the day on the beach and dinner.
💪 Workout first
🏖 FdM beach all day
🏠 Tellaro tower apt · HMXRFXRKPE
🔄 Return to FdM for dinner
🏖️
Alps + beach in one frame
⛵ Portovenere + Palmaria Island
Take the Navigazione Golfo dei Poeti ferry from Lerici/Tellaro harbor to Portovenere (~20–30 min, ~€15–17/adult one-way). Walk Via Capellini — the colorful striped medieval tower-houses. Church of San Pietro (12th c., black & white marble on the cliff edge). Byron's Grotto — the sea cave where Byron started his famous swim to Lerici. Castello Doria for the views (€5). Lunch on the harbor. Water taxi across to Palmaria Island — Grotta Azzurra (turquoise sea cave), snorkeling, hidden coves. Ferry back. Sunset back in Tellaro.
⛵ Ferry from Lerici · Navigazione Golfo dei Poeti
~€15–17/adult · Kids cheaper
🏝 Palmaria Island + Grotta Azzurra
🏰 Byron's Grotto · Castle Doria
🐬
Blue grotto glows turquoise inside
Tellaro — Rest Day 🌅
Full relax day around Tellaro. Fiascherino beach (5 min walk, charming cove), San Terenzo (longer stretch, Shelley's castle), or Lerici waterfront. Rent lido chairs, swim, read. Afternoon: walk Tellaro's one main street — village is tiny and gorgeous, sea everywhere. Gelato. Sunset aperitivo with a view. Dinner: Il Frantoio or Locanda Miranda in Tellaro. Pack tonight for Monday checkout.
🏖 Fiascherino cove or San Terenzo
🌅 Tellaro sunset walk
📦 Pack tonight — checkout tomorrow
🌊
One of Italy's most beautiful villages
🏰
Bergamo + Lake Como
Jun 29–Jul 2 · Full family · Cathedral View Como (Conf: HMHQHTXX4M)
4 days
Tellaro Checkout → Bergamo 🏰
Check out by 11 AM. Drive north ~3 hrs to Bergamo. Return Noleggiare rental car at MXP drop-off by 5 PM (Conf: 1658111823416694 — return Jun 29 5 PM). Explore Bergamo Città Alta (Upper City) — UNESCO medieval walled hilltop city. Take the funicular up. Piazza Vecchia, Palazzo della Ragione, Cappella Colleoni. Local specialty: casoncelli pasta and polenta. Stay one night in Bergamo, then Como the next day by train.
🚗 Return Noleggiare at MXP by 5 PM
🏰 Bergamo Città Alta — UNESCO
🚡 Funicular up to Città Alta
🏰
Hidden medieval hilltop gem
Lake Como — Bellagio + Villa del Balbianello ⛴
Train Bergamo→Como (~50 min via Milano, or direct 1.5 hr). Check into Cathedral View Como Airbnb (check-in from 2 PM, Conf: HMHQHTXX4M, 3 adults + 2 children, 3 nights, non-refundable after 24h). Take Como ferry to Lenno. Water taxi to Villa del Balbianello (Star Wars Episode II + James Bond Casino Royale — €12/adult). Ferry to Bellagio — the jewel of Lake Como. Lakefront aperitivo. Ferry back to Como.
🏠 Cathedral View Como · HMHQHTXX4M · 3 nights
🌟 Villa del Balbianello · €12 · Star Wars + Bond
⛴ Ferry Bellagio
⚠ Non-refundable after check-in
⛵
Where Anakin married Padmé
Villa Carlotta + Varenna 🌺
Ferry to Tremezzo: Villa Carlotta botanical gardens + art museum (€12/adult, 2–3 hrs — tropical greenhouse, giant cedars, azalea walks). Ferry to Varenna — quieter, cliff passarella above the lake. Castello di Vezio: short hike, falcon demos, lake views (€5). Lunch: Bar Il Molo on the Varenna waterfront. Ferry back to Como.
🌺 Villa Carlotta gardens
🦅 Falcon demos at Castello di Vezio
⛴ Ferry all day — no car needed
🌿
Giant tropical greenhouse + lake views
Lugano, Switzerland 🇨🇭
Train or drive 40 min to Lugano (bring passports). Walk Piazza della Riforma old town. Monte San Salvatore funicular (CHF 23–30 RT) for panoramic Alps views. Lido di Lugano lake swimming. Parco Ciani lakefront park. Bring lunch from Italy — Swiss restaurants are expensive. Drive/train back to Como. Pack for Milan tomorrow.
🛂 Bring passports!
🚡 San Salvatore funicular
🏊 Lido di Lugano swim
🥗 Bring Italian lunch — Swiss prices hurt
🇨🇭
Different country for the day
🏙️
Milan
Jul 3–6 · Full family · NH Collection Porta Nuova (Conf: 0172609955)
4 days
Como → Milan Brera 🚆
Checkout Cathedral View Como. Train Como Nord → Milano Cadorna (~1 hr, ~€5/pp). Metro to Lanza for Brera. Check into NH Collection Porta Nuova (Via Melchiorre Gioia 6, check-in 3 PM, Conf: 0172609955). Lunch in Brera, galleries, boutiques. Aperitivo hour in Brera. Dinner: Dry Milano (Via Solferino 33) — wood-fired pizza + craft cocktails.
🏨 NH Collection Porta Nuova · 0172609955
🚆 Como Nord → Cadorna ~1hr · ~€5
🍕 Dry Milano — Via Solferino 33
🎨
Brera — Milan's coolest district
Duomo Rooftop + Navigli 🕌
Walk ON TOP of the Duomo among marble spires at eye level (€15/pp — terrazza access). Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II — spin your heel on the bull mosaic for luck (tradition). Sforza Castle + Parco Sempione. PM: Navigli canals aperitivo hour (6–9 PM) — €10–15 = cocktail + full buffet spread, the best value in Milan. Dinner: Ristorante Nabucco in Brera (Via Fiori Chiari 10) — ossobuco, cotoletta alla milanese, risotto.
⭐ Walk on TOP of the Duomo · €15
🐂 Bull mosaic spin for luck
🌅 Navigli aperitivo 6–9 PM · €10–15
🍽 Ristorante Nabucco — Brera
⛪
Marble spires at eye level
Final Milan — Brera + Farewell Dinner
Flexible final day. Pinacoteca di Brera (art gallery), optional Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia (Leonardo's flying machines — great for kids), Isola neighborhood cafe culture. Last Italian lunch. Savor everything one more time. Farewell dinner in Brera. Pack tonight. Checkout tomorrow 12 PM.
🎨 Pinacoteca Brera (optional)
🍽 Farewell dinner in Brera
📦 Pack tonight — flight tomorrow
🌆
Savor every last bite
✈️ Fly Home — MXP → MIA
Checkout NH Collection by 12 PM. Malpensa Express from Cadorna → MXP T1 (~35 min, ~€13/pp). AA207 dep MXP 1:20 PM → MIA arr 5:30 PM (Conf: OESTOA). Be at airport by 10:20 AM (3 hrs early). Seats: Valerie 27D, Martin 27E, Adrian 27H. Home for dinner. 24 days. Three countries. Done.
✈ AA207 MXP→MIA dep 1:20 PM · Conf: OESTOA
Seats 27D/27E/27H · $2,530 paid
🚆 Malpensa Express from Cadorna ~€13
🏠 Home for dinner!
🏡
24 days. Done.
Confirmed Bookings
15 bookings · 4 flights · 8 lodgings · 1 car rental
✈️ Flight
MIA → SFO → HKG
Conf: 1658111778494111
Joaquin + Martin · Jun 13
UA1257 dep 8:00 AM + UA869 dep SFO 1:45 PM
Arrive HKG Jun 14 ~7 PM · Boeing 777-300ER
UA1257 dep 8:00 AM + UA869 dep SFO 1:45 PM
Arrive HKG Jun 14 ~7 PM · Boeing 777-300ER
✓ Confirmed · $2,384 paid
🏨 Hotel
Kowloon Shangri-La Hong Kong
1658110909091418
64 Mody Rd, TST · 2 Deluxe Twin rooms
Jun 14 (1 night) · PIN: 6069
+852-27212111 · HK$3,805
Jun 14 (1 night) · PIN: 6069
+852-27212111 · HK$3,805
✓ Confirmed
🏨 Hotel
Futian Shangri-La Shenzhen
1658110909110148
4088 Yitian Rd · Floors 26–32 · 2 rooms
Jun 15–18 (3 nights) · PIN: 8890
+86-755-88284088 · CNY 7,200
Jun 15–18 (3 nights) · PIN: 8890
+86-755-88284088 · CNY 7,200
✓ Confirmed
🏨 Hotel
Crowne Plaza HK Causeway Bay
1658110927630999
8 Leighton Rd · Twin Premium, Floors 11–23
Exec lounge + rooftop pool
Jun 18–21 (3 nights) · PIN: 6306
+852-39803980 · HK$6,034 pay at hotel
Exec lounge + rooftop pool
Jun 18–21 (3 nights) · PIN: 6306
+852-39803980 · HK$6,034 pay at hotel
✓ Confirmed
✈️ Flight
HKG → FRA → MXP (Joaquin + Martin)
1658112215516127
LH797 dep HKG 11:25 PM Jun 21 → FRA 6:20 AM
LH248 dep FRA 9:15 AM → MXP T1 10:35 AM Jun 22
Boeing 787-9 · $1,398 paid
LH248 dep FRA 9:15 AM → MXP T1 10:35 AM Jun 22
Boeing 787-9 · $1,398 paid
✓ Confirmed
✈️ Flight
MIA → MXP (Valerie + Adrian)
DPMCHM
AA206 · Seats 22D + 22E
Arrives MXP Jun 22 (meet at T1)
Arrives MXP Jun 22 (meet at T1)
✓ Confirmed — verify arrival time
🚗 Car Rental
Noleggiare — Audi A6 Automatic
1658111823416694
Pickup MXP Jun 22 10 AM (free shuttle → Via Cipriano Facchinetti 51)
Drop-off MXP Jun 29 5 PM
5 pax · 4+3 bags · Fuel included · $149 prepaid
Drop-off MXP Jun 29 5 PM
5 pax · 4+3 bags · Fuel included · $149 prepaid
✓ Confirmed
🏠 Airbnb
Dimora in Piazza — Rapallo
HMQWFCE2RB
Corso Giacomo Matteotti 26 · Lockbox
Host: Zhanna (co-host: Sabina) · 2 adults + 2 kids
Jun 22–25 (3 nights)
Host: Zhanna (co-host: Sabina) · 2 adults + 2 kids
Jun 22–25 (3 nights)
✓ Confirmed
🏨 Hotel
Una Hotel Forte dei Marmi
⚠ Verify!
Via G.B. Vico 142, Forte dei Marmi 55042
Jun 25 (1 night) — per Joaquin's itinerary
Not found in booking DB
Jun 25 (1 night) — per Joaquin's itinerary
Not found in booking DB
⚠ Call to confirm reservation
🏠 Airbnb
Tellaro — Tower Apartment (Sea Cliff)
HMXRFXRKPE
Lerici/Tellaro area · Smart lock
Host: +39 389 851 6741
Jun 26–29 (3 nights · checkout Mon Jun 29 11 AM)
Host: +39 389 851 6741
Jun 26–29 (3 nights · checkout Mon Jun 29 11 AM)
✓ Confirmed
🏠 Airbnb
Cathedral View Como A/C + Garage
HMHQHTXX4M
Como, Lombardy · Check-in Jun 30 from 2 PM
3 guests + 2 children · 3 nights (Jun 30–Jul 2)
⚠ Non-refundable after 24h from check-in
3 guests + 2 children · 3 nights (Jun 30–Jul 2)
⚠ Non-refundable after 24h from check-in
✓ Confirmed
🏨 Hotel
NH Collection Milano Porta Nuova
0172609955
Via Melchiorre Gioia 6, Milan · +39 02 62371
Check-in Jul 3 from 3 PM
Checkout Jul 6 before 12 PM (3 nights)
Check-in Jul 3 from 3 PM
Checkout Jul 6 before 12 PM (3 nights)
✓ Confirmed
✈️ Flight
MXP → MIA (Return Home)
OESTOA
AA207 dep MXP 1:20 PM Jul 6 → MIA 5:30 PM
Valerie: 27D · Martin: 27E · Adrian: 27H
Be at airport by 10:20 AM
Valerie: 27D · Martin: 27E · Adrian: 27H
Be at airport by 10:20 AM
✓ Confirmed · $2,530 paid
🚫 Cancelled
AC Hotel Genova
1658110909236140
Was in old plan — replaced by Una Hotel Forte dei Marmi per Joaquin's itinerary. Conf still in DB but no longer part of trip.
✗ Not in current plan
What to Eat
The non-negotiables — from pork buns to pesto pasta
🇭🇰 Hong Kong
🥟
Tim Ho Wan Dim Sum
World's cheapest Michelin star. BBQ pork buns + har gow. Olympic MTR station. Non-negotiable stop.
HK$80–130/pp
🧇
Egg Waffles
Bubble waffles from street carts. Crispy outside, fluffy inside. Mong Kok streets in the evening.
HK$20–35
🐟
Fish Balls on a Stick
Skewered fish balls — curry or spicy sauce. Temple Street Night Market staple. Kids go crazy for them.
HK$5–15
🥭
Mango Desserts
Hui Lau Shan: mango pudding + sago. The dessert of HK. Multiple locations across the city.
HK$30–60
🇮🇹 Liguria + Riviera
🍝
Trofie al Pesto
Hand-twisted pasta, fresh basil pesto, green beans, potatoes. THE Ligurian dish. Order it at every trattoria.
€10–14
🧀
Focaccia di Recco
Paper-thin crispy dough stuffed with molten stracchino cheese. Stop in Recco between Rapallo and Camogli.
€4–8
🥖
Focaccia Genovese
Thick, oily, salty, dimpled. Warm from any bakery in the morning. Get it before it runs out.
€2–4
🦑
Fritto Misto di Mare
Calamari, shrimp, anchovies in light batter. Order it at every harbor town. Eat it standing with a napkin.
€12–18
🫓
Farinata / Cecina
Chickpea flatbread — crispy outside, custardy inside. Ancient Ligurian street food from bakery windows.
€3–5
🍷
Sciacchetrà Wine
Sweet dessert wine from CT cliff vineyards. Rare — try it in Vernazza or Manarola harbor at sunset.
€6–10/glass
🍊
Aperol Spritz
6 PM aperitivo ritual everywhere. With free snacks. Milan Navigli canals = peak version of this.
€5–8
🍦
Gelato Championship
Rate best across CT villages, Tellaro, Bergamo, Como, Milan. Only "produzione propria" (made in-house) counts.
€3–5
🏙️ Milan
🍕
Dry Milano Pizza
Wood-fired pizza + craft cocktails. Via Solferino 33, heart of Brera. Walk-ins OK late evening.
€10–16
🥩
Cotoletta alla Milanese
Bone-in veal, fried golden — Milan's answer to schnitzel. Order at Ristorante Nabucco (Via Fiori Chiari).
€25–40
🌅
Navigli Aperitivo Spread
€10–15 = drink + full food buffet. Along the canals 6–9 PM. The best value in all of Milan. Unmissable.
€10–15
Tips & Tricks
Hard-earned wisdom — read this before you go
⛴
Don't Drive to Portofino
Zero parking, impossible traffic. Always take the Tigullio ferry from Santa Margherita. Arrive by sea — the only right way.
⏰
Cinque Terre Before 10 AM
Cruise ships unload from 10 AM onward. Leave Rapallo by 7:30. It's a completely different place before the crowds hit.
🎫
CT Card: Train Version
Get the Treno MS card — includes unlimited trains between villages. €27/adult mid-season. Worth it on the first train hop.
☕
Italian Coffee Rules
Cappuccino only before 11 AM. Standing at the bar = half price vs sitting. Order espresso to finish every lunch and dinner.
🍽
Pranzo Beats Cena
Lunch fixed menus (€12–18) are half the dinner price. Same kitchen, same chef, same food, half the cost. Always check for "menu del giorno."
🧾
Coperto is Normal
€2–3/person cover charge at sit-down restaurants in Italy. Everywhere, every time. It's not a scam.
🧺
Market Picnics
Focaccia + local cheese + fruit from morning market stalls. Eat on the beach or harbor. Best meal format of the trip.
🚇
HK Octopus Card
HK$150 loaded covers MTR, ferry, tram. Buy at the airport immediately. Star Ferry = best HK$5 you'll spend.
🛰
China: VPN + WeChat
Install VPN before landing in Shenzhen (Google, WhatsApp, Instagram blocked). WeChat is required for almost everything.
👟
Water Shoes for CT + Tellaro
Rocky Mediterranean beaches are standard. Water shoes aren't optional — they're the difference between fun and misery.
🎫
Book Ngong Ping Online
Crystal Cabin cable car sells out on Saturdays. Book at np360.com.hk before the trip or you'll miss it.
🇨🇭
Switzerland: Pack Lunch
CHF 25–35/pp for a casual lunch in Lugano. Bring sandwiches and fruit from Italy. Eat in Parco Ciani by the lake.
⛴
Lake Como Ferries Only
Leave the car at the Como Airbnb. Ferries run every 30–60 min until ~8 PM. No car needed on the lake — ever.
🏖
Paraggi Is 5 Min from Portofino
Walk or take the water taxi from the harbor. The clearest turquoise water on the entire Riviera. Worth the full afternoon.
Pack List
Don't forget the water shoes or the passports
👕 Clothing
- Light linen shirts / breathable t-shirts
- Walking shoes (cobblestones everywhere)
- Hiking sandals (CT trails)
- Swimsuits × 2 per person minimum
- Water shoes (rocky beaches — mandatory)
- Light jacket (ferry crossings + evenings)
- Church cover-ups (shoulders + knees)
- Sun hat + quality sunglasses
🎒 Gear
- Small daypack per person
- Reusable water bottles × 4
- Portable phone charger (power bank)
- EU power adapters (Type C/F) × 2
- Sunscreen SPF 50+
- Quick-dry microfiber towels
- Snorkel mask + fins (Palmaria Island!)
- GoPro / waterproof action camera
📋 Documents
- Passports (6+ months validity) — all 4
- International Driving Permit (Joaquin)
- Flight printouts + digital copies
- All Airbnb/hotel confirmations printed
- Noleggiare conf: 1658111823416694
- ⚠ Una Hotel FdM: call and confirm before trip
- Credit card travel notifications (all cards)
📱 Digital Setup
- VPN app — install BEFORE China
- WeChat account — set up before Shenzhen
- Offline Google Maps: HK + Liguria + Como + Milan
- Trenitalia app + Trenord app (Italy trains)
- Google Translate offline: Italian + Mandarin
- eSIM or international data plan
- Audiobooks for long drives
- Kids' entertainment downloaded for flights