You’re much better off just doing it in one go. What you are considering doing is called structuring, and will, unlike making a large transfer, result in mandatory reporting and a money laundering investigation.

Contrary to popular misunderstanding, [the reporting requirement] does not apply to checks or electronic transactions. Financial institutions suspecting deposit structuring with intent to avoid the law are required to file a suspicious activity report (SAR).

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structuring

We may have just gotten lucky. I also had a great time in Venice once by wandering off randomly and ending up somewhere I can only assume tourists don’t normally go. We bought some fruit off a boat which was both delicious and very affordable, so I assume the target demographic was not tourists. I’m pretty sure that’s not the universal experience of Venice either.

As a European from elsewhere in Europe, I’m never going back to Milan. Maybe it’s fine if you’re into fashion, but if you’re not there’s not much to look at except a cathedral which resembles every other cathedral, and it’s impossible to get a photo of it without also having a friendship bracelet scammer in the frame, actively harassing you.

All tourist locations in Italy and France have people trying to scam you (and some non-scammers just trying to sell you cheap toys), but Milan is the only place I’ve been to where they’re straight up harassing you non-stop. Go to Pisa instead, it’s super relaxing there and you can marvel at their past mistakes in structural engineering. A far better deal.