Join us for a tasty initiation into Venetian culture and discover some of the city’s top highlights, alongside a few hidden spots that only the locals know about! Learn the secrets of the Italian aperitivo, try some of the best wines from the Veneto and taste traditional local dishes on an Italian adventure you’ll never forget.
This tour is the perfect introduction to Venice, giving you an overview of the city’s unrivaled history and a taster of its world-famous cuisine.
Your adventure begins in the Cannaregio neighbourhood, one of the few remaining residential areas of Venice, known for being a popular after-work meeting spot for thirsty locals. We will take a gentle stroll around and chat about its 1,000-year history and your local guide will offer suggestions on other things to see and do during your stay.
A ride in a traditional, stand-up traghetto gondola is next as we cross the Grand Canal the way the locals do.
Once in Rialto, the food tasting can begin! Our first stop is at a small eatery, owned by a group of young locals with a passion for experimenting with traditional recipes, giving them a modern twist. Expect dishes such as black ink calamari, polenta with seafood or seasonal vegetables (served in elaborate dishes).
All the fresh fish served comes from the Rialto market, a large fruit and vegetable market in the centre of Venice. After mouth-watering tastings, we will head to the few local spots that will help you better understand the culture of Cicchetti bars in Venice and how to enjoy the food and wine experience. We will introduce you to a new bar, owned by two Venetian brothers with a passion for locally sourced food and wine, and at this stop, you will taste a local sandwich called `tramezzino` and a very local `Venetian Spritz`. Moving forward you will try dishes such as Creamy Dried Codfish Baccalà or stockfish (dried cod), which arrived in Venice in the 15th century thanks to Captain Querini. Here we will have a chance to try this traditional local recipe.
A few secrets and hidden spots near the Rialto are up next, which will demonstrate the importance of moving just one street away from the tourist hordes, to get a little slice of Venice to yourself.
The tour will end at Campo San Bortolomio, which is surrounded by great restaurants and shops. Your guide will be happy to help you with recommendations for continuing the fun or with directions to help you back to your accommodation.
Impact on the local community:
All the stores and foodie spots we visit are 100% owned and run by locals, ensuring that the local population benefits from tourism to their city. So, any inclusions on the tour and additional purchases you make will directly benefit the local community. We will take you off the main tourist trail to some of the many hidden gem neighbourhoods beyond St Mark's Square, helping to ease tourist congestion, You will pick up some responsible travel tips that will help you to be a greener traveller while you’re in the city.
Important information – There may be restrictions
In case of bad weather, we will not be able to cross the canal in the traghetto gondola due to safety reasons. However, we provide an additional tasting.
On certain dates, most travellers staying outside Venice who wish to visit for the day must pay a €5 access fee directly to the Municipality of Venice. For further details (including exceptions) and to find out on which days this fee applies and how to register or make payment, please visit: https://cda.ve.it/en/. The fee is not required if you are only visiting the islands of Murano, Torcello and Burano.
Inclusions:
- Food.
- Traghetto Gondola Crossing Fee.
- Spritz
- Wine
- Guide
Important Info:
N/A
Redeem Info:
PRINTED - Printed Voucher. Print and bring the voucher to enjoy the activity.
Starting point: ADDRESS - location.Description, Venice (and vicinity), Italy - (Longitude: 0.000000, Latitude: 0.000000)
Ending point: Other - , , - (Longitude: 0.000000, Latitude: 0.000000)
Inclusions:
- Food.
- Traghetto Gondola Crossing Fee.
- Spritz
- Wine
- Guide
Exclusions:
Important Info:
N/A