venice
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Spring in Venice has the scent of the first warm rays of sunshine on the bottom, aperitifs enjoyed in the field and the color of mimosa trees that sprout from unsuspected hidden gardens, between a church and a palace of the sixteenth century.
These are the most difficult things to tell when talking about Venice. The beauty of this island is unquestionable: its most famous attractions, the famous foreshortenings, Piazza San Marco and the gondolas between the canals are well impressed in our minds. But Venice is much more than the sum of its individual wonders, and to miss it when you take a vacation right here is a real shame.
Let yourself be guided by instinct, relax and try to recognize the essence of this particular city. Take the details, dwell on the architecture of less known buildings (many buildings, even non-noble ones, are more than five hundred years old and are still regularly inhabited by Venetians); take advantage of the spring sun rays to stop and contemplate the tranquility of a secluded little square, of an unknown canal, without the anxiety of having to visit all the most famous attractions; plan your itinerary and feel free to modify it at every step without warning, giving up without worries instagrammatissime attractions to accidentally discover lesser-known little pearls in the sestieri less traveled.
Spring blooms will awaken your attention to the many secret gardens of Venice that you can enjoy even just through a fleeting glance through gates and railings. Observe the rising and falling tides, adapt to its rhythm and identify yourself with the "breath of Venice", in its millennial balance between sea and surface.
One thing is certain, you will not regret it.
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The Italian version of happy hour and the local version of tapas come together for a uniquely Venetian evening activity: the bacaro-tour. In the evenings, people go from bar to bar, drinking wine or spritz and eating different little bites of food. It’s a way to spend the evening tasting many different things in a lively atmosphere. Not only will it be cheaper than eating out, it might also be more authentic. While there are restaurants that serve as tourist traps, cicchetti bars cater primarily to locals, so you’re sure to eat something delicious.
AL MERCA
This tiny bar near Rialto market is packed full with tiny sandwiches, meatballs, tramezzini and other such nibbles. People love to hang out in the campo here, so get something delicious and sit amongst the buzzing crowd.
AL BOTTEGON
A super-traditional bacaro run by three generations of one family, this place is a local favourite and a must for cicchetti aficionados. You’ll find all kinds of deliciousness behind the counter, from thinly sliced wisps of lard topped with honey, to tuna with mayonnaise and dark cocoa. They also sell vino sfuso by the liter.
OSTERIA AL SQUERO
It’s just down the street from Al Bottegon, but has a younger, livelier vibe. Beloved by students of the nearby Ca’ Foscari, this bar gets really crowded towards late afternoon. The drinks are well-made and the snacks are heavenly.
ALLA VEDOVA
It’s a cosy tavern serving good, simple food, but everyone knows you’re here for the polpette, crispy pork meatballs that go down easy with an ombra of wine. Mingle with the neighbourhood clientele and eat your snacks standing up while enjoying the convivial atmosphere.
ALL'ARCO
You’ll find a range of incredible dishes served up cicchetti-style, with an emphasis on local seafood. It’s a favourite of gondoliers working nearby. If you want to have a quick but scrumptious lunch this is the place, but get there early or all the tastiest morsels will be gone.
CANTINA DO MORI
This place dates back to 1462, an incredible feat in itself. The cantina’s traditional mindset is reflected in the decor, with lots of shiny copper pots hanging from the ceiling. Make sure to get the special, which is a tiny sandwich called the francobollo, or ‘postage stamp’.
BACARO RISORTO
This tiny bar sits at a busy intersection, and you’ll always find its clientele gathered on the street corner under its awnings. Though the space is limited, the fare is excellent. In the afternoon, you’ll sit with parents drinking spritz while their children play in the calle, and in the evening, you’ll join a lively, local crowd.
A visit to Venice is not complete unless you seize the opportunity to admire the city from above...
With its 99 metres of height, St Mark’s Campanile offers the best view over the city and its lagoon! However, many visitors often skip this fascinating landmark discouraged because of long queues at the entrance, and prefer spending more time sightseeing, but you can book online your St Mark's Campanile tickets: the price includes a privileged skip-the-line entrance to San Marco Bell Tower which permits you to avoid the wastage of your precious time.
The imposing structure of the St Mark’s Bell Tower in Venice - and especially its great height – gives the profile of Venice an unmistakable symbol of greatness: the St Mark’s Campanile in Venice overlooks the entire city and the surrounding lagoon, allowing those who climb it, particularly on clear days, to enjoy far-reaching views that extend almost as far as the Alps.
Built with the purpose of serving as a beacon for sailors of the lagoon, the original Piazza San Marco Bell Tower was built on Roman foundations - probably a watch tower - and completed in 1173. After various changes and transformations over the centuries, the current form of the Campanile of St. Mark's Square Venice is in line with the architecture of the 15th century, when it was renovated and designed by Giorgio Terror, under the direction of Bartolomeo Bon. The main differences can be seen in the marble belfry, the addition of the upper structure with four faces – on which the Lion of San Marco and Venice appear - and the slender spire of bronze bearing on the tip a golden statue of the Archangel Gabriel which, placed on a turntable, acts as a wind vane. The height of St Mark’s Campanile is almost 100 m.
Each of the five bells placed in the loggia of St Mark's Campanile has a role: the 'Marangona' - the only surviving original - announced the beginning and end of the working days of the 'cormorant' (carpenters Arsenal) and meetings of the Great Council; the 'Nona' marks the south and the 'Trottiera' warned the nobles who were attending the meetings of the Great Council, and the 'Mezza Terza' informed the meeting of the Senate, and finally the 'Malefico' informed of an execution.
In the history of science, the Campanile in St Mark’s Square in Venice reached its moment of glory in 1609 when Galileo proved right here the effectiveness of his telescope.
A special mention is deserved for the loggia of St Mark's Campanile - at the base of the tower - facing the basilica, which was built in the 16th century by Jacopo Sansovino. The marble structure of the loggia is decorated with statues and portraits of classical taste that represent allegories to celebrate the Venice Republic. The loggia was also the seat of the guard of Arsenalotti, the prestigious military-corporation of workers employed in the Arsenal of Venice, who stood guard at the meetings of the Great Council. Along with the bell tower, the work of Sansovino 'separates' St Mark’s Square from the smaller St Mark’s square.
On 14 July 1902 the St Mark’s Bell Tower Venice collapsed on the square: fortunately with no casualties or serious damage to the surrounding architectural treasures, but the tower and below the loggia were almost completely destroyed. Recovering what was left of the original fragments, the San Marco Campanile was rebuilt 'where it was and how it was' - the famous phrase given by the mayor Grimani in his speech after the incident – on 25 April 1912.
For those wishing to visit Venice, the majestic St Mark's Campanile admission and Sansovino loggia remain one of the attractions not-to-be-missed.
St Mark’s Campanile opening times for skip-the-line entrance
The service is only available from 1 April to 31 October. St Mark’s Campanile Venice tickets can be purchased online up to 10 minutes before the selected entrance time.
Please note that, during the daytime, there are at least two time options available per hour (12 places available for each option) according to the time slot you choose to access the Campanile di San Marco with skip-the-line service.
10.15 / 10.30 / 10.45 am
11.15 / 11.30 / 11.45 am
12.15 / 12.30 / 12.45 pm
1.15 / 1.30 / 1.45 pm
2.15 / 2.30 / 2.45 pm
3.00 / 3.30 / 3.45 pm
4.15 / 4.30 / 4.45 pm
5.00 / 5.15 / 5.30 / 5.45 pm
6.00 pm
Campanile di San Marco ticket price: €8.00 (this ticket can be purchased only on the spot and does not include the skip-the-line access)
Campanile San Marco tickets with skip-the-line access
Full: €13.00
Concessions
Children up to 5 years old: free
From 6 to 18 years old: €9.00
PLEASE NOTE: to enjoy free admission to the bell tower, children up to 5 years old have to be held in their parents' arms. Otherwise children need a reduced ticket 6-18 years old because, as a matter of fact, they take up one of the places available in the lift.
You can go up and down the bell tower exclusively via lift: it is not possible to walk up, therefore this visit is not recommended to those who suffer from claustrophobia.
The visit to St Mark’s Campanile in Venice, Italy, will be suspended in case of unfavourable weather conditions (fog, strong wind, intense cold temperatures, ...).
For ticket holders with skip-the-line access to St Mark’s Campanile, the entrance door is located on the side of the tower connected to St Mark’s Square: once you are in front of the Campanile main entrance, you will find the door for visitors with online booking on the right. The voucher you receive at the end of the booking process contains all the instructions to help you reach the meeting place.
The online reservation for Campanile San Marco in Venice (ticket + skip-the-line service) is non-refundable: once the payment has been made, the booking cannot be changed and/or cancelled.
For reasons of force majeure (e.g. high water level) or in days with high turnout, the waiting time to go up the bell tower could last longer than expected. If such were the case, please respect the instructions given by the staff on site.
Visiting Venice will now cost an extra few Euros even if you don't stay overnight. The Italian city's council has approved a visitors' tax, brought in as part of the 2019 budget, which will target daytrippers and help to pay for essential services like rubbish collection and cleaning. Day tourists will be charged €3 for the rest of 2019, to double next year. Variations for high and low traffic days mean the tax will range from €3 to €10.
Anyone born in Venice, studying, living or working there will be exempt, as will children under six years old and people visiting family.
Tourists will have to go to transport and tourism agencies to pay the tax.
Although Venice has not stated how it will enforce the tax, anyone flouting it could face a fine of €450.
Only about one-fifth of all visitors to the city spend at least one night in the historic centre.
The iconic make-up of the city means maintenance and security costs are extremely high, and the mayor Luigi Brugnaro said the substantial costs have so far been paid "only by Venetians."
According to city officials, maintaining public buildings in Venice costs a third more than it does on the mainland, with vital materials and equipment having to be brought in by boat and much of the cleaning done by hand.
If you are seeking the pure essence of La Serenissima, the lagoon has many bewildering wonders to experience.
The Venetian lagoon is a 55,000-hectare stretch of water, the largest wetland in Italy and one of the most important coastal ecosystems in the Mediterranean. The environmental and its heritage was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and it envelops various hidden gems and islands that a lucky few can explore.
These are some of the islands you can enjoy in the Venetian Lagoon:
Burano, laces and fishing tourism
All visitors of Burano remain intrigued by the many colours and the colorful houses that are reflected into the green waters of channels, by the leaning bell tower, by the tranquility and the calmness with which the elderly ladies embroider original Burano lace by their tombolo (or lace pillow), while they are laughing and chatting in squares among them. It seems to be in paradise. Children who dart freely with their bicycles, balconies with multicolored flowers, fishermen who put up fresh fish from their traditional boats.
Although in lacemaking in Burano is the main craftsmanship attraction, enchanting is also the "lume glass working": a technique born in the nearby island of Murano, but also widespread in the other islands of the Venetian Lagoon. Burano is not an exception to this and it is quite easy to come across some little shops where you can admire this type of Murano glass processing. Real glass factories in miniature, such as the shop located in Fondamenta Giudecca 132, inside a typical and small green house.
If you search for a place to eat like a local, Burano is very famous for its fish dishes, the most famous of which is the "risotto de gò": the broth in which the rice is cooked and creamed is extracted from the "gò" a fish typical of the Venice lagoon, known in English under the name of "goby". The dishes of the Burano's cuisine are served in restaurants, who despite being known from the point of view of the quality of the service, in the kitchen maintain the genuineness of a typical old "trattoria buranella" (a Burano's tavern) and where you can still eat delicious fresh fish.
Pellestrina island
The ideal time to come is the summer, when the inhabitants of Pellestrina organize the festival of the “Madonna dell’Apparizione” (Our Lady of the Apparition), and visit the beautiful sanctuary that was built in 1717 on the site where the Virgin Mary appeared to a young boy and advised him to pray for the salvation of Venice. It was the time when the city was besieged by the Turks, and the following day, the Venetians won the Battle against their opposers.
Torcello Island
Torcello is an enchanting island, populated by only 10 Venetians, and is mostly known for “Attila’s Throne” — an ancient stone chair that probably belonged to the Podestà and had nothing to do with the king of the Huns — The Devil’s Bridge, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and the Locanda Cipriani.
But a real treat that is for the few is the Casa Museo Andrich, where artists Lucio Andrich and Clementina De Luca lived. Andrich was an Italian painter, engraver, sculptor and mosaicist, who collaborated with his wife Clementina, producing a body of work of about 1,300 art pieces. Their enchanting property is also an educational farm, where you can learn about their cultivation techniques, the wildlife populating the lagoon and the history of its formation.
Torcello was an inspiration for creative minds such as Ernest Hemingway, who spent some time on the island during the late forties writing "Across the River and Into the Trees." The same poetic flair can be captured by the legacy of Andrich’s creations.
Sant'Erasmo island
Sant'Erasmo is an island that is part of the Northern Venetian Lagoon, it's sparsely inhabited but second in size after Venice.
It is one of the few islands in the Lagoon of Venice where cars are present, even if only the residents can drive them because there isn't any way for a tourist to bring his car on the island.
Sant'Erasmo is located in the exact center between Burano, Murano and Punta Sabbioni and its position gives it a fertile land so as to be the Venetian Lagoon's agricultural island, rich in orchards and vineyards: very famous are the violet artichoke of Sant'Erasmo.
The island of Sant'Erasmo is reachable from the "Venice Fondamente Nove", "Treporti Ricevitoria" or "Murano Faro"'s water-bus stop through the ACTV public ferry line or with a private transfer.
Santa Cristina Island
The lagoon has more private islands than you would expect. But some of these are abandoned, or have been acquired by big corporations and transformed into luxury hotels, such as San Clemente Palace Kempinski. But there also private islands that have been transformed into eco-resorts, where the sumptuousness of being sheltered in nature is the epitome of haute villégiature.
That is the case with the ravishing Santa Cristina Island, that has been transformed by the Austrian couple Rene and Sandra Deutsch into a sublime retreat for exclusive guests, who can wander around the stupendous gardens, populated by peacocks and various bird species.
This exclusive sanctuary of well-being, that is accessible only by private boat, is fully sustainable. Isola Santa Cristina produces its own fresh drinking water, with wells that go hundreds of meters deep, harnessing cutting-edge technology to clean the water. The hotel’s vegetable patch is curated by local agronomists and an ancient fishing farm has been reprised thanks to the collaboration with the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.
La Certosa island
The island of La Certosa is a a green oasis in the Venetian lagoon.
La Certosa Island spreads across 22 hectares and is considered a green oasis of the Venetian lagoon. The humungous park is characterized by thickets of white, black and ash poplars, alternating with non-native tree and shrub species.
In ancient times it was called the Isola di Sant'Andrea del Lido or also Isola di San Bruno in honor of the founder of the Carthusian Order. The charter house consisted of two islands separated by a long canal and in 1424 the Church of Sant’ Andrea Apostolo, that was built by Pietro Lombardo.
Here you can admire masterpieces by Titian, Palma il Giovane, Bartolomeo Vivarini and Tintoretto. Two Doges were buried in this church and several weddings are still celebrated with bucolic flair, as wild goats roam about.
Isola del Lazzaretto Nuovo
The Isola del Lazzaretto Nuovo (New Quarantine) should not be mistaken with the Lazzaretto Vecchio (Old Quarantine), which in 1423 was a plague hospital and today is the headquarters of the Venice Film Festival's Virtual Reality installations. The Lazzaretto Nuovo was built later, in 1468, for incoming ships and cargo, where crews and goods were inspected for signs of sickness.
The island can be visited between April and October, only on Saturdays and Sundays. You will see the chief building on the island, the “Tezon Grande,” that used to store the goods from quarantined ships. Under the regime of Napoleon, and later the Austrians, the Lazzaretto Nuovo was used as the lagoon’s military defense system, known as “Le Fortificazioni,” that today is used as an exhibition space.
San Francesco del Deserto Island
The San Francesco del Deserto Island was anciently called Isola delle Due Vigne (Island of the Two Vineyards) and was owned by the Venetian nobleman Jacopo Michiel. It changed name when in 1233 he donated the island to the Franciscan Order, after Saint Francis resided on the island for a short time. The suffix “of the Desert” (del Deserto) was added later, when the island was abandoned for a brief period due to the plague.
You may visit San Francesco del Deserto with a private boat that will leave you on a small dock, that leads to the entrance of the monastery. Once you arrive to the friary and ring the bell, you will be greeted by a monk who will guide you across the holy island. This is an opportunity to plunge into the historical-religious culture of Sant Francesco del Deserto, as well as to enjoy the peace and tranquility that the place offers.
La Poveglia
This seven hectare uninhabited island is not open to the public, but with a private boat you can go on a pic-picnic excursion, and most importantly on a haunting adventure. La Poveglia — that was known in antiquity as Popilia, for the abundance of popular trees — is famous for its ghost stories.
In the 1700s it became a quarantine for the Bubonic plague, and during the twentieth century the island was said to be populated by phantoms — 160,000 bodies had been dumped on the island which is why halff the soil is human ash. In 1922 a building was erected on La Poveglia. The archives officially claim it was a retirement home for the elderly, but testimonies have a different version to the story: apparently it was used as an asylum. It closed down in 1946, but in the meantime there are legends of a sadist psychiatrist who lobotomized his patients, who were haunted by the souls of those who died during the plague. The doctor reportedly threw himself off the bell tower, claiming to be driven mad by the apparitions of his victims.
In the meantime some visitors have declared to have walked past objects that were standing on side of the ruined building, and as they returned later during the day were placed in a completely different area. Hence, La Poveglia is a must-see for all aspiring ghostbusters!
Any international magazines include Burano among the top 10 most colorful cities in the world
The colorful houses, the fishermen, the lace, the desserts and the fish dishes. The island of Burano leaves enchanted, it is a small pearl in the middle of the lagoon
The inhabitants of Altino to escape the barbarian invasions, took refuge in the various islands of the lagoon, giving these the names of the six gates of the city: Murano, Mazzorbo, Burano, Torcello, Ammiana and Costanziaco, derived precisely from the names of the doors of Altino.
Since the time of the Republic of Venice, Burano with its modest population of about 8,000 people, was an island of poor people who lived mainly from fishing and agriculture. Thanks to the skill of the lace makers began to grow, to enrich themselves and expand the local crafts also in foreign countries.
Burano is very famous for its needle lace. However, there is also a production of Venetian masks and many inhabitants of the island work in nearby Murano, producing precious glass objects.
Public transportations
From Santa Lucia Railway Station
ACTV's lines (Venetian public transport company) that bring to "Fondamente Nove":
Lines 1 e N (Nocturne): get off at Ca' D'oro stop and proceed to Fondamente Nove (5 minutes) at the boarding for the 12 line, which connects Venice to Burano
Lines 4.2 e 5.2: get off at Fondamente Nove stop and go to the 12 line's boarding beyond Donà Bridge. This line connects Venice to Burano in about 40 minutes.
Line 3 (Murano Direct): get off at "Murano Faro" stop and take the waterbus to Burano at the 12 Boarding.
Capture the colour of Burano
If you’ve heard of Burano, or at the very least entered it into Google images, the one thing you’ll have taken away is the vibrancy of its buildings. Tangerine, teal, fuchsia, and lime houses line the canal and cobbled streets, but it’s not just for aesthetic reasons – the fishermen who first inhabited them picked bold colours to help them find their way back after a long day on the water in the thick fog that often descends upon the Lagoon, and some matched their boat colours to their house so if something happened to them the colour would indicate which door to knock on.
Learn to make lace
After fishing, lacemaking is Burano’s biggest money maker. The tradition dates back to the 1500s and was almost exclusively done at Scuola Merletti, or the Lace School, which is now a museum dedicated to the craft. What makes Burano lace different to other types of lace is the intricacy of the pattern and the delicate, gossamer-fine threads used. Only a handful of women do it in the traditional way these days, so the lace shops in the square are filled with replicas and even lace made in China, so check the label carefully. If it seems too cheap, it probably isn’t the real deal – Venetian lace is a luxury item that few can afford a lot of. Go to Dalla Lidia Merletti d'Arte for authentic Burano lace. Want to learn the art of Burano lace making? Martina Vidal Venezia is a Home Linen Atelier created by Martina and her brother Sergio as a concept store and teaching workshop, where you can sign up for an eight-hour introductory course. Price on request.
Prop up the leaning campanile of San Martino
Leaning Tower of Pisa? Been there, done that. Stand in the main square that surrounds the Church of San Martino in Burano and you can seemingly hold up the slanted ‘campanile’ without having to fight with hundreds of other visitors trying to get the same shot. Once you’ve got your picture, head inside and marvel at the architecture and Rococo art. Look out for the famous trio of St. Rocco, St. Sebastian and St. Antonio Abate by Jacopo Palma il Giovane and be sure to get close enough to the main altar to appreciate the ornate columns of French red marble and ancient oriental marble that encase it.
Eat fresh seafood – for half the price of Venice
Almost all of the fish in Rialto market in Venice is caught by the fisherman of Burano, so a visit to Burano itself means you can enjoy the much-lauded seafood straight from the source and without the premium the tourist hotspot demands. If you only have time for one restaurant during your trip, make it Al Gatto Nero. It’s a favourite of food bloggers – and chefs like Jamie Oliver – and has been serving a menu of fresh fish and pasta that changes daily since the 1960s. Pappardelle with langoustines and smoked ricotta is a must try, as is the John Dory and platter of razor clams, when they’re available. If you like your lunch with a side of art, book a table at Trattoria da Romano where you can enjoy traditional Venetian cuisine surrounded by more than 400 paintings from local and now-famous artists who paid for their meal with their work. It’s a favourite of Keith Richards and was once the haunt of Ernest Hemingway and Charlie Chaplin – look carefully at the menu for proof of their visits.
Satisfy your sweet tooth
After your fill of fish, find a pasticceria and hone in on the Bussolai Buranei or Venetian butter cookies. The delicious S-shaped biscuit is a local favourite steeped in history – they were originally made by fishermen’s wives for their husbands destined for long periods on the water because they would stay fresh all day – and they’re served in most cafés, alongside your espresso. At Panificio Pasticceria Palmisano Carmelina they’re flavoured with vanilla, lemon, or if you’re lucky, rum.
VENICE CARNIVAL EVENTS AND TIPS
Venice Carnival season lasts about two weeks, culminating on the day of Carnival or Shrove Tuesday.
A few events mark the highlights of Venice Carnival:
Water Parade
The first Saturday and Sunday of Carnival, a parade of brightly decorated boats plies the Rio di Cannaregio starting at 6pm on Saturday, and continuing on Sunday from 11 AM. After the parade, food stalls open on the canalside promenade.
Festa delle Marie
On the second Saturday of Carnival takes place this historical procession that recalls the tradition of 12 of Venice's fairest young women being presented to the Doge. This parade, one of the few to take place on dry land, begins at via Garibaldi and culminates at Piazza San Marco.
Flight of the Angel
On the second Sunday of Carnival, a costumed angel "flies", suspended on a rope, through Piazza San Marco to greet the Doge.
Tips for Visiting Venice During Carnevale Season
Plan ahead and book your hotel well in advance for Carnival season, it is an high season period.
Carnevale is an elegant affair in Venice. People wear elaborate costumes and masks all over town so there's lots to see just by walking around.
Although the main events are centered around Piazza San Marco, Carnival events are held in every Sestiere.
Most high-end hotels hold masked balls, which are smaller and more private than the public events.
Carnival dates change every year, corresponding with Shrove Tuesday forty days before Easter. Check Carnival upcoming dates here and go to the Venice Carnival site for updated event information.
Carnevale is a winter event, so weather may be cold or rainy - see Venice Weather for average temperatures and rainfall.
The official website of the Carnevale di Venezia has information on these and all other public events associated with the festivities.
On the 6th of January will take place the traditional Befane Regatta.
This is a playful regatta between the old members of the city's oldest rowing company, the Bucintoro, which, disguised as "Befane", compete in the central stretch of the Grand Canal from S. Tomà to the Rialto Bridge.
The regatta has reached its 41st edition, 5 members of the Bucintoro will participate, the departure is scheduled at 11 am, the finish line is placed under the Rialto bridge, to which a huge stocking is hung.
Tiramisù, one of the best cake in Italy, and a unique way to taste it in Venice at I Tre Mercanti
Three local venetian guys in 2007 realised that our town deserved a place where Venetan residents and visitors alike could finally find the best ingredients of the Italian culinary tradition.
Tiramisù has been created in Veneto in the beautiful town of Treviso near Venice in the 60’s, and has quickly become the most famous Italian cake all over the world even though very few has been able to master it, innovate and at the same time remain faithful to the original rich and light combination of flavours.
I Tre Mercant has been able to keep a strong foot in the tradition, perfecting the original recipe, and at the same tme bring new life to Tiramisù by exploring with new flavours and ingredients.In this unique place in the city centre of Venice, you can taste an incredible variety of Tiramisù.
http://www.itremercant.it/
What can you do if you are visiting Venice during Christmas time?
First of all, you can have a quiet walk in a less crowded city, with a magical mist and Christmas lights on the houses and on the canals. In St. Mark square you will find the Christmas Tree, and you can walk under the porticos of the Procuratie, where the ceilings are decorated with luminous rows that recall a cascade of snowflakes.In Calle XXIII Marzo, the street of the luxury shops, you can make shopping under luminaries that create a unique atmosphere with the ancient palaces.
Soak up the festive atmosphere by strolling through the streets and lingering in squares or churches to listen to choirs singing and the church bells ringing. On Christmas Day itself, the bells ring out all day from St Mark's Bell Tower.
If your walk has left you chilly warm up with a hot chocolate in Caffè Florian on St Mark's Square.
Do you want to buy some typical food or some artisanal gift?
Take advantage of the Christmas Market in Strada Nova and Accademia area, maybe drinking a glass of Vin Brulè (typical winter hot wine) to warm up a little.
In Campo San Polo there is the ice skating rink, fun for adults and children.Are you classical music lovers?
If the answer is yes, the Venice Christmas season offers a variety of concerts. Many Venetian churches for Christmas o organize evening shows: from traditional Christmas songs to more modern tunes performed by international singers, in short, shows for all tastes.And you cannot miss the Santa Claus Run on 16th of December, starting from Campo San Giacometto, close to Rialto Bridge.
Venetians have their main Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve or “La Vigilia”. Families traditionally tuck into a fish dinner of several courses before heading to midnight mass. If you want to join them, services at St Mark's Basilica start at 11:30 p.m. and are conducted in English, French and German as well as Italian.
Our list of Vegan and Vegetarian restaurants in Venice
Calle dei Sechi Dorsoduro 2104, Venice
Vegan restaurant
La Tecia Vegana, literally “The Vegan Pot”, is a small and comfortable restaurant in the heart of the city of Venice, and the only organic vegan restaurant. The restaurant is managed by husband-and-wife team, that in the kitchen create delectable dishes such as ravioli with seitan and porcini mushrooms, and offer many gluten-free dishes.
Fondamenta San Giobbe 548 B, 30121 Venice
Vegan Crepes
Cocaeta (meaning “little tern” in Venetian dialect) is a super tiny creperie in Venice, located about 10 minutes walking distance from Venice train station. The mixture of all crêpes is vegan, and you can chose from many vegan ingredients. It is perfect for a quick lunch or a snack in the afternoon.
Castello 1341, 30122 Venice
Vegan dishes
It is a small gastronomy in the venetian district of Castello, that offers vegetarian and vegan dishes. Very good for a quick lunch or a take away in one of the less known district of Venice.
Cannaregio 4383, Venice
Vegan pizza
A small local where you can eat a vegetarian or vegan pizza, very rare to find in the city of Venice. You can sit down in one of the table, or take your vegan pizza and eat it where you prefer.
Cannaregio 1847/b e Campo Santa Margherita, Venice
Vegan restaurant
It is a journey through spicy oriental flavors, in one of the less crowded and more inspiring district of Venice, Cannaregio. You can compose your own plate with 3 or 4 dishes of your choice. The local is tiny and intimate, very good for a romantic dinner.
Calle Della Mandola 3711, 30124 Venice
Vegan take away
It is a take away pizzeria, located between St. Marc square and Rialto bridge, in the heart of the city of Venice. The menu offers a fair number of vegan pizzas, and sandwiches and other vegan snacks that are prepared in advance and put in plain sight.
Cannaregio 4467, Venezia
Vegan Restaurant
Fiumefreddo is a small place in a strategic position close to Rialto bridge. It is a gastronomy with few seats and a small outdoor area with vegan proposals from breakfast to dinner, passing for lunch and aperitif.
Venezia, Calle dei Stagneri 5242, Venice
Vegan Restaurant
Is one of the historic restaurants in Venice, from 1960, that has decided to fully welcome the progress of vegan cuisine. To try for those who want to get a taste of authentic Venice, discarding fish and meat.
Santa Croce, 1762, Venice
Vegan restaurant
La Zucca is one of the best restaurants that offers vegetarian food. You can start your meal with a Tagliatelle with tomatoes and eggplant from its ever changing menu and finish with mouthwatering strawberries and cream topped with chocolate sauce. If your companion isn't a vegetarian and would love a fix of meat, there is also the choice of a juicy duck thigh with apples. The restaurant is located near a nice small canal, in the Santa Croce district, in the middle of Venice.
Cannaregio 2085 – Rio Terà de la Maddalena, 30123 Venezia
Vegan smoothies
Purem is a smoothie paradise. The good news for vegans is that each of the many versions indicated on the blackboard can be made with vegetable milk: soy, rice, coconut and almond. The same is for dark hot chocolate. All the fruit is organic and the combinations are many, imaginative and inviting.
To create a fórcola, the oarlock of the gondoliers, the artisans start from trunk quarters (walnut, cherry, pear, apple, maple).
A forcola is the result of manual skills and and vision, where touch play a key role. Every bend, every elbow must allow the numerous and different movements of the oar in the water
A Forcola ( Photo by Simone Padovani)
This is the list of Simone favourite ethnic restaurants in Venice.
Gran Viale S. M. Elisabetta 28, Venice Lido
The Buddha Soul Restò is a typical Indian cuisine restaurant located in Venice Lido. Lights, colours and flavours of India in the new restaurant on Grand Avenue. Not only rice, spices, curry and chutney, Under a sky of stars (even in the small dining room), you can taste typical dishes especially the Indian, “Thali”, main dish consists of several portions, variants that you prefer. In addition, take-away point, a small Indian grill, and home dinners and catering service.
Giudecca 70, Fondamenta Della Croce, Venice
Mexican food in Venice? No problem, just choose the restaurant mural in Le Zitelle Fondamenta, La Giudecca. The strong flavours and tastes spicy Central American cuisine with a blend of beautiful scenery and interesting streets and squares.
Cannaregio 225, Rio Terà Lista De Spagna, Venice
The restaurant Mirai comes from the philosophy of the classic Japanese sushi and observes the precepts of preparation. The creative sushi is a new and old to assemble ingredients belonging to different traditions, but whose common element is the rice. The Mirai favors the use of fish (and the best quality and freshness); Closed on Mondays and other days it is open from 19 to 23.30.
San Polo 2559, Fondamenta dei Frari, Venice
Frary’s Bar is a charming restaurant in the San Polo 2559, with a view across the Frari: a few tables, prepared in a simple way but tastefully . A candle light, you can immerse yourself in the tastes and smells of the Middle Eastern cuisine: the couscous with vegetables and tzatziki sauce gyros at mutton, rice Jordanian Musaka the Greek by Greek almond biscuits and walnut pudding with Arabic mint and pistachio. And then the Arab bread served warm. The Greek wines are imported, carefully selected thanks to the Hellenic Owner.
Rio Terà Farsetti, 1847/b, Venice
The ideal place to try a fusion cuisine, with influences from Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kurdistan, perfectly fell within the lagoon culinary tradition. The dishes served are mainly based on rice, vegetables, meat and spices. Many spices. The quality of the food is very high, the variety of alternatives to choose from so wide that you almost feel embarrassed about making choices.
Calle dei Boteri, 1659, Venice
Typical Chinese cuisine, with some markedly Mediterranean influence. A well-groomed environment where you can enjoy a wide variety of valuable dishes. Excellent appetizers, delicious first courses of rice and spaghetti, delicious main courses, especially those with prawns and beef. The ideal would be to try a little of everything, but to do it you need to come back several times.
Sestiere Cannaregio, 2873, Venice
Jewish restaurant with furnishings and decorations intimate garden which also offers Italian foods, gluten-free and vegan.
Calle Lunga San Barnaba, 2722, Venice
An African restaurant staffed by refugees and immigrants from all over Africa.
Fondamenta S. Severo, 5018, Venice
Mediterranean menu and Venetian and Asian specialties including wood and exposed stone in a rustic-chic location.
Calle del Scaleter, 2426, Venice
Typical Indian curry served in a simple and relaxed venue, carpeted with oriental artwork.
Black and White, long exposure view of San Giorgio Island . Photo by Simone Padovani
Details
Camera Nikon D500
Filters NiSi 10 Stop
Focal Length 12.0 mm
Aperture f22
Shutter Speed 87s
ISO 100
Which one are our favourite restaurants in Venice?? Where do we go for formal lunch?? Or for a romantic dinner? It is now time to tel.
Do leave your feedback and post below or tell us YOUR favourite venues!!
Vegetarian restaurants are hard to find in Venice, once you've eliminated pizza from your list of menu choices. And while Osteria La Zucca isn't a vegetarian restaurant, (No fish and a little bit of meat, lot of vegetables) it's a great place for anyone who likes vegetables--if only because Zucca's chefs turn common garden-variety ingredients like carrots and eggplant into works of culinary art. Zucca is a small restaurant with just two rooms and a total seating capacity of 30 to 35 customers. In summer outdoor tables add space for a few more guests. The atmosphere is modern with slatted wood tables and walls. Wine racks add to the cozy ambience, and an attractive display case in the front room lets you see what dishes are being served.
La Zucca is owned by three partners who take turns cooking. The chefs and of course the menus vary from one day to the next, so it's hard to recommend any one specialty.
Osteria La Zucca
San Giacomo dell'Orio
Santa Croce 1762 - Venezia
Italy
Tel. 041-52 41 570
The quiet district of Cannaregio is home to one of Venice’s unique restaurants. Don’t expect white tablecloths and candles at this more hip and cool place with a very local feel. A seat at the long table inside or at one of the tables outside along the canal is highly coveted and reservations are recommended. The food comes mainly from the sea.
Don’t be surprised to find the chef/owner Maurizio sitting next to you at the table; he’s known to mingle with the guests, giving generously of his time. He looks like a cross between Santa and the Swedish chef from the Muppets and the way he plays host at his restaurant helps to make it a genuine experience. He speaks several languages, but refuses to speak English.
Paradiso Perduto is one of the few restaurants in Venice where you can also enjoy live music three Sundays a month, mostly jazz or salsa.
Paradiso Perduto
Fondamenta de la Misericordia, 2640
This restaurant Osteria is of the most ancient in Cannaregio District in Venice, opened since the 18th century! Its chief, Alvise Ceccato, Venetian and proud to be, has decided to only offer typical Venetian dishes.
Food and especially fish is fresh from the market. You will eat here for about 35€ per person plus beverages for a full meal antipasti + Primi Patti + Secondi Piatti + Desserts.
Restaurant Antica Adelaide
3728, Calle Larga Priuli Racheta
Cannaregio
Venezia
Cuisine and chaos at a old-school trattoria in Venice A veritable seafood mecca since 1954 Situated near the Rialto market, originally an antique Venetian tavern characterised by the presence of an ancient grapevine, which has maintained over the years its style and quality of its traditional dishes with the freshness of the raw materials as its strong point.
Their specialities are based mainly on a fish menu prepared to naturally enhance the typical flavours of each single dish, of the many proposals we recommend sardines in "soar", crab, risotto with seafood or squid ink, grilled and fried fish.
Meat based dishes include Venetian style liver, grilled chops and ox fillets.
The cellar offers a good choice of wines from the Friuli region, the principal Italian regional labels, such as Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti Riserva.
The restaurant is often visited by cultural and show business celebrities, who prefer an informal setting with an attentive quick service.
The service here is friendly but occasionally brusque as waiters constantly rush to satisfy diners. You won’t be able to linger over your meals here—so only visit if you’re looking for fast, delicious, traditional food, not a romantic evening out.
Trattoria alla Madonna
Calle della Madonna, San Polo, 594 - 30125 Venezia (VE) - IT
Tel: + 39 041.5223824
Fax: + 39 041.5210167
www.ristoranteallamadonna.com
Tradition meets the modern world in this brand new restaurant, Graspo de Ua, offering – in the chef’s own words – “Italian and Venetian style food”. The dish to try is bigoli in salsa, whole-wheat spaghetti with sardines and onions, or the fried cod with vegetable flan.
Wine lovers can count on more than 200 labels, and light tasting menus are also available. It’s not the cheapest place in Venice, but the classy atmosphere makes it worth it. And if you’re travelling with kids, keep in mind that under 12s get a 50% discount on their meal.
S. Marco, 5096, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
+39 041 528 8285
If you are looking for one of the most special restaurants in Venice where you can enjoy a meal from a terrace with a view, then Riviera is a great choice, as the view is superb. One of the most distinctive aspects of the menu is that it presents traditional dishes with a modern twist; it includes some seafood dishes, as well as others made from locally sourced meat. Although it might stretch your budget, dishes such as the venison with blueberry sauce and spaghetti with langoustine tails really make a trip here worthwhile.
Fondamenta Zattere al Ponte Longo 1473,
30123 Venezia, Italy
http://www.ristoranteriviera.it/
Alle Testiere
If you manage to get reservations at this beautiful little restaurant, you can be confident that you’ll get to try some wonderfully prepared simple dishes. The restaurant only has space for twenty-four people (they do two sittings in the evening), which gives it an amazing atmosphere. They also have a great range of local and regional wines. The seafood plays the starring role, and whether you opt for squid in ink, oysters, or whatever else has been caught by the fishermen that day, you can be confident of excellent quality.
Calle del Mondo Novo 5801,
30122 Venezia, Italy
http://www.osterialletestiere.it
Antiche Carampane
This absolutely hidden local favorite is worth finding for its insiders-only, clubby vibe that still somehow maintains an unpretentious air. Standouts from the typically Venetian menu include dishes like fried soft-shell crab with delicious fried eggplant slivers, seasonal vegetables, and daily fish specials. Fish is the thing here, just about the freshest you can imagine. In fact, while I was there recently the owner had to interrupt taking my order to chat with a fisherman who had just arrived. They were discussing what he was likely to catch the following day, and if so, how much Carampane would order. That’s right. They were talking about fish so fresh it was still swimming around in the ocean.
Do feel free to look at the menu, but it’s mostly just for show. (except for the large sign out front that declares: no pizza, no lasagna, no menu turistico. That’s for real) The menu changes daily based on – as I’ve explained – the catch of the day.
Antiche Carampane
Rio Terra delle Carampane
+39.041.524.0165
A general view of the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge, seen from the rooftop of the Fondeco dei Tedeschi. Photo by Marco Secchi
Details
Camera MakeLeica Camera AG
Camera ModelLEICA M10
Focal Length35.0mm
Aperture f8
Shutter Speed1/30s
ISO1600
Doge Palace, Capital n23 People of the World "Ongari" Hungarians - Next to Tatars and Turks
During a photo walk in Venice this morning.
