Taste the best wines & Cicchetti, fresh risotto and a traditional dessert! A few seconds of a walk from the starting point is the Rialto Bridge, the most ancient and famous bridge of Venice, built in 1264. Over time it has experienced many changes. Now it is a wonderful stone bridge but, initially, it was a simple wooden bridge for boats to pass under. Even though this is not an artistic tour, a few minutes’ stop to admire it is a must.
After the Rialto Bridge, you will cross the Erbaria square. A square where stands the oldest church of Venice, with its 1600 years of history. Nearby, there is the first 'bacaro' (traditional Venetian wine bar) where we will stop. Although it is very small it has the best food and wine in the city! You can choose the two Cicchetti you prefer with a glass of wine or a spritz. One suggestion? Try the creamed salted codfish which is absolutely delicious. [readmore] All the Venetians that meet up in front of the tavern are a living guarantee of its quality. The Rialto Market is the biggest food market in Venice, established 922 years ago. Even today, the Venetians go there to buy fruit, vegetables, fish, spices and more. You will listen to its history and learn all the ingredients used in traditional Venetian cuisine. The same ingredients that you tasted or will taste later. To mingle with local people, among colorful stands and shouting fish sellers, is the best way to learn local culture and traditions. Due to depopulation, these traditional vendors are in danger of fading away forever.
In addition to eating and going to the market, as the Venetians do, you will get a gondola, like a Venetian. This is the best way to cross the Grand Canal and reach your second stop. A few minutes of crossing will result in an unforgettable experience. Cradled by the waves, you will feel small compared to the magnificent and majestic buildings that adorn the Grand Canal. In the past, the ferry was the only alternative to a long walk for the Venetians.
Still excited by the gondola experience, you will walk through the Strada Nova. The main arterial road of the historical Cannaregio area that ends in Campo Santi Apostoli. There, in a side calle (street), beyond the touristic chaos, is the second bacaro of the tour. A beautiful Venetian tavern that offers a variety of typical cicchetti (snacks and small dishes) and high-quality wines. There you can choose two cicchetti with a glass of wine or a spritz as well.
Walking in calli and callette (small streets) towards the third and last stop, you will pass through the Court of the Milion. This is a small court with medieval charm where Marco Polo's houses stood. Who is Marco Polo? He is the famous Venetian merchant and explorer born in 1254, who, after a long journey, imported spices from the Far East. Hence the name of our tour “Via delle Spezie” (spices street)!
Close to the Court of the Milion is the third and last stop. A tavern which is the reference point for quality and service to a lot of Venetians. The long counter has cicchetti of every kind: fish, meat and vegetables. It suits every taste, even for celiac, vegetarians and vegan. They are all prepared according to the traditional Venetian cuisine by a chef team. You will eat an 'express risotto' with a glass of wine, a typical dessert with a dessert wine.
The risotto is not a precooked or frozen rice, but cooked fresh, prepared 30 minutes before your arrival. The recipe changes every time, but it will be something from the Venetian tradition. The same is for the wine chosen by the staff to enhance the risotto flavor. And the dessert? The dessert will be typical as well. It is a surprise! Get ready for something delicious since the fresh desserts are prepared every day and there will be a typical dessert wine as well. One of the Venetians’ most loved local wine, which perfectly combines with the dessert you will taste. The kitchen is in view as proof of the ingredients’ freshness and you will see the chef team at work.
By now, it will be time to say goodbye to the guide, but not before telling you two important things: how to recognize a real local Venetian and which are the best places in Venice for eating or drinking. When you travel, there is nothing better than tasting good quality, fresh, traditional food. Due to many tourist traps in the city, few visitors will get the chance to taste traditional Venetian food, and you will be one of them!
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