Experience Venice like a Local: 5 Cicchetti & 5 Wines
Discover magical Venice with a local by your side. Drink like a Venetian at some of our favourite and most authentic bacari wine bars. Cross the famous canal on a traghetto gondola like the locals do and explore the heart of the city: Rialto. Taste flavoursome regional wines and mouth-watering local cuisine. Get the lowdown on Venice and discover the secrets of the iconic and oh-so-Italian aperitivo, vino in hand.
This tour is the perfect introduction to Venice, giving you an overview of the city’s unrivalled history and a taster of its world-famous cuisine. We are starting our tour in one of the most historical squares in Venice. Its chimneys are iconic as are one of the few left in the city and the Round Church of La Maddalena is part of the masonic history of Venice.
We will walk in the Cannaregio neighbourhood, one of the few remaining residential areas of Venice, known for being a popular afterwork meeting spot for thirsty locals. We will take a gentle stroll around and chat about its 1,100 year history and your local guide will offer suggestions on other things to see and do during your stay.
We cross the Grand Canal as part of the tour in the traghetto gondola boat. It’s an experience to discover the main water canal of Venice and see how the life goes by in the “highway” of the city.
Once in Rialto, we will stop 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).
As part of the tour stops, this “bacaro” or Cicchetti venue is among the oldest in Venice. Dating back from the 1462 (before the discovery of America!) is one of the main places for the markets vendors to have their lunch break over a glass of local wine and a cicchetto snack. We will stop here for a glass of local produce wine and a traditional Venetian cicchetto. Your guide will show you all the historical features in the venue while you taste all the local food and wines.
A few secret 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 the iconic Rialto bridge, 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.