Much like our individual taste in music, a travel itinerary is incredibly personal to everyone. Just to give you an idea, our travel style is fairly laid back. We like to pinpoint a couple sights each of us really wants to see in every location and then just wander and eat/drink our way around those spots. We always prefer to get a glimpse of a city from a local’s point of view and tend to avoid crowded tourist spots whenever possible. We do our best to see the usual tourist attractions, but don’t bother wasting too much time there. Which, hey, really isn’t for everyone, but if you’re hoping for an alternative to Rick Steves, then here you go.
Venice can be VERY touristy. Which, if you travel like we do, doesn’t sound the most appealing. But if you search thoughtfully, you can absolutely find very genuine and special places in Venice. Adam and I wanted to share with you what we found in Venezia. Take a glimpse at our adventures, and be sure to leave any of your own recommendations in the comments below!
SEE
Maybe it’s just my minimalist instagram addiction, but a place where there’s no cars is basically a dream come true. Night or day, the best way to see Venice is by simply walking. Ignite your imagination and get lost in the winding streets and back alleyways. One of our favourite neighbourhoods was Cannaregio. It was predominantly locals strolling around with plenty of markets and authentic Italian moments.
If you also want to see Venice from the water, there’s plenty of water taxis and of course, the famous gondola rides. Though Adam and I didn’t do either during our short stay, my parents took the taxi out to nearby islands Murano and Burano and enjoyed it. Everyone will, of course, tell you to go to St.Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco). We did go and with a bit of patience, I was able to get a couple decent photos. There’s lots of tourist trap restaurants there, but I’m sure having a cappuccino on a patio would have been excellent people watching. We didn’t wait in line to go in or stick around those crowds for very long, but I am glad we saw it.
STAY
I think our stay in Venice was perfectly timed. We arrived in the morning and stayed for two nights, giving us two full days and nights (unless you accidentally sleep through one) to explore this beautiful city. As I mentioned in my travel diary, what worked best for us, was staying in a hotel near the train station. This allowed us to drop our luggage off with minimal stress and then go wander as we pleased. The Santa Chiara was an okay price and was exactly what we needed for our two nights there, as it was clean, had cute decor, was relatively comfortable, and an ideal location. Just don’t do the continental breakfast unless you actually enjoy instant coffee and a trip back to 1954. Instead, go across the canal to get some fresh pastries and espresso.
SHOP
I wouldn’t exactly say that Venice was a shopping destination. Unless you have the kind of bank account that allows you to buy designer. In which case, you go Glen Coco! For a foreigner with a limited budget, I was excited to discover the Parisian store Promod one afternoon. Located in the Campo San Bartolomeo, it had very fun and trendy styles at a reasonable price point. I picked up these adorable black high waisted shorts with scallop hem and a lovely summer jacket.
EAT
If you’re not careful, there’s tons of bad food in Venice. People kept warning us, but I’m proud to say that except for one spontaneous lunch, we were able to avoid any disappointments. Our biggest indicator was the feeling that a restaurant gave us by atmosphere and/or menu. If it seems cheesy and expensive, then chances are, that’s exactly what you’re going to get! Luckily, we found a couple great places you should definitely check out.
The above pictured il Gelatone was some of the best gelato we had on our entire Italy trip, which is high praise. I can’t seem to find it anywhere online though, so I sure hope it still exists! It is a hole in the wall that makes amazing gelato.
We happend to have lunch at Due Colonne in Campo Sant Agostin on our first day of exploring. We stopped there because of their great patio and our incredible hunger. Their cold grilled vegetables were superb, and their pizzas come in delicious, but hefty portions. We definitely could have shared a main. The server wasn’t very interested in us, but that didn’t bother us at all. We sat there, sipping Prosecco, watching the locals arrive home and tourists venturing about Venice. It was lovely.
Our one and only dinner was also a spot we happened upon. It was the night we met up with my parents, who are the kind of travellers who research a restaurant beforehand. They left it up to us to choose though, and our Venice policy was to wander and see. So, we took them out on an evening walk, browsing menus and patios along the way, turning down what we deemed ‘not it’, and finally stumbling upon Muro Frari. They let us order wine as we waited for a patio table, which wasn’t a very long queue anyway. There, we enjoyed delectable pizza, pasta, and hot stone steak. The prices weren’t bad and the food was amazing. Plus, we made friends with the couple from the UK beside us. A wonderful experience, we absolutely recommend!
DRINK
Not to hype it up too much, but our night at Bacareto Da Lele made our visit. Wanting to do a little pre drinking before dinner with my parents, we agreed to try the unassuming bar near our hotel that always had throngs of people (and a great dane) gathered outside it. The crowds to get in were insane, so I sent Adam in while I stood by pretending to be on my phone. He emerged a while later with a red wine, a prosecco, and a huge smile on his face. The total cost for the two drinks was €1.70. We stood there admiring the canal views, observing groups of students and residents laughing and enjoying an evening out. I joined Adam in Bacareto Da Lele for our second round because the swarms had thinned and I wanted this authentic experience as well. The server spoke minimal english, so you have to yell/order in Italian. And don’t bother asking what kind of wine there is. Your options are red, white, or sparkling, just as the menu says. We ended up engaging in conversation with a lovely older couple from Ireland and stood by as the bar was closing for the night. As if that wasn’t fun enough, on our journey to find a restaurant a while later, we found that same crowd (and great dane) at a different alley bar just a short ways down the street. Clearly the next spot on their Venezia bar crawl. If you’re in Venice, Bacareto Da Lele is a MUST!
Also, honourable mention to Naranzaria near the Rialto Bridge for a glass of wine. We didn’t make it there ourselves, but a local recommended this on my instagram, so I thought I’d pass it along 🙂
Love the photos and your style of writing! I’ve always wanted to go to Venice ☺️ Looks like you guys had a wonderful time!