Ahh, lovely Venice! The capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region, built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea, is a perennial favourite with many travellers, and its star continues to rise with spectacular popularity—and with good reason! In my opinion, this almost otherworldly magical place provides some of Europe’s most beautiful city scenery, if not the world!
However, the city is more than just bridges, gondolas, and Casanova’s fabled home. On my visit, I discovered some interesting off-the-beaten-track gems, which I want to share with you…
1. Burano Island
Dubbed one of the most colourful places in the world and yet still a reasonably under-the-radar thing to do in Venice, I felt like Burano was an island in Venice that time forgot!
I found lots of brightly coloured houses which impressively reflected and glimmer in the waters of the Venetian lagoon which was also dotted with moored boats. Although I personally think the intricate tradition of lace-making really set this island apart from the others, just like Murano which is famous for its glass-making!
When I stepped off the boat and onto the shore, I was greeted by elderly ladies who were drawing me into their shops to show me their beautiful lace goods.
Along with wonderful, scenic places to eat or have an espresso, I loved that the island has its own leaning tower I explored. I thought this little island was like Italy’s own Little Italy!
2. The Secret Supper Club
I was looking for an authentic Italian experience, so I opted for The Secret Supper Club which was a private dining experience with various events and collaborations that heighten the experience.
The space curation, atmosphere, and interior design all combined to form a complete and wholesome dinner experience that I won’t forget in a hurry—it was a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience!
It is the brainchild of Leah Forester who has a significant background in fashion and branding, and I loved that she really knew how to offer something very different and unique.
I dined on a superb homemade meal, just like how my mother used to made it! I devoured the divine Risotto al Limone, a lemon risotto made with fresh, local citrus and garnished with a sprinkle of parsley. It was closely followed by Torta Veneziana al Pistacchio, a luscious Venetian pistachio cake and made with finely ground pistachios and topped with a light dusting of powdered sugar.
This was washed down with a Soave Classico, a light, crisp white wine from the Veneto region which had hints of green apple, almond, and floral notes too.
I heard that was also often combined with entertaining arts, music and other events and on my trip we ate a meal accompanied by a very talented live piano player!
3. The Island of Sant’Andrea
I learnt about Venice’s rich history as a center of trade and that the city accumulated such immense wealth that it needed to be protected. So I also learnt that a fortification was constructed at Sant’Andrea in the 17th century, during the peak of Venice’s glory and fame. This period, marked by the Renaissance and extensive exploration, brought significant wealth to the fine Italian state.
I visited this impressive fort and explored the area, and I loved how tranquil it was here. I have to say, though, that the rest of the island was unkempt and overgrown. Although I still found some beautiful viewing spots and I bought a picnic with me just so I could escape the crowds and watch the world go by!
4. Libreria Acqua Alta
Bibliophiles rejoice! I think the Libreria Acqua Alta in Venice was truly a unique hidden gem, with an interesting charm shaped by the city’s unique challenges. I found it tucked away in an enchanting corner of Venice, and it’s now become locally famous for its creative adaptation to the city’s frequent flooding.
I found out from the staff that the bookstore ingeniously combated frequent flooding by storing its books in bathtubs and boats, so it turned a logistical necessity into a quirky feature that defined its incredible character!
Discovering this creative solution made my visit very memorable – to me it wasn’t just a bookstore, but a testament to Venetian ingenuity and resilience too! There was everything a book lover like me could want – a cramped atmosphere, stacks of books ranging from philosophy to pedagogy along with maps, magazines and manuals.
Its name translated into “Library of High Water” and I found this unique setup turned browsing the store into an enchanting adventure – here the musty scent of vintage pages mixed in with the salty air of the lagoon!
I personally thought even non-book lovers would also find this quirky place interesting, just like the stray cat I saw which took refuge from the rising tide among the stacks of books!
5. A Secret Wine Tour
When visiting Venice, I found out that it has enriched Italian cuisine with two traditional drinks: the ombra and the spritz. Typically enjoyed at breakfast, the ombra is a small glass of wine, available in red or white, that is quickly consumed in one go. The spritz, on the other hand, serves as an aperitif and blends white wine, Campari, and a splash of seltzer.
I really wanted to immerse myself in this like a local to fully appreciate this fine local tradition! So I went on a “Local Secrets of Venice Wine Walking Tour” which offered an intimate exploration of Venetian culinary culture.
I enjoyed a variety of traditional Venetian snacks known as “cichetti,” comparable to Spanish tapas, paired with three types of wines, which may include red, white, or prosecco and our journey began at a traditional “bacaro” (bar) where the guide told us local flavors and stories about the city!
We were lead through the less-traveled alleyways and canals, discovering hidden spots and authentic parts of Venice that are usually off the tourist path taking us to many bars, where more cichetti and wine were served much to my delight!
6. Listen to Vivaldi
Even if you are not a classical music lover, experiencing Vivaldi in Venice was a truly goosebump-inducing experience! The Venice Baroque Orchestra and the orchestra of La Fenice, both perform to exceptional standards and I was lucky enough to attend one of their superb concerts in the Church of San Vidal a grand former church turned concert hall, which regularly hosts classical music performances.
I found out that it was built in 1084 and redesigned in the 17th century by Antonio Gaspari, I thought the setting was wonderful and provided a really atmospheric backdrop that enhanced the baroque music experience.
The Venice Baroque Orchestra performed a very vivid interpretation of Vivaldi’s works which featured Vivaldi’s iconic The Four Seasons and to me it sounded very authentic! It was a truly an incredible evening out!
7. The Waterside Bars
I really loved that Venice had a large variety of atmospheric waterside bars where I could enjoy local wines, cocktails, and stunning water views at the same time.
My favourite was El Chioschetto, it was a low key spot but the beautiful location on the Zattere with its remarkable views of the Giudecca Canal was a highlight! I was the perfect spot for a relaxing drink at any time of the day.
I also really like the Vincent Bar, where I watched Venetian sunset with a glass of prosecco in hand. Taverna del Campiello Remer was tougher spot to find as it was hidden away in a quiet courtyard, I found an excellent happy hour and an intimate setting which extended into a jetty over the canal.
I also tried out Osteria Bancogiro which was located near the Rialto Bridge – I really liked it for its fine selection of drink and also being able to watch all the bustling activity of the Grand Canal from its outdoor tables.
Finally I opted for a drink on my last day in L’Ombra del Leone which was located on the ground floor of Ca’ Giustinian, this bar was a more affordable way to enjoy a drink on a Grand Canal terrace and had incredible views of Chiesa della Salute and Punta della Dogana.
8. Corte del Volto Santo
I stumbled across this little hidden square and I fell in love with it! When I back in my hotel I decided to research more about it and I found that it holds a historical significance dating back to 1360 when it was the site of the Confraternita dei Lucchesi, a fraternity of wealthy silk merchants from Lucca.
I also found that the small but very picturesque court had a fame which began with the migration of the Lucchesi people to the area in the 14th century.
It was named after the “Volto Santo” (Holy Face), a revered replica of the crucifix found in the Cathedral of San Martino in Lucca. The emblem of the fraternity, representing the Holy Face of Christ, marked this location.
Since then, I discovered that it has amassed all sorts of attention, from being mentioned in Dante’s Inferno to being the site of many pilgrimages over the centuries.
9. Ca’Zappa
I was so intrigued about this striking building, it was privately owned but I opted to visit it on a tour. It was located in the Venetian Lagoon and was an interesting mix of Dutch architectural styles.
I found out from the guide it was built between 1923 and 1928 and represented a unique amalgamation of Northern European design in the Italian setting and was created Mario Malvezzi.
I found it to be a very interesting place and I wandered around all the buildings which included a main villa and a watchtower, where I saw beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding lagoon.
I was also fun to find out that it had hosted notable figures over the such as Ernest Hemingway and Salvador Dalí!
It was built in the middle of the glorious experimental period of the 20s by a passionate architect from The Netherlands. Although the villa is privately owned, it is possible to visit it, and I would recommend attending a tour here if you can. It would be best if you rent a boat to explore the expansive gables or collonaded portico fully.
Conclusion
Notice how I didn’t mention a gondola once! I would say don’t be sucked into the traditional tourist route and step off the beaten track for a more elevated experience of Venice, I know you won’t regret it!
Related
