A Deep Dive into Venetian Culture with Devour and Walks Tours The Ultimate City Experience
Living just a hop, skip, and a train ride away from Venice, I’ve eagerly seized every opportunity to explore this stunning city multiple times since my move to Italy. Despite its familiar canals and squares, Venice, with its wealth of culture and landmarks, never ceases to reveal new treasures. Finding immersive and fun tours in Venice can be challenging.
Recently, I embarked on a fresh adventure with Walks and Devour tours. These tours peeled back the layers of the city’s rich food culture and guided me to landmarks that had long been on my bucket list. And let me tell you, these are, hands down, the best tours in Venice that you can experience (and I don’t bestow that award lightly). Now, let me share my top three highlights from both tours—moments that truly resonated with me. I hope they inspire you to book the tour. Don’t worry, I won’t spoil the entire tour for you!
So, if you’re planning a holiday in Venice, stick around for some insider tips. You can even book your next tour through the links below! Both tours are family, solo, and couple-friendly!
**Please note that some of the links on this blog are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link**
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Tastes and Traditions of Venice Food Tour with Rialto Market Visit
Duration: 3 Hours
I embarked on my first tour with Devour, the ‘Tastes and Traditions of Venice Food Tour with Rialto Market Visit.’ Our guide, Barbara, a Venice native, enthusiastically shared her passion for showcasing the Venetian way of life. This set an exciting tone for our adventure.
Venetian Bars and Small Bites
Kicking off our tour, our first stop was at a bar, but not in the conventional sense. As Barbara explained, in Italy, a ‘bar’ is more akin to a cafe. This is the kind of place where you’ll typically find sandwiches, pastries, and gelato. While it might transform into a more traditional bar as the evening unfolds, during the day, it primarily serves as a social hub. Here, Italians gather to meet with friends and family. After all, at the heart of Italian culture lies a deep sense of community and a love for conversations.
INSIDER TIP: As you wander through Venice, you’ll discover typical taverns known as Bàcaro. These cozy spots primarily serve glasses of wine, known as ‘ombre’, alongside ‘Cicheti’.
We had the opportunity to try a Tramezzino, a Venetian sandwich that comes in a variety of flavors. Mostly with mayonnaise, and the most popular versions being ham and eggs, tuna and olives. I opted for the Mozzarella and Tomato Tramezzino. What sets this sandwich apart from other sandwiches is the humidity in Venice. Venice is humid during the summer, and the lagoon keeps this bread moist. You’ll enjoy it best washed down with Ombre.
Coffee Matters in Italy
When it came to drinks, Barbara recommended Espresso as the way to go. A mention of Cappucino after 10 am drew a playful remark from her, “That’s a sin, we don’t do cappuccino after 10 am.” This led to an enlightening discussion about Italian coffee culture. Milk can upset the digestive system, so it’s best to enjoy a cappuccino in the morning with a pastry. I must confess, I think I have broken this cardinal rule many times, and now I understand those surprised looks from Italians.
Spritz and Drunken Cheese
Did you know there is a wide variety of Spritz to choose from? Barbara took us to where the local spot to grab a spritz. Here she explained the difference between the varieties:
- Aperol Spritz: This is the most widely available and popular variant. You’ll add Prosecco, Aperol and carbonated water.
- Campari Spritz: this variant switches things up by using Campari in place of Aperol.
- Cynar Spritz: This variant uses Cynar, an artichoke-based amaro.
Feeling Adventurous I decided to step away from my usual Aperol Spritz and try a Cynar Spritz. Cynar is an Italian bitter apéritif of the amaro variety and made from 13 herbs and plants, predominant among which is the artichoke, from which the drink derives its name. You’ll often find an olive as a garnish!
At this same location, there is a cheese shop which we turned our attention to. We savored a variety of cheeses from the Veneto Region, which, by the way, boasts some of the best cheeses. Asiago happened to be the first cheese we tried. Then she led our attention to another cheese.
All about Drunken Cheese
‘Formaggio Ubriaco‘ really caught my attention. The cheese it is made from is Montasio & hails from the Treviso area. It is crafted primarily from unpasteurized cow milk. The cheese matures in barrels filled with pomace, raw grapes, and Prosecco absorbing the flavors and nuances of these ingredients over time. It’s a cheese experience you don’t want to miss. Fortunately for us we were trying it at one of the BEST cheese shops in Venice. The square it is in used to be where cheese markets were scattered. Now, locals flock to this spot to get their weekly cheese. I could have left with a whole brick of Ubriaco but I figured that would look strange, but next time I am in Venice I know where to go!
If you want more information on Drunken Cheese here is a fascinating look at it: Drunken Cheese
Prosecco in the Rialto Market
The Rialto Market is a vibrant, historic hotspot right in the heart of Venice. It’s a treasure trove of Venetian specialties where locals flock daily to buy fresh items. The market is divided into two sections: a vegetable market and its famous fish market. Transitioning to the Rialto Market, it quickly became one of my favorites in Venice. This is primarily because, if you slow down and truly take in the surroundings, you can capture the authentic essence of Venice.
Our guide, Barbara, led us around the vegetable stalls, pointing out items like artichoke flowers. She let us in on a little secret: Venetians don’t actually eat the leaves, they use them for compost. This shocked me! I grew up scraping artichoke leaves with my teeth after my mom steamed them. Who knew Italians didn’t do this?
INSIDER TIP: Don’t touch the vegetables, you’ll get yelled at.
As we strolled through the market on this tour of Venice, fishmongers showcased their delicacies, with some even packing up for the day. I couldn’t believe the size of the crab on display! We wandered over to a local shop that Barbara claimed has “the best prosecco from the area.” She explained that “Secco” means dry, and it’s not supposed to be sweet but floral and crisp. Along with this, we were given a cup full of deep-fried seafood from the local waters in Venice and Polenta. Did you know that In the Middle Ages, polenta was considered “Poor People Food,” but I learned that the wealthy used to sneakily eat this. Rich women would stash it between their breasts to keep it warm and hidden. Talk about a hot secret!
These were my top three highlights from this tour of Venice. If this sounds like your kind of adventure, book below!
BOOK HERE
Tastes and Traditions of Venice Food Tour with Rialto Market Visit
(Affiliate Link)
Walks: Legendary Venice: St. Marks Basilica and Doge’s Palace Tour
Duration: 3 Hours
INSIDER TIP: Wear comfortable shoes and have shoulders and knees covered for this tour!
Believe it or not, despite my numerous visits to Venice, I had never set foot in St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why, but I think the bustling crowds might have been a bit of a deterrent. However, when the golden opportunity to explore these historic landmarks unexpectedly presented itself via Walks Tours of Venice, I jumped on it without a moment’s hesitation. The best part about this was the fact that we got to skip the line to St. Mark’s Basilica, fast-tracking our experience!
Our guide on this tour of these iconic landmarks of Venice was Moses, a fellow resident of Vicenza, which is also where I currently live. Moses introduced himself and, mindful of the sweltering heat and humidity, wisely decided to commence introductions indoors, quipping, “We don’t want to melt out here!” I knew right then that this tour was going to be a blast! We put in our earphones and headed toward the front of St. Mark’s.
Now, let me share with you the top highlights from this unforgettable tour.
The Glass and Gold Mosaics of St. Marks Basilica
Stepping into St. Mark’s Basilica for the first time, I was overwhelmed. The grandeur of the place defied belief, as if I had stepped through a time portal, leaving Venice behind and finding myself in the heart of Constantinople. The architectural fusion of Italian Gothic and Byzantine styles created an awe-inspiring spectacle.
Immediately, the glass and gold mosaics of St. Mark’s catch your eye and draw you in. They’re not just mosaics; they’re a golden spectacle spanning a whopping 85,000 square feet! Crafted with a delicate layer of gold leaf sandwiched between layers of glass, these mosaics shimmer differently at various times of the day, creating a mesmerizing display. As you gaze around, scenes from the Old Testament unfold before you on the walls and dome of the basilica, bringing ancient stories to life.
One fascinating tidbit that caught my attention was the story behind the basilica’s name. St. Mark’s is named after the patron saint himself. Legend has it that Venetians smuggled his remains out of Egypt and brought them to Venice. This daring act of devotion adds yet another layer of intrigue to this remarkable place.
Symbols of Power: Cavalli Di San Marco
Moses led us up the stairs to our next destination, where the Cavalli di San Marco were situated. As I turned the corner, I couldn’t believe my eyes.
Known as the Cavalli di San Marco, or the Horses of Saint Mark, these bronze statues originally formed part of a quadriga monument. They hold the unique distinction of being the only surviving multi-figured antique sculpture. After the sacking of Constantinople in 1204, these majestic horses found a new home on the facade of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice. Crafted from an impressive 96.67% copper, they catch the Venetian sunlight and shimmer, their gleaming forms narrating tales of ancient chariot races and grand victories. In 1797, Napoleon looted these historical treasures, but by 1815, they were returned to their rightful place. Today, while replicas maintain place in their original outdoor position, the original horses are carefully preserved inside the basilica, safeguarding their legacy for future generations
From The Doge Palace to The Bridge of Sighs
The Doge’s Palace is a stunning complex, and I’ll be honest here, I had no idea what a ‘doge’ was. And does the Dogecoin owe its name to an actual doge? These are mysteries I may never unravel.
As our tour neared its conclusion, we had the unique opportunity to walk across the Bridge of Sighs and step into the complex’s prisons.
Strolling across the Bridge of Sighs, I found myself chuckling. This enclosed limestone bridge, connecting the Doge’s Palace to the prison, is ironically one of Venice’s most romantic spots. Peering through the stone-barred windows, I imagined the prisoners’ ‘sighs’ as they caught their last glimpse of beautiful Venice. Let’s face it, if you’re destined for prison, crossing a bridge with such a spectacular view is the way to go! Erected around the year 1600, the bridge stands as a testament to Venetian architectural prowess and a symbol of the city’s rich history. As Moses’ voice echoed in our earpieces, he reminded us, “As you cross this bridge, remember to sigh dramatically, appreciate the view, and be thankful you’re just a tourist and not a 17th-century prisoner!”
The tour ended after we exited the prisons, but you are allowed to walk around the complex after the tour.
BOOK HERE
Walks Legendary Venice: St. Marks Basilica and Doge’s Palace Tour
(Affiliate Link)
Conclusion
These two tours offered an Ideal way for me to get better acquainted with Venice and perhaps the best part is when you do take tours in venice, you are helping locals out. You get to see the city through their eyes!
Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter!
I hope this helps you uncover parts of Venice unknown to you. If you happen to be in Venice for a while, or Italy for that matter, why not add the Dolomites on to your itinerary? Planning to come during Christmas? There are some great Christmas markets in Merano and Bolzano!
Another great adventure is to bike through the Prosecco Hills! This is such a great day trip outside of Venice.
I have some tips for driving in Italy here and If you want to visit Burano, I know a great guide
