Venice Food Tour with Gondola Ride

• - English-speaking, local foodie guide
• - Maximum of 10 people per group
• - Gondola ride
• - Prosecco, wine and cocktails
• - Sit down pasta lunch

Cicchetti and Bacari 

Cicchetti and bacari are two very important words in Venice. Cicchetti comes from Venetian dialect, meaning “a small savory snack”. Cicchetti is usually served at various little ‘barcari’ (local wine bars) and come in so many delectable varieties. The tradition of going to bacari dates back all the way to the 1300’s. As time went on and the city got bigger, the number of bacari multiplied as more people started desiring wine.

Your local Venetian guide will explain many of the traditions involving why people visited bacari during the day, even in the morning. Italians often eat while drinking wine, as to not get too tipsy. This is where the cicchetti comes in. 

Prosecco for Breakfast

The first stop on this tour introduces you to a tasty side of Venice that not many people get to experience, starting with some bubbly wine for breakfast. Don’t fret though, you’ll have a bite to eat as well. Starting your morning off with a refreshing cocktail is a great way to prepare for an exploration of a new city.

A Refreshing Gondola Ride

A trip to Venice wouldn’t be complete without a gondola ride. Instead of taking the pedestrian route and crossing Venice’s Grand Canal by bridge, your local guide will take you across the water on a short, two minute gondola taxi ride.

Mercato Rialto

The Rialto Market has been around for centuries. Early Venetian settlers used to come to this area to trade goods and to this day, not much has changed. Today, Venetian vendors continue to gather here and offer locally grown produce and fish.

The Spritz

After sampling some cicchetti and prosecco at your first stop, taste another popular drink in Venice at our second bacari stop. Whether you have a sweet tooth or prefer bitter drinks, there is a Spritz for everyone. The Campari Spritz has a higher alcohol content than an Aperol Spritz; it is also more bitter than an Aperol Spritz. The Aperol Spritz is the perfect balance of bitter and sweet. Both of these drinks are made with prosecco.

Ombra and Lunch

In Venice, Ombra is a small glass of wine and means “shade” in Italian. Legend has it that in the old days, wine was sold near the bell tower of Saint Mark’s Square in the shade. People would say “Let’s go drink in the shade by the bell tower.” Today the phrase has been shortened down to one word, ‘Ombra’. At the third stop, you will experience some of the local ombra, as you sit down for a delicious lunch and taste some of the best pasta in Venice.

Gelato in Venice

No Italian foodie experience is complete without tasting some gelato! You will get to taste authentic gelato in one of Venice’s best “gelateria” (gelato shops). Ask your local guide what’s in season and why gelato is different from American ice cream.

You may feel like staying out to experience Venice after the tour ends or you may need a rest after all the eating and drinking. If you’re ready to head home, your guide will happily show you where to catch the nearest “vaporetto” (water taxi) so you can cruise back to your accommodations for an afternoon nap. Either way, say, “Ciao!” to your fellow foodies and your guide knowing that you have a deeper understanding of the Venetian culture and a tastier understanding of the cuisine!