- English-speaking, local foodie guide

- Maximum of 10 people per group

- Small plates called "cicchetti"

- Prosecco, wine and cocktails

- Sit down pasta dinner

Cannaregio and the Jewish Ghetto

Your evening in Venice is set in the beautiful neighborhood of Cannaregio. Originally a working class neighborhood it has become the center of local Venetian cuisine and culture. With your guide you will explore the neighborhood which is one of the city's six historic sestieri or districts. Within Cannaregio you will visit the Jewish neighborhood from where the word "ghetto" originates.  As you explore the small canals you will fall in love with Venice without the tourists. 

Cicchetti and Bacari 

There are two words that are very important to learn when visiting Venice - cicchetti and bacari. The word cicchetti comes from Venetian dialect, meaning "a small savory snack". They are served at various little ‘bacari’ (local wine bars) and come in many delicious varieties. The tradition of going to bacari goes back to at least the 1300's. As time went on and the city got bigger, the number of bacari multiplied as more and more people desired wine.

Your local Venetian guide will explain many of the traditions involving why people visited bacari during the day (even in the morning!). When Italians drink wine, they always have something to eat with it, to make sure that they don't get too tipsy. So over time, the bacari started offering cicchetti (small savory snacks). And so a new tradition was born - drinking wine with cicchetti.

The Spritz

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 also tastes more bitter than sweet. If you’ve ever seen pictures of people drinking a bright orange cocktail from a stemmed glass in Italy, that’s an Aperol Spritz. Both drinks are made with prosecco. You will learn how to make the classic Italian aperitivo drink from an expert bartender.

Traditional Sit Down Dinner

An ombra in Venice is a small glass of wine; ombra means “shade” in Italian. Legend has it that in the old days, wine was sold near the bell tower of San Marco's square in the shade. So the people would say "let's go drink in the shade by the bell tower”. Today it has been shortened to just one word - ombra. At the third stop, taste some of the local favorite ombra, as you sit down for a delicious dinner that includes some of the best pasta in Venice.

Gelato in Venice

No Italian foodie experience is complete without some gelato. On this guided tour of Venice, learn how to spot authentic gelato from the kind with additives 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 in Venice exploring after the tour ends, or if you might 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 the night. Either way, say goodbye to your fellow foodies and your guide knowing that you now have a deeper understanding of Venetian culture and food.