For once…just for once…forget Rome, Venice, and Florence! If you want to experience Italy in a unique way outside of the tourist roads, you have, whoops…you MUST visit Torino & Piemonte and Calabria. One is the ultimate paradise for food lovers, the other is Italy in its purest form. No mass tourism, just real life, real food, and real people. No pizza this time for you! Read this to learn about the 2 mysterious places and their delicious food.

Torino & Piemonte – The Ultimate Destination for Foodies

Do you love food? No, seriously. Do you REALLY love food? Then Torino and Piemonte are waiting for you. This is not just a region; it’s a temple of taste.

But first, let’s talk about Torino. Often called the Paris of Italy, Torino is elegant, refined, and full of history. It was the first capital of Italy, and you can still feel its royal atmosphere walking through Piazza Castello, looking at Palazzo Reale, or sipping coffee in historic cafés like Caffè San Carlo. The city is a masterpiece of architecture, with grand boulevards, baroque palaces, and arcaded streets that invite you to stroll and take in the beauty.

Now, let’s talk about something Torino truly excels at: chocolate. If there’s one king in this city, it’s chocolate. Ever heard of Gianduja? That’s the king of chocolate, and it was born here. It’s like Nutella’s wise grandfather, but way more sophisticated. You can find it in little pralines called Gianduiotti. They melt in your mouth. Literally. Want to take it to the next level? Sip a Bicerin alongside! Walking through Torino, you’ll find historic chocolate shops like Guido Gobino and Peyrano, where every bite is a taste of heaven.

And don’t even get me started on wine. Barolo, Barbaresco, Nebbiolo – these are not just wines, these are legends in a glass. Order a bottle, take your time, and let the magic happen. And of course, there’s the Aperitivo culture. Torino invented it. You sit in a beautiful piazza, order a Vermouth or a Negroni, and suddenly your table is full of delicious little bites. You just wanted a drink, but congratulations, now you have a full meal in front of you.

Calabria – The Soul of Italy

Want to see the real Italy? No fancy tourists, no overpriced souvenirs, just pure, raw, and authentic Italian life? Go to Calabria.
First of all, the people. Calabrians are the most welcoming Italians you will ever meet. They don’t speak much English, but who cares? They will still invite you to their house, feed you homemade food, and make you feel like family.
Then, the nature. Calabria is where the mountains kiss the sea. Crystal-clear beaches, dramatic cliffs, and hidden villages where time has stopped. You drive through the region and you feel like you’re in a movie. And oh, did you know Calabria was part of Magna Grecia? Yep, the Greeks were here before the Romans. You can still see ancient ruins and theaters that whisper stories of the past. For nature lovers, Calabria offers the perfect mix of sea and mountains. The stunning coastline is ideal for beach lovers, with its turquoise waters and secret coves. But if you love hiking, you can head to the Pollino National Park, the largest natural park in Italy, where you can trek through wild landscapes, ancient forests, and breathtaking peaks. Whether you want to relax by the sea or explore the mountains, Calabria has it all.

But let’s talk food again. Calabria is the European capital of chili peppers. They love it so much that they even have a Chili Pepper University. Imagine studying how to make food even spicier. That’s commitment! And let’s be real: nothing beats a spicy ‘nduja spread on warm bread or a plate of pasta with fresh seafood and a touch of heat.

Italy is much more than Italy

There is so much to discover in Italy that IG influencers and magazine haven’t shown you yet! Piedmont and Calabria are pure authentic gems. Just chat to your Italian friends and get all the insights about Italy off the beaten tracks. Then pack your luggage and hit the road…whoops sorry! We meant…EAT the road! And if you are still craving for pizza…well, Streaty Naples!

NEW STREATY TOURS COMING UP IN…TURIN AND BOLOGNA!

Stray tuned. We are about to launch our new food tours in Turin and Bologna. Why Turin…well, you’ve just read the tasty excuse in this article! Chocolate, wine and delicious street food bites. What else? Bologna? well, it’s one of the Italian capitals of food, mostly renowned for tortellini and bolognese sauce. However, you know that on streaty tours you are going to get different bites, only what locals eat, not what tourists expect. So expect to have another super cool and authentic foodie experience with Streaty!

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Title: Must-Try Italian Christmas Foods for Foodie Travelers

Italy is a feast for the senses year-round, but during the holiday season, the culinary experience reaches another level. Italian Christmas cuisine offers a unique blend of regional flavors, artisanal traditions, and seasonal ingredients, perfect for any foodie traveler to explore. Here are some must-try dishes and treats to savor if you’re traveling to Italy this festive season.

1. Panettone and Pandoro

The holiday season in Italy is synonymous with Panettone and Pandoro. Panettone, originally from Milan, is a tall, fluffy cake filled with candied fruit and raisins, while Pandoro, from Verona, is softer, without the fruit, and often dusted with powdered sugar. Many bakeries and pastry shops offer artisanal versions, each with unique twists like chocolate, pistachio, or cream fillings.

2. December 13th, The Arancini day in Palermo

December 13th marks the feast of Santa Lucia, especially celebrated in Palermo, Sicily. On this day, Sicilians prepare arancine (or arancini in other regions), delicious rice balls stuffed with meat ragu, cheese, or even butter and herbs, then fried to golden perfection. Traditionally, locals avoid eating bread or pasta on Santa Lucia’s day, making arancine the star of this festive occasion. If you’re visiting Sicily in mid-December, this is an essential treat!

3. Cannoli and Cassata Siciliana – The Christmas gift

Winter is the perfect season to try cannoli and cassata cake in Sicily, as sheep’s milk ricotta, the essential ingredient, is at its freshest in the colder months. Cannoli are crisp, fried pastry tubes filled with creamy, slightly sweet ricotta and often topped with chocolate chips, candied fruit, or pistachios. Their flavor is especially rich and memorable when made with winter ricotta, making them a winter delicacy not to be missed. The Cassata cake is the gift that “the uncle” brings to the table at the end of the Family dinner. A beautifully decorated cakes hiding inside a soft core of ricotta cream and chocolate chips.

4. Tortellini in Brodo – The Classic

In Emilia-Romagna, especially around Bologna, Tortellini in Brodo is a must for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. These tiny, handmade pasta parcels are traditionally filled with meat and cheese and served in a hot, flavorful broth. It’s the perfect winter comfort food and an essential experience of Italian culinary tradition.

5. Pangiallo Romano – History is served

In Rome, Pangiallo Romano is a cherished Christmas treat. This ancient recipe dates back to Roman times and features a golden, honeyed crust that gives it its name (meaning “yellow bread”). It’s packed with nuts, dried fruits, citrus zest, and warm spices, creating a dense, aromatic cake that’s perfect for the holiday season. If you’re in Rome, sampling pangiallo from a traditional bakery is a holiday must.

6. Cavallucci from Siena

Florence has its own holiday specialty: Cavallucci, traditional Christmas cookies made with honey, anise seeds, nuts, and candied orange peel. These dense, spiced cookies pair wonderfully with dessert wine and have been a Tuscan holiday tradition for centuries. Sampling freshly baked cavallucci while strolling around Florence’s holiday markets is a sweet, nostalgic experience.

7. Cotechino with Lentils

In Northern Italy, Cotechino with lentils is a classic New Year’s Eve dish. Cotechino is a spiced, boiled sausage with a rich flavor, served over lentils that symbolize luck and prosperity for the coming year. You’ll find it in many homes and restaurants across Italy, particularly in Modena and other parts of Emilia-Romagna. According to the Italian tradition, eating lentils on New Year’s Eve brings good luck and prosperity, as the lentils are thought to resemble coins!

8. Struffoli (Naples, Campania)

If you’re traveling to Naples, be sure to try Struffoli, a festive dessert made of small fried dough balls covered in honey and sprinkled with colorful sugar or candied fruit. These sweet, crunchy bites are a Neapolitan tradition during the Christmas season and add a burst of flavor and color to any holiday table.

9. Zampone (Emilia-Romagna)

Zampone, a hearty dish from Emilia-Romagna, is popular during the holidays. Similar to cotechino but made with a pig’s trotter casing, it’s traditionally served with mashed potatoes or lentils. Its rich flavor and hearty texture make it a beloved winter dish that’s steeped in Italian holiday tradition.

10. Christmas Markets and Street Food

Italy’s Christmas markets are a great way to sample holiday treats while enjoying the festive atmosphere. Sip on vin brulé (mulled wine) as you explore, and don’t miss roasted chestnuts, nougat, or local cheeses. From the Mercatino di Natale in Trento to Florence’s Piazza Santa Croce, you’ll find delicious street food and artisanal products to take home as souvenirs.

PLANNING A TRIP TO ITALY IN DECEMBER? BOOK A STREATY FOOD TOUR AND SAVE 20%!

Use the promo code streatyxmas24 to get 20% off your next Streaty food tour in Italy! The offer is valid for all tours scheduled from November 13th to December 31st. The code will expire on December 8th 2024.

How to redeem a discount code?
Follow these steps: Choose your Destination and tour -> choose your date -> select the number of participants -> click on “add promo or discount code” -> paste your code in and proceed to payment.
If you need further assistance, do not hesitate to contact us at info@streaty.com

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WHAT IS FERRAGOSTO?

Ferragosto, celebrated on August 15th, is more than just a public holiday in Italy—it’s an institution. The name traces back to “Feriae Augusti,” an ancient Roman festival established by Emperor Augustus in 18 BC. Originally, it was a period of rest and celebration to honor the hard work of farmers after the harvest. Over time, this pagan festival blended with Christian traditions, marking the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which commemorates the ascent of Mary to heaven. Today, Ferragosto is a mix of religious celebration and the pure Italian love of taking a break.

ITALY EMPTIES OUT

From Rome to Milan, Florence to Venice, Italian cities experience an exodus during Ferragosto week. Italians take this time to escape the heat of the cities and head to the beaches, mountains, or countryside. The result? Shops close, top-notch restaurants shut their doors, and even some of the most famous tourist attractions reduce their hours or close entirely. You’ll find bustling piazzas eerily quiet and streets where the only movement might be the occasional stray cat…or desperate tourists seeking freshness under trees. While cities empty out the beaches get overcrowded. Restaurants on the seaside are packed and music all over the coast just kill the magic of a quiet and romantic Italian summer night.

For travelers expecting a lively Italian experience, this can be a shock. The vibrant, bustling Italy that you read about in guidebooks seems to have vanished. Instead, you’re left wandering through empty streets, peering into shuttered windows, wondering where everyone has gone.

SOUTHERN ITALY: THE NIGHT OF AUGUST 14TH

In regions like Campania, Calabria, and Sicily, families gather for a special meal, often by the sea. It’s a night of food, music, and fireworks, as locals indulge in a feast that lasts until the early hours. The beaches are dotted with the so-called “falò” (bonfires). It’s a beautiful, vibrant contrast to the empty urban centers, highlighting the deep cultural roots of Ferragosto in these communities. When midnight strikes, hordes of young people run towards the sea, cheering and shouting for the traditional midnight swim. The rest of the night is music, dances food and drinks till the sun comes up to whistle the end. This is exactly what you should do to feel the Italian spirit in Ferragosto. Manage to enjoy this with an Italian friend and you will have a blast!

WHY VISITING ITALY IN MID-AUGUST IS A BAD IDEA

Unless you’re seeking solitude in an empty city, Ferragosto is not the best time to visit Italy. The lively restaurants and charming shops you’ve heard so much about? Closed. The vibrant markets? Silent. Even the locals are nowhere to be found…oh yes! find them at the beach! You’ll miss out on the authentic Italian experience, as the very heart of the cities seems to take a holiday too.

Instead, plan your visit for September. Italy wakes up from its August slumber, with cooler weather, reopened businesses, and a renewed energy. The streets buzz with life once again, and you can truly enjoy the full flavor of Italy—literally and figuratively. Plus, you can join us for a Rome street food tour, where the post-Ferragosto culinary delights will be waiting for you. Take advantage of our 15% discount offer valid until August 25th. Use code “blog1508” to redeem the discount!

In the meantime, if you find yourself in Italy during Ferragosto, head south for a taste of the local celebrations. Just be prepared for quiet days and empty streets in the cities—after all, it’s Ferragosto, and all of Italy is on vacation.

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Traditional recipes in Venice are mainly based on products coming from the lagoon and the sea. Of course, the city is surrounded by them! Leaving Venice without having tried saor, bigoli al nero di seppia or alla Busara, fritolin (fried fish and vegetables), schie with polenta, is like never been to Venice!

We suggest you to reserve a table in advance since Venetian restaurants are very small.

Price range: the price range for a dinner in Venice goes from 30 euro to 70 euro. It depends on the location, type of food and of course…reputation! In order to facilitate your decision making, we made up the Streaty S code. See below. S (30 – 40 Euro) – SS (50 – 60 euro) – SSS (70 euro and more)

TRADITIONAL CUISINE

Paradiso Perduto (S)
Address: Fondamenta della Misericordia 2540 (closed on Tuesdays and on Wednesdays) / +39 041 720581
This restaurant is one of the most known in Venice. There are only fish and seafood options and usually only one vegetarian. The location is very picturesque: wooden tables and brick walls. Portions are huge, so make sure you don’t order too much! Fritto di pesce highly recommended!

Alla Staffa (S)
Address: Calle Ospedaletto 6398 (closed on Tuesdays) +39 041 5239160
You cannot come to Venice without trying a seafood lasagna! Here they have the best ones!!!

Ai Nevodi (SS)
Address: Via Garibaldi 1788 / +39 041 2411136
Venetian cusine in contemporary style. Every single dish they offer is delicious. Is a bit far from the usual tourist areas but the walk along Riva degli Schiavoni is really panoramic and once you’ll be at Nevodi you won’t regret it!

Rosa Rossa (SS)
Address: Calle de la Mandola 3709 / +39 041 5234605
One of the few good restaurants in Saint Mark district. They offer typical Venetian dishes and some revisited ones. Quite fancy but great service!

Osteria ai 4 Feri Storti (S)
Address: Calle Bianca Cappello, 1278, 30125
Super typical osteria located in a nice corner in the district of San Polo. Pasta with clams is a must!

Antiche Carampane (SSS)
Address: Rio Terà de le Carampane 1911 / +39 041 5240165 (closed on Mondays)
Despite the location and the name (ask the staff to explain it to you!) it’s one of the fanciest restaurants in town. Expensive but worth the price!

Osteria La Zucca (S) VEGETARIAN
Address: Santa Croce 1762 / +39 041 5241570 (closed on Sundays)
If you’re vegetarian, this is the place to be! It’s the only vegetarian/vegan restaurant in Venice. Zucca means pumpkin

Zanze XVI (SSS) *Michelin Star
Address: Santa Croce 231 / +39 041 715394
A gourmet lunch or dinner in a cool atmosphere! You can order either a la carte menu or the set menu of the day. Nice atmosphere!

Harry’s Bar Cipriani (SSS)
Address: Calle Vallaresso 1323 / +39 041 5285777
Historical restaurant right next to Saint Mark square. Prices are not affordable for most of travelers but it’s the only restaurant in all of Italy recognized as historical monument. Hemingway used to sit in here and writing for hours and hours. The first owner (father of the actual one) invented both the Bellini and the Carpaccio in here, so if you have the opportunity, it’s a must try place!

Best pizza in Venice

Pizza is not the best in Venice since wood ovens are very difficult to install in the city. But if you’re starving for some fresh mozzarella, you’re about to live Italy and you want to have a last bite of heaven before getting back home, here’s the only good pizzerias in the city!

Rossopomodoro
Address: Calle Larga San Marco 404 / +39 041 2438949
Neapolitan style pizza. Simple menu, basic ingredients, but it’s how pizza should be!

1000 Gourmet
Address: Calle de la Rizza 475 / +39 041 3127069
Gourmet Neapolitan style pizza with a great selection of DOC products.

Al Profeta
Address: Calle Lunga San Barnaba 2671 / +39 041 5237466
Best northern style pizza you can find in Venice! They also have a wide menu of traditional Venetian and Italian dishes.

The post Our favorite restaurants in Venice appeared first on Streaty.

Mamma Streaty is happy to announce the publishing of her very first cookbook! “Mamma Streaty’s family recipes” is now online. 

Who is Mamma Streaty

Mamma Streaty, who’s real name is Maria Luisa Liotta, is the mother of Streaty’s founder Marco. A sweet 75 Sicilian woman born in the small mountain town of Capizzi (Province of Messina). Convinced by her sons, Mamma Streaty decided to write down her 30 top ranked family recipes! From the most classic Italian dishes to the most intimate family treats. Have you ever cooked or tasted an anchovy-flavored chicken? Do you know how high can the sweetness of Mamma’s Ricotta Passion lift you up? You don’t need to know, you don’t taste…you can simply make it yourself!

Mouth watering dishes

Appetizers, pastas, second courses of meat, vegs and fish will simply make you wanna cook more and more! Each recipe includes a short introduction with Mamma Streaty’s thoughts and stories. Recipes have been drawn for different number of people. Some easy pastas, like the Pasta col pesto alla trapanese (tomato, almond, garlic, mint, tomato and pecorino cheese) has ingredients and instructions to serve 2 people. Other more elaborated dishes, like the Involtini di pesce spada swordfish rolls list instructions to serve 4 people. Food is social, right? Mamma Streaty’s would make swordfish rolls for her own. The pleasure of sharing well cooked food is a fundamental asset of Italian cooking culture. If you cook something special…just share it with friends and family!

E-cookbook: What you’ll get

• 30 authentic family recipes (7 appetizers, 3 desserts, 10 pastas, 10 second courses with fish, meat and veg)
• Technical tips and notes to cool like a real Sicilian mum
• Exclusive photos of real Mamma Streaty’s dishes
• Designed for Apple iPad / Android Tablets / Kindle. Available also as PDF. 
• Share on Facebook and get 10% discount on the book
• Contents in English language only
• European measures in Grams and Kilograms

A Sicilian-International project

While Quarantine was bringing cancellations and frustrations. Mamma Streaty’s recipes were surfing the web from the Australian coasts to the British cliffs. Streaty is honored to have collaborated with Patrick Kilbey and Carmela D’Amore. 

Patrick Kilbey (Colchester – UK), a passionate cultured English food lover and former Streaty’s client, edited the contents. We needed a native English speaker to do this. We feel honored to have collaborated with Patrick for the publishing of Mamma Streaty’s cookbook.  Patrick Kilbey is a deep connoisseur of Italian food culture and he does know his stuff when it comes to write. 

The Sicilian-Australian chef, Carmela D’Amore, reviewed the first drafts in order to adjust the technical vocabulary. Beside being a professional chef and a lovely person, Carmela D’Amore is also a long time Streaty partner. Under the brand Carmela’s cucina cooking class she runs multiday food and cultural tours around Sicily.  Check it out!

Cook online with Mamma Streaty

The ebook is all you need to cook and delight your own and your family’s palate, but there is more! You can also meet Mamma Streaty online and cook with her! Yes you can! We run an online experience called “Cook Sicilian online with Mamma & Marco”. Go to our Virtual event page. You can connect in real time with Marco & Mamma and cook along! The experience lasts 1 hour. You can choose among a short list of recipes and, since cooking and eating is a social moment, you can also invite a friend to join in! Before you consider booking the Online cooking class with Mamma Streaty, make sure you have a bottle of wine home coz we are going to have a live e-toast! 

Go to download!

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WHAT ABOUT CHICKEN

Chicken is one of America’s favorite foods: in sandwiches, fried, in salads, you can find it in many variations. In Italy, it is usually eaten alone, as a main course, yet in the U.S. they are convinced that it is used to make pasta sauce, or as a topping for pizza, but in fact, there is no such tradition in our country. One of the most peculiar recipes you can try in New York is chicken parmigiana, which is prepared with chicken instead of eggplant, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese, but not even a shadow of parmesan cheese. The original Italian parmigiana is made only with fried eggplant layered with caciocavallo cheese, tomato sauce and fresh basil. Chicken Marsala? delicious! recipe is good but Sicilians would normally make it with veal.

FETTUCCINE ALFREDO

Fettuccine Alfredo for Americans is the symbol of Roman cuisine and one of the staple dishes of Italian cuisine. Too bad that Alfredo sauce in Italy is known only among the most passionate foodie community. This dish is said to have originated in Alfredo di Lelio’s restaurant in Rome in the early 1900s and in essence, it is fettuccine mantecate with butter and parmesan cheese and in some variations may include the addition of shrimp. How this dish became famous in America is quickly said: two Hollywood movie stars, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, who tasted this specialty in Alfredo’s restaurant during their honeymoon in Rome and made it famous in the US, made it famous. The real “Fettuccine alla Alfredo” is still around. Try the original one in Rome at Ristorante “Il Vero Alfredo“.

SPUMONE

Spumone has Neapolitan origins and is widespread throughout Puglia and also in Sicily. It is a semi-cylindrical or cylindrical shaped dessert composed of different types of layered jelly, including Chocolate, Stracciatella and Hazelnut. What is known in the United States and Canada, however, has nothing to do with traditional spumone allegedly originated in Naples in the XIX century. The spumone has been modified to become a symbol of Italians: Spumone in America and Canada is prepared with the three flavors whose colors are like the Italian flag (cherry, cream and pistachio), sometimes chocolate, candied fruit and dried fruit are added. Spumone has become so famous overseas that two themed days have been dedicated to it: August 21 is celebrated in the United States and November 13 is National Spumoni Day in Canada. 

STROMBOLI

A pizza from the Neapolitan tradition? Not really and not even a calzone. In fact, the “stromboli roll” is a stuffed roll of bread dough. The pizza Stromboli is an Italian-American dish invented in 1950 by Nazzareno Romano, the owner of “Romano’s Pizzeria” in Essington (Philadelphia), one of the first Italian restaurants in the area. His recipe (ham, cotechino, cheese, and pepperoni wrapped in pizza dough) was an immediate success. In choosing the name, Nazzareno Romano once again wanted to seal the Italian-American nature of the dish: from “pizza imbottita” to “stromboli roll,” inspired by the then-recent scandal of the Rossellini Bergman couple on the set “Stromboli Terra di Dio.”

MAC’N’CHEESE

Mac’n’Cheese are those famous macaroni noodles topped with stringy cheese used in America as a side dish. Often served in combination with barbecue dishes, they represent an American classic of clear Italian derivation but experience a paradox: Italians do not recognize it at all as their gastronomic heritage. As folklore legends report, it was actually English immigrants who supposedly spread this dish to the United States. Then cleared through customs and made even more popular thanks to the anecdote about President Jefferson.

WHAT’S OUR OPINION

Italian-American cuisine is not Italian, it’s Italian-American and it’s delicious the way it is. Who cares if it doesn’t meet the fundamental cooking rights of Italians. Food is good and beautiful because food is culture.

The post 5 Italian-American dishes unknown by Italians appeared first on Streaty.

Are you coming from the airport? Take the water taxi or the vaporetto (Alilaguna) straight into Venice for a great first feeling of this floating city.

Challenge your palate. Rialto market and street food exploration

Start your day early by heading to the famous Rialto Market. A visit to the Rialto Market is a “must” when visiting Venice because it is one of the few places where you can get an intimate experience of the city’s daily life, as locals come to buy fresh produce and other ingredients. It is much smaller than it was centuries ago, but it has remained authentic. The market is divided into Pescheria (fresh fish and seafood) and Erberia (fresh fruits and vegetables).

Continue by trying some of the very best street food. Stroll around the various bars called Bacari, sampling the cicchetti of the day (a kind of tapas). You can find a wide assortment of crostini (slices of crusty bread topped with local ingredients such as baccala, meats, cheeses, and vegetables), polpette (meatballs), and crispy battered artichokes. Remember, we are the expert in street food so, check this out: Food in Venice – top five bites

New flavors to try in Venice
Moeche: fried lagoon crabs (winter – early spring)

Milza alla veneziana: slice of boiled veal spleen served on a bruschetta

Walk the labyrinth

The coolest and most inspiring thing to do in Venice is to roam around the alleys with no destination. Scary Narrow passages, romantic bridges, sounds of footsteps, this is the scenario you will walk on. If you are a writer you will find inspiration for the bestseller of your life, if you are not…you will probably start writing! Venice is a unique city. Venice in the night is magic. Walk the district of Castello, a residential area where silence and calmness reign. No tourists and no tourist traps but also very few bars and restaurants.
Forget google maps and get lost. Internet connection around the alleys is very bad, so you will get lost anyway. The great thing about Venice is that even if you do go a little off-track, you’ll find a heap of gems as most of the beautiful spots are dotted all across the city

Obviously, if you are in Venice, you have to try the real Spritz, which is white. If you wanna try a rainbow of several spritz drinks, join our Spritz tour!

TIP: A lot of guidebooks and tourist blogs tell you all about the awesome gelato you can find in Venice. Why? We don’t know. Of course, Italian gelato is good and on a hot day, it’s refreshing to have one, but what about you stick with a Venetian dessert and try the Tiramisu instead?

Arts, history and views

Venice is a beautiful Italian gem to explore. It’s the kind of city that’s totally unique, with miles of canals, tiny alleys, and a whole heap of history, you’ll be spoilt for choice when deciding on all the best things to do in Venice whilst you’re there.

Visit St.Mark’s Basilica

Its interior is completely decorated with golden mosaics. Inside the Basilica are works of immense value such as the Pala d’Oro, which is a table placed on the high altar covered with sacred images in gold and precious stones that encloses the relics of the Evangelist St. Mark, and the Treasure of St. Mark that includes various precious objects from various eras.

The Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale)

The Doge of Venice was the supreme magistrate and leader of Venice for over 1000 years. Doges were appointed to hold their positions for life. You can tour many elaborate rooms of the palace to learn more about the political and social history of Venice, view brilliant works of art, and see amazing architecture. If you’re interested in unearthing the secrets and history of the Doge’s Palace, you should consider taking the Secret Itineraries Tour. This is the only way to access the otherwise restricted quarters and hidden passageways such as the doges’ private chambers and the torture chambers.

TIP: If you are visiting Venice during high season, book your tickets in advance, we recommend the skip the line tickets to save you a lot of time Doge’s Palace

Take a gondola ride

It might seem a bit touristy and pricey thing to do (80 euros for 30 minutes ride, up to 4 people), but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a must-do in Venice. Our advice? Don’t take the gondola that goes to the gran canal (you can still go there with the Vaporetto), but it’s much better and intimate through the amazing canals. Good places to find gondolas in more peaceful and calm surroundings include the Jewish Ghetto in Cannaregio, San Polo, and the Campo San Barnaba area in Dorsoduro.

However, if you feel that the gondola ride doesn’t fit your budget or is simply not worth it, don’t worry. For a much cheaper experience, take a ride on one of the traghetti—large, unadorned gondola ferries that shuttle people from one side of the Grand Canal to the other. There are traghetto stations at eight different points along the Grand Canal where it isn’t easy to cross by bridge. A traghetto ride costs 2 EUR and is a great option if you want to ride a gondola without paying full price.

Watch local artists

Get a glimpse of local life in Venice and peep in on an artist making the Venetian masks

Happy hour

Be sure to stroll along Fondamenta degli Ormesini, home to some of Venice’s best local bars, and restaurants. If you’re here in the evening, you’ll see many locals chilling in the quayside’s sun-soaked bars and canalside restaurants.

Check out how to Avoid Tourist Traps in Venice.

Visit Murano in half day. Take the vaporetto from Fondamenta Nove. It only takes around 20 minutes. Wander around Murano, watch a glass-blowing demonstration, browse the glass stores on the island, pop into Murano’s Duomo, and see the exhibits at the glass museum.

The Basilica dei Frari 

The beautifully elegant and majestic basilica is a must-see place in Venice. Make sure to spot the Assumption of the Virgin (by Titian) and see the stunning Choir stalls created by Marco Cozzi.

Take a sunset walk along Fondamenta Zattere

The light in Fondamenta Zattere at Sunset is quite unique. Take a moment for a slow walk and some photo shooting. This place allows you to take a deep breath out of the intricate maze of Venice, it’s a moment to reconnect with the world. Enjoy it.

Depart in the morning and take the direct ferry to Burano (from San Zaccaria or Fondamenta Nove it takes 45 minutes). Get fascinated by its myriad colors and colorful houses reflected in the green waters of the canals, its crooked bell tower, its tranquility, and the calm with which the old ladies embroider the original Buranello lace with their tombolo while, among themselves, laughing and chatting in the campi. It feels like being in paradise, with children whizzing free on their bicycles, colorful balconies thanks to the colors of the flowers, and fishermen hoisting freshly caught fish from their typical boats.

TIP: guidebooks recommended to visit Murano and Burano on the same day. From a local point of view this is totally silly because, on a hot day of the summer season, you will get stuck in Murano for a while. Beware that the ferries are typically overcrowded and incredibly hot during the summer. Lines for boarding can be extremely long. So, follow our tip and take the direct ferry from Venice.

I believe you are back from Burano by early/middle afternoon and if you’ve got some energy left visit the

Peggy Guggenheim Collection. More than 200 paintings and sculptures from almost every modern art movement of the 20th century are on display here, with particular strengths in Cubism, Futurism, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism.

 WOULD YOU LIKE TO ESCAPE THE CITY?
READ “4 easy and worthy excursions from Venice”

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It’s your third visit to Venice and you have already devoured the streets on our Rialto market tour. It’s about time to explore the surroundings! and there are so many interesting options, some are located in the Venetian lagoon, others only a short train ride away. Here are our top 4 worthy excursions from Venice. 

We suggest Bassano del Grappa as the real gem, a real smart traveler’s move. A charming little town nestled in the Venetian Pre-Alps on the shores of the crystal clear river Brenta. A direct train from Venice will take you to this unforgettable place in 1.15 hours. Much more than worthy! Bassano del Grappa deserves a much bigger promotion but thanks God, this Italian gem is not invaded by mass tourism. This is your intimate excursion to a real Italian place. This is the land where the Italians faced the hardest battles against the Austrians during World War I. Bassano was named del Grappa in 1928 to commemorate the soldiers who lost their lives in the decisive battles that were fought on the nearby Mount Grappa during the First World War. 
The most famous and iconic site of Bassano del Grappa is the Alpini Bridge (or Ponte Vecchio). It’s a wooden covered bridge over the river Brenta, which the Renaissance architect rebuilt in the 16th century after it was destroyed several times. The bridge, the river, the green mountains…and the amazing wine bars, will make your day!
You can’t miss the local aperitive mezzo-e-mezzo at Grapperia Nardini, Italy’s oldest distillery. This is the capital of Grappa. If you wanna learn more, visit the Grappa Museum at Poli, a few steps from Nardini. 
Worth a visit is for sure the Libreria Palazzo Roberti, one of the most beautiful libraries in the world in a seventeenth-century aristocratic palace. Bassano is also famous for its handmade ceramics. Check out the amazing shops around the city. Walk around, enjoy the elegance of the town or grab some beer and sit along the river and take your moment of silence. 

 Food to try in Bassano del Grappa

• Bigoli all’anitra – bigoli with duck ragù;
• Baccalà alla vicentina – Vicentyne style baccalà;
• Tagliatelle con asparagi bianchi – stew rabbit.

Our favorite restaurants in Bassano del Grappa

• Osteria alla Caneva
• Al Caneseo da Amedeo
• Trattoria Bigoleria Da Alice

Padova, art and spritz

It’s super quick to reach and offers many beautiful things to explore. Train connections depart every 15 minutes from Venice to Padova and the journey takes only half an hour! very worth!
Padova is fascinating, with breathtaking architecture all around. Visit Saint Anthony’s Basilica, whose main altar is richly decorated with works by Donatello. Don’t miss a visit to the stunning architecture and pay homage to the saint’s relics. After walking through the arcades and old town, you’ll find the Scrovegni Chapel, with Giotto’s stunning frescoes. They are listed among the most important works of Western art. You can see one of the oldest universities in Europe, whose faculty once included Galileo Galilei. This is also where a woman got an academic degree for the first time ever.
Spritz lovers must know that the Veneto region is renowned in Italy as the reign of Spritz, and Padova is the city where spritz is worshipped. Try some creative ones at La Yarda cocktail bar! Or remain in Venice and join Streaty’s ultimate spritz tour of Venice!

 Food to try in Padova

• Bigoli con sarde e capperi – bigoli with sardines and capers;
• Gran bollito misto – mixed boiled meat, made with various cuts of beef, cotechino, gallina padovana. It is then flavored with mustard sauces, salsa verde or cren (horseradish sauce);
• Torta pazientina – a dessert made in several layers with an almond shortbread (Brescian pastry) and sponge cake filled with zabaione. The whole is garnished with lots of chocolate chips.

Our favorite restaurants in Padova

• Antica Osteria dal Capo
• Osteria L’Anfora
• Trattoria Al Fungo

This welcoming, enchanting city is none other than Romeo and Juliet’s hometown! Here you can see all the iconic sites associated with the story of the two Shakespearian lovers, including the famous balcony and the tomb of Juliet. It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to get from Venice to Verona by train.
Throughout Verona, you can find a wealth of fascinating attractions to explore, all reflecting the city’s vibrant history. The majestic Castelvecchio is the heart of the medieval city. The Scaligeri Tombs, on the other hand, are one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in northern Italy.
There is a small colosseum in Verona called the Arena. It was built before Rome’s Colosseum and it’s the best-preserved Roman amphitheater in the world. Today, it serves as a fascinating open-air opera house, check the events. From here wander over to Piazza delle Erbe, with some of the most enchanting palaces you’ll find in Verona. Before you sit and taste some good wine, burn your last calories by climbing the stairs of Castel San Pietro and getting ready to enjoy a stunning view.
The province of Verona is a must-drink destination for wine passionate from all over the world. The two most renowned wines of the area are the red Valpolicella and the white Soave. 

 Food to try in Verona

• Pastissada de Caval – braised horse;
• Risotto al Tastasal – Tastasal is the pork mixture that is used to make cured meats;
• Pandoro – typical Christmas cake.

Our favorite restaurants in Verona

• Caffè Monte Baldo
• Osteria del Bugiardo
• Osteria Al Carroarmato

Are you feeling a little adventurous and want to spend a day cycling the laguna? Just half an hour’s boat ride from Venice -the city where it is forbidden to ride a bike- there is a route that allows you, instead, to pedal along the lagoon, enjoying green landscapes, places steeped in history, passing charming palaces and then stopping to enjoy the quiet and placid atmosphere of fishing villages. This is not recommended during the hottest months. Spring and autumn are the most enjoyable time of the year for this excursion.
Heading toward the sea, we come to the Marconi Promenade, past the iconic Hotel Des Bains and the landmarks of the International Film Festival, held every late summer right on the Venice Lido. There they flow before us first the Palazzo del Casinò, then the Palazzo del Cinema, and finally the majestic Hotel Excelsior, the most luxurious hotel on the island still in operation today. Reserve a moment to visit the delightful village of Malamocco, a small Venice with calli, campi and canals.
Continuing south, one finally arrives at the Alberoni area, following a stretch of a bicycle path along the Take the Ferry Boat towards the island of Pellestrina, renowned for its peculiar conformation, with a width ranging from 25 meters to a kilometer, and in some places, it is so thin that the sea and the lagoon are divided only by the fortification of the Murazzi.

Our favorite restaurants in Lido 

Try the typical lagoon cuisine at our favorite restaurants

• Ai Pescatori
• Da Celeste Pellestrina
• Trattoria da Scarso

Veneto region has got much more than just Venice. Take an adventure inland, visit small towns, eat seasonal country products, and admire the finest marble sculptures of Italy. You can do this, just need to get on a train and go!

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SPRITZ IN EVERYDAY VENETIAN LIFE

For Venetians having a spritz is more or less like having a coffee for southern Italians. “Let’s have a spritz!” this is the redundant invitation you get from your friends…or maybe your new date!

While in the rest of the country the spritz is just an aperitive drink, in Veneto the spritz is something you can have at whatever time of the day without taking the risk of ruining your sober man’s reputation. 11 AM bells mark the beginning of Spritz time!  This is the standard time for Venetians to take a sit at the bar and have a Spritz in good company. You’ll rarely see solo-drinkers overhere!

To drink a proper spritz in Venice you must enter a Bacaro or a cocktail bar. I know that sometimes researching involve lot of stress. So you might consider to simply rely on local experts instead of wasting time digging the web. Our evening food & wine tour of Venice  is all you need to get a real taste of Venice.

HISTORY OF SPRITZ

Let’s now understand where this weird name comes from! As the sound suggests, spritz is not an Italian neither a Venetian word! It is actually a German word! ‘Spritzen’ in German means ‘to spray’, and this is due to the fact that this beverage was born in the Triveneto area during the Austro-Hungarian occupation. Poor Austro-Hungarian soldiers, forced to handle these crazy Venetians, “infamous” for drinking mostly wine since there was lack of potable water in the lagoon.

Back home the Austro-Hungarians were used to have beers, so they had to find a solution to avoid getting drunk too easily. The solution was to dilute wine by spraying some selz water on it! And this is how the Spritz was born and quickly became popular in the lagoon.

SPRITZ BIANCO, THE ORIGINAL ONE

Originally the spritz consisted only of two elements: water and white wine. That’s all folks! From now on you know that the original spritz is just a white, light and fresh summer drink. 
If you go drinking in the countryside of Veneto, try to order “uno spritz, per favore” and you’ll get is simply a white wine and seltz water drink.

As for the wine, it should be any regional firm white. However, the choice can differentiate accordingly to the location or the bartender’s personality, and it can be either Prosecco, which never lacks in Venetian cells, or any other kind of regional white wine. Being this the lightest version of the spritz, it is normal to see, especially in the bars of little towns, old people drinking it quite early in the morning. Once again, it is refreshing and it brings on a nice and long drinking session. The freshness feeling is enhanced by ice cubes and lemon slices.

THE ORIGINAL RECIPE OF SPRITZ BIANCO

• Glass type: old fashioned
• 1 part of firm white wine from Veneto
• 2 parts of selz water
• 1 thin slice of lemon
• ice

SPRITZ SELECT: DRINK LOCAL!

I’m going to shock you again! The most popular Venetian spritz is not the Spritz Liscio, not even the Campari or Aperol. The most popular Spritz in Venice is the Spritz Select! 
The Select is a bitter aperitive drink with more than a hundred years of history! The Pilla brothers created Select in 1920. The liquor is made with a mix of 30 different herbs, berries and roots, but its recipe is still a secret.

Times went one and something changed.
The production of Select is longer happening in the lagoon after the company was bought by the Montenegro group in the beginning of the 50’s. The recipe and the label have been recently changed. The new bottle is very stylish. However, the taste could bave been left as it was instead of making it more similar to its number-one rival: Campari. I can confidently state that Spritz Select is still the top choice for most of Venetians.

THE ORIGINAL RECIPE OF SPRITZ SELECT

Find below the official recipe of Spritz Select as shared on selectaperitivo.com

• Glass type: old fashioned or Universum for wine
• 3 parts of Select
• 2 parts of Prosecco
• 1 part of selz water
• 1 green olive
• ice

MUSSOLINI VS SPRITZ SELECT

A quite bizarre event was the ban of the Select wanted by the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. At that time the regime imposed the autarchy and by consequence the block of all imports from abroad. Even if the Select was entirely produced in Italy, there were protests in all the country coz of its name: it sounded too anglophonic!

In 1935 the Select was officially banned. The interdiction only ended when the Pilla bros clarified that the name of their product was not English at all. It was simply the acronym of “Stabilimento Enologico Liquori E Cremore Tartaro”. Still nowadays nobody knows if this was the real meaning of the acronym or just a smart way out from the censorship.

APEROL SPRITZ, A GLOBAL DRINK

The Aperol spritz is surely the most famous and the only one you can find in any cocktail bar around the globe. This liquor was originally born in Padua one year before the select (1919) and it was invented by the Barbieri brothers. Aperol was bought in 2003 by Campari group and from that moment, with a strong marketing campaign, it has become the most popular aperitivo cocktail. 

THE ORIGINAL RECIPE OF APEROL SPRITZ

• Glass type: old fashioned or Universum for wine
• 3 parts of Prosecco DOC
• 2 parts of Aperol
• 1 parte di selz
• 1 thin slice of orange
• ice

CAMPARI AND MORE

Another very popular and worldwide renowned spritz is the Spritz Campari or Campari spritz. This is the most beloved spritz by those who prefer a bitter taste. Have you ever heard of the Cynar Spritz? it is made with a local artichoke-flavored liquor. My favorite one! Some people only drink the China spritz which is made with the bark of China Calissaia and different herbs. 

THE ORIGINAL RECIPE OF CAMPARI SPRITZ

• Glass type: Universum wine glass
• 3 parts of Prosecco Cinzano DOC
• 2 parts of campari
• 1 splash of soda (selz water)
• 1 slice of orange
• ice

Conclusion

The spritz is just one of the many Italian foods and drinks affected by globalization and mass marketing. The authenticity of each Italian recipe still remains rooted to a specific region. This is why I highly recommend you join a food & wine tour in Italy. During the Venice tours I unveil the secrets of Italian cuisine and remove all stereotyped expectations you might have. Nobody teaches here at Streaty, We simply enjoy sharing
Now stop reading mate, come drink with us in Venice!

AUTHOR
Federico – Streaty Venice
Licensed Italian tour guide
Graduated in Development of Tourism Systems at Ca’ Foscari Univ.
Venetian food & drink expert
Venice Bacari tour designer
 Unstoppable traveler

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You won’t believe this! or maybe you will! Just like Christmas and other Christian celebrations, St.Valentine’s day has a past in the pagan rites. We are going to discuss this and also find the connection with food. What food do Italians eat on these days and what food is directly connected to love (in all its senses) in Italy?

Needless to say, If you want to pick a city in Italy where to impress your better half and spend a proper romantic time, you must go to Venice?  and since food and love are life companions, the gift can’t but be a private food and wine tour of Venice with Streaty!

ST VALENTINE BEFORE THE SAINTS

Have you ever heard of the Lupercalia? Lupercalia stands for “the feast of Luperco”. Luperco – from Latin lupus, wolf – was an ancient pagan God worshipped and celebrated in Roman times. During the Lupercalia, romans would basically random match couples as a result of a draw. An innocent child’s hand was in charge of doing the draw? the child as personification of Cupid.  
The new lucky couples (hopefully for them!) they have the right to spend their Lupercalia together…party time!
Let’s get serious again. As you can easily understand, this rite would celebrate fertility. It is not a case that many pagan rites and feasts wishing fertility were places right before spring or at its beginning. It’s the time when men have to boost the fertility of their lands waiting for rich harvests. 
You can read the same way Easter, the Resurrection, when the fruits of Nature resurrect!

ST VALENTINE SUPERSTAR

In 496 Pope Gelasio I established St.Valentine’s day and doing so he did cancel the former pagan rite and made it Christian.

So who was Mr Valentine? Nowadays he would work as a couple therapist. Back then he was an Italian Bishop based in Terni (Umbria, the green heart of Italy). But he was not any bishop! Valentine made his reputation as the man who would help “unblessed” couples get together. The Emperor could not bear the fact that Valentine would facilitate these encounters and celebrate their union without his official approval. And just like many other saints, Valentine’s destiny was written…imprisoned, tortured…Martyred. So, Another Martyr joined the list of holy men and women who would pace our calendar.

According to the story, Valentine never gave up to Love. During his detention he fell in love with his warden’s daughter. Guess what?Valentine’s last words were spent for love, in a love letter! And this is the origins of the American tradition of sending “valentines” letter to impress their better half! Keep doing it lovers!

ITALIAN FOOD IN SAINT VALENTINE’S DAY

We would disappoint you this time. There is not a specific St Valentine’s dish in Italy. However, since this is the day of love and fertility, let’s take a look at what Italians would eat to empower these emotions…and instincts! 

BACI PERUGINA, MARKETING OF LOVE

The Baci Perugina! There is no tradition that welcomes this delicious hazelnut chocolate…it’s just marketing! The Perugina company made such a massive promotion in the past decades that it is nowadays considered the Italian chocolate of love. The bacio perugina is in the market since 1922 and it became the official love treat coz each delicious chocolate topped with an hazelnut goes with a small piece of paper that reads a love dedication! 

ZABAIONE, MAMA’S CURE

Zabaione is a delicious cream made with egg, sugar and marsala wine. It’s used to stuff cakes. In Palermo you can find the ice cream version of sabbione, it’s called “zuppa inglese”! 
According to Italian mama’s theory Zabaione would grant extra energies to their sons to be spent in more intense love performances! Not kidding! This is not an old tradition! Italian mamas still do it!
Is it only a coincidence that in these days that match with Carnival (another celebration of abundance) Venetians make frittelle with Zabaione??? I would say it is not.

FRITTELLE VENEZIANE

The birth of the frittella  – “fritea” in Venetian language – can be dated back to 7 centuries ago! This is not a story, it’s history, the evidence is readable on a document preserved in the Biblioteca Casanatese in Rome. The standard frittella dough contains flour, milk, sugar, yeast, egg. Don’t forget to add in the mixture some raisins! This is now the official Carnival treat in Veneto region. Come to Venice in February and try the frittella with zabbaione cream! Celebrate taste and fertility in Venice.

TIRAMISU’

Do you actually know what tiramisù mean? It means “lift me up!”.

Yes, it’s always about sex in Italy! According to the story, the tiramisu was made by a brothel “maitresse” in Treviso. The brothel’s landlady would help her clients reinvigorate after their daily sin by offering them this delicious and energetic cake. Sinful love, but still love.
And see what you have inside the tiramisù cream? Egg and sugar! Many Italians also enrich the cream with a licor…here it comes again…the zabaione cream!

Guys…you know you don’t have to mess up with food in Italy. Two regions compete for being the fathers of Tiramisù, Friuli and Veneto.
We stand for Veneto and its erotic story. If you wanna try the best tiramisu of Venice, join us on the evening Venice food and wine tour…Your palate will not regret!

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