Venice

Comment by Pete and Maggie Haggart on May 7, 2008 at 6:57pm

We are heading to Venice this fall - our first visit. We will be staying in the Briati apartment from the 24th of September until October 1st and then moving on to Florence for a week! We have started a discussion about food in Venice - hope to get lots of good advice!

Comment by Michelle Vaden on May 7, 2008 at 8:41pm

I'll be going to Venice in October also but there later, Oct 22 to November 5 and staying in the Casino Apartment. I'd like the same kind of advice about where to buy food both to cook and eat out (eating out solo hints anyone). Ciao

Comment by Jane & Tom Farr on June 5, 2008 at 8:12am

Our family of four will be traveling to Venice on June 17. We appreciate the eating cheap advice!

Comment by Eric and Sue on June 22, 2008 at 5:20pm

Hi Michelle, we were in Venice from April 23-May 7 of this year, and stayed in the Casino apt. First off, you will love the apt. It is well suited for cooking, with a well equipped kitchen (though no microwave or dishwasher), a gas stove top and electric oven. There are many small markets, fruit and veg stands within walking distance, some less than a block away. We did most of our grocery shopping at the Coop-with the rise of the food prices here at home lately, we did not find them much higher in Venice, and especialy enjoyed the assortment of packaged pastas and soups-add a tasty bread, a salad and /or fruit, and it was a good , inexpensive dinner.
The restaurant meals were another story. We could probably have eaten out cheaper than we did, but after sightseeing all morning, we were ready to sit down at an outdoor cafe for lunch and be served. (it is cheaper to eat standing up at the bar). When you add a bottle of water, wine, service, an occasional coffee, and the price of the meal, we seldom spent less than 35E for two-it was usually closer to 50E or 60E. The menus seemed to be the same for lunch or dinner, though we rarely ate out at dinner, so not sure about that. However, you could just as easily grab a sandwich and a drink at takeaway places for about 5E, though then you have no place to sit down and enjoy it, unless you want to sit on the steps at the canal. I don't think eating is allowed on the vaparettos, but they were so crowded it would be impossible to eat on them anyway. There is a nice Pizzaria practically next door to the apt called Vesuvius-and we ate there twice. I would say their prices were moderate-they advertise a 'tourist menu", or menu of the day, on a board out front that looks inviting, but unless you specifically ask for that particular menu, you will be given the regular one. We noticed this to be true in other restaurants as well-so always ask for the menu of what is advertised, if that is what you want.
hope this helps in your planning, and will be most happy to answer any other questions you may have.

Comment by Michelle Vaden on June 23, 2008 at 9:10am

Grazzie Sue and Eric, your comments are very helpful.

Comment by AndiC on June 26, 2008 at 11:19am

I was just in Venice in May and it's as splendid as ever. The newest, and 4th bridge across the Grand Canal, the Calatrava, was about to be open to the public while I was there. It's completely different than the other 3, modern and made of glass and steel. I was there when they were "testing" the night time illumination of the bridge, it was quite a sight.

Comment by AndreaSz on July 1, 2008 at 10:42am

Here's a new way to explore the Grand Canal, just not for the faint of heart: Venice by kayak!
http://video.on.nytimes.com/?fr_story=b356ac78f59a8b3a1b710a9270c28b0b3c7e9d16

Comment by AndreaSz on July 3, 2008 at 9:22am

Here's Venice by kayak again, with a link.

Comment by Linda Paplinski on July 6, 2008 at 12:35pm

Our last night in Venice in 2005 we went to a restaurant named C de Spade. The owner's name was Emile. Emile was quite a character. He spoke English and we allowed him to choose our menu for the meal. It was excellent. This was clearly a local restaurant as during the meal someone started playing the piano, someone else joined in with a flute and another local customer started singing - in Italian of course. Emil and a girl started doing th tango. Everyone was having a fun time, which made it fun for us also. Emile told us that he was going to be opening a new restaurant on the Grand Canal, but will keep this place open too as the original home. When you find a restaurant that has great food and atmosphere it's a keeper. I don't know if Emile did indeed open his new place on the Grand Canal or what its name is, but the original place is definitely worth looking up.

Comment by AndreaSz on July 11, 2008 at 12:52pm

I just read an interesting piece about an Italian eco initiative to cut down on the consumption of bottled water! Bottled water is such a big part of the culture, I sometimes fear visitors think the taps are unsafe! The "100% Public" initiative is giving visitors re-usable bottles and a map of the city's drinking fountains for refills. Brilliant! I can't wait until the project spreads to other Italian cities! Here's the link.

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