Where to Stay

Venice is divided into six sestieri/districts. San Marco the tourist hot-spot; Cannaregio mostly residential, home to Venice’s Jewish Ghetto; Castello the largest of the districts, stretches from the tourist centre to the east; Dorsoduro to the west, home to students and artists and the most famous art gallery the Accademia; Santa Croce which occupies the north west part of the main islands and San Polo. We stayed in a lovely apartment in the San Polo sestiero called Da Carlo which I highly recommend whether you are travelling with family, friends or your partner. San Polo is the smallest of the sestieri in Venice and is also one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city. Today, is also one of the liveliest areas in Venice, walking distance to the Rialto, Piazza San Marco and the Ferrovia. Prices are definitely more reasonable making this area ideal for your stay in Venice.

Where to Eat & Drink

Venice is one of the best places in Europe for a bar crawl – also known as baccarata – not only because drinking starts really early (9am glass of Prosecco is perfectly acceptable) but also because there are so many quaint little bars with fantastic flavors from the region. For a successful baccarata I have been told that one must visit at least 14-15 baccari/bars, drink at least 14-15 Prosecco and/or Sprits and try at least 14-15 cicchetti/local tapas. You might be wondering if my baccarata was a successful one…not even close!!!! But the process was highly amusing. Here’s my recommendations:

• Bancogiro – near the Rialto Bridge and our favourite baccaro
• Bacarando in Corte dell’Orso – amazing cicchetti 
• Taverna al Remer – perfect for an outdoor Spritz on the Canal Grande
• Osteria al Ponte – very laid back and friendly staff
• Lavena– if you want to say you had an aperitivo on Piazza San Marco but don’t fancy paying €15 for a drink, grab a Prosecco at the bar counter. It will set you back €4 rather than the average €2 but the bar itself is so traditional and with a lovely view of the piazza

For dinner I would recommend trying restaurants in the Dorsoduro district around Campo Santa Margherita. But honestly if you don’t like the idea of sitting down for a meal then the baccarata is the best option!

♥Dani♥