Hi Reader,

I’m finally back from Italy and settling into my routine at home. Honestly, I think my daily gelato habit is going to be the hardest one to break now that I’m back hahaha.

One of my favorite things about traveling in Italy is how every region feels completely unique. Each one has its own beauty, charm, and food traditions that make it special in a different way.

And after this trip, I made it official that one of my new goals is to visit all 20 regions of Italy.

Since every city has something different to offer, I thought I’d start sharing some advice and food highlights from each stop of my trip so you’ll know exactly what to eat (and what not to miss) when you plan your own trip to Italy.

This trip marked my second time in Venice, and I have to say… even after already seeing it once, there’s still something so magical about life in a city built entirely on canals.

I loved just standing there and watching everyday things happen, like a garage boat floating by or people commuting to work on the vaporetto (aka the water taxi). It makes you realize how completely unique daily life is when you live in Venice.

Now, my personal way of traveling always leans toward experiencing a city through a more local lens. Including figuring out the food and drinks everyday people are eating.

Well, mostly...after a month in Italy, I gave in and ordered a very American avocado toast breakfast one morning. (I was craving it so badly!!).

The important thing to remember when traveling in Italy is that every region has its own specialties. It's so fun to taste the dishes each region is known for, like a classic carbonara in Rome or olive and tomato focaccia in Bari.

So, let’s start off these Italy guides with my recommendations for Venice.

While you’re in Italy, you have to experience a bar at least once! Bars in Italy function more like cafés in the U.S. You can grab your morning caffè (coffee), a pastry or snack, and maybe stop back in the evening for an aperitivo.

Be prepared, though! The local spots can feel a little chaotic in the best way. You order, eat, and drink standing at the counter, then pay before heading off on your way. It’s not quite the same as lingering over a cappuccino at a café, but it’s such a fun way to experience daily Italian life.

We tried Tonolo (thanks to a recommendation from Katie Parla), and every pastry we had was a 10/10! I highly recommend grabbing a cornetto, anything with pistachio (my favorite!!), or a bombolone. Pasticceria Rizzardini was another local place worth the visit.

Oh, and don’t forget to learn the “right” way to eat a pastry in Italy...you’ll look like a local once you know this little trick!

When it comes to coffee, you’ll mostly see locals drinking espresso, but don’t stress about ordering a cappuccino or another espresso-based drink if that’s your thing.

For lunch, I have a few recommendations. Cicchetti (pronounced “chee-keh-tee”) are Venice’s signature bite-sized appetizers, and they’re perfect for an easy midday meal. You’ll find endless varieties from crostini to fried seafood bites, and they pair perfectly with my newest obsession, the Select spritz.

Most people know the Aperol spritz, but the Select spritz is Venice’s lesser-known version. Let me tell you, the flavor is incredible! A little richer and more complex than Aperol, in my opinion. It might have just become my new favorite!!

And of course, after lunch, gelato is basically mandatory. After eating some truly amazing gelato during culinary school, my standards are high. But Venice didn’t disappoint! Our favorite spot quickly became Gelateria Gallonetto. If you want to learn how to spot real gelato while you travel, I just shared a video with a few tips!

Dinner in Italy is always a bigger event. If you’re familiar with Italian dining, you know the meal usually starts with antipasto (appetizer), then moves to primo (pasta or risotto), secondo (the main protein), contorno (side dish), dolce (dessert), and finally a caffè (coffee).

It’s a whole ritual that's slow, intentional, and best enjoyed with good company.

Since I tend to splurge more on dinner, I focus on dishes that really shine in that region. Venice has tons of restaurants, especially with all the tourism, so you do have to be a bit discerning to find truly good food (especially if you’re on a budget).

When it comes to what to order in Venice and Northern Italy, risotto is a must (try risi e bisi in the spring). You should also try the local seafood: mussels, clams, cuttlefish, or shrimp are all fantastic.

​Don’t skip tiramisu either! It actually originated right here in the Veneto region (specifically Treviso). The tiramisu at Osteria Acquastanca in Murano (another Katie Parla rec) was to die for!

Polenta is also very common in the winter months, often served with meat or seafood, and if you’re craving pasta, go for tagliolini con granseola (pasta with crab) or pasta al nero di seppia (squid ink pasta).

With a little research, you’ll eat so well in Venice!!

Now, let’s talk activities! Part of the magic of Venice is simply wandering...getting lost on quiet streets, turning corners that open up to picturesque canals, and soaking up the views. The Cannaregio neighborhood is perfect for that.

But you also can’t miss the nearby islands, Murano, Burano, Torcello, and Mazzorbo. Each one has its own charm. Just be sure to go early because they get busy fast! If you’re taking the vaporetto (public water bus), you’ll have a much calmer experience in the morning before the crowds roll in.

Murano is known for its glassmaking, so you’ll see tons of gorgeous glass artwork. Wandering through the shops is fun, even if most of the pieces are out of my budget.

This time, we stopped by Wave Murano Glass to watch their free glass-blowing demo. It’s so cool to see how their team works with such precision, each person with their own role, to create beautiful vases and bowls. We even caught a glimpse of a small glass-blowing class, which looked like such a fun experience and would make for an amazing souvenir to bring home. Next time I'm going to splurge on this!

The island of Burano, on the other hand, is completely different! It’s filled with the most colorful houses you’ve ever seen, and every corner is another photo waiting to happen. Burano is also famous for its lace, so you’ll find some really unique shops there too.

Just a heads up, many of the stores on the islands close early, usually around 6:00 p.m., so don’t plan to arrive too late in the day. If you want the most relaxing experience, I’d recommend visiting the islands on separate days so you can take your time exploring and enjoy a meal on each one.

If you’re trying to fit both into a single day, I’d suggest getting an early start and splurging on a private water taxi so you’re not stuck waiting in the long vaporetto lines. We learned that lesson the hard way!

What I’ll say about Venice is that it’s truly one of a kind. You’ve probably never seen anything like it. If it’s on your travel bucket list, I hope you get to experience it one day! It really is just as magical as everyone says!!

Okay, more Italian food guides coming soon!

P.S. I’m in the middle of planning my next group trip to Italy! If you want to be the first to know the new dates, make sure you’re on the waitlist.

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