Travel to the Wonderful Venice,Italy

To bring you the best experience when traveling to Venice, Italy we decided to interview Jayne Seddon

Tell us about yourself – where are you from and what do you do?

I am originally from the United Kingdom. I have been working in Italy for approx 16 years now and since 1995 in Venice. I originally worked for UK tour operators, but now am fortunate enough to organise weddings and special occasions in Italy, and also run a tours programme in Venice.

When do you recommend travelers visit your location?

Venice is the most beautiful and unique city in the world. It has advantages throughout the year, in fact often people return to see it at different times. I personally love the few weeks before Christmas, its relatively quiet and no queues for museums or churches. It becomes ‘Venetian’ again after the busy tourist months in the summer.

How can a traveler avoid tourist traps and instead experience what local people do?

We set up our tours programme exactly to offer that, however there are many tips. The locals don’t usually sit and have a coffee in St Marks square for example, however they will go inside one of the famous bars and stand up to have a drink (not the same I know) but big price reduction. Visit areas away from the main sights, off-the-beaten track. Look for special passes ie 3 day ticket for the waterbus/vaporetti (if you pay each journey its very expensive).

What are several very special places or things to do which locals love but most travelers don’t know about?

This is difficult to answer because most people want to see the main sights and don’t have time to visit outside Venice. The Naval Museum is really interesting but most people don’t visit it. Apart from the main islands of Murano and Burano, there are the relatively unknown ones of Sant Erasmo (where vegetables are grown), San Lazzaro, San Francesco del Deserto monastery. Away from Venice there is the lovely area of Valdobbiadene where the best prosecco comes from. Beautiful countryside, excellent wines. The longer you live in Italy the more you realise there is so much to learn about food and wines. Each area and region have their own specialities. Nearby we have Friuli which is excellent for wines and gastronomy.

How can travelers get the most out of these special places to see, or special things to do?

Many tours we offer were based on what we do when we have family or friends visiting. Places we like to take them, food we like to try. For private tours, we can really set up a day just for you.

What’s the best way for a visitor to experience the local culture?

No doubt the best way is to try and learn some of the language. This means you can understand menus better and communicate with the locals. They do appreciate it. Stay for more than 2 or 3 days, its not long enough. Stay in an apartment for two weeks, take the train – travel and explore ! Its all an adventure.

What local foods or drinks should travelers be sure to try?

In Venice drinks you should try:- at aperitif time you will see most Venetians with an orange coloured drink with an olive in – its called a Spritz and is made with wine, mineral water and Aperol (is the best or Campari) and ice. Also the Proseccos fromProseccos area. Oh and another lovely drink, after a fish dinner, is a Sgroppino – it looks like milk – its basically a digestive and is made from lemon ice-cream and vodka – delicious! Regarding foods – it took me a while to learn to like some of the fish dishes, but being on the lagoon, fish is a must. An antipasto of fish – is a great starter of mixed fish – some only available in the lagoon. Baccala served with polenta is also work trying. It’s a type of dried cod mashed with olive oil – really tasty. Fegato alla Veneziana is also a traditional dish – it’s a dish of liver and onions!

How does the traveling experience in your area change throughout the year?

The worst time of year usually is certain weeks from end of October – November – December (more likely when there is a full moon). It can be difficult to move around the city for a few hours, even with the duck-boards! Large hotels are offering wellington boots to their guests ! Throughout the year however Venice is full of exhibitions and things going on. Each month has its own charm – although January is quite cold. February we have Carnival – and once in a life time you should enjoy a Grand Ball dressed in costume. The Redentore Festival in July is a festival loved by the locals – who enjoy taking boats into the lagoon with picnics to enjoy the fireworks at night! The Film Festival in August brings a certain excitement to the city – just in case we spot a famous actor or two ?!

Is there anything else we forgot to ask that you’d like add?

Read up a little bit about the city before you arrive. Bring a book or novel set in Venice – perfect holiday reading. Comfortable shoes are a must as it’s a city for walking, an outdoor museum!

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This post involves:

aperitif, Burano, Carnival, coffee, December, Fegato alla Veneziana, fish dishes, Friuli, Jayne, Murano, Naval Museum, November, October, off-the-beaten track, Proseccos, San Francesco del Deserto monastery, San Lazzaro, Sant Erasmo, Sgroppino, Spritz, St Marks square, The Film Festival, unique, United Kingdom, vaporetti, Venetian, Venice, wines

... and focuses on:

Food, Localyte, Look Like Locals, Meet the Locals, Tourist Trap, Travel Dos and Donts, drink, when to travel

Posted by Localyte.com Team on December 17, 2008