Venice-bound travellers concerned by stories of tourist-trap restaurants and overpriced, mediocre fare can breathe a sigh of relief with the arrival ofThe Luxury Travel Book’snew hidden gem food tours. The luxury apartment and villa rental company is offering guests of its Venice properties a series of ‘off the beaten track’ personalised gastronomic activities, hosted by native Venetian and Master Sommelier Giorgia.
On Georgia’s ‘Bacari Tour’, guests can discover the Venetian tradition ofCicchetti, the small, tapas-like dishes served in the numerous smallBacaribars across the city. They will be taken to the spots only visited by locals or those ‘in the know’, for a more authentic and enjoyable experience.
They can also join Giorgia’s two-hour tour of the Rialto Market, where they will meet the stall holders and learn how to pick the freshest produce at the best price. The tour includes a tasting of the Italian delicacies on offer, such as prosciutto ham, risotto and freshly caught seafood.
Guests can also opt for master sommelier Georgia’s bespoke wine tasting classes, where they will sample the region’s finest tipples while she talks them through each wine’s unique flavour and properties.
The Luxury Travel Book has a stunning range of properties in the famous ‘floating city’. From a cosy yet luxurious modern terraced apartment to the former grand residence of artists and poets, there is a property to suit every taste.
Apartment San Samuele
The Luxury Travel Book’sApartment San Samuele, which sleeps six, is the perfect base for a Venetian adventure. Conveniently located in San Marco, just off Campo Santo Stefano, the splendid three-bedroom apartment to rent comes with the advantage of a furnished ‘altana’ roof terrace with spectacular views towards the Palazzo Grassi Museum of Modern Art.
Apartment Eremite 2
The charming two-bedroomApartment Eremite 2overlooks one of the prettiest canals in Venice, the Rio delle Romite. It is spectacularly located, just opposite one of the most historic and well known restaurants in the city, Locanda Montin. It enjoys a peaceful and tranquil location, just a minute’s walk from the Fondamenta Toletta, a charming street of bookshops and the canalside tables of the small, but highly popular, ‘Enoteca Ai Artisti’.
La Residenza
Situated on Giudecca Island,La Residenzais a series of apartments (two one-bedroom and nine two-bedroom) dating back to the 16thcentury. Formerly the home of Venetian nobility, in the 20thcentury it became an upscalepensione, catering to an eclectic clientele of painters, writers and actors. Recently renovated to create a residential villa with hotel services, these luxury apartments offer peace and tranquility a mere four minutes by boat to San Marco. With magnificent views of the city just across the water, they are surrounded by a stunning three-acre private garden – the largest in Venice – which includes an outdoor ‘meditation’ pool.
- A two to three-hour Bacari tour costs€80 per two people and includes three bacari and three tastings(a glass of wine per bacaro and two to three Cicchetti per bacaro).
- A two-hour Rialto market tour costs€60per two people and includes one tasting (as above).
- A two-hour wine-tasting session costs€80per two people (three different Veneto wines, paired with Cicchetti.
For more information or to book visitwww.theluxurytravelbook.com