Venice...the land of tourists, water ,and seafood!

While I won't get too much into the touristy things, I must comment that Venice is a magical city and you simply must try and make it there once in your life. Nothing can compare to the feeling of walking off the train and expecting a crowded street, and getting a canal instead. Pictures and stories really cannot do it justice so while I realize I am about to tell stories and show pictures of Venetian food, trust me you should just go see for yourself.

The first thing I will say is to never, in any city, underestimate the power of a picnic. Italy is famous for its cold cuts and cheeses, and of course wine, so I highly recommend taking the time to have a picnic Italian style. We went into a little meat shop and bought some salami and cheese (Asiago and Pecorino) and some potato chips as a side. I had brought a bottle of wine with me from a vineyard visit, so the last stop was a local Forno for some fresh baked rolls. It was perfect to enjoy inside or out, and after ordering in Italian, the owners spoke no English, I felt truly Italian even if just for one meal.

Now on to the big stuff. SEAFOOD! There is no shortage of it in Venice and you can find some of the best around if you know where to look. We stopped at a place near the Rialto Bridge that advertised for its attentive selection of fresh seafood. We were not disappointed. I split the grilled Sea Bass and potatoes with my mom....while my dad enjoyed a spaghetti and clams dish.

The history of seafood in Venice, and the role it played in their trade empire is something to read about. While again, I can say stories cannot do it justice, you can get a good sense of the Seafood culture in Venice here. I hope you enjoy the stories and pictures, but mostly I hope you can make it there to try for yourself!