A bartender at Pasticceria Targa in Venice pouring glasses of red wine and preparing pastries for a guided cicchetti tour group.

Best Bacari San Polo

The Ultimate Guide to San Polo’s Best Bacari: A Venetian Wine Crawl By Tommy | Savor Italy Tours Founder & Venice Local The ultimate giro d’ombra essential: a colorful mix of traditional Venetian cicchetti. If you want to understand the true soul of Venice, you have to leave the grand, crowded piazzas behind and lose yourself in the labyrinth of the San Polo district. Here, clustered around the ancient Rialto Market, you will find the lifeblood of Venetian culinary culture: the bacaro. A proper Venetian evening isn’t spent sitting down for a heavy three-course meal; it’s spent standing shoulder-to-shoulder with locals, balancing a small glass of wine (an ombra) in one hand and a bite-sized cicchetto in the other. This […]

Exterior entrance and wooden sign of Cantina do Spade, a historic bacaro and wine bar in Venice, Italy.

Cantina Do Spade: Guide to Venice’s Historic Bacaro (Since 1448)

The Casanova Connection: Discovering Cantina Do Spade (Since 1448) By Enzo| Savor Italy Tours & Venice Local The historic entrance to Cantina Do Spade in San Polo, welcoming thirsty Venetians since 1448. If Cantina Do Mori is the stoic grandfather of Venetian wine bars, Cantina Do Spade is its lively, boisterous sibling. Tucked away in a labyrinth of narrow alleyways just a stone’s throw from the Rialto Bridge, Do Spade has been serving thirsty Venetians since 1448—making it a strong contender for the oldest operating bacaro in the city. Legend has it that this historic tavern was a favorite haunt of Giacomo Casanova, who allegedly brought his conquests here for a glass of wine and a discreet bite. Today, it […]

Cantina Do Mori Venice oldest wine bar interior with copper pots and traditional cicchetti

Cantina Do Mori: Guide to the Oldest Wine Bar in Venice

The Copper Pots of 1462: Inside Cantina Do Mori, the Living Heart of Venice By Tommy | Savor Italy Tours Founder & Venice Local In a city of 118 islands and nearly as many tourist traps, there is a narrow, dimly lit alleyway in San Polo where time has effectively been held at a standstill since the mid-15th century. To step through the heavy wooden doors of Cantina Do Mori is to abandon the Venice of cruise ships and enter the Venice of Casanova, spice merchants, and the city’s ancient Giro d’Ombra. Founded in 1462, Do Mori holds the undisputed title of the oldest bacaro (wine bar) in the Serenissima. But its value isn’t just in its age—it’s in its […]

Guests making fresh pasta during a Venice cooking class

Venice Cooking Class – the Ultimate Souvenir

Ultimate Venice Cooking Class: Pasta, Tiramisu & Prosecco | Savor Italy Tours Venice Culinary Experiences Beyond the Gondola: Why a Venice Cooking Class is the Ultimate Travel Souvenir Published by Savor Italy Tours • Master Class Culinary Experiences The inspiring atmosphere of our restored 12th-century culinary venue. When planning a trip to the floating city, the itinerary usually writes itself: a gondola ride through the narrow canals, a walk across the Rialto Bridge, and a visit to St. Mark’s Basilica. But once the sightseeing is done, how do you truly connect with the heart of Venice, Italy? You head into the kitchen. But not just any kitchen—a meticulously restored 12th-century architectural gem that predates most Venetian palaces, located just a […]

The Ultimate Guide to Venice After Dark: Pastries, Espresso & Artisan Gelato | Savor Italy Tours

The Ultimate Guide to Venice After Dark: Pastries, Espresso, & Artisan Gelato Experience the authentic sweet side of Venice. A local’s guide by Savor Italy Tours. There is a side of Venice that most visitors miss—one that emerges only after the day-trippers have left the winding calli (streets) and the locals reclaim their city. While the setting sun over the Grand Canal is beautiful, the true flavor of Venice awakens in the twilight. A proper Venetian evening is carefully paced. It might kick off around 5:15 PM with a large bottle of wine and a fresh tramezzino at Do Mori, followed by a savory stop for half a mozzarella in carrozza and olive sticks at Do Spade, or a hearty […]

Wine tours in Venice eat drink and repeat

Regional Italian Cuisine: A 10-Day Food Itinerary

  Italy is a patchwork of 20 distinct culinary micro-climates. From the butter-rich dishes of the Alpine north to the spice-infused seafood of the Mediterranean south, every region tells a story through its flavors. If you are planning an Italy 10-day itinerary, navigating these tastes can be overwhelming. This guide uncovers the must-eat delicacies across five iconic regions to help you eat like a local on your next adventure. 1. Tuscany: The Heart of Rustic Renaissance Tuscany is synonymous with rolling cypress hills and the artistic soul of Florence. But for food lovers, it’s the Cucina Povera (peasant cooking) that shines. Here, simplicity is an art form. Signature Dishes: Bistecca alla Fiorentina (massive T-bone steak from Chianina cattle) and Pappa […]

Trastevere neigborhood

Best restaurants in Trastevere

  Known for its narrow streets, colorful buildings covered in ivy and historic squares, Trastevere is considered one of the most beautiful districts in Rome. It is no surprise then that Trastevere is loved by tourists and filmmakers alike. With such a beautiful backdrop, it is also a great place to enjoy traditional cuisine and specialties. If you are wondering where to eat in Trastevere when you are taking a stroll through this historic neighborhood, we’ve compiled a list of the best restaurants in Trastevere, according to different local sources.     Felice a Testaccio – this restaurant has been established in Rome for almost a century.  The word Felice literally means Happy in Italian, and since 1936 to be […]

best pizza in Rome

Best pizza in Rome

Whether you like pizza by the slice or round, Roman or Neapolitan, with natural or gourmet leavening, Rome offers it all. To help you choose the right pizza for you in the Eternal City, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 best pizza in Rome ( or top 10 pizzerias like the locals would refer to it). From Trastevere in Prati through the historic center, you will not regret stopping by one these places during your travel. Il Buchetto Only a five-minute walk from the Piazza del Popolo, Il Buchetto offers reasonably priced, authentic pizza. To go along with Roman tradition, this historical pizzeria only serves thin crust. The restaurant might be small and simply decorated, but its food […]

Gluten free meals in Rome

Eating Gluten Free in Rome

Celiac disease and gluten intolerance are increasingly common and widespread autoimmune disorders. For those who cannot tolerate gluten, traveling can oftentimes be a struggle. Fortunately, your food choices will not be limited in the Eternal City. In Rome, many restaurants specialized in gluten-free cuisine. Below are just a few of our suggestions: 1.  Mama Bistrot in San Pietro area A stone’s throw from St. Peter’s Basilica, Mama Bistrot sits in the heart of the Prati district and offers delicious and authentic gluten-free meals. Whether you are visiting for lunch or dinner, gluten-free pasta and desserts are always guaranteed to be on the menu. 2. Pinturicchio Located in the Monte Milvio area, Pinturicchio provides an elegant atmosphere and a menu section […]

Must see places in Rome

Sometimes, in order to make traveling a reality, sacrifices have to be made. In a perfect world, time would be on our side. Our vacations would last forever and every destination would be reachable. Unfortunately, though, that isn’t the case. Most times, our trips are limited. Let’s say you want to visit 10 countries in eight days. These types of trips can be whirlwinds of wonder and joy, but they can also be extremely overwhelming. It can be hard to know exactly what to see in any given location when time is of the essence. But have no fear; we’re here to help. If your plan is to visit Rome, Italy, in one day, consult the list below. We’ll tell […]

Ten Best Trattoria in Rome

Years have gone by – indeed centuries – but the charm of Roman trattoria shows no sign of going out of fashion. Although the capitol has, for several years, been home to the highest number of innovations in catering, multifunctional, local pizzerias, that serve gourmet, traditional Roman cuisine, continue to be the inescapable gastronomic goal for tourists and fans alike. Below are the ten best trattoria in Rome according to Il Messaggio, a highly ranked news company by locals in Italy ( the suggested price does not include wine 🙂 ).   ROBERTO E LORETTA Located just a few steps from Piazza Re di Roma, Roberto and Loretta is considered a true “small establishment of a large family-owned restaurant district.” […]

Top ten off the beaten path places to visit in Rome

Rome is not simply a large city, it is a huge city that is full of monuments, history and peculiarity. Rome is so big that even for locals it can be seemingly impossible to know every corner. Perhaps because of its history or  the creativity of city’s inhabitants. If you are tired of seeing the same touristic sites in the Eternal City? Here you can find some suggestions…   “Buco della Serratura” (The Keyhole)   Recently, this is starting to be a point that is visited by tourists as well so it’s not that “rare” anymore but it still worth mentioning. Located near a picturesque location  “Giardino degli Aranci”, more precisely in Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta, the keyhole is […]