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Venice in May: Festivals, Flowers, and the Marriage to the Sea

Venice in May: Festivals, Flowers, and the Marriage to the Sea | Savor Italy Tours Seasonal Insider Guide Venice in May: Festivals, Flowers, and the Marriage to the Sea Marco Rossi Travel Editor • Updated for 2026 “Venice in May is characterized by vibrant cultural events, mild spring weather, and a buzzing outdoor atmosphere before the peak summer crowds arrive.” Top Seasonal Activities The Venice Biennale: A premier international art festival. In 2026, the Art Biennale runs from May to November, featuring pavilions from 99 countries across the Giardini and Arsenale. It is the best time to explore the city’s hidden gardens and historic naval depots. Festa della Sensa (Marriage to the Sea): A traditional celebration of Venice’s maritime power. […]

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22 Amazing Venice Fun Facts: Secrets of the Floating City

22 Amazing Venice Fun Facts: Secrets of the Floating City | Savor Italy Tours The Definitive Insider Guide 22 Mind-Blowing Venice Fun Facts: Secrets of the Floating City Marco Rossi Travel Editor • May 7, 2026 Share: “Venice is a defiance of physics, a miracle built upon mud, and a masterpiece of human will. To walk her streets is to navigate a living archive of a grand, independent past.” Welcome to the floating miracle. Most visitors see the gondolas and the glitter of St. Mark’s Square, but few understand the mechanics—and the mysteries—that keep this city from reclaimed by the sea. Here are twenty-two facts that capture the true soul and history of Venice. 1. The “Petrified Forest” Supporting the […]

A classic black private gondola gliding through a quiet, romantic side canal in Venice at sunset
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Is a Private Gondola Ride in Venice Worth It? (2026 Costs)

Is a Private Gondola Ride Worth the Cost? 2026 Price Guide | Savor Italy Tours The Insider Verdict Is a Private Gondola Ride Worth the Cost? 2026 Price Guide Marco Rossi Travel Editor • May 7, 2026 The Short Answer Yes, a private gondola ride is absolutely worth the cost if you value intimacy and want to explore Venice’s hidden, quiet canals away from the crowds. In 2026, the official cost is €90 for 30 minutes before 7:00 PM, and €110 for 35 minutes after 7:00 PM. The price is per boat (holding up to 5 people), making it more affordable for families. Gliding through the labyrinthine canals of Venice on a sleek, black gondola is an iconic bucket-list experience. […]

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

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.
Where to Eat in Venice

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
Where to Eat in Venice

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 activity

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 […]

Italy travel tips

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
Italy travel tips

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
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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
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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
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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 […]