How to get Venice all to yourself
YouTube Video Description↓
Venice, to yourself? It’s not a myth. But it *does* involve setting an alarm. The secret? Get up early. Not 8am-early. We’re talking 6am-early. Before the cruise ships dock and the souvenir stalls open, Venice is all golden light, echoing footsteps, and local bakers setting out trays of warm focaccia. And I love it like that. Here are a few other ways to step off the well-worn path: 🛶 Take a traghetto instead of a gondola. Same Grand Canal, local-style. 🖼 Visit the Gallerie dell’Accademia before the crowds descend. It opens at 8:15am and houses the world’s richest collection of Venetian art—including works by Bellini, Titian and Veronese. 🛍 Head to the Dorsoduro district. You’ll find real Venetian artisans making marbled paper, bookbinding by hand, and mask-makers who still use papier-mâché. 🥗 Skip the tourist menus and try cicchetti at a bacaro bar—think Venetian tapas. Try Cantine del Vino già Schiavi or Osteria Al Squero. 🎭 Explore the Jewish Ghetto in Cannaregio—the oldest in the world (and where the word ghetto comes from.) It's beautiful, full of history, and every time I visit there's no one else there! 👉 Bonus tip: book a visit to San Giorgio Maggiore and climb the bell tower. It’s cheaper and less crowded than the Campanile in St Mark’s—and has the better view.