Exploring Venice: A Guide to the Best Walking Tours

Venice, the city of canals, is an architectural wonder and a testament to human ingenuity. This floating city, built on a lagoon, is a magnet for tourists from around the world. With the summer crowds, Venice can feel overwhelming at times, but don’t let that deter you. There’s plenty of history, culture, and delicious Italian cuisine to be discovered.

Venice, the city of canals, is an architectural wonder and a testament to human ingenuity. This floating city, built on a lagoon, is a magnet for tourists from around the world. With the summer crowds, Venice can feel overwhelming at times, but don’t let that deter you. There’s plenty of history, culture, and delicious Italian cuisine to be discovered.

And what better way to uncover the best of Venice than through walking and canal tours? They are fantastic ways to explore both the city’s famous attractions and hidden gems.

Best Overall Tour: Take Walks

Take Walks is my top recommendation for explorers visiting Venice. Their tours are insightful, enjoyable, and provide a comprehensive overview of the city.

For first-time visitors, the ‘Venice in a Day’ tour is a must-do. This tour gives you a taste of everything that makes Venice unique. If you want something more immersive, the ‘Alone in St. Mark’s & Doge’s Palace’ tour provides exclusive after-hour access to two of the city’s main attractions.

Best Free Tour: Venice Free Walking Tour

Traveling on a budget? The Venice Free Walking Tour has got you covered. The ‘Venice Through the Centuries’ tour is a 2.5 hours of journeying through the city’s storied past and is a fantastic introduction to Venice. They also offer a ‘Legends and Curiosities’ tour and a ‘Stunning Views’ tour. Do remember to book in advance and tip your guide generously at the end!

1. Devour: For the Foodies

Every trip to Italy must include a food tour, and Venice is no exception. Devour is my top pick for food tours in this city. Devour takes you to locally-owned spots with expert guides who will educate you about Venice’s culinary traditions.

Their ‘Tastes & Traditions’ tour is a seafood lover’s dream. You can also explore cicchetti (Venetian tapas) and wine on the ‘Venice at Sunset’ food and wine tour.

Tours starting from 89 EUR.

2. Venice Tours: Off the Beaten Path

For those seeking a less touristy experience, Venice Tours offers a ‘Hidden Venice’ tour. This three-hour tour takes you through obscure streets, past Marco Polo’s former house, and across historic bridges. If you prefer a more leisurely experience, they also offer a traditional gondola tour.

Tours starting from 27 EUR.

3. Raphael Food Tour: The Rialto Market Experience

Raphael’s Rialto Market Food & Wine tour offers a four-hour gastronomic adventure. You’ll visit local food producers and artisans, sample pastries, wine, and traditional Venetian fare. The tour also includes some interesting historical sights.

Tours starting from 89 EUR.

4. Bucintoro Viaggi: Ghost Tour

For a different kind of thrill, take a ghost tour with Bucintoro Viaggi. This 90-minute tour takes you through Venice after sunset, revisiting the city’s haunted past and unsolved mysteries.

Tours starting from 27 EUR.


Planning Your Trip to Venice

Before you go, always remember to secure your flights, accommodation, and travel insurance. You can check for cheap flights on Skyscanner and book your accommodation through Hostelworld or Booking.com. To protect yourself against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations, don’t forget to get travel insurance with companies like Safety Wing, Insure My Trip, or Medjet.

Wrapping Up

Venice is more than just a city of canals. It’s a city rich in culture, history, and culinary delights. Walking tours offer a unique experience, enabling you to see Venice from the eyes of a local. All it takes is a good pair of shoes, a sense of adventure, and you’ll soon be navigating the labyrinthine streets of Venice like a pro!

Venice is waiting to be explored. What are you waiting for?

Staying Healthy: A Guide to Avoiding Seafood-Related Illnesses When Traveling

Traveling is a wonderful way to explore the world and experience new cultures. However, it’s essential to stay healthy during your adventures. One common health issue travelers can encounter is food poisoning from seafood. In this article, we’ll cover various types of seafoodrelated illnesses and offer tips on how to prevent them. So, let’s dive in!

Traveling is a wonderful way to explore the world and experience new cultures. However, it’s essential to stay healthy during your adventures. One common health issue travelers can encounter is food poisoning from seafood. In this article, we’ll cover various types of seafood-related illnesses and offer tips on how to prevent them. So, let’s dive in!

Shellfish Poisoning: Know the Risks and Symptoms

Shellfish poisoning is caused by toxins found in contaminated shellfish, such as mussels, oysters, clams, scallops, cockles, abalone, whelks, moon snails, Dungeness crab, shrimp, and lobster. These toxins usually originate from algae blooms. Symptoms of shellfish poisoning depend on the type of toxin and can include:

  • Numbness and tingling
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Confusion

Prevention Tips:

  • Avoid eating shellfish if you’re traveling in a low-income country or uncertain about the water quality.
  • Be cautious about eating shellfish in areas that have recently experienced algae blooms, also known as “red tide” or “brown tide.”

Ciguatera: A Threat to Reef Fish Lovers

Ciguatera poisoning is caused by eating fish contaminated with toxins produced by algae found around coral reefs. The toxins don’t affect the appearance, taste, or smell of the fish, and they cannot be destroyed by cooking. Fish commonly associated with ciguatera include:

  • Barracuda
  • Moray eel
  • Grouper
  • Amberjack
  • Sea bass
  • Sturgeon
  • Parrotfish
  • Surgeonfish
  • Red snapper

Signs and Symptoms:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pain
  • Tingling
  • Tooth pain or feeling as if teeth are loose
  • Itching
  • Metallic taste in the mouth
  • Blurred vision
  • Increased sensitivity to hot and cold

Prevention Tips:

  • Limit consumption of fresh reef fish, especially barracuda and moray eel.
  • Avoid eating fish liver, intestines, eggs, or head, as they have the highest concentration of toxins.

Scombroid: A Result of Improper Fish Storage

Scombroid poisoning occurs when fish are not properly refrigerated after being caught. Common fish associated with scombroid poisoning include:

  • Tuna
  • Mackerel
  • Mahi-mahi (dolphin fish)
  • Sardines
  • Anchovies
  • Herring
  • Bluefish
  • Amberjack
  • Marlin

Signs and Symptoms:

  • Flushing of the face
  • Headache
  • Heart palpitations
  • Itching
  • Blurred vision
  • Cramps
  • Diarrhea

Prevention Tips:

  • Only eat fish that has been properly stored.
  • Be cautious of fish that tastes peppery, sharp, or salty.
  • Remember that cooking, smoking, or freezing the fish does not prevent scombroid.

In conclusion, staying healthy while traveling and enjoying seafood can be achieved by being aware of the risks associated with certain types of fish and shellfish, knowing the symptoms of seafood-related illnesses, and taking the necessary precautions. By following these guidelines, you can relish the local cuisine while keeping yourself safe and healthy during your travels. Bon appétit!