Experience the beauty and culture of Venice

Cicchetti are a beloved part of Venetian culinary tradition, consisting of small, savory bites served in informal wine bars known as bacari. Displayed along the counter, these bite-sized dishes are enjoyed standing or perched at a small table. They may include slices of crusty bread topped with creamy cod (baccalà mantecato), marinated seafood, cured meats or seasonal vegetables.

This style of dining has deep roots in Venice’s social and maritime history. As a bustling trading hub, the city fostered a culture of quick, flavorful meals that could be enjoyed between business dealings or while moving from one canal-side stop to another. Over time, cicchetti evolved into a culinary ritual, paired with a small glass of local wine—called an ombra, or “shade.” The name originated from merchants who followed the shifting shadows in St. Mark’s Square to keep their wine cool.

Unlike a formal meal, enjoying cicchetti is meant to be a relaxed and sociable experience. Venetians often visit several bacari in succession, sampling different specialties at each stop. This practice, sometimes referred to as a bacaro crawl, allows diners to experience a wide range of flavors while immersing themselves in the rhythms of everyday life.

Today, cicchetti remain an essential part of Venice’s identity, blending tradition with creativity. While classic offerings endure, many establishments introduce modern interpretations alongside time-honored recipes. Whether simple or refined, cicchetti capture the spirit of Venetian cuisine—fresh, convivial and deeply connected to the city’s rich cultural heritage.

Venice has long been a city of extraordinary influence, producing figures who shaped exploration, art, music and culture. The following five individuals span centuries of Venetian history, each leaving a lasting mark on both the city and the wider world.

• Marco Polo (1254–1324)
  Marco Polo was one of history’s most famous explorers and among the earliest Europeans to travel extensively across Asia. Born into a Venetian merchant family, he journeyed along the Silk Road to the court of Kublai Khan in China, where he spent many years in service. His accounts, compiled in Il Milione (The Travels of Marco Polo), introduced Europeans to distant cultures, economies and landscapes with unprecedented detail. His stories helped inspire future explorers and cemented Venice’s reputation as a gateway between East and West.
• Titian (c. 1488/90–1576)
  Titian was the leading painter of the Venetian Renaissance and is often celebrated as one of the most influential artists in Western art history. Known for his masterful use of color and expressive brushwork, he redefined portraiture and religious painting. His works—such as Assumption of the Virgin (1515-1518) and Venus of Urbino (c. 1532-1538)—demonstrate a remarkable ability to convey emotion, movement and richness of texture.
• Tintoretto (1518–1594)
  A generation after Titian, the Mannerist painter Tintoretto brought a dramatic new energy to Venetian painting. Renowned for his bold compositions, dynamic perspectives and dramatic use of light and shadow, he sought to combine Michelangelo’s sculptural forms with Titian’s color. His vast body of work includes masterpieces in the Scuola Grande di San Rocco and the Doge’s Palace. Tintoretto’s innovative style helped pave the way for the Baroque period and solidified Venice’s artistic legacy.
• Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741)
  Antonio Vivaldi, a Baroque composer and virtuoso violinist, is one of Venice’s most celebrated musical figures. Known as Il Prete Rosso (the Red Priest) due to his distinctive hair color and clerical training, he composed hundreds of works, including concertos, operas and sacred music. His most famous composition, The Four Seasons, vividly captures the moods of nature through music and remains one of the most recognizable pieces of classical repertoire. Vivaldi spent much of his career teaching and composing at the Ospedale della Pietà, a Venetian institution for orphaned girls.
• Giacomo Casanova (1725–1798)
  Giacomo Casanova is remembered as one of history’s most intriguing and charismatic personalities. Born in Venice, he led a life marked by adventure, intellect and notoriety. Although best known for his romantic exploits, Casanova was also a writer, diplomat and keen observer of 18th-century society. His memoir, Histoire de ma vie (The Story of My Life), provides a vivid and detailed portrait of Venetian life and European culture during his era, making him an enduring symbol of Venice’s cosmopolitan spirit.

Gliding silently along Venice’s canals, gondolas are among one of the city’s most iconic symbols, closely tied to its history, craftsmanship and way of life. Sleek and asymmetrical, these traditional boats have been used for centuries to navigate the narrow waterways that define Venice. While gondolas once served as everyday transportation for residents, today they are more commonly associated with leisurely journeys, offering a unique perspective on the city’s architecture and atmosphere.

The design of the gondola has evolved into a highly specialized form. Built primarily from wood and carefully balanced to offset the gondolier’s weight, it features a distinctive curved prow adorned with a metal ornament called the ferro. This element is both decorative and symbolic, representing the Doge’s cap perched atop six horizontal lines that reference Venice’s historic districts. Painted uniformly black—a regulation introduced in the 16th century to curb displays of wealth—the gondola’s elegant simplicity reflects a long tradition of craftsmanship passed down through generations of skilled boatbuilders.

Gondoliers themselves are an essential part of this tradition. Easily recognized by their striped shirts and straw hats, they are highly trained professionals who must master not only the technical skill of rowing while standing, but also an extensive knowledge of Venice’s canals, history and culture. To earn a license, candidates undergo rigorous training and examinations, ensuring that the profession maintains its high standards. Many gondoliers come from families with long histories in the trade, preserving a deep connection to the city’s maritime heritage.

Rowing with a single oar, the gondolier propels the boat using a distinctive technique that combines strength, balance and precision. This method allows for smooth navigation through narrow passages and beneath low bridges, often with remarkable grace and control.