I am traveling to Verbania to stay in friend's apartment for one week. Never been to this northern Lake area because I thought it would be too touristy. (Only to Milan and to Venice once before). Will be with husband and sister traveling(young 60). We like exploring art, history (I have books for this). Second time to Venice; not to best food experience first time. Can you recommend your favorites for: Cichetti, family type meals. Not $$$$, but Pricey ok if really worth it. We have a week in Venice; week in Verbena. Have one more week to plan. Would you recommend side trip to a special place?
I have travelled a lot of Italy--- to give you hint of. my taste, I just spent a month in Sicily and loved it (Siracusa, Ragusa, Favignana, Palermo, and some small villages). I loved a week in Umbria (exploring walled cities & food), love art, architecture, discovering small cool shops/bars/cafes. Love eating pasta, small dishes, good pizza, desserts, seafood. Usually don't go to expensive restaurants. Like to go where the locals eat and drink. Love good coffee where the locals go**** (Live in San Francisco/California area where coffee is good). Some of my best pasta was in small villages ( I loved La Torre restaurant in Siena. Loved Cremona!) My husband and sister like fish/seafood/pasta/veggies. I prefer meat/pasta/veggies. Good pastry!!!! I loved the food in Sicily and Florence. May go to Bologna just to get some good food and not so touristy vibes.
Suggestions: "Must go places" (have been to all the top tourist sites in Venice.... maybe revisit a couple; looking to go to the second layer of wandering to churches and neighborhoods. Your favorite restaurant, cafe or bars? What's your favorite drink or bar in Venice? Have you been to Verbania or near there? Recommend any day trips near Verbena? Do you recommend a side trip between Venice and Milan (we have a couple of extra days to play with), or should we go to Bologna instead for 2 nights? Looking for special, quirky, magical towns to visit while in the area.... we have a week free to do this. Last time I discovered Asolo, near Venice. LOVED it. Also went Cremona and loved it!! Cinque Terre was bit too touristy for me. I want to go to Luca , but it's too far (plan to skip Florence this trip). Thank you. Any suggestions welcome. This is more a magical and fun visit we are planning for (not a tour to see all). Also to learn history, culture of area.
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2571 posts
Last summer we spent a few days in Stresa, near Verbania. We loved it. Definitely recommend taking the ferry out to the islands and visiting the palace & gardens. The gelato at L’Angolo del Gelato is not to be missed. Best I’ve had anywhere, and we’re a gelato-twice-a-day kinda family.
In Venice, we had fabulous sandwiches at I’Bacaro de Bischeri, near the Rialto bridge. 7-8€ for big sandwiches with the freshest ingredients and cichetti for 2-3€. Sooooo good. Best sandwich I’ve ever had. I ordered the Verdi: mortadella, lettuce, tomato, pesto, stracciatella.
I highly recommend the Dolomites. We LOVED staying at La Tambra in Santa Cristina Val Gardena. Great apartments/rooms above a fabulous restaurant. Try the amazing pear & prosciutto pizza, and the steak. My husband still dreams of that steak and regrets not eating there every meal. Magical is the perfect description for this part of the world. Take the lifts to Seceda, Col Raiser & Mont Seuc. Each are completely different views and so stunning.
Posted by
Saint Paul, Minnesota
1593 posts
I can help out with the "meat/pasta/veggies" restaurants in Venice since my husband is forced to specialize in finding such places for me and our grandchildren (we hate seafood). We just spent 10 days in Venice before Christmas and had been there on previous week-long trips. There is so much to do there that we will have to go back for another week some time. Anyway, the following are all small, friendly, very unfancy, good places to eat lunch in Venice --- do check when they are open and do make reservations.
La Rampa in Castello (for the 2nd time) --- not just a hole-in-the-wall place, but a down-a-ramp hole-in-the-wall place. On one of our favorite streets in Venice, the via Garibaldi.
Osteria La Zucca (for the 3rd time) --- my favorite restaurant in Venice
Osteria da Pampo in way eastern Castello --- not a part of Venice most people go to and there are trees and grass and quiet.
La Palanca on the Giudecca — we ate there early because of the kids and so were eating with tables of "worker guys," then they went back to work and at about 1:00pm families and couples started to fill the room up again. Too cold to sit outside the day we were there, but the view is incredible.
Fun to eat at the canal-side place in Cannaregio unpromisingly named Very Good, but it was actually very good. We have learned not to be put off by such names (like Fried Land, also in Venice)
Ca’ d’oro alla Vedova (how they spell it on Facebook) just a few feet off the Strada Nova where we ate meatballs.