Lonely Planet Experiences Private Venice Tour:The Sweet Taste
Venice, Italy
From USD 317.10
Office phone number: + 39 348 980 8566



Lonely Planet Experiences Private Venice Tour:The Sweet Taste
Venice, Italy





Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.

Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Sweets lovers and coffee lovers alike will want to jump on this tour of traditional Venetian bakeries! Discover the secrets behind Italian caffè culture and taste some of Venice’s best desserts as you mingle with locals in Cannaregio and Castello.
Experience the best travel stories for yourself. Join a local expert and uncover hidden gems on this city adventure hand-picked by the world's leading travel publisher. Lonely Planet Experiences powered by Urban Adventures bring stories to life in the best-loved cities around the globe.
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Highlights
- Learn the secrets of Italian coffee culture and how to sip caffè like a local
- Taste traditional Venetian sweets
- Discover family-run bakeries that are loved by locals
- Sample some of that famous tiramisu
- Explore the neighbourhoods of Cannaregio and Castello
- Each Lonely Planet Experience comes with six-months free access to Lonely Planet’s Guides App which includes over 8,000 destinations guides and unbeatable discounts to Lonely Planet Guidebooks
Local Impact: How you taking this tour will benefit the local community:
- All the stores and foodie spots we visit are 100% owned and run by locals, ensuring that local people benefit from tourism to their city. So any inclusions on the tour and additional purchases you make will directly benefit the local community.
- You will pick up some responsible travel tips that will help you to be a greener traveller while you’re in the city
- We will take you off the main tourist trail, introducing you to some of Venice's many hidden gem neighbourhoods, easing congestion in the bust tourist centre of the city.
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Schedule details
- Duration: 3 hours
- Meeting point:
At the steps of the Santa Lucia train station entrance
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 9.00 AM
- Ending point:
Rialto Bridge
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, food and drinks as set out in the itinerary (coffee, bottle of water, 3 dessert samples, alcoholic spritz or soft drink)
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, alcoholic beverages, souvenirs and personal shopping, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Italians love their coffee but there are certain rules one must follow if you’re going to do Italian café culture the right way. This private tour introduces you to those rules and customs and invites you to become a genuine caffè expert. If that wasn’t enough, we will also introduce you to the traditional pasticcerie of Venice and the history behind the city’s sweet treats as you wander through the most local neighbourhoods in town!
You’ll meet your local guide at the steps of the Santa Lucia train station (the only train station in Venice) and begin your adventure exploring the Cannaregio neighbourhood.
Our first stop on your private Venice food and drink tour will be at a family-owned pasticceria, a favourite breakfast venue of locals on their way to work. It’s conveniently located at the entrance of the island, for those coming to work from the mainland, it become an institution for its well-known pastries. By visiting this stop, you will be supporting a family run business (which is fast becoming a thing of the past in Venice). You’ll also learn the secrets to sipping coffee the proper way so that you’ll blend right in with the locals for the rest of your Italian holiday.
After breakfast, we will head to the heart of the ancient Jewish Ghetto, a neighbourhood that is 500 years old and remains an important part of the Venetian community. It’s here that you will have the chance to buy kosher desserts in a small bakery.
We will continue our stroll through the neighbourhood of Cannaregio, passing by the main corners of this residential area. Your guide will stop for those who fancy doing some shopping, at a family bakery that’s famous for its torrone and other traditional desserts of Venice. Get a lesson on the history and traditions of local Venetian cuisine as we munch on our delicious sweet treats.
We’ll then continue our way toward the Castello neighbourhood, the largest sestiere on the island and home to the Arsenale (naval dockyard). We’ll explore its narrow lanes before stopping at our next pasticceria, an elegant family-run spot that has become the most beloved and famous place to buy seasonal desserts; panettone at Christmas, Colomba at Easter… Depending on the time of year, you’ll get a mix of different desserts to try, appropriate to the season. You’ll also have the chance to relax your legs here while sipping the famous Venetian spritz overlooking the beautiful Church of San Giovanni e Paolo.
After your energy boosting spritz, we’ll visit one of the most amazing bookstores in Europe, Libreria Acqua Alta, a hidden gem in the heart of Castello.
Our private tour ends on a high with some famous Italian tiramisu! Learn everything about this Veneto dessert as you shovel delicious spoonfuls of homemade tiramisu in your mouth! Do you love chocolate? We do too, so we decided that with your tiramisu, you will also try the traditional hot chocolate that was drink by Venetians in the 17th century! Rescuing an old recipe from that time, you will go back in time to taste this chocolate perfection. (In summer, we’ll do the cool version of this!).
From there, we’ll walk toward our ending point at the Rialto Bridge where It’s time to say a presto at the steps. Your local guide will give you some tips for continuing your day in Venice or help you with directions back to your accommodation.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, food and drinks as set out in the itinerary (coffee, bottle of water, 3 dessert samples, alcoholic spritz or soft drink)
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, alcoholic beverages, souvenirs and personal shopping, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Dress standard: Please wear comfortable shoes for walking, and bring a hat and sunscreen during the summer months.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: Children under the age of 6 are not permitted to join this tour. For children above that age, please count them as an adult.
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Local contact
Office phone number: + 39 348 980 8566
Email address: info@veniceurbanadventures.com
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