IRIS’S PERSONAL TOUR
Favourite shops DROGHERIA MASCARI
This gourmet spice store near the Rialto is great for ancient Venetian food and culinary gifts. Ruga degli Spezieri
Favourite café PASTICCERIA ALLA BRAGORA
I just love their rose tea and hot chocolate. Salizada Sant’Antonin
Favourite restaurant AL GIARDINETTO DA SEVERINO,
Garden restaurant serving delicious seafood. Salizada Zorzi
Favourite market
The Rialto Market. I love its seasonal food sections, dried tomatoes, bergamots, lemons and the best local salad herbs delivered from the Lagoon island Sant’Erasmo and the Estuary.
Favourite hotel HOTEL FONTANA,
This is a lovely family-owned hotel located within the former grounds of the monastery of San Zaccaria, just five minutes east of Piazza San Marco. It has a wonderful garden, terraces, a courtyard and secret balconies. hotelfontana.it
Favourite way to spend an hour
In a Venetian bookstore, such as Libreria Goldoni (Calle dei Fabbri) or Libreria Studium (Calle Larga San Marco). Both are located not far from Piazza San Marco.
Place to see by night
The canal lining the back of Teatro La Fenice, the Venetian Opera House. It’s one of the quietest spots at night. Very soothing and relaxing, and the view of the illuminated water is breathtaking.
Best view
From the top of the campanile (belltower) of the San Giorgio Maggiore monastery, on the island just opposite Piazza San Marco. Take the lift up and from here you get a wonderful view of the secret southern Lagoon and the northern garden islands.
The one ‘must-do’
Breakfast on the terrace of Hotel Monaco e Grand Canal, with a view of the Basilica della Salute. hotelmonaco.it