Venice Aperitivo Tour

Learn the history of Venetian cocktails - taste Bellini, Spritz and Prosecco

$477

Private

N/A

Semi-private

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Tour Details

About the Tour

Private Tour: $ 477
Category: Cuisine
Duration: 3 hours
Location: Venice

Photos & Highlights

Visit off the beaten path bars and sample local wines, cocktails, and appetizers on the way
Led by a sommelier
Rialto Bridge, Rialto Neighborhood, and Cannaregio Neighborhood

Tour Description

The Italian pace of life is one of most beloved aspects of its culture that visitors admire and enjoy. The hour of the aperitivo is the quintessence of the dolce vita—a break in the day to decompress and relax with a glass of wine or cocktail, a light bite to eat, and good company. On This Venice Aperitivo Tour, with the areas of the Rialto and Cannaregio as our backdrop, we’ll look at how Venetians interpret the art of the aperitivo. Our palates will be colored with the delicate pink of the classic Bellini cocktail, a pale shimmering gold of sparkling Prosecco, and the varied jeweled tones of the Spritz. Our docent, a certified Italian sommelier, will discuss the history behind each of the aperitifs we taste together, along with the secrets to their preparation.

Venice Aperitivo Tour

Our Venice Aperitivo Tour begins in the heart of the city, near the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, and Rialto Market. We’ll ascend to a nearby rooftop terrace, where we’ll get a lay of the land and enjoy sweeping views of our surroundings before heading downstairs to a recently renovated interior courtyard to commence our aperitivo. Here, we’ll sip bellinis prepared with real peach juice—one of only two bars in the city to do this—alongside spiedini di baccalà mantecato (cod skewers) and polenta. As we’re basking in the refined ambiance of our surroundings, our docent will present competing theories for the origins of the bellini as well as the importance of our appetizers in the contemporary culinary landscape.

A Prosecco and Panino

Moving on from our luxurious first stop, we’ll amble across the Rialto Bridge to a nearby bar tucked away in the maze of alleyways. A favorite of Venetians, this bacaro—inexpensive taverns frequented by locals—will showcase a more authentic side of the city’s aperitivo traditions. Here, as we rub shoulders with residents, we’ll sip a glass of prosecco or other local wine—referred to in the city as ombra, or “shade,”—and nibble on a panino while listening to our docent explain the tradition of cicchetti—Venetian snacks enjoyed during aperitivo hour.

Spritz at Sunset

Moving on to the final stop on our Venice Aperitivo Tour, a scenic restaurant with tables overlooking the Grand Canal, we’ll taste what may be Italy’s most hallowed aperitivo tradition: the spritz. As we enjoy a delectable charcuterie plate, we’ll learn about the history of the spritz before sampling four different varieties of amari—the bitter liqueur that imbues the drink with its vibrant hue—in a spritz flight. We’ll compare and contrast the different flavors dancing on our tongues while watching the sun slowly set, getting a nuanced explanation of the similarities and differences between the amaros before deciding which flavor combination is our favorite. Once we’ve finished our flight, we’ll reflect back on everything we’ve tasted, from a traditional ombra at a local bacaro, to our variety of sunset spritzes.

Take Aways

This Venice Aperitivo Tour will provide us with a solid overview of this beloved Italian tradition, and specifically what makes the Venetian aperitivo distinct. We’ll taste classic cicchetti treats and sip some of the city’s best beverages, leaving sated and with a list of some of the city’s best spots for enjoying a drink and snacks during the twilight hours.

FAQ

This walk takes place around dinner time. Will the tastings be enough for dinner?
The various tastings on the walk are significant and can be considered a replacement for a light dinner. If you are looking for a more formal meal, you may enjoy our seminar Annotated Dinner: An Evening of Venetian Cuisine.

I'll be going to Milan after my time in Venice. Do you have any cocktail tours there?
In Milan you may like our seminar Navigli by Night: Milan Aperitivo Tour

I have dietary restrictions. Can I take this tour?
We will do our best to accommodate you if you are on a group tour by ordering appropriate items. Taking a private tour would allow us to tailor even more fully to your needs. Please note that if you have severe allergies we cannot guarantee that the foods prepared in restaurant kitchens will not be subject to cross-contamination.

Where You'll Start

Tour Experts

Rachel

Rachel, originally from the US, has called Padova her home for over twenty years. Rachel is a certified Italian sommelier (AIS) and Master Cheese Taster (ONAF) and specializes in wine and food related tourism in Venice and throughout the Veneto. She has also coordinated private cooking courses in the Colli Euganei for the Abano Ritz Grand Hotel with an emphasis on Mediterranean and Veneto cuisine. Rachel holds a B.A. from Boston University in international relations and it was during her studies that she first developed a passion for foreign language and culture. She lives in Padova with husband Mario and two children.

Sharla

American-born Sharla arrived in Europe over twenty years ago with a love of Italy and two suitcases. A true foodie, she puts her pen where her mouth is, having published travel articles in La Cucina Italiana magazine ( USA version Dec 2010 issue and Jan/Feb 2011 issues). She also worked as a regional editor with Unusual hotels of the World and her last scouting trip was to the arctic circle where she slept in a tree hotel, an ice hotel and a 747 plane turned hotel. Naturally, she is writing about the experience.

Cecilia

Cecilia is a qualified FISAR Sommelier and a licensed tour leader. She is a native of Venice whose great-grandparents owned one of the most prestigious bars in St Mark’s Square. She is a food enthusiast and passionate about wine. Cecilia studied organic wine in France, receiving a Master's degree in 2012, and worked in the most famous enoteca of Venice for almost three years. She shares her knowledge about food, wine and Venetian culture to help visitors enjoy the city from a different perspective, through a connection of flavors, aromas and stories. Fluent in the Venetian dialect, Cecilia will introduce you to the local farmer at the Rialto Market and show you how to choose fresh fish from her favorite fishmonger. She is proud to be part of the Context team, promoting responsible tourism in one the most beautiful -and definitely the most delicate- cities in the world.

4 Reviews - (5.0)

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

Excellent guide!

Stephen

Oct. 29, 2018

Rachel was extremely knowlegeable about wine, aperitifs and Venice in general. The tour combined some interesting areas of Venice along with delicious bites, explained morsel by morsel! The first stop offered an amazing view of the Grand Canal from the top followed by a fancy bite and a Bellini, the second was a truly local Venetian spot and the last one was a gorgeous, green find overlooking the Grand Canal, just steps from the Rialto Bridge and the crowds, yet in a secluded courtyard spot that was quiet and lovely. Great choice! Nice conversation and exchange of information. Relaxed, easy and delicious. A new take on the aperitivo.

Sharla

Oct. 17, 2018

A wonderful informative night out in Venice. Memorable, would do again.

Mark

Oct. 10, 2018

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Tour Experts

All Context Experts are scholars or specialists in their field.

Rachel

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Sharla

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Cecilia

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