Hello everyone. My wife and I just returned from a week in Venice after a week in London, and I just wanted to thank you all for your advice and recommendations for the trip. Whether it was a restaurant recommendation, the phone number to take the Secret Itinerary tour in English, or advice on getting to and from the airport, everyone's postings on this forum were useful guides for us! We were there for 6 days and it was a perfect amount of time. We stayed in the Pensione Accademia which lived up to our already high expectations. We enjoyed wandering through Burano (a highlight!) and Torcello, finding some unique churches, eating cuttlefish risotto, taking a magic gondola ride with a gondolier who actually sang (look for the gondoliers not right on the grand canal), and perhaps, best of all, having the time to wander through Venice's many neighbourhoods, with Cannaregio being a favourite. Out of the galleries, the Guggenheim was a particular highight. We were also fortunate enough to be in Venice for Festa del Redentore. <BR>On this forum, the restaurants Ai Cugnai and Altanella were both recommended, and both were excellent! <BR>Some other restaurant finds for us, courtesy of Time Out Venice which was an excellent guide, were Anice Stellato (our favourite!) in Cannaregio, and Ai Quotro Feri and L'Incontro both in Dorsoduro. All of them were wonderful. A favourite bacaro for cicheti was Al Bottegon in Dorsoduro. <BR>If you need anymore info. on these restaurants, please ask. <BR>Again, thank you all for your advice as it was always useful over the course of the trip. <BR>cheers, <BR>Ralph

Hi <BR>Would love more details on <BR>Anice Stellato, I'm not familiar with it and don't see it in my books. <BR>thanks

Hello Elaine. After using your fabulous file, giving you a restaurant recommendation is the least I can do for you! <BR>Anice Stellato has only been open for a couple of years from what I have read, and seafood is a definite specialty and focus. Nice tables by a small canal, as well. Reservations are a must. <BR>Here are the details: <BR>Cannaregio 3272 fondamenta della Sensa <BR>041 720 744 <BR>Vap. Guglie or Saint'Alvise. <BR>Open Tues-Sun. for Lunch or Dinner. <BR>Some local Venetias highly recommended it, and it is only then that we discovered it in Time Out. <BR>Enjoy! <BR>cheers, <BR>Ralph

Ralph, <BR>Since I am going to Venice in November, I have to ask: what is the Secret Itinerary tour? <BR>Thanks

Ralph, <BR>Thank you for sharing your experiences in that magical city. I'm delighted your trip went well. <BR>BC

Ralph: Sounds like you had a great time. Our group of 6 is staying at The Hotel Principe on the Grand Canal in the Cannaregio District in mid September. When they hear its Venice's historic ghetto and current working class neighborhood, some people think there must be better places to stay. What made this area one of your favorites?

Hi Ralph! Thanks for sharing! It sounds like you had a wonderful time! We also loved L'incontro - great food, good value and we enjoyed Cannaregio very much. The ratio of real Venetians living there vs. tourists was much better than in other parts of venice and I thought the shopping there was good too. Also loved Burano and Torcello. <BR>Regards, <BR>Mariarosa

ljcjbj <BR> <BR>The Secret Itinerary tour is of the Doges Palace. It shows you the rooms not on display through a regular ticket (Casanova's cells, other cells, the "torture" room, where they kept documents, etc.) You do need to reserve in advance. The price of the tour includes entry into the Doges Palace, which you can go through yourself after your tour. I found it very interesting, the commentary was good (you got the "real" story of Casanova's escape, etc.) <BR>

Hello Liv. You were asking about Cannaregio..I would agree with Mariarosa who said that the ratio of Venetians living there to tourists seemed higher than any of the other districts. Actually, some Venetians we met on our first night were the ones who encouraged us to explore this area as they said many tourists seem to neglect it. There are parts which are quieter, which is nice. There are a number of 'local' smaller restaurants that you can also enjoy, such as Anice Stellato. A unique church is also closeby, Santa Maria Dei Miracoli. That said, you are also close to more touristy shopping areas as well, so I am sure you will enjoy your stay there! <BR>cheers, <BR>Ralph