There is no other city quite like Venice, and it is the city that continues to be the most memorable part of every river trip in Italy that travels down the Po Valley and into the Venetian Lagoon. When you think of Venice, however, you may be excused for embracing the fact that it will be pricey to properly enjoy everything that the city has to offer before you leave. Thank goodness, this is not always the case. You will not only be able to participate in the local cultural manner of enjoying food, but you will also be pleasantly pleased at the expense of it once you have the knowledge of where to go, particularly when it comes to dining and drinking. The best way to ensure that you have a healthy meal in Venice is to steer clear of the high-end restaurants and even the touristic ones that serve pizza and pasta. Rather than that, you should make a beeline for the traditional pubs, also known as bacari, that are located off the main path and offer the well-known and very tasty cicchetti. Not only will you get the opportunity to mingle with the natives, but you will also have the opportunity to sample some of the most delicious cuisine that can be found on any Italian river cruise. Who or what is Cicchetti? Traditional Venetian snacks, also known as cicchetti, are the delightfully artful display of nibbles that are served up behind glass counters by bustling bar workers. From the traditional tramezzino, which is a little sandwich made of white bread, to the fresh seafood that is purchased from the neighborhood fish market, each and every mouthful is perfectly prepared and presented with a glass of local wine, also known as ombre (shadow) in the local lingo. Locations to Consume Cicchetti It is highly recommended that you should not miss the Rialto Fish Market in Venice while you are on your Italian river cruise. This is particularly true when you are aware that it is an excellent site to begin your tour of the top bacari. The MuroVenezia bar, which is located in Campo Bella Venezia and is quite near by, is a bustling establishment that provides a variety of freshly fried fish that immediately disappears from the counter as soon as it is prepared. Some excellent specimens of the tramezzino can be seen on the other side of the Campo Al Mercà, which is the location where you should halt. These little sandwiches are elevated to an even higher level of delectability when they are consumed over a dish of fried olives and potato croquettes. The ProntoPesce is located not too far away, and while you are enjoying their specialty of artichokes and salt fish, the crew will sit and shuck oysters while you hold up the bar inside. Due to the fact that Do Mori is perhaps the least apparent of the cicchetti bars, it is the kind of establishment that is only ever attended by those who are already aware of anything. It is a nice escape from the hustle and activity that is going on outside, since it is located down a back street, which gives it a more tranquil environment and exudes the elegance of the fourteenth century. Bacari have been providing sustenance to hungry gondoliers and businessmen for generations, and even today, the custom of serving cuisine that is both regional and seasonal, without any frills or fancies, continues to be adhered to. The straightforward recipes and combinations really bring out the flavors of the food, and they are a wonderful match to the wines from Venice. It is common for the locals to utilize the bacari as a spot to get a snack or a fast nibble before dinner. However, you should be aware that these nibbles are rather addicting, and if you consume too many of them, you won’t have any food left for dinner! Making a reservation for an Italian river cruise with a reputed firm that uses local guides will provide you with a genuine introduction to the cicchetti bars of Venice. They will be there to assist you in navigating the city and pointing you in the proper direction of the restaurants and attractions that are considered to be the best in the area. Publisher’s Plate Paul Newman is the Marketing and E-Systems Executive at European Waterways, which is widely regarded as the most reputable supplier of luxury barge vacations that take care of everything for its customers. These individuals are the go-to professionals to consult with if you are searching for a superb Italian river cruise or cruises to other amazing places of your choosing. In addition to being a member of a group of knowledgeable barge enthusiasts, Paul is the first person to recommend the advantages of a leisurely barge cruise to anybody who is searching for a vacation experience that is really one of a kind.