I have recently travelled to Venice, I was lucky to visit this beautiful place again for the third time. I wanted to focus this trip in taking photos, explore around food but not shopping. Although it was already October but it was just as crowded as in the Summer. The weather was not that warm, sunny with clear blue sky but I managed to take some nice photos, good enough to retain some good memories.

San Servolo

You would know Murano, Burano and Lido but probably not San Servolo. We stayed there for the first 2 nights because of the conference that we had to attend which was held there. This lagoon is being restored and very popular to be used for conferences and cultural events. Although there is a Waterbus Nr 20 going back and forth from San Zaccaria (near San Marco Square) regularly but it is still not that convenient especially when there was a transportation strike during our stay. So for the last two night, we moved back and stayed in the mainland of Venice.

Unfortunately the Bridge of Signs is undercontruction, so I could not get a good picture of it.

Palazzo Ducale in Piazza San Marco

A quiet canal in San Polo on Sunday morning

Grand Canal, looking from Rialto bridge

Do you know which building was collapsed and filmed in the Bond movie: Casino Royal

                                  Fish market near Rialto in San Polo

                                                     Ponte dei Pugni

My initial plan that day was to see the barge by the bridge: Ponte dei Pugni (Bridge of Fists) in Campo San Barnaba which is said to be one of the few floating vegetable markets remaining in Venice. However, I did not see any floating market, but only found THE ONLY ONE vegetable stall and a boat with some vegetable in it. I thought I was too late so I went back the second day and still I saw nothing special. Rather my next stop in Campo San Margherita was much more interesting and rewarding.

Campo Santa Margherita, focal point of the Dorsoduro

I have to say the part I enjoyed most during my stay in Venice was in Campo Santa Margherita. Here you find fresh fish, fruit and vegetable stalls where local Venetians come to do their shopping. I was lucky that the weather permitted to sit outside, I went to Café Causin, Nr 2996, sat down for lunch. I ordered a panini sandwich, a cappuccino and a typical Venetian aperitif, Spritz: white wine with sparkling water and a dash of Select, Bitter or Aperol. I highly recommend this Café, the waiters there were all very friendly and the price there were much more favorable as this area is much further away from San Marco Square.

Spritz and complimentary chips from Café Causin

Gelato is one thing you cannot miss, the Italian gelato is just so good, I had gelato for my late breakfast one day and I even tried from 3 different gelato shops to try out the difference. Being subjective, I feel those gelato I tried in Dorsoduro seemed to taste nicer. There is this one called GROM which also has shops in New York and Paris, the way they scoop the gelato is very different. I would not say, I like the gelato more from than the others, GROM is more pricey than the others. I just like them all. Bacio and lemon sorbets are my favorite flavors.

This post is getting too long, I will write the restaurants review in Part II.

You can find more pictures of my food experience in Venice in flickr.