On the history of beer and where to find the best in town. A ridiculously hot summer just made its triumphal entry, especially in the Northern regions of Italy. Many of us are not on holiday yet and, from Milan to Venice, we sweat, we pant, we struggle performing easy tasks, we constantly complain about this crazy weather and, above all, WE DRINK. If red wine is not recommended when the heat gets torrid, besides icy white wines and cocktails, we could definitely say that beer

The talented chef Donato Ascani brings Bartolini's restaurant to a stellar success, with passion, accuracy and a special attention to the traditional ingredients. As when it was a Maritime Republic, Venice is composed by an extraordinary mix of diverse cultures. In a different, sometimes controversial way, the lion city’s inhabitants mingle daily with other European citizens, Americans, Chinese, Japanese who visit the lagoon city for a short vacation, live here for longer per

As Carnevale starts its celebrations, a special mention goes to Stefano Nicolao, whose atelier for years has designed some of the most stunning costumes, including the one worn every year by "the flying angel" at the grand opening in Piazza San Marco. Although Carnevale 2019 celebration in Venice starts on February 16, the official opening is scheduled on Sunday, February 24. That’s when, according to a tradition that traces back to the mid 16th century, a young woman in a sp

Inspired by the colors of an exotic island and influenced by Art Deco and Contemporary Art, Isla Fontaine opens in Venice thanks to the vision of Eleonora Mayerle, a Venetian resident that believes in the precious value of the Made in Italy. If most Venetian residents are gradually leaving the city in order to find cheaper accommodations, different job opportunities and an easier style of life, there’s still who takes a chance on it, choosing Venice as the ideal place to live

Two brothers in Venice keep alive the impiraresse's craft tradition with style and innovation. Sitting in small circles right in front of their doorsteps, young and elderly women called impiraresse used to practice one of the most traditional and less paid handicrafts in the history of Venice. The activity, common till the beginning of 1900 in the sestieri of Cannaregio and Castello and on Murano island, consisted in threading colorful glass beads in order to create necklaces

A family in Venice keeps alive the ancient craft of gold beating, rethinking the future through innovative projects. In the twenty-first century, being born in a family of craftsmen and living in a dreamy city such as Venice, in someone’s eyes may seem the weirdest thing. And choosing to learn your father’s profession in order to preserve the artisanal heritage must not be the easiest decision. Yet, the young Eleonora, who’s working with her family in Mario Berta Battiloro’s

Depopulation, "hit and run" tourism and sky-high bills are killing Rialto market. Today less than ten stalls are struggling to survive, not supported by institutions. Established almost a thousand of years ago, Rialto market is one of the most ancient in Italy, as well as the settlement of the very first commercial exchanges in Venice. Named Rivoaltum because of its deep seabed, at that time the area was the ideal docking point for large ships loaded with any kind of goods. V

As we are going through the hottest season, Venice is overcrowded by flocks of “hit and run” tourists that are not well informed about the city and behave as they were wandering in a personal theme park, where every misdemeanor is allowed. We personally suggest to visit our beloved jewel in less busy periods, when you won’t risk meeting people who try to ride bicycles up and down the millennial bridges or, even worse, swim in the Grand Canal. If you can’t help but explore the

It’s a muggy morning of summer: alleys and campi are crowded with tourists, we hardly proceed in the clamour of a multitude sprawling in every direction and speaking languages from all over the world. The sun is at its highest when we reach Mariangela’s chocolate shop, and all of a sudden it’s a refreshment and a joy, pleasing both eyes and palate. Placed with grace on multiple shelves there’s a surprising variety of titbits: jars of any shapes contain pralines, dragees and