Visiting Venice

Venice, a combination of an untold number of streets, criss crossing countless canals. While this can lead to difficulty orientating yourself, part of the allure of Marco Polo’s homeland is to allow yourself to simply get lost. One of the best ways to discover this uniquely stunning city is to wonder at a slow pace and marvel at the architecture, culture and myriad of sights.

As can be expected from a hugely visited tourist destination, the use of English is widespread and it is possible to communicate with restaurant staff regarding allergy, as far as the restaurants visited are concerned. One recommendation when visiting a restaurant is to book in advance, if at all possible. The sheer number of tourists make it difficult to walk into a popular restaurant at a whim and be served.

Being located by the Adriatic Sea, there are numerous restaurants that specialise in fish and seafood cuisine. One restaurant visited that deserves a special mention is “Paradiso Perduto” a very popular Venetian restaurant which happens to serve excellent fish platters. Although their food menu is in Italian, the restaurant staff spoke English and very eager to explain the items on the menu. It did not feel that relying allergy concerns was an issue.

There are also, unsurprisingly, a huge number of restaurants that serve pasta and pizza dishes, as wheat is a staple food in Italy. For breakfast a light meal is enjoyed, such as a cappuccino accompanied by a fluffy pastry.

In summary, Venice is a must see city in every travellers repertoire. If you can get away from the mass crowds, you can quickly understand the charm and allure of the city. In terms of travelling with allergies, thankfully English is widely understood. However, the notorious Italian food staples may make it slightly more difficult for those travelling with a wheat, fish or shellfish allergy. That being said there are a staggering number of restaurants to choose from.

View of Venice
Fish Dish in Venice
Waterways in Venice
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