When you leave for a holiday in Veneto or in other locations it is best to do it on the right foot and choose whether to live the experiences in the Region as a pure tourist or savor the local activities in an authentic way and experience them like a local, perhaps thanks to the advantage of a short term rental .
It often happens that within the most famous cities in the world (such as, for example, Venice or Verona) the boundary between what is dedicated to the tourist and occasional traveler and what is instead the authentic life of the natives is increasingly blurred. This is because large cities or localities participate in the process of globalization in which typical local experiences to be lived are provided to passing tourists in an invasive manner compared to what are instead authentic experiences.
Furthermore, considering the short trip, it becomes even more difficult to experience Veneto like a local. Yet, there are some ways to seek out the truest experiences and learn to make the best of the location even during a short-term rental in Veneto . Do you want to find out how? Here is some advice that is right for you.
First step: choosing the neighborhood where to stay
Veneto is a region rich in history, culture and traditions, a place where every corner tells centuries-old stories and offers unique experiences. But how can you really immerse yourself in this reality without getting stuck in the usual tourist attractions?
The first step to experiencing Veneto like a local is choosing the right accommodation . Short-term rentals can offer a wide range of options suitable for all needs: from historic houses in the most typical districts of Venice to rural homes nestled in the Veronese hills. Choose an area that is mainly populated by residents and less crowded by tourists: this will allow you to better observe and understand local customs, listen to the dialect and feel part of the community.
Learn to shop like a Venetian
If you have opted for a short-term rental in an apartment, what better opportunity to get to know the city than going shopping at the local market?
In Venice , for example, the Rialto market offers a variety of fresh, local products, from freshly caught seafood to seasonal vegetables. Similarly, in Padua you can visit the Piazza delle Erbe , where the city's inhabitants go to buy wholesome foods and have a chat with the sellers.
Buying local foods and preparing a typical Venetian meal in your holiday home will make you feel closer to tradition and give you a taste of the authentic flavor of the region.
Choose taverns and trattorias to eat
If you don't intend to prepare food in the holiday home, you can always opt for a more careful choice of restaurants where you can eat out that will make you feel like a local. To savor true Venetian cuisine , move away from tourist restaurants and look for taverns and trattorias frequented by residents. Find out what the typical dishes are of the place where you are and select the taverns that offer them: try the bigoli in sauce , the creamed cod and the Venetian liver for a culinary journey that will take you directly to the heart of the Veneto.
Explore the hidden gems of the area
The main attractions of cities such as Venice, Verona and Padua are unmissable, but for a more authentic experience, you must venture outside the main tourist circuits . In Venice, seek out lesser-known streets and discover artisan workshops where glass and masks are still produced using traditional methods. In Verona, beyond the Arena , treat yourself to a walk in the San Zeno district, rich in history and lively with its small trattorias where you can taste local dishes such as pastissada de caval .
Experiencing Veneto like a local means leaving for a short holiday with a good dose of genuine curiosity as well as the desire to go beneath the surface and discover new places, flavors and emotions.
Short-term rental and local life: let's take stock
A short rental is enough to live a more authentic experience, just choose accommodation in a residential area, participate in traditional events, taste the local cuisine and use some strategies such as, for example, learning a few words of the dialect : talking to the people of the place, exchanging opinions and listening to their story is the very soul of the journey. Without it, you are just a tourist.
So how do you go about exploring Veneto where the cities are magical but rents are often too expensive? You can opt to book an apartment online in advance , a simple and smart way to save.
