Roughly 20 million tourists visit Venice, Italy, annually, shuffling shoulder to shoulder over drained bridges, crowding alleyways lined with memento retailers, and snapping selfies from gondolas in congested canals.
For over a decade, overtourism in Venice has made life more durable for residents.
Enter Comacchio — an Italian city lower than two hours away with an analogous panorama and vibe that the majority vacationers have but to find.
Max Cavallari for BI
Like Venice, Comacchio is made up of islands, the place you will discover canals reasonably than streets and historic, colourful buildings lining the waterways. However in contrast to Venice, this floating metropolis is a hidden gem.
“It is a very relaxed, frozen-in-time ambiance,” Bologna-based blogger Andrea Chierici instructed Enterprise Insider. “It is a spot that’s calm with no crowds, no noise, and no large teams with the umbrellas.”
Historic lagoons house to pink flamingos
Max Cavallari for BI
The proximity to Po Delta Park — which incorporates the Comacchio Lagoons, one among Italy’s largest wetland complexes, in line with Po Delta Tourism — is one among many causes to go to Comacchio. The park is a part of a protected biosphere reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage website. A consultant of the regionally owned tour firm, Comacchio Experience, mentioned it is a must-see for guests.
“You’ll be able to think about the lagoon like an enormous lake, so you can’t see the horizon on the opposite facet of this lagoon, however it’s not completely water,” the consultant instructed Enterprise Insider. “Contained in the water, we have now numerous banks and homes of historic fishermen.”
Max Cavallari for BI
You will discover many waterbird species in Po Delta Park, together with the pink flamingo. Each specialists suggest taking a stroll, bike experience, or boat tour of the lagoons.
The consultant of Comacchio Expertise additionally recommends enjoyable on the space’s wild seashores, which have not been taken over by tourists.
“This can be a very totally different expertise as a result of in Italy, we have now numerous seashores, however there are umbrellas in all places and loud music,” he instructed Enterprise Insider. “However right here, you could find a quiet and really free place.”
Eels are a seasonal delicacy
Max Cavallari for Bi
“If you happen to like meals, the primary purpose to go to Comacchio is the eel,” Chierici mentioned.
The eel is a historic delicacy in Comacchio, celebrated with annual festivals.
“The unique meals of Comacchio, the eel, is a prehistoric fish that comes right here naturally, and we have fished for 1,000 years,” the Comacchio Expertise rep mentioned. “This fish is so necessary as a result of it was the one financial system right here till the final 70 years.”
Max Cavallari for BI
The eel is a seasonal meals that is contemporary within the fall however is preserved to eat all yr lengthy. Chierici mentioned that the city has a fishing system that enables the entire smaller eels to go free.
“We hold the life cycle of the eel alive, which is essential as a result of they make a protracted journey to return to Comacchio,” he instructed Enterprise Insider. “They arrive from the Sargasso Sea to the distinctive panorama of the Po Delta Valley, particularly close to Comacchio, to breed.”
Chierici mentioned that eating places round city serve eel in varied methods — from grilled entrées to sandwiches and risottos.
Close by locations
Max Cavallari for BI
Comacchio is conveniently positioned about an hour away from many different historic cities, like Ravenna, Bologna, and Ferrara, making it a terrific base for an extended journey to Northern Italy, the Comacchio Expertise consultant mentioned.
Inside a half-hour drive, Chierici additionally suggests visiting Pomposa and Tresigallo for entrancing structure.
6 issues to do in Comacchio
- Take a sundown boat tour. Each specialists say one of the best ways to discover Comacchio is by boat. In response to the Comacchio Expertise consultant, sundown is the most effective time to go.
- Go chook watching at Po Delta Park. Chierici suggests taking a bird-watching tour to seek out pink flamingos within the lagoon.
- Tour the eel manufacturing unit. Chierici suggests touring the Manifattura dei Marinati to see how eel is marinated and preserved.
- Attempt eel in all its varieties. Eel is ready varied methods in Comacchio. Attempt it at one among Chierici’s favourite eating places: Vasco e Giulia, La Barcaccia, and Al Cantinon.
- Attend the autumn meals competition. Each specialists counsel visiting within the fall to attend the annual Sagra dell’Anguilla, a meals competition celebrating the eel.
- Go to close by cities and cities. Each sources say it is value visiting close by locations like Tresigallo, Pomposa, Ravenna, Bologna, and Ferrara.
And when you should go to Venice, it is simply an hour and a half away.
