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Venice has long been one of Italy’s many icons, but concerns about overtourism, less hospitable locals and tacky new entrance fees are having travelers opening their eyes to new canal-lined streets.
With a multitude of hidden gems spread across Italy, they can’t all take center stage, which is why a highly underrated city has yet to go mainstream.
Home to 13 islands and scenic canals, this beautiful region of Emilia Romagna beholds one of Italy’s last remaining unsung heroes.
Stroll through the lively, crowd-free streets of Comacchio will leave you shocked at the fact that no one knows about this place!
Although mentioned as ‘Little Venice‘, you’ll quickly see that this serene retreat offers much more than just tranquil waterways as a seaside destination in one of Italy’s best culinary regions.
Italy’s lesser-known ‘Venice’ is a joy to visit
Despite offering an abundance of outdoor appeal, in Comacchio you will again and again find yourself in the city center where time and the criss-crossing canals stand still.
Unlike Venice, where there is no other option than to share your experiences with fellow tourists, this Italian escape stays well under the radar.
You have idyllic walkways, extra seating space on terraces and no tourist prices. You know that just a 30-minute gondola ride in Venice can cost over $60, right?
For good measure, you could very well book a cheap plane ticket to nearby Bologna, followed by a train journey to Comacchio for less than a single gondola ride through Venice.
They say there’s no dollar sign for peace of mind, but Comacchio might disagree. Despite being much more wallet-friendly, it really is a pleasure to visit across the board without the hassle and bureaucracy of visiting Venice.
Plus, it’s so aesthetically pleasing pleasant, with colorful facades and the city’s signature monument, the Trepponti bridge, which dates back to the 17th century, and one of the best ways to access it the canals themselves.
There is another one on the other side 17th century wonder, the Pescheriawhich is essentially the main square serving the community with bustling markets, hearty dishes and quaint Bed and have breakfast.
Beautiful nature to explore
Located less than 2 miles from the beautiful Adriatic coast, Comacchio couldn’t have a better property.
Located on a unique archipelago of 13 separate islands, it’s all the more appealing to explore beyond the urban canals.
Instead of taking a cheap, expensive gondola ride like Venice, how about one boat trip through the beautiful lagoons of the Po Delta, in fourfold the time and less than a quarter of the cost?
Boat trips through the interconnected islands cost just $17 and are a total of two hours of fun, unlike the quick cash grab in Venice.
Here you will be in the middle of the breathtaking landscape and you can observe wildlife through the largest wetlands in Italy.
But beaches are always more attractive than wetlands, right? The good news is that you can choose from both, with 7 beautiful ones lidos near.
Lido delle Nazioni was once a barren beach without people, without restaurants and certainly without hype. Today, however, it is one of the best beaches to visit, with seaside restaurants and ample water activities such as canoeing, rowing and jet skiing.
Just north of here lies Hotel Club Spiaggia Romea Village & Residence, a beautiful beach resort, tucked away for a feeling of exclusivity with a private beach with quirky art installations made from driftwood.
Italy’s unsung seafood heaven
One of the best experiences anyone can have in Comacchio is visiting the traditional fish market in Pescheria (well, except for vegans and vegetarians).
Being built on a series of islands so close to the sea, it should come as no surprise that this place knows how to take advantage of it by preparing some incredibly decadent dishes from the sea.
One of these may come as a surprise, but it will eel like it!
Eel has been a staple for centuries and is often the signature dish, accompanied by other notable delicacies such as clams, mussels and shrimp.
Undoubtedlythe most popular dish is eel Capesante alla Comacchiese, which functions Scallops and eel seasoned with vinegar and a variety of spices that only Nonna knows.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
