I always tell people visiting my hometown of Dallas that they’re going the wrong way when they leave the concrete sprawl of DFW Airport.
Instead of heading east towards Dallas to spend way too much on shopping in one of America’s largest cities, you could head the opposite direction to Fort Worth, a city with a distinct allure.
Yes, Big D just caught some strays in an article about Italy, but the point is sometimes the better option is a stone’s throw away.
While Venice is undeniably iconic, it’s seen its fair share of negative press for new fees, environmental concerns, and overcrowding.
But we know a local favorite just 15 miles away with a near-identical canal-lined dreamscape that’s more authentic, less touristy, and cheaper to visit.
In other words, you still get to sip local wine at a cozy waterfront bar, devour fresh-baked pizza without the inflated prices, and roam a “floating city” on foot or by boat without anywhere close to Venice-level crowds.
The Venetian Lagoon’s Colorful Hideaway
There’s just something about Europe’s color-wheeled townscapes that makes your trip more mesmerizing.
As much as I didn’t personally like Copenhagen, I gotta admit, the vibrant neighborhood of Nyhavn, speckled with bars, cafes, and restaurants splashed with every color known to man even almost had me liking the city — at least for a moment.
But let’s be real, Italy is a far-cry from the bicycle-happy capital of Denmark — it’s a bucket-list destination that’s so world-renowned it can be overwhelming where to even start your trip.
Rome? Florence? Venice?
For the record, we’re not discouraging going to Venice; we’re saying throw in Chioggia too.
You see, many tourists don’t seem to realize how far the Venetian Lagoon stretches, connecting virtually unknown towns with spitting-image layouts of canal-lined streets, sightly bridges, and various waterfront gems.
Chioggia (pronounced ‘Kioja’) has become a local favorite to avoid tourists, but if you’re the type of tourist I am, you’d rather blend in with locals anyway — not follow the selfie-stick parade through the same overcrowded corridors.
Make sure you double check travel alerts and tourist fees before your trip too.
Swap Gondolas For Topas
Gondoliers don’t put up a fuss about tourists visiting Chioggia since there’s not much competition — at least from what you see in the movies.
Chioggioa is not the place to be if you just have to ride in a proper gondola. However, there are boat tours through Chioggia via topas and bragozzis, which is more fun to say if you ask me. 🤌🏻
Now, you might be wondering to yourself, “Sam, what in the world are topas and bragozzis?”.
Glad you asked.
According to Merriam-Webster, a bragozzo is a two-masted trawler common near Venice, while a topa is a traditional Venetian boat used by locals to navigate the canals and lagoon.
In other words, it still feels local, but don’t expect the striped-shirt and funny hat getup as you peruse the calm waterways trickling by pastel homes, fishing boats, tiny footbridges, and the old bones of a town built around Canal Vena.
Just 15 Miles Away: How To Get Here
There are multiple U.S. cities with direct flights to Venice, so that’s Step A.
Step B is to enjoy some time in Venice before the crowds become overwhelming — and when they do — it’s time to get out of dodge to a crowd-free charmer that takes half the time of your favorite Netflix binge.
Step C is to board a vaporetto to Lido, essentially a Venetian ferry, that only costs about $10, the same price for a cheaply-made magnet in a Venice souvenir shop, then again to Chioggia for $12 or so.
Or you could opt for a boring ol’ bus. But what’s the point of venturing off the Venice without being on the water as much as possible?
How Safe Is Italy To Visit?
Besides Naples and some allegedly scammy vibes in Rome, largely tourists feel safe exploring Italy end to end.
According to our real-time Safety Index, travelers currently rank Italy with an impressive 91/100 score:
As for Venice specifically, it’s even better with a 92/100 score, currently:
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