Venice is a bucket record vacation spot for a lot of, however as town buckles underneath the crushing weight of overtourism, savvy vacationers are starting to search for alternate options. Enter Comacchio, a small city lower than two hours away in Italy’s Emilia Romagna area. Positioned the place the Po River Delta meets the Adriatic Coast, Comacchio is usually referred to as the “Little Venice” due to its lagoon and canals.
Fulvio De Bonis, the A-Checklist Journey Advisor behind Imago Artis Journey suggests going for “a stroll alongside its small alleys and canals, between glimpses and bridges (such because the Ponte dei Trepponti), which recall the metaphysical ambiance of De Chirico’s work.”
Apart from the canals and bridges, the city is understood for its culinary specialities, particularly eels. The fish market dates again to the seventeenth century and native fishermen nonetheless promote their day by day catch there. Based on De Bonis, a go to to the traditional Manifattura dei Marinati is a should. He calls it “a splendid instance of business structure, at present a museum and workshop that preserves boats, tools, documentaries and interviews that bear witness to the custom of eel processing.”
The marinated eel produced in Comacchio is acknowledged as a Gradual Meals presidium. “All year long you may watch the fish being marinated and within the months of November and December the scenic fireplaces are lit to roast and marinate the eel in line with the traditional Comacchio method,” he explains. This takes place within the Sala dei Fuochi, a large room with 12 fireplaces, which is taken into account the center of the advanced. Marinated anchovies and sardines are additionally produced right here.
Unsurprisingly, the city’s eating places serve eel in additional methods than you may think about, however loads of different seafood specialties seem on tables as nicely, from appetizers made with scallops or clams to spaghetti with crabs or risotto alla pescatore. No matter you order, wash it down with some Bosco Eliceo, the crisp native white wine that falls underneath a DOC (Italy’s protected appellation system).
Historical past buffs will wish to go to the Historic Delta Museum contained in the Antico Ospedale degli Infermi, which accommodates the cargo of an historical Roman ship found in Comacchio in 1981. For nature lovers, De Bonis suggests “a ship or bike tour to the Salina di Comacchio and Valle Campo to find the nesting locations of quite a few chook species, particularly the attractive pink flamingos.”