How do I get there? How can I get around Italy?

Most international flights land in Florence or Pisa. From there, a short drive or scenic train ride brings you directly into the heart of the valley.

Airports

Transportation

The nearest international airport is Venice’s “Marco Polo” airport, which is less than an hour away from the venue. Slightly closer is Verona’s “Valerio Catullo” airport, but with fewer flights coming in. So when booking the flights, I would check both options!

I would avoid flying into Bergamo-Orio al Serio or Bologna as they are further away, unless you plan on doing a little sightseeing before the wedding.

I highly recommend renting a car to move around the area and do a little sightseeing. Nevertheless, you can still move around by train for a daytrip to one of the bigger cities. In this case, the biggest train stations nearby are Vicenza, Padua or Verona to go towards Venice or Milan.

Unfortunately taxis are rather expensive in Italy and Ubers are used only in big cities like Milan. There is an Uber spot at the Venice airport, but it might only take you to Venice’s train station.

What should I try in Veneto?

Every Italian region has its own traditions and culinary delicacies. Even though it is the same country, it will be difficult to find an excellent carbonara outside of Rome or ragù lasagne outside of Bologna. So take this chance to try a few local delicacies!

Bigoli (or bigoi in local dialect) are a type of fresh pasta which looks like thick spaghetti. It is traditionally served with “white” duck ragù (meaning without tomato sauce) in a dish called bigoi col’arna. Another version is bigoi in salsa, served with onions and anchovies or sardines. Gnocchi are usually served with butter and sage, ragù or blue cheese

Polenta is one of the main side dishes out of cornflour, usually served with meat. There is also a white version, usually served with fish. Northern Italy is famous also for risotto. A traditional version in Veneto is risi e bisi, cooked with fresh peas. But you can have risotto with asparagus, mushrooms, sausage and many more variants.

Vicenza is famous for baccalà alla vicentina, a dish whose preparation is regulated by the Confraternità del Bacalà - Cod Brotherhood in Sandrigo (google it if you do not believe it!). In Veneto, baccalà means stockfish and refers to a preservation method that involves drying the fish rather than salting it. In this case, the baccalà must cook over very low heat for about 4½ hours, with milk, anchovies, onions, and lots of oil. In the end it is served with some polenta.

Cicchetti are the Venetian version of tapas, usually consumed with Spritz or one ombra (small glass) of house wine. Among the iconic “bites” we have baccalà mantecato, which is a creamy spread with baccalà (stockfish) and sarde in saor, fried sardines marinated in saor, a flavorful sauce made with onions cooked in vinegar, pine nuts, and raisins. If you feel adventurous, you should try the fegato alla veneziana, which is cooked in a lot of onions.

We highly recommend enjoying an aperitivo, since Veneto is the birthplace of spritz. They are cheaper than in the rest of Italy, so if you find a bar selling it at above €5, it is a scam! In Veneto, you find different variants:

• Spritz Aperol is the classic one. If the color of the drink is too pale orange, send it back and kindly ask to do it again.

• Spritz Select is the midway between Aperol e Campari tastewise. This is the version that is usually drunk by locals in Venice. You should try it if you have the opportunity!

• Spritz Campari is the more bitter one, with a vivid red color.

• Spritz Cynar is the most bitter version. The flavor comes from the Cynar liquor, which is made out of artichokes. If you are up for the challenge, you can try it, but do not say we did not warn you!

Local food

What should I (not) do while in Italy?

In Veneto, it is common to have wine or beer at an aperitivo. If you want the alcohol-free variants, you should ask for a Crodino (kind of like alcohol-free spritz) or a Gingerino (similar to ginger beer).

Embrace the sweet breakfast with a fresh brioche (croissant) and a cappuccino at the local bar/pastry shop.

For a quick lunch or a salty snack, try pizza or focaccia slices at a local bakery. Pizzette are also a hit!

Pizza should be consumed only at dinner time, because traditional wooden ovens need time during the day to heat up at the right temperature. If a restaurant offers pizza at lunchtime, then it is a big red flag!

Eating customs

How does a typical Italian wedding look like?

Italian weddings are famous for being fun and loud. Guests really dress up for the occasion and bring a lot of energy to the function.

Good food and wine play a crucial part in the wedding from the aperitivo, to the reception and the cutting of the cake.

Kids are part of the family and so they are included in the wedding. If they get tired, you will just lay them on a few chairs and let them sleep while the party keeps going.

As a tradition, guests usually receive a little bag of “confetti” (sugar-coated almonds) together with wedding favors.

There is a brand-new song that is used a lot during weddings this year. It is “Per sempre sì” by Sal Da Vinci. It won the Festival di Sanremo in 2025 and even was part of the Eurovision Song Contest. We suggest listening to it a few times before the wedding!

In Italy, the bride doesn’t change her surname after the wedding.

Trivia

How does a typical Polish wedding look like?

Polish weddings are also famous for being fun and loud.

They start later in the afternoon and go on until the early morning.

It is tradition to get married where the bride comes from. So Sara was very happy to have the wedding in Italy:)

After the ceremony, guests line up to congratulate the newlyweds and present the gifts (that usually fit in an envelope).

You will do a lot of toasts for the newlyweds with vodka

It is a tradition to play a few games during the wedding

They will serve hearty food later in the evening to keep you partying longer

Trivia

disclaimer: This is a private, invitation-only event.