Announcing a New Travel Series Dedicated to Venice

Change is in the air...

Dash of Prosecco celebrates Venice's culture, heritage and traditional home cooking. I’m Sinù Fogarizzu and I’ve been living in the lagoon city for the past 20 years. It’s good to have you here.

Although I wasn’t born in Venice, I have spent all of my adult life here.

I've lived in numerous neighbourhoods, attended the local university, and forged connections with Venetians from all walks of life. Not long ago, I was even priced out of it, as my partner and I looked for affordable housing options for young couples. None were to be found.

Did you hear the news? There are now more beds for tourists than residents in Venice. This year, the number of local citizens dropped below the 50,000 mark - two-thirds of the population simply gone in the span of 70 years. Schools have been shut down. The number of providers for basic services is dwindling. Small, local shops that serve whole neighbourhoods dismantled one by one.

I feel overwhelmed sometimes - the whole issue of over-tourism feels too vast to tackle. Where to start? What to do? Is it too late already? Beyond a veil of frustration, resentment emerges.

This summer, however, I was presented with an opportunity for action, and even healing.

We've had an exceptional summer this year: each and every weekend was spent outdoors, travelling locally, with unforgettable boat rides across the lagoon, and inland excursions, too.

Even though we rarely popped into Venice “proper”, we didn’t feel like we were missing out. Instead, with each trip, the city revealed itself more and more. Like a puzzle, a complex, nuanced, and fascinating image was gradually forming before our eyes.

Because Venice is always so packed, I've realized that we naturally gravitate towards its outskirts. Places and spaces that defy commercial stereotypes, like the expansive lagoon peppered with solitary islands or the wild coastline familiar only to native-born Venetians.

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It saddens me how rare the occasions for dialogue between local people and visitors are. Yet there are conversations to be had.

Many modern Venetians have developed a tendency to secrecy. Understandably, we cling tight to what little is left and keep it guarded. That includes the classic secret places that only the locals know (we do need our sanctuaries!) but also “secret thoughts” - perspectives, views and insights that could help enhance awareness and stimulate change, if only they were released into the universe.

This summer I picked up an old Instagram project called “Slow Venice”. I began sharing my weekend travels and some tips here and there. The more content I posted the more people engaged. DMs, chats, emails, even video calls (you know who you are ❤️)! Amidst the chaos there were ears willing to listen.

Frustration began giving way to hope.

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I decided to expand Slow Venice into a fully fledged column on Dash of Prosecco: a slow and sustainable travel series dedicated to Venice, its mainland and lagoon.

My desire is to share with you a different image of Venice. To inspire slow, conscious and sustainable travel practices that not only mesmerise, but also build connections and strengthen the city. And perhaps, to foster a tiny virtual space for conversation where locals and visitors can meet.

There will be curated itineraries, reading suggestions, reflections, and practical tips and tricks from 20 years of living locally. All firmly anchored in the belief that we can all contribute to the survival of one of the most unique cities on earth.

It will be fun, and hopefully, meaningful. It will also be an open ended journey with ample space for growth and learning.

We start with the lagoon, and how to pick powerful adventures that will bring you deep into the folds of our estuary.  

In the meantime, I'd love to hear from you. Have you ever been to Venice? What was your experience like? What did you love most? And what not so much?

Thank you for being here,

Sinù xx

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