Jesolo & Venice – Bringing Home More Than Just Souvenirs

Some families return from holiday with fridge magnets. We usually come home with recipes, new flavours, and ideas that eventually find their way into our own kitchen.

This year’s stay in Jesolo once again reminded us that the best culinary experiences are rarely found in luxury hotels. Instead, they are discovered at local markets, family-run restaurants, and around simple dishes prepared with outstanding ingredients.

Every morning began with a small cup of authentic Italian espresso. Italy has a wonderful way of reminding you that coffee is much more than a drink—it’s a moment to slow down before the day begins.

One of the highlights of our holiday was our day trip to Venice. Even before stepping into its narrow streets, the vaporetto ride offered spectacular views that simply cannot be experienced on foot. The Doge’s Palace, the famous Bridge of Sighs and the magnificent Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute looked exactly as we had imagined them from countless photographs.

Another unforgettable stop was the Leonardo da Vinci Museum. Seeing working models of his inventions was fascinating, but one exhibit stood out in particular—the iconic Last Supper. Although Leonardo’s original masterpiece is housed in Milan, its timeless message remains universal: the dining table has always been a place where families gather, stories are shared, and memories are created. That is exactly what Three Generations Culinary Cellar is all about.

Yet Venice will remain in our memories not only because of its history, but also because of its simplest moments. Enjoying an espresso in a quiet square, sharing gelato with our daughter beside one of the city’s canals, and simply watching Venetian life unfold around us became memories every bit as valuable as the famous landmarks themselves.

Every evening, however, we were happy to return to Jesolo. If we had to recommend just one restaurant, it would definitely be Ristorante Pizzeria Acquamarina. We discovered it thanks to its excellent reviews, and it exceeded every expectation. Friendly service, fresh ingredients, an inviting atmosphere and beautifully prepared seafood make it a place we would gladly visit again.

During our stay, we enjoyed several local specialties. Spaghetti alle Vongole perfectly demonstrated why this classic dish has become one of the symbols of the northern Adriatic coast. A handful of fresh ingredients combined into a meal full of delicate flavours.

Another unforgettable experience was Monkfish (Coda di Rospo), served at Acquamarina. Its firm yet tender meat was easily among the finest seafood dishes we tasted throughout the holiday.

When it comes to pizza, one variety impressed me more than any other: the classic Pizza Romana with anchovies. At first glance it looks incredibly simple, but that’s exactly where its beauty lies. High-quality anchovies provide an intense flavour that perfectly illustrates one of the greatest lessons Italian cuisine teaches us—great food doesn’t require dozens of ingredients. It simply requires exceptional ones.

Our daughters certainly had their own favourite course. Every dinner ended with dessert, and beautifully presented tiramisu served with ice cream quickly became the highlight of their evenings. Judging by how quickly it disappeared from the table, it clearly earned their highest recommendation.

We also spent plenty of time exploring local markets. Fresh seafood, aged cheeses, extra virgin olive oils, anchovies, capers and colourful vegetables reminded us that Italian cuisine begins with respecting excellent ingredients.

Inspired by everything we had discovered, we prepared our own pasta back at the apartment. Pancetta, anchovies, capers, garlic, tomatoes, mozzarella and good olive oil came together in a simple spaghetti dish that brought the flavours of the Adriatic straight to our dining table. Sometimes the best souvenir from a holiday is not something you buy—but something you cook.

On our way home, we couldn’t resist stopping at Noventa di Piave Designer Outlet. Naturally, I had to take a photo sitting in the elegant decorative gondola. Looking at the growing number of shopping bags afterwards, only one thought crossed my mind: after an afternoon shopping with your wife and daughters, you quickly realise that taking a real gondola ride in Venice might actually be the cheaper option. 😄

Unlike the outlet, Venice’s vaporetto carried us exactly where we wanted to go—without the risk of leaving with even more shopping bags.

Our final stop before returning home was the beautiful Austrian lake Wörthersee. After a week of Italian cuisine, it was time for a traditional Austrian meal. The crispy Wiener Schnitzel was excellent, but the biggest surprise was a delicious potato pancake served with creamy mushroom sauce. Sometimes the unplanned stops become the ones you remember the longest.

In the end, we brought home far more than olive oil, cheese and photographs. We returned with new recipes, fresh inspiration and another reminder that the best culinary experiences are created wherever great ingredients, family and curiosity come together.

And finally, I almost forgot one of the most important parts of our culinary journey. Throughout the entire holiday, there was one wine that paired beautifully with everything we enjoyed – fresh fish, seafood, pasta, and those long, warm Italian evenings: Lugana DOC.

Our choice was Abate Lugana DOC, an elegant white wine produced on the southern shores of Lake Garda. Made from the Turbiana grape, it offers fresh citrus aromas, delicate notes of white flowers and green apple, together with a pleasant minerality. This balance makes Lugana a perfect companion to the cuisine of Venice and the Adriatic coast.

Whether we were enjoying Spaghetti alle Vongole, monkfish (Coda di Rospo), freshly grilled seafood, or simply relaxing after sunset, a well-chilled glass of Lugana completed the experience. It wasn’t just another bottle of wine – it became part of the memories we created around the table.

From now on, every bottle of Lugana we open will bring us back to Jesolo, Venice, and a summer filled with unforgettable flavours, wonderful food, and precious family moments.