Local Expert
Bradley Harden
Living the Sweet Life in a Fantasy Land
I was born in Missouri, but grew up in Minnesota where I was exposed to true winter and the health benefits of shoveling A LOT of snow. After graduating from…
Living the Sweet Life in a Fantasy Land
I was born in Missouri, but grew up in Minnesota where I was exposed to true winter and the health benefits of shoveling A LOT of snow. After graduating from high school I attended Northwest Missouri State University for 2 years and then transferred to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music and earned a degree in Music Business and Management. After deciding that a desk job simply wasn't my thing at this point in my life, I set out to see what the world had to offer. I found a wonderful little town a few miles southwest of Venice called Padova. This small, university town truly captures all of the ideas, visions, sights, and sounds of what you think Italy should be...except the gondolas, that is left for Venice.
I enjoy a lot of different things. Travel is obvious. I have traveled extensively throughout Europe in the years since arriving, trying to see as much as I can. This, of course, includes a vast amount of Italy. I have had a wonderful time experiencing the culture with real Italians that have taken me to the places that you can not find in any guidebook and that are not on any map. During the spring and summer I work as a liaison for travelers; helping them find their way from the airport or train station to their hotels and helping them navigate through Venice or surrounding area to see things that are off the beaten path. Of course, if it’s your first time you need to see the important historical things, but if you’ve been before perhaps a day of ‘live like a local’ is more your thing. I always find a huge amount of pleasure and satisfaction from seeing a city that I know very well through the eyes of someone who is experiencing it for the first time. When this happens I, too, see the city for the first time and I realize that the magic never left.
In addition to all of this, I also enjoy movies, most types of music, going out for a “spritz” in the piazzas during the evenings with friends, and since I’m living in Italy eating AMAZING food and drinking a GREAT glass of wine come almost automatically. This is the definition of "Having your cake and eating it too."
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Bar da Gino - Giudecca Snacks & Various Sandwiches
Just across the Grand Canal near the Academia Bridge, you will find a great little place for a quick lunch. Bar da Gino offers a wide variety of sandwiches, Tramezzini, and other Venetian lunch "quickie" bites.
The staff is friendly and eager to help you with anything you need. Orders can be off the menu or if something specific is making your mouth water, feel free to place a special order. It has a pretty good wine selection for being a snack bar, but the price is a little high for a glass...consider ordering the bottle. The food prices are more reasonable and you definitely get more than what you pay for.
When you cross the Academia bridge head to the left and follow the street that leads away from the bridge. Bar da Gino is located on the first right, you should be able to see it but if not, look for the tables placed outside under the green awning. The cafe occupies the corner spot so there's plenty of room for everybody. After lunch take a stroll through the streets. It's a quiet place with few tourists and if you're in the mood for some modern art, the Peggy Guggenheim is near by.
If you would like to contact me directly about this, or anything else regarding Venice or northern Italy, visit me HERE.