Venice's Hidden Beauty | Alex Polizzi's Secret Italy - TRACKS

The first leg of Alex’s journey takes in some of the secrets that the North of Italy conceals. Venice is a city that Alex has been to at least fourty times, but this is a trip like never before, visiting a prison with a difference and a brush with some memories of her grandmother.
From Venice, Alex will spend time in a hidden gem nestled among the Lombard Alps, before rounding up her Northern adventure in achingly cool Milan, Italy’s fashion capital and the place where Alex gets up close and personal with Maria Callas’ fabulous stage costumes.
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From Alex Polizzi's Secret Italy
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[@albertoc5484]

Was this video sponsored by Hotel Bauer and others? If so it would be nice to see it written somewhere. As Venetian I appreciated how you mentioned that we are becoming Disneyland. It should be enphasized more that we loose 1000 inhabitants per year and we will be a completely fake city very soon. This because of interests of companies and people from outside come before the citizens which have no right and representation to defend their right to live in their home city, we need a municipality only for the city in order to preserve it. But they don't allow us to vote and achive this condition.

[@generalripper7528]

That is actually very sad to hear. I am glad that they have at least now prohibited cruise ship from entering the proximity of Venice, so that the buildings and the lagoon are more protected. I have always been fascinated by Venice and Venetian history. I also wanted to visit the city, but I actually haven't done so yet and I would probably feel like an annoyance to the locals. Regards from Germany.

[@Allisori]

And how would a small city manage to pay for sea defences without tourism?

[@melodymarks4927]

it is a tragedy that the most beloved city is sinking.i pray the moses will help..how do we stop the damn cruise ships from destroying this glorious city?

[@KerilynDesiree]

Is it called frito lay, the desert???

[@eileengrant5366]

This series is absolutely beautiful. The way it was shot & Alex's passion makes it an emotional & fabulous watch 👏👏👏

[@franvansiclen5687]

Italy is so beautiful !

[@xavier090687]

sometimes when people talk about tourists its as if we dont contribute to your economy.. well this days you got your wish.. good luck with that.. venice is indeed beautiful but the people can be standoffish to common tourists like us

[@MrMaximino92]

Venetians want travellers, not stupid consuming tourists.

[@raffaeleirlanda6966]

Burano houses are not painted in vivid colors to make drunken fishermen capable to find again their homes, but it was due the fog that in winter stands for entire weeks near the ground in banks of dozens meters height. In recent times global warmth reduced presence of fog in whole northern Italy to only a dozens days sparse during the entire year lenght.

[@amorashby3116]

I am curious about the curtains in front of the doors, and presume that is for the heat or privacy?

[@amorashby3116]

@@petralea Thank you, it was something I noticed and could not find the answer to

[@888karminaburana]

GRAZIE is Italian for thank you - GRAZIA is Italian for grace. And how many mamma mia....

[@ReviewBoard-uy5nv]

Most likely, they belong to her family’s hotel group

[@MrMaximino92]

Pure marketing technique to hook the British audience who is completely ignorant about anything outside their shores if not through stereotypes.

[@vcom2327]

To see Venice without crowds simply visit in mid winter. I was rewarded with a light snow falling on the bridges and canals 😊

[@arundhawan6724]

Thanks for Sharing . It was just wonderful.

[@jamesmccrea8791]

It was absolutely beautiful and thrilling to see Italy through her eyes.

[@lorispain1]

I'd watch anything that Alex presents, she has a great way of making it all so interesting. Venice is so beautiful, I would love to visit again, along with Lake Garda.. stunning!

[@BPRbuster]

I had no idea that Venice had a prison. I’d definitely do time there-didn’t look that bad at all. I bet the food is really good as well. I’ve been lucky enough to visit Venice for 2 weeks in the late 90s. It was a magical experience. The entire city is locked in time. The only modern motor sounds you hear are the motor boats on the outskirts of the city. Everything is made of Marble. Just breathtakingly beautiful. It’s now in danger of sinking into the ocean for forever. I hope they can save Venice. There’s just no other place on earth like it.

[@yanliew4027]

seeing its position in the northern part of the country, no wonder it's sinking!

[@kara5958]

I agree Milan is so underrated. There is a restaurant there called Da Oscar. One of the best meals of my life. It’s a must and no tourists! 🍷

[@kara5958]

@lew bronstein the whole world?? what kind of a loser trolls comments and writes a rude reply, you lew! I'll bet you're balding and short too

[@chris.asi_romeo]

Italy is so wonderful. Coming soon Italy.

[@artmaven]

My nonna, too, was Veneziana, born and raised. My maternal side is Ukrainian. My name is Milano. This episode brings me joy. Just brilliant, thank you.

[@kristinepakule7204]

So well explained, personal and emotional - I felt like walking at your side! Thank you🦋

[@monsterlove2323]

Grandiose and exaggerated statements like “we don’t make anything like this anymore” are incredibly ignorant. Just because you are not curious and are ignorant about contemporary architecture and latest developments in urbanism, does NOT mean humans do not create anything great any more.

[@TheNinnyfee]

Italy is just a wonderful country.

[@jimlingerfelt9367]

What a wonderful experience. Thank you!

[@cyrano9000]

Alex, i had a great time watching your video, it is now one additional and exciting reason to visit your beautiful country, thank you for the passion, the story, and the love you spread to all over the 43 precious minutes From Morocco, with love ❤

[@eddyiussa4476]

La nostra grande Patria: Italia! 🇮🇹❤️

[@srinivasvaranasi1645]

Grazie! Loved it.

[@vaughangarrick]

I really really enjoyed this

[@ricknelson7824]

She is attractive because she has character lines and a very nice smile with her eyes.

[@daveygivens735]

She reminds me of Elizabeth Shue.

[@MikeJF355]

Walk a little further down St Marks Sq past the tourist traps with their outside music and you can get a coffee in a wonderful cafe with painted walls etc for three euros.

[@IonIsFalling7217]

The way the narration bends over backwards to condemn tourism while simultaneously pointing out all the ways the city could not exist without tourism (and being a tourist herself) is hilarious.

[@KerilynDesiree]

Hilarious? Hardly.

[@rommelorbigo6857]

That is a beautiful program.

[@sophiereza6540]

awesome i just love ur vlog ....outstanding.

[@jfhow]

click bait! It's about the beautiful side of Venice!

[@EustaquioSantimano]

I love Venice .. I love Italy .. I love this video !

[@estebanlipa6320]

Desde provincia de Iloilo, Filipinas. The vlogger is such a delight to listen and look at. Very elegant and she does justice vlogging such a classy and beautiful place using educated English that obviously was not learnt in the streets of the United States and dressed in elegant casuals that only Italians and French ladies can pull off. In Iloilo, Philippines the Spanish speakers have a term for that: maravilloso!

[@os2841]

She's not a vlogger she is a hotelier

[@karinec.2131]

She does have that blue blood so that explains it.

[@Kanal7Indonesia]

Agree. I love her gracious attitude. Idk y many ppl hate her. Jealousy me thinks. Xoxo from Indonesia

[@lilliansanteix363]

Interesting, original, intelligent:a real treat.

[@crimsonfox007]

I love your channel. You’re so charming!

[@stevenshaw1299]

I have lived in Italy for 22 years and only an hour from Venice. I often go to Venice (as a tourist) Alex sounds like she has disgust for tourists. If there were no tourists, Venice would be abandoned. Its the only industry in Venice. She should be thankful that all these tourists dump their hard earned cash into the local economy.

[@MrMaximino92]

This shows all of your ignorance about Venice’s economy. Venice isn’t only the historical centre on the islets.

[@stevenshaw1299]

@@MrMaximino92 I am fully aware that there are other industries in Venice. However, they only make up a small fraction of the economy for Venice. Tourism is the bread and butter for the average Venetian.

[@Papin47]

"A ship about to disgorge a thousand people" an apt expression for the tourism overwhelming Venice.

[@magnificentservant]

Wow wonderful video 👍 amazing view 😍 video quality 🎥 impressive 👌👌

[@Schaneification]

She is right . She doing what I do Every time I go Venice , Get up a 05:00 get out early ! Leave by 10:00 go to one of the Islands . and take a after noon nap , rest up to go out at night !

[@mjordan812]

I had the honor to be stationed in that area with the USAF for 4 years from the late '60s through the mid '70s. Visited Venice often. Returned in 2001 and was aghast at the sea of people - orders of magnitude more than I remembered. I don't want to imagine what it must be like now. I've been through Bagolino twice recently (motorcycle traveler). Didn't know about the cheese. Pity. I now have a reason to go back. :-)

[@pinky6789]

I have been to Venice so many times I can't count, the further away you go from piazza San Marco, restaurants, bars are cheaper. Everything is cheaper. I suggest you to go shopping into the area surrounding Santa Lucia station.

[@gordondean9189]

She isn't paying for anything - probably rarely does.

[@sylvievicenza179]

I have written to Signora Francesca to thank you for the visit of the room and the prison. I live close to Venice and would never have been able to see these places. Venice is like Disneyland and is loosing its charm because people do not respect the beautiful city. No loud music from your phone!, no sitting on the bridge stairs, no feeding the birds. Is this so difficult to understand.

[@springfieldsbarbados3435]

I really enjoyed watching this video i feel i was there , and had been in Venice

[@Gwailo54]

It is a shame about the music chosen. So many programmes are musically illiterate. At La Scala the first operatic notes were of a Spanish dance from a French opera. Venice thankfully avoided the cliché of Vivaldi’s Quattro Stagione but instead we got a blast of Russian ballet. Sullivan’s Merchant of Venice music would at least have been nearer the mark.

[@azamjoiya9195]

Fantastic

[@lavenderblue11]

too many commercials!

[@2bitrasputin793]

It's So appropriate to have the amenities in the Royal Suite manufactured by prison labor. What could be more Royal?

[@CaliWeHo]

🤣🤣

[@MrMaximino92]

Maybe one of your ancestors made some of that stuff.

[@Kanal7Indonesia]

Enjoying the beauty of Venice with her English accent is such a treat. 🥰

[@Kanal7Indonesia]

Italy is not just Rome! 🇮🇹

[@Morn2moon]

"The Dark side of Venice" is misleading, I almost didn't watch it at all... the beauty of Venice I think would have been a better title... at least for me anyway.

[@MrMaximino92]

They need to hook on the ignorant British audience with a captivating title, as humans tend to be more attracted to negativity thanks to their evolution.

[@zhangdawei3138]

lovethis

[@samsonsimpson3543]

drinking game: a shot every time she says "mamma mia"

[@maagdademeter7094]

Venezia è unica nel mondo! L' ho visitata due volte già come studentessa borsista a Padova. Però mi sembra sbagliato di presentare la nazionalità delle due donne imprigionate li. Potrebbe essere ognuno di noi. Non offendere popoli per i suoi esempi negativi. Italia non è mafia ma STORIA, CULTURA E CIVILTÀ. OK ?

[@KerilynDesiree]

Whats the desert called?

[@paulaltman9751]

I am glad that l saw it 55 years ago before there were 50 million people a year crowding in.

[@ricknelson7824]

Take me next trip please.

[@raffaeleirlanda6966]

Under the square lay fathoms and fathoms of water... When? Where? 🤦

[@jns6971]

I think she thinks Venice is a boat

[@karinec.2131]

I’ll gladly do prison time if it means gardening and making natural beauty products :))

[@tarny11]

Venice looks nice.

[@dfg297lpopdirk]

Alex is so perfect. intelligent and beautiful.

[@Giaduzza89]

No dear, the one you mother use to serve for Easter was a Colomba! They are similar but not the same

[@SimonaCochiTheItalianWay]

Brava 👌💯😜🇮🇹

[@oes5060]

L’Italia è chiaramente il luogo più importante del mondo. Non è difficile da capire se lo giri e studi la storia off-stream. Poi se hai viaggiato e vissuto un po’ dappertutto ancor più facile capire questo argomento

[@mariano4726]

Un pò etnocentrico da parte tua pensarla così

[@MrMaximino92]

@@mariano4726 Ha ragione, il resto del mondo è quello che è grazie alle persone e civiltà che si sono succedute se quella striscia di terra, che ti piaccia o no. L’ etnocentricità non c’entra assolutamente niente, non ha detto che gli italiani sono superiori.

[@hildacalderon4951]

So many comerciales.

[@Thorsted67]

I am half-italian and my grandparents had a summerhouse in the lagune besides Venice in the city of

[@spex357]

The Dark Side of Venice?

[@shortygreyhannah]

right...more like garbled self-loathing of self and humanity projected into a travel video

[@AniMerci]

Sorry. Venice is to EXCLUSIVE for me. Mass tourism, especially those coming in on cruise ships, is ruining the city.

[@arabinking]

i am from the middle east for some reason i love Italians i feel like they are so close to us in many ways

[@MrMaximino92]

We share similar cultures and climates.

[@arabinking]

@@MrMaximino92 very true

[@alessandroroveda2859]

We are close to everyone. Italy is a mix of all 😎

[@arabinking]

@@alessandroroveda2859 man very very close to us in the culture even here at work I get a long with them well and neighbors

[@andreaorbzy31]

How is this the dark side of Venice?

[@gordondean9189]

Too many foreigners - shame they won't just send their money instead of visiting.

[@cherbrowne1637]

Don't you just love Alex. She's definitely one we'd choose as a dinner guest wouldn't we. X

[@griffin2263]

have been to Venice a couple times since 2016 .and both times have had my credit card hacked Have had locals try and rip us off muti times ..!!,hotel tried to over charge the tourist tax ..but we knew the correct percentage and told them we would not pay a penny over .Our water taxi tried to charge us twice ..and 99 percent of the locals HATE tourist !!!!!! ...Keep all receipts .!!check your totals for being over charged or hidden fees .. will not go back .The level of rudest ..from all the locals makes this city not worth the trip .

[@nolslifegren]

So basically slave ( prison ) labour to make perfumes and profits for the rich hotel owner

[@Sparrowdean]

Holographic Sentence She said they prisoners were paid for their work in the perfume laboratory.

[@jns6971]

This lady insults overtourism, while she is being a tourist, also making a video for other toursits. Can't ignore that, she doesn't understand how islands work. "Under this square lay fathoms and fathoms of water"

[@Sparrowdean]

Jordan Simon Her grandmother was Venetian and she has been return to Venice each year since she was a child, so I'd hardly call her a tourist. The series was made for television viewers. You clearly know very little about Venice because she is correct, under the Square is fathoms and fathoms of water. Venice is also known as the floating city.

[@jns6971]

@@Sparrowdean it's not actually floating, it's just a pretty term.

[@Sparrowdean]

@@jns6971 After what I described, you'd have to be pretty stupid to imagine that it was literally floating, wouldn't you?

[@micmike]

the triumph of faith and hope? what are you talking about?

[@42kubota]

she is the perfect balance between classy and sexy. in a very classical and sexy place

[@greenchilde]

There's no more 'the' with Ukraine, it's 2019.

[@nildasilverio1628]

The dark side despite being an exquisite place is because Venice is slowly sinking. Also the very high cost of living there are driving the Venetians out. So, therefore, the place will die eventually.

[@stefancarafelli444]

Post second World War unemployment also caused a few Venetians to leave

[@stefancarafelli444]

nuovavenezia.gelocal.it/venezia/cronaca/2015/02/23/news/da-175-000-a-56-000-abitanti-cosi-si-svuota-venezia-1.10921951?refresh_ce

[@MrMaximino92]

The place will not die, it will be preserved as a museum.

[@KristinaMay2109]

She is a countess,his father Count Alessandro Polizzi, is a count of Italy, title of nobility.She belongs to the italian royal

[@xmaniac99]

Noble titles have been abolished in Italy because nobles turned out to be treasonous nazifascist scum.

[@MrMaximino92]

There’s no longer such thing as stupid nobility in Italy, and any country that has Republic has form of government.

[@kaijagececilia5693]

How did they built a huge city on water

[@leonstevens1382]

way too much "mama mia!" Diversify your interjections!

[@vaughangarrick]

mama mia you have a mighty pole up your jacksy

[@maydom04]

Mama Mia!

[@AirCrash1]

20:19 these sweets have their origins in the far East, we have them here in East Africa, they are called Koeksisters

[@MrMaximino92]

Are you sure they’re exactly the same??

[@nefertitikingtut3839]

Back then people did not know about mold

[@thecaptain2000]

What was the dark side of Venice?

[@supernova11491]

Uh, er. Sometimes I like just listen to a video..this one was distracting by the number of times heard "very expensive" & "not cheap." It would compare to watching documentary on Mt. Everest and hearing "very big" and "not small" constantly. I very rarely make constructive criticism as commentary. 🙁

[@melflo4651]

Hundreds of years ago did they use electrical stirrer?

[@Jyothife]

you are beside your video even more or at least same interesting.

[@claudiosaltara8847]

When I see all those loose brick close to the water I wonder why they are not repointed. Any answer?

[@dariagreergreer4766]

because the salty water destroyed the cement and the paint very fast .

[@spex357]

@@dariagreergreer4766 Having repointed Harbour walls in some fast tide areas it can be delayed.

[@craigmacintosh6180]

Why does she say Grazia? Grazie

[@francinebarr1204]

Belladonna 💋

[@derwegzumerfolg4725]

it seams dangerous for drunk people one step towards the water might end your life

[@raffaeleirlanda6966]

hiwet mnbar Or wake you up... 😀😎😘

[@MrMaximino92]

If you’re drunk and fall in a canal you must be a poor idiot.

[@ambrosejoseph4843]

Do I hear Swan Lake?

[@EnginAtik]

Reminded me of the episode in which Cleese is peckish for some cheese.

[@fern6114]

To help venice, d’ont go there, as fidshi islands north pol or antartica

[@babybutchie]

What dark side? Which secret was revealed?

[@Kanal7Indonesia]

They renamed to "Venice's hidden beauty" LOL

[@borderreiver3288]

ON ANOTHER PLANET...AS IF THE ORDINARY MAN CAN AFFORD THOSE PRICES...ONLY THE MEGA RICH HAVE NO NEED TO WORRY ABOUT COSTS....NOW IT IS JUST ANOTHER TOURIST RIP OFF CITY...VENICE..LIKE MANY OTHER TOURIST PLACES ARE NOW TAKEN OVER BY WEEKENDERS OR ONCE IN A WHILE VISITORS WHILE LOCALS GET PUSHED OUT AS NO HOMES LEFT FOR THEM..OTHERS ARE NOW HOLIDAY HOMES...CHURCHES ARE FAR TOO ORNATE AND FULL OF EXPENSIVE GEEGAWS...FAR MUCH PREFER THE SIMPLE UNADORNED CHURCHES THAN THESE PALACES OF GOLD...WHILE PEOPLE STARVE THE CHURCH GETS RICHER...

[@leilal8053]

U really shouldn't B where the food is being made without wearing a hairnet or cap....

[@raffaeleirlanda6966]

Leila L It is necessary only if you insist on the vertical of the food for a sensible period of time... 👋

[@2TMarie]

Mia Madre e' Mata a Milano 💟

[@serz1885]

2:06 she is 51 now so i guess she is once a year in vennice? hm...

[@emmamartin1448]

I don’t understand why Venice government allows cruise liners to enter Venice. They could come in with small boats and a certain controlled number at time. Not that the cruise liners are the main tourist problem but one problem at the time.

[@gordondean9189]

money determines everything.

[@eiresaoirse3258]

Lol I just looked up what mama mia means in english and I never thought it meant he loves me...

[@RenzoColameoIrlanda]

:-) 💙

[@morgancaine1820]

How many times did she say "Mamma Mia" 🙄

[@jorgegomez524]

in 50 years this glorious europe will be gone.

[@gordondean9189]

Ah, but maybe they will have impressive mosques.

[@ReviewBoard-uy5nv]

The frittole dough is similar to Dutch babies and English Yorkshire puddings. I’ll try it out today

[@Underledge]

It would seem that Venice isn't at all concerned with the predicted rising sea levels.

[@chandalababa-kwanga9981]

because it's obviously a fraud

[@barry-cq4xg]

this absurd video is all about.........Alex Polizzi.