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MAY HALF-TERM DEAL: CHOOSE FROM GREAT HOTELS SET on a series of islands in a stunning lagoon, Venice is a marvel and was literally built on stilts.
The “floating city” is stuffed with ancient buildings, splendid churches, fairytale palazzos and, most famously, those canals – 26 miles of them in all.
Cars are banned from the historic centre and the main way to get around is to wander on foot or hop on and off the waterbuses, known as a vaporetto. Purchase a handy 24-hour ticket to cut the cost.
The Grand Canal is Venice’s key thoroughfare, cutting through the main island and linking the most important sights.
Of course no visit to Venice would be complete without that “Cornetto moment” – a traditional ride in a gondola.
Be ready to fork out at least 80 euros for a 40-minute journey though. BOBBIE THURGOOD’S If you’re on a tight budget get a similar vibe on one of the rowing boats, or traghetti, that ferry locals about the city – a ride on one of these costs just a few euros. WHAT TO SEE AND DO…
Not to be missed is the beautiful 16th century Rialto Bridge, which thrusts out across the Grand Canal. It’s lined with shops and there’s a buzzing market nearby too.
At some point you’ll find yourself in the breathtaking St Mark’s Square or Piazza San Marco, right, famous among other things for its bars, music and pigeons!
It’s home to the famous Byzantine cathedral, Basilica di San Marco. Entry is free, but for eight euros you can zoom up the bell-tower for incredible views across the city and lagoon.
Also worth your time is a tour of the grand Doge’s Palace, or Palazzo Ducale, once home to the city’s governors. Check out the splendour inside and the graceful Bridge of Sighs, so called because it was said to be the last glimpse of the outside world prisoners would get as they headed off to the cells on the other side.
For a cultural fix don’t miss the Gallerie dell’Accademia, full of works by history’s greatest painters including Venice’s most famous artist, Canaletto.
Or, for a spot of retail therapy, visit the designer stores such as Prada, to the west of Saint Mark’s Square, or the shops in the Strada Nova.
If you have time, grab a water taxi to the nearby island of Murano where you can see the world-famous glass being made in the workshops.
And if all that sightseeing has got too much you can even laze on the Lido, Venice’s own sandy beach.