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WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK…
For a coffee with a bit of flair make a stop at the magnificent Caffe Florian in St Mark’s Square, which bills itself as the world’s oldest.
Another famous destination, just yards away, is Harry’s Bar.
It was the favourite watering hole of the writer Ernest Hemingway and is the place where Venice’s most famous cocktail was invented, the Bellini – a delicious mixture of Prosecco and peach purée.
Another glam location is the Skyline Rooftop Bar at the Hilton Molino Stucky, the ideal place to watch the sun go down over the city.
There are also plenty of cheaper options to enjoy a relaxed drink.
In Venice it’s traditional to grab a wine-based aperitif, called a spritz, and enjoy some “cicheti”, the Venetian version of tapas, as you watch the world go by. West of the Rialto Bridge is a good place to start your evening at venues such as the hole-in-the-wall bars All’Arco or Al Merca.
The Corner Pub on Calle della Chiesa is a great bet for a beer.
Another good area for bars, and popular with students, is Campo Santa Margherita.
Dining out can be pricey at Venice’s touristy restaurants, but it’s perfectly possible to get a bite without breaking the bank.
Try a family friendly traditional restaurant like Taverna San Trovaso on the Calle Contarini Corfù in the Dorsoduro, which serves up yummy pizzas while enjoying canal views.
And don’t forget the ice cream! Some of the scrummiest is served at Gelateria Nico, which lies on the city’s southern waterfront. WHERE TO STAY...
The Carnival Palace is a designer boutique hotel overlooking the buzzy Cannaregio Canal, one of Venice’s larger waterways.
The super deluxe rooms are typically Venetian in style with ornate, gold-leaf dressing tables, curved chaise longues, baroque wallpaper and soft furnishings in velvet and silk.
Some have four poster beds, others have views of the water and the Tre Archi Bridge, all have sparkling marble bathrooms, with gold or silver bowl sinks.
At the back, there’s a pretty garden, which is a great place for relaxing with a drink from the hotel’s Moorish-inspired Mask Bar.