Venice Holidays

Fairytale feels

There are cities, then there’s Venice. The whole thing’s floating on a lagoon in northern Italy, so it feels like something from a fairytale. Instead of roads, the city’s connected by canals and waterways, and the main mode of transport is boat. It’s actually made up of over 100 islands, but it’s surprisingly easy to get around – just take the vaporetto (water bus), explore on foot using the bridges or hop in a gondola for the classic Venetian experience.

Sights and snacks

Each neighbourhood brings its own vibe – San Marco’s home to the major sites, Dorsodoro draws a younger crowd and Cannaregio has a local feel. St Mark’s Square (or Piazza San Marco if you want to sound like a local) is the beating heart of the city. It’s where you’ll find all the big names – St Mark’s Basilica, the Campanile bell tower, Doge’s Palace – and it’s dotted with cafés where orchestras play while you sip espresso. Between sights, fuel up at a bar with cicchetti, Venice’s version of tapas – little plates of seafood, crostini or fried bites.

Canal views

The Grand Canal is Venice’s best feature – wide, dramatic and lined with Renaissance palaces that used to belong to the city’s elite. A gondola ride here is a must, and with a local guide you’ll hear all the hidden stories behind the palaces and bridges you’re gliding past. But don’t just stick to the main drag – ask your gondolier to take you through the smaller canals and suddenly it feels like another city, with laundry strung across the water, neighbours chatting from windows and cats sunbathing like they own the place. It’s quieter, but just as photogenic.

Island-hopping

Venice’s islands were made for exploring. If you want beach energy, jump on a ferry to Lido di Jesolo – it’s got miles of sand and plenty of spots for swimming or just soaking up the sun. Then, Burano’s canals are lined with houses in every shade, plus it’s home to a lace-making tradition that goes back centuries. Murano is another classic – glassblowers here have been perfecting their art for generations, and you can watch them turn molten glass into chandeliers, beads or even tiny sculptures right in front of you.