If marble palaces, glistening lagoons, freshly made gnocchi and sticky gelato are your idea of Italy, you're probably dreaming of holidays to Venice.

Floating fairy tale

Venice floats on a lagoon of its own making in northern Italy. Gilded gondolas, ornate basilicas and tantalising trattorias give the place its fairy tale feeling. Walking through 100 islands might sound like a lot of footwork, but a cluster of cosy neighbourhoods means the city's actually quite compact.

Gelato lovers

St Mark's Square is stacked with cultural sites and places to eat. Order a sampling of 'cicchetti' – Venetiantapas–so you've got energy to explore the Gothic Doge's Palace. The winding cobbled streets feel like a pastel-hued playground, and the oh-so-tasty gelato follows the same colour scheme.

Canal views

No trip to Venice would be complete without a gondola ride on the Grand Canal – best taken with a local guide. There are oodles of snap-worthy moments, with Renaissance architecture and romantic views aplenty. To get a real feel for the Venetian lifestyle, ask your gondolier to glide down the quieter back streets.

Daytripping

Take the ferry to the neighbouring seaside town of Lido di Jesolo to trade palaces and quill shops for a huge, sandy beach. Then there's Burano – a favourite spot with Instagram influencers for the way its brightly painted houses reflect in a glassy canal.

At a Glance

  • Float down the famous canals on a gondola
  • Wander the arches of St Mark's Basilica
  • Disappear down winding streets to find the best gelato

TOP THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN VENICE

BEACHES

SHOPPING

NIGHTLIFE

FOOD & DRINK