Many would argue that the secret to enjoying Venice is throwing away the map and allowing yourself to wander. A watery world of islands and canals, this iconic city is home to a riot of monuments, museums, hidden palazzi and tempting tavernas.
See Venice as it’s meant to be seen, on a private boat tour of the Grand Canal.
Wander the Piazza San Marco then climb the Campanile (the bell tower of Basilica San Marco) for views of the city and the water below.
For artistic inspiration, time your visit with the Venice Biennale, a city-wide exhibition of art in even years and architecture in odd years that typically runs from May to November.
Visit the Naval Museum of Venice to learn about the city’s fascinating maritime history.
Escape to the beach at Lido di Jesolo at the northern end of the Venetian Lagoon for golden sand, candy-striped parasols, sunbeds, watersports and a plethora of shops and restaurants.
Venice never loses its ability to enchant. The Grand Canal, the city’s two-mile aquatic thoroughfare, is lined with hundreds of weather-worn Byzantine and Gothic palazzi and is abuzz with canal life. St Mark’s Basilica, the Rialto Bridge and the Doge’s Palace may well be crowded but are not to be missed on any visit to the city. For something a little quieter, head to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection to gaze at 20th-century masterpieces from Pollock, Picasso, Dali and others.
Or make for the islands of Burano and Murano, the former known for its rainbow-coloured houses, intricate lacework and waterside restaurants, the latter for its long tradition of Venetian glassmaking. Or simply embrace the hubbub by pulling up a chair at a local bacari (tavern), ordering a spritz and a plate of cicchetti (tapas) and watching life unfold as it has done for centuries.
With ‘Palace’ in its name, you would be right to expect opulence and a sense of occasion during your stay at this Grande Dame of the Venetian hotel scene. Perfectly poised overlooking the canals, this historic property feels anchored to the heart of Venice, offering discerning guests history, sophistication, gastronomy and great service.
Set on the beautiful Giudecca Island, away from the hustle and bustle of central Venice, Belmond's Hotel Cipriani has all the romance and allure of Renaissance Italy. Overlooking the shimmering lagoon towards famous St. Mark’s Square, this 5-star hotel offers guests the chance to experience a discreet, more demure side of Venice.
This private-island resort sits in the middle of the Venetian Lagoon, 20 minutes by complimentary shuttle boat from St Mark’s Square. It’s perfect, therefore, if you’re looking to escape the crowds that fill Venice in high season, or as a base for exploring the many other islands that lie scattered about the lagoon.
Just a 15-minute stroll from the Rialto Bridge, in the Arsenale district where the Biennale takes place, is the stylish, hip yet historically aware Ca' di Dio. As much a house as a hotel, Ca’ di Dio appeals to a young, design-conscious, international clientele, and challenges the perception of Venice hotels all being living museums packed with paintings, frescos and chandeliers.
A bastion of old-world glamour, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is swathed in the drama and romance of a bygone age, from the impeccably liveried staff ready to greet you at the platform and the gleaming hundred-year-old restored carriages, to the parade of decadent dishes and champagne onboard.