Venice

The watery world of Venice and its 118 islands is an appealing mix of high art and architecture, everyday life, artisan culture, exquisite palaces and thronging visitors, all criss-crossed over and around the Venetian lagoon that sweeps in via a network of canals from the Adriatic.

And as a visitor to Venice, you’ll get swept up in it too. Just as the fisherman on the lagoon did, to Attila the Hun in 453, followed by the Lombards. By the 10 century the city was well set up with trade links, building on their maritime empire and choosing their own leader – the first doge. Venetian construction began in earnest with the doge’s Palazzo Ducale alongside the Basilica di San Marco, named after the city’s patron saint. Today, preserved and celebrated, Venice’s appeal lies in the way it remains unchanged, ready to be explored and discovered. Whether you’re an art lover, historian, utter romantic, aesthete, dreamer or foodie, Venice will beguile you with its untouched charm and unique position. Explore on foot and by gondola or vaporetto, crossing ancient bridges and famous canals including the Grande Canal, where crumbling Venetian-Byzantine palazzos line the water’s edge, restaurants spill out and decorative bridges like the Rialto bridge create navigation around Venice. Come across impressively grand architecture – the Basilica di San Marco (St Mark’s Square with the Doge’s Palace) is perhaps Venice’s most iconic sight.

Of the beaten track, explore numerous churches, inside of which priceless art is hidden -discover the Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari church which has Titian’s Assumption and sculptures by Bellini and Donatello. Art galleries are aplenty from the Accademia, filled with Venetian masterpieces to the Peggy Guggenheim and contemporary gallery Punta della Dogana. Venice is also home to major international festivals including the Venice Film Festival, usually studded with Hollywood royalty and the Venice Art Biennale (La Biennale d'Arte di Venezia), hosted since 1895, where artists flock from around the world to show their work. 

Down side streets are where local life continues and authentic cuisine lies, flavours from the sea paired with Venetian culinary traditions. Slightly further afield the islands of Murano showcase a glimpse of local talent and a thousand-year-old tradition of glassblowing, which make beautiful mementos.