Holidays in Venice never disappoint. Venice is a city like no other. It is outrageously beautiful with streets full of water. Venice is one those places you still love even if the weather’s poor. It’s a relief just to spend a few days with no traffic. In winter the crowds of tourists thin to leave a magical stage set adorned with ornate churches, splendid palazzi and historic cafés where you must never look at the bill for fear of heart attack. You can’t do it all, but be sure to ride a vaporetto (waterbus) down the Grand Canal, visit the Galleria dell’Accademia and take a trip across the lagoon to Burano, Murano or Torcello. Accommodation in Venice includes some very romantic luxury hotels – if you haven’t got an anniversary or birthday to celebrate, invent something quick.
A treat
Dreamers and wanderers
Culture vultures
Honeymoons
Gondolas - they’re a tourist cliché and ridiculously expensive. Spend your money on a decent bottle of Prosecco instead.
Many museums close on major holidays. Some churches do not allow male visitors in shorts or women in sleeveless tops. You’re almost certain to get lost wandering through the back alleys and little bridges, but that’s part of the fun.
Venice is hot in summer and can be surprisingly cold with icy winds in winter. July and August are the hottest months with occasional afternoon thunderstorms. Spring and Autumn can be warm and clear, or cold, damp and foggy. Seasonal flooding – known as acqua alta - occurs between October and March.
Flights to Venice from London take approx one and a half hours.
The glory of Venice is the absence of cars. It’s a walkable city and public transport is by vaporetto (waterbus).