A WEEKEND IN VENICE

Gondola Cruises, Beautiful Bridges, World-Class Architecture. A Holiday to Venice isn't your Typical City Weekend Break.

The City of Water

Venice is a city that breaks conventions. Grand palaces teeter on the edge of winding canals, bridges seem to levitate over water, and whole streets disappear at high tide.

More than 100 islands form the city, grouped together in 16 sestieres, or districts. Although this sounds overwhelming, it’s actually very compact. Add that to the fact the biggest sites are all close together and exploring is easy.

Basilicas to Bridges

St Mark’s Square is Venice’s focal point. It’s towered over by an extravagant basilica, complete with five domes and more arches than you can count.

You’ve also got the grand Doge’s Palace right next to it, plus the Campanile Bell Tower, which offers up unobstructed city views from the top. What’s more, it’s also a launching point for rite-of-passage gondola rides along the Grand Canal, with the Rialto Bridge just a short cruise away.

Hidden Venice

Once you’ve ticked off all the major sights, put away the guidebook and go off-piste. The city’s backstreets are easily navigated on foot and you’ll come away with a genuine insight into Venetian life. See the canals from new perspectives, peek through the doors of historic bookshops, and rub shoulders with the locals in waterside cafés.

Nightlife

Conviviality in Venice is understated and civilised. Forget wild clubbing into the small hours, and think a bottle of wine and a platter of good cicheti (bar snacks) set off by a breath-taking lagoon view. 

Most cafés and bars (in Italian the terms are interchangeable) are multi-functional, beginning in the early hours with coffee and pastries. Evening aperitivi are an important part of the day for Venetians who traditionally retire home shortly after dinner time, leaving the streets of the city echoingly empty. With some exceptions.  

The area around Erbaria in the Rialto market zone attracts all-comers for their pre-dinner meet-up. The vibe around Campo Santa Margherita is younger and more studenty, and lasts later into the night.