Venice

Explore Venice

Weightless, that’s the feeling that we should experience on holiday. Freed from worry and the constraints of daily life you should feel lighter than normal. Like you could walk on water. The best hotels and spas can achieve this but it’s hard for an entire city. Unless of course, it's Venice, a labyrinthine of exquisite architecture that floats miraculously above the lagoon. Walking hand-in-hand with your beloved through hidden courtyards, low passageways and fairytale bridges is about as romantic an experience as can be had.

Getting here and around

Most visitors will arrive at Venice Marco Polo airport, which has connections to Europe, the US and the Middle East. Venice Treviso is a little further out and is mainly used by low-cost European airlines. This being Venice the best way to get to your hotel from the airport is private boat transfer, all good 5* hotels will have a private jetty. Getting around the city is best done with a combination of walking, private water taxi and gondola.

Climate & seasons

July and August are seriously crowded and many locals will escape the heat and tourists by going on vacation. April, May, early-June, September and October are preferable in terms of heat, lower rates and thinner crowds. Winter can be seriously cold and there is a risk of acqua alta (flooding). The city will fill up for several weeks in February or March for the famed Carnival.

Where to go

Nothing is far away in the floating city. From the ornate Rialto Bridge to St. Mark’s Square is a delightful 10 minute stroll past many high-end fashion stores. The iconic Canal Grande snakes through the heart of the city, and many Venice’s finest hotels sit in historic palazzos on its banks. Further afield, in quiet seclusion are the resort-style hotels of Kempinski San Clemente or Belmond Cipriani. The neighbourhoods of Castello and Cannareggio are a good choice to escape the tour groups. While the colourful island towns of Murano and Burano make for an excellent day trip to see artisan glass and lace making craftsmanship.

What to do

Few things are as romantic as just wandering hand-in-hand with your loved one, getting lost in the backalnes of Venice. Even with the crowds this is an impossibly romantic town. A private gondola ride is an absolute must, as it is indulging in an atmospheric meal for two on one of the Canal Grande rooftops. Eat, drink, admire the miraculous architecture and then shop. Venice is home to all the high-end brands you can find in Milan plus a host of locally made crafts, such as handcrafted carnival masks, Murano glass and Burano lace. A day trip to see these being made is a real gem.