Venice is not a city, it is an experience. It has a dreamlike quality, with fine palaces, domed churches and grand houses lining the banks and mirroring the waters of the more than 100 canals. A walk through the maze of narrow streets will take you past some of the most glorious architectural wonders, or take a waterbus – a vaporetti – to see Venice from the water.

The main waterway is the Grand Canal, meandering through the heart of Venice. St Mark’s Square, the “Salon of Europe”, is bordered by famous bars and cafes, with the magnificent Doge’s Palace keeping watch. Here there are many boutiques selling anything from jewellery to the locally hand-blown Murano glass.

For a spectacular view over the rooftops, take the lift to the top of the Campanile (Bell Tower) or, if you are feeling energetic, climb the 136 steps of the nearby Clock Tower. Paintings by classical Italian masters and their contemporaries are a short step away, and indulge in a gastronomic experience in one of the many trattorias in this sparkling city.