Principe

More on Venice, Italian Cities

Our love affair with Venice goes way back. It all started back in the 17th century, when the Grand Tour was the holiday du jour. Since then, everyone from Winston Churchill to Avril Lavigne has holidayed here. One of the city’s most attentive lovers, though, is the silver screen. Venice’s piazzas and palaces have featured in over 400 films, with big names like Indiana Jones and James Bond all putting in an appearance. So what’s the big draw? In a word – everything. The gelato-coloured houses iced with swags and cherubs. The lose-your-way cobbled streets. The churches etched in gold. For first timers, it’s an introduction like no other. We’re talking a no-holds-barred beautiful City, with shimmering canals, dinky bridges and grand old palazzos taking centre-stage. It was built on stilts stuck into the lagoon’s mudflats so it’s never really had much room to grow. As such, it’s been frozen in time like a dragonfly in amber. St Mark’s Square has always been the heart and soul of the City. A place where visitors flock to people-watch, it’s where you’ll find most of the city’s star sights, such as St Mark’s Basilica and the Doges Palace. Another must-see is the Grand Canal. As well as being one of the most talked about waterways in the world, it’s the lifeblood of Venice – the main road so to speak – and you can see it from its best angle from the Rialto Bridge. But there’s more to visiting Venice than sightseeing. Relax on the beach – believe it or not, Venice has a sandy stretch all of its own – the Venice Lido. Explore the art galleries and museums – Venice has more art and architecture per square inch than any other City in the world. Or dip in and out of the boutiques that line the streets – you’ll find plenty in the way of grand designs here, and we’re not talking about the architecture. And for the ultimate Venice experience, there’s nothing better than losing yourself in the labyrinth of tiny streets. Just remember to save some time for those cliché moments, like riding a gondola down the Grand Canal. That is after all how the love story began.