Located in the north east of Italy and the capital of the Veneto region, parts of Venice are actually considered a World Heritage Site, and it doesn’t take a genius to work out why. A modern day Atlantis, the city is rooted into colorful canals and sprinkled with curved bridges, enticing gondolas and rustic boats which etch their way in style around the narrow alleys of the 118 small islands, greeting tourists and bellowing an enthusiastic ciao to all whom they pass. Stepping foot (or flipper) into this aquatic realm will leave you inspired by the wonderful architecture and churches which go back thousands of years, as well as mesmerized by the scenic canals and star-studded Lido di Venezia which hosts the Venice Film Festival. The vaporetti (water buses) enable visitors to hop about between the different lagoons and marvel at the scenic landscapes while doing so. If you’ve caught the love bug, be sure to take a romantic dinner cruise along the canals by gondola and fall in love with this irresistibly charming city. 

During your whirlwind city break, make sure you tick off all the major attractions on the tourist bucket-list, as well as sample cuttlefish and ink, one of Venice’s trademark foods. Marvel at the gilded bronze horses of St Mark’s Basilica, take a guided tour of Doge’s Palace and head to the top of the Campanile di San Marco, offering breathtaking views of Venice. Then, get ready to splash the cash on Venetian gems at Rialto market, a haven for shopaholics containing restaurants and a famers’ market to the west. The history of this market which sits by the Rialto Bridge has a history spanning over 800 years.

After whiling away the hours in Venice’s dainty stores, leaping from vaporetto to gondola and chowing down on buttery spaghetti, you’ll spend your nights in the Hotel Savoia and Jolanda which overlooks St Mark’s Basin in the heart of Venice’s lagoon. Put your feet up in this luxurious hotel or head out and explore Venezia’s nightlife.