Venice

You will be swept away by gondolas, canals, hidden piazzas & priceless art fused together with an air of excitement and romance, it could only be Venice! One of Italy’s must see cities it is consistently one of Cities Direct’s best-selling destinations, not surprising really when you consider how much there is to see on a Venice city break. 

What to see …
Just being on Venice Island and absorbing the atmosphere makes any visit special.  A great place to start the tour of world famous sights is Piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Square) the city’s largest square and popular meeting place. Enjoy a enjoy a coffee at one of the cafes whilst watching the world go by and taking in the magnificent architecture of the square, including the majestic St Mark’s Basilica and its Campanile San Marco (bell tower) one of the most recognised landmarks. Nicknamed the Church of Gold due to its Byzantine mosaics and symbol of power, St Marks is simply breathtaking! Built in a Venetian Gothic style the adjacent Doge’s Palace with its courtyard, apartments and chambers is also a must see. The enclosed white limestone Bridge of Sighs joins the Doge’s Palace to the New prison on the other side of the Rio di Pallazzo. No visit is complete without taking a trip along the Grand Canal to see the amazing Rialto Bridge, opened in 1591 it is the oldest crossing of the Grand Canal - be sure to cross on foot too to appreciate the design – two inclined ramps either side of a central portico. Simply meander your way through the network of hidden alleyways and piazzas and enjoy the atmosphere of this incredible city.  But a visit is not all about sightseeing, this is Italy after all so you can enjoy delicious seafood fresh from the Rialto market, scrumptious risottos brimming with flavour or handmade pastas washed down with local wine – it’s a gastronomic delight.

Where to stay …
We always recommend that you stay on Venice Island so as not waste valuable time each day travelling to and from Venice Island. The 2 star Nuovo Teson Hotel is a great addition to our programme offering clean, comfortable accommodation in a great location. Always a firm favourite with our clients is the 3 star Pantalon Hotel. Accommodation is simple but welcoming staff and high standards of house-keeping keep clients returning year after year. Luxury and romance go hand in hand in Venice, so if you want something extra special why not treat yourself to one of our 4 or 5 star hotels. The 4 star Concordia, for example, is the only hotel which overlooks Saint Mark’s Square, the perfect choice for a romantic stay

When to go...
Venice is a very popular for tourists and so is usually busy all year round. We recommend visiting in spring and autumn out of the heat of mid summer and the chill of the winter months, when the attractions are quieter. 

What to eat…
Seafood is a very popular and some dishes are considered a delicacy, such as Moleche, small green crabs from the lagoon. Rixoto de Go -rice with ‘Go’ a local fish. Also Pollenta is traditional and try Bigoli pasta.

Getting there…
We offer direct flights to two Venice airports from 12 airports in the UK and Ireland including Dublin, Birmingham, Gatwick and Leeds Bradford. Venice is also popular as part of a multi-centre break, so why not add on a few days in Turin, Florence or Rome? Call our reservations team, who are on hand to advise the best options and can put together an itinerary based on your requirements.

Click here to see all our special offers for Venice