72 hours in VENICE

Just three days in this magnificent Italian city will give you a real taste of its charm

- Claire Isaac.

DAY 1

No visit to Venice would be complete without a trip to Piazza San Marco (St Mark's Square). Its beautiful basilica and clock tower are instantly recognisable. Get there early for better photos and a more comfortable experience. If you want to head inside the basilica, book a “skip the line” ticket (basilicasanmarco.it). Tip: entry is free if you visit the church for mass.

You also should pre-book tickets (around $55 per person) to visit the Doge’s Palace. This masterpiece of gothic architecture was originally built in 810, then rebuilt in 1340 and the vast chambers are filled with precious works from artists like Tintoretto and Titian. A ticket also gets you inside the Bridge of Sighs, the famous pathway for prisoners heading to the connected jail cells. palazzoducale.visitmuve.it/en

Food calling? Try the local Venetian tapas, called “cicchetti” – small pieces of bread with toppings like sardines, mortadella or burrata. They’re only around $4 a piece and available widely in the bacaris (bars).

DAY 2