Springtime IN VENICE

A weekend in this floating city is a feast for the senses

- ELLIE FENNELL

Famed for its car-less streets and countless canals, Venice is a place you make your own by losing yourself in its winding passageways. As you explore some of the 430 plus bridges that connect the archipelago of around 118 small islands, don't miss out on these highlights.

Take to the water

Sightseeing begins from the moment you arrive by boarding a water bus - a vaporetto from the airport into Venice's historical centre. Located outside Arrivals, boat transfers depart every 30 minutes. The €15 (£13) journey takes 75 minutes, with stops conveniently located throughout the city. 

Once in Venice, traghetti, or taxi gondolas, cross the Grand Canal from many piers along its banks, and are a cost-effective way to get around. A brief traghetto trip costs just €2, compared with a fixed fee of €80 for a 30-minute private ride. If you do fancy your own gondola trip, it's best to avoid the long queues on the banks of the Grand Canal and find a gondolier on a small backwater.