Venice, the capital of Italy’s Veneto region, is a one-of-a-kind city built across 100-plus small islands in a lagoon, with canals for streets and not a car in sight.
The heart of it is Piazza San Marco, framed by the golden-domed St. Mark’s Basilica and the Gothic Doge’s Palace, with the Grand Canal sweeping past the Rialto Bridge and its bustling market. The classic pleasures are simple: a gondola or vaporetto ride, getting lost in quiet backstreet canals, and a day trip out to colourful Burano and glassmaking Murano.
The best time to visit is April to May or September to October, when the weather is mild and the worst crowds and summer heat have eased; September is often the single best month. Note Venice now charges a day-visitor access fee on many spring and summer dates, so check before you go.