8 Best Day Trips from Venice, Italy: Dolomites, Islands & Train Trips

The best day trips from Venice are not necessarily the closest ones. Some are effortless half-day escapes across the lagoon. Others take you deep into the Dolomites, through the Prosecco Hills, or to cities that deserve far more than a rushed photo stop.

I’ve travelled extensively around Northern Italy, visited Venice around a dozen times, and made plenty of these journeys by both train and car. And my biggest takeaway is this: choosing the right destination is only half the job. Choosing the wrong transport can quietly ruin the whole day.

Some day trips from Venice by train are ridiculously easy thanks to Italy’s high-speed rail network. Others look manageable but might involve too much driving, parking, waiting, or changing transport to be worth doing independently.

In this guide, I’ll show you which Venice day trips are genuinely worth your time, which ones are better as organized tours, and which popular options I would skip altogether. Because technically possible and actually enjoyable are very different things.

Best day trips from Venice at a glance

Here is the quick version if you are trying to choose between the best day trips from Venice without reading every destination section first.

Day trip	Best for	Best way to visit	My take
Murano, Burano and Torcello	Colorful islands, lagoon views, glassmaking, lace	Half-day boat tour or vaporetto	The easiest trip and a lovely break from central Venice
Dolomites and Cortina	Mountains, alpine lakes, dramatic scenery, cooler air	Dolomites tour	A brilliant introduction if you cannot spare a week for the mountains
Prosecco Hills	Wine, vineyards, countryside, local food	Small-group wine tour	Absolutely take a tour so you can actually drink the Prosecco
Verona and Lake Garda	Roman history, pretty streets, Sirmione, lake views, swimming	Verona and Lake Garda tour	The best option if you want a city and lake in one day
Padova	Giotto frescoes, churches, piazzas, history	Train + Scrovegni Chapel tour	The easiest substantial city day trip from Venice
Verona	Roman architecture, romance, piazzas, river views	Fast train + food and wine tour	Wonderful enough to deserve the entire day
Bologna	Food, markets, porticoes, towers, grand architecture	Frecciarossa + food tour	A longer day, but completely worth it if food is the priority
Vicenza	Palladian architecture, elegant streets, fewer crowds	Train + walking tour	The quietest and most underrated city option

How to choose the best day trip from Venice

The best day trip from Venice depends on whether you want more canals, significantly fewer canals, mountains, wine, food, art or a body of water that you can actually swim in.

If you want the easiest possible excursion, choose Murano, Burano and Torcello. They are still part of the Venetian Lagoon, so you do not have to deal with trains, cars or early-morning motorway departures. The islands are small, very pretty and easy to combine in half a day.

I particularly enjoyed the glassblowing demonstration on Murano. Watching someone turn a glowing blob of molten glass into an actual object within minutes is slightly insane—in the best way. Burano is the most photogenic of the three, while Torcello is quieter and more historic.

If scenery is the priority, choose the Dolomites. This is the biggest visual contrast to Venice: canals and palaces one day, enormous limestone peaks and alpine lakes the next. I would only recommend it as a day trip if you cannot spend longer in the region, because the Dolomites are absolutely not a one-day destination. They are a week-plus destination being squeezed into one very scenic preview.

If wine is the priority, go straight to the Prosecco Hills. Book a guided tour with transport, visit a couple of wineries and let someone else worry about the road. Prosecco is not just one generic sparkling wine, and tasting different DOCG varieties where they are produced is far more interesting than ordering another random glass beside the Grand Canal.

If you want a mix of city sightseeing and summer relaxation, choose Verona and Lake Garda. Verona itself deserves a full day—I spent a couple of nights there and loved it—but adding Sirmione works well if you only have one free day and want more variety.

Sirmione is an incredibly cute lake town, with narrow streets, water views and bougainvillea spilling over walls and balconies. It is ridiculously photogenic but also genuinely relaxed. In summer, the lake gives you the option of cooling down with a swim instead of slowly melting against another medieval building.

If food is the main event, choose Bologna. I spent several days there and could have happily stayed longer. The scale of the city surprised me: the towers, porticoes, red-brick buildings and enormous historic spaces all feel much grander than expected. But the food was still my favorite part, which is saying something because the city itself is fabulous.

For an easy cultural trip, choose Padova. For a full independent city day, choose Verona. For architecture and fewer crowds, choose Vicenza.

Easiest day trip from Venice: Murano, Burano and Torcello
Best scenery: Dolomites and Cortina
Best wine day trip: Prosecco Hills
Best city and lake combination: Verona and Lake Garda
Easiest cultural day trip: Padova
Best independent city trip: Verona
Best food day trip: Bologna
Best quieter alternative: Vicenza

Day trips from Venice by train, boat or tour?

The best way to take day trips from Venice depends almost entirely on the destination. Northern Italy has excellent trains, but trains are only useful when the place you actually want to see is close to a station.

Take the train for Padova, Verona, Bologna and Vicenza. These cities have walkable historic centers and straightforward rail connections from Venezia Santa Lucia. Where possible, choose a direct high-speed Frecciarossa rather than a slower regional service, particularly for Verona and Bologna.

I genuinely enjoy travelling by train in Italy. The high-speed routes are comfortable, the stations usually put you close to the center, and you can spend the journey drinking coffee, answering messages or staring blankly out of the window rather than navigating motorway traffic.

For city day trips from Venice, I would normally take the train independently and then book a walking tour, food tour or important timed ticket after arrival. That gives you the efficiency of Italian rail without spending the entire day following a flag through a piazza.

Take a boat or organized tour for Murano, Burano and Torcello. You can visit the islands independently using the vaporetto, but a boat tour connects all three without making you calculate routes and transfer times. It is particularly useful if you only want to spend half a day outside central Venice.

Book a guided tour for the Dolomites, Prosecco Hills and a combined Verona–Lake Garda trip. These are the day trips where the best locations are spread out and the transport is part of what you are paying to simplify.

Best by train or boat	Best by organized tour
Murano, Burano and Torcello by vaporetto, or simplify the connections with this half-day lagoon tour	Dolomites and Cortina + Dolomites and alpine lakes tour
Padova by train + Giotto and Scrovegni Chapel tour	Prosecco Hills + two-winery Prosecco tour
Verona by fast train + Verona food and wine tour	Verona, Sirmione and Lake Garda + city and lake tour with cruise
Bologna by Frecciarossa + small-group Bologna food tour	Private or small-group winery days + Prosecco tour with wineries and lunch
Vicenza by train + historic-center walking tour	Multi-stop mountain and countryside itineraries where public transport does not reach the viewpoints or wineries

I would not rent a car for Padova, Verona, Bologna or Vicenza. The train is usually faster, cleaner and less stressful once you account for parking restrictions and the fact that you do not need a car inside any of these historic centers.

A car can make sense for a longer Lake Garda trip or if Venice is only one stop on a bigger Northern Italy road trip. It also makes sense if you are spending several days in the Dolomites and want to reach trailheads, mountain passes and smaller villages independently.

But I would not rent a car in Venice solely to drive to another well-connected Italian city for the day. That is not independence. That is paying extra to spend quality time with a parking app.

Best day trips from Venice

There are dozens of places you could theoretically visit from Venice, but these are the day trips I would prioritize because they are genuinely worthwhile and realistic within one day.

The list includes easy Venice day trips by boat, fast city trips by train and longer organized tours that take you into the mountains, vineyards or Lake Garda countryside. Some destinations deserve much longer than one day—I am looking directly at you, Dolomites and Bologna—but they still work when your wider Italy itinerary leaves no room for another hotel change.

1. Murano, Burano and Torcello

Best for: Colorful islands, lagoon views, Murano glass, Burano lace
Travel time: Around 4.5 hours for a half-day tour
Best way to visit: Book this Murano, Burano and Torcello half-day tour
Don’t miss: A glassblowing demonstration, Burano’s colorful houses, and Torcello’s churches
My take: These are the easiest day trips from Venice and you do not even need a full day.

A Murano, Burano and Torcello day trip from Venice is the easiest escape in this guide. The islands are right in the Venetian Lagoon, so there are no trains, long drives or dramatic logistics.

I really enjoyed Murano, especially the glassblowing demonstration. Watching someone shape a glowing lump of molten glass into an actual object within minutes is quite insane. It looks effortless, which it obviously isn’t.

• Murano: Best for glassmaking, workshops, showrooms, and the glass museum.
• Burano: The most photogenic island, with brightly painted houses, canals, lace shops, and a more relaxed atmosphere.
• Torcello: The quietest and most historic island, with the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and barely any permanent residents.

If you are short on time, I would prioritise Murano and Burano. Torcello is interesting, but it is the least visually exciting unless you are particularly interested in the early history of Venice.

How to visit Murano, Burano and Torcello from Venice

You can visit independently by vaporetto, but combining all three means several boats and a bit of timetable juggling.

For an easy introduction, book the classic half-day island tour. Choose a longer tour if you want more time on Burano or prefer less rushing.

2. Dolomites and Cortina

Best for: Mountain scenery, alpine lakes, Cortina, photography, cooler summer air
Travel time: Around 8–10 hours
Best way to visit: Book a small-group Dolomites day trip from Venice
Don’t miss: Cortina d’Ampezzo, Lake Misurina, Lake Santa Caterina, also known as Lake Auronzo, and Tre Cime views
My take: The Dolomites deserve a week or more, but this is a great preview if your itinerary is tight.

A Dolomites day trip from Venice gives you the biggest change of scenery in this article. Within a few hours, canals and palaces are replaced by limestone peaks, forests and alpine lakes.

I spent a lot of time skiing and snowboarding in the Dolomites when I was younger, and honestly, this region is not a one-day destination. You could spend a week exploring the valleys and still barely scratch the surface.

But if you cannot fit a separate mountain stay into your Italy itinerary, a day trip to the Dolomites from Venice is still absolutely worth doing.

• Cortina d’Ampezzo: The best-known mountain town, with shops, cafés, and huge peaks surrounding the center.
• Lake Misurina: The classic postcard stop and one of the easiest places to get dramatic mountain photos.
• Lake Santa Caterina and Tre Cime views: Often included depending on weather, season, and road access.

Just keep your expectations realistic. This is a scenic driving tour with several stops, not a hiking trip. Bring layers, even in summer. Mountain weather does not care what Venice was doing that morning.

Getting to the Dolomites from Venice

For one day, I strongly recommend a guided tour. A car is brilliant if you are staying in the Dolomites for several days, but for a quick trip it means hours of driving, parking, and concentrating on mountain roads.

I would rather book this small-group Dolomites and Cortina tour, enjoy the views, and have a shameless nap on the way back.

3. Prosecco Hills

Best for: Wine tastings, vineyards, local food, countryside
Travel time: Around 7–10 hours
Best way to visit: Join this Prosecco Hills tour with two wineries
Don’t miss: Valdobbiadene, DOCG tastings, family-run wineries, and local food
My take: Take a guided tour so you can actually drink the wine.

A Prosecco day trip from Venice is one of the best options if you want wine, countryside, and a break from busy cities.

The Prosecco Hills stretch between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, with vineyards covering steep green slopes and small wineries scattered across the countryside.

And yes, I firmly believe that a good Prosecco is better than Champagne. The important word there is good.

There is a huge difference between generic supermarket fizz and properly made Prosecco Superiore DOCG. A winery tour lets you compare different producers, styles, and sweetness levels instead of ordering one glass beside the Grand Canal and declaring yourself an expert.

Getting to the Prosecco Hills from Venice

You can take the train to Conegliano or Treviso, but the wineries are spread across the countryside and are not conveniently connected by public transport.

A rental car gives you flexibility, but then someone has to stay sober. For most visitors, an organized Prosecco tour from Venice is the obvious choice.

The Prosecco Hills day trip with two wineries is my top pick because it includes transport, tastings, local food, and a full day around Valdobbiadene.

4. Verona and Lake Garda

Best for: Roman history, Verona, Sirmione, lake views, summer swimming
Travel time: Around 10 hours
Best way to visit: Book this Verona and Lake Garda tour with a Sirmione cruise
Don’t miss: Verona Arena, Piazza delle Erbe, Sirmione Castle, and the lakefront
My take: Verona deserves a full day, but the combination works well if you want more variety.

A day trip from Venice to Verona and Lake Garda combines one of Northern Italy’s prettiest cities with one of its most famous lakes.

I spent a couple of nights in Verona and loved it. The city is compact, beautiful, and much more than Juliet’s balcony.

• In Verona: See the Arena, Piazza Bra, Piazza delle Erbe, Ponte Pietra, and the view from Castel San Pietro.
• In Sirmione: Walk through Scaligero Castle, explore the narrow lanes, and stop by the lakefront.
• In summer: Leave time for a boat ride or a quick swim if the schedule allows.

Sirmione is ridiculously cute. I especially loved the bougainvillea climbing over walls and doorways, making the town look like it was designed specifically for photographs.

The Verona, Sirmione and Lake Garda tour from Venice includes a guided walk in Verona, a short Sirmione cruise, and free time by the lake.

It is a packed day, so do not choose it if you want to explore Verona in depth. The advantage is variety: Roman architecture in the morning and lake views in the afternoon.

Getting to Verona and Lake Garda from Venice

Verona alone is easy by direct train from Venezia Santa Lucia. Choose a Frecciarossa where possible to save time.

Combining Verona with Sirmione is trickier. You can use trains, buses, and seasonal boats, but the connections make the day unnecessarily fiddly.

For both destinations in one day, I would book the organized Verona and Sirmione tour and let someone else deal with the transfers.

5. Padova

Best for: Giotto frescoes, churches, historic piazzas, markets, and an easy cultural escape
Travel time: Around 30 minutes from Venice by direct train
Best way to visit: Take the train and book this Padova walking tour with Scrovegni Chapel entry
Don’t miss: Scrovegni Chapel, Basilica of Saint Anthony, Palazzo della Ragione, and Prato della Valle
My take: Padova is one of the easiest and most worthwhile day trips from Venice by train.

A day trip from Venice to Padova is ideal when you want serious art and history without spending half the day travelling.

The main reason to visit is the Scrovegni Chapel, where Giotto’s early 14th-century frescoes cover almost the entire interior. This is not a place where I would casually turn up and hope for the best. Entry is timed and spaces are limited, so book ahead.

• Scrovegni Chapel: Padova’s essential sight and one of Italy’s most important fresco cycles.
• Basilica of Saint Anthony: A major pilgrimage church filled with art, chapels, relics, and works by Donatello.
• Historic market squares: Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta sit around the vast Palazzo della Ragione.
• Prato della Valle: An enormous elliptical square surrounded by statues and canals.

Padova feels substantial enough to fill a full day but compact enough that you are not racing across the city. It is also noticeably less overwhelming than Florence or Venice in peak season.

Getting to Padova from Venice

Direct trains run frequently from Venezia Santa Lucia to Padova. Faster services take around half an hour, and the historic center is walkable from the station.

I would book the train independently and then add a walking tour with Scrovegni Chapel entry. That handles the timed reservation and gives you context for frescoes that are easy to admire but much harder to properly understand alone.

6. Verona

Best for: Roman history, beautiful piazzas, river views, romance, food, and wine
Travel time: Around 1 hour 15 minutes by high-speed train
Best way to visit: Take a direct train and book this Verona highlights tour with Arena entry
Don’t miss: Verona Arena, Piazza delle Erbe, Ponte Pietra, and Castel San Pietro
My take: Verona deserves a full day of its own and is one of my favorite city day trips from Venice.

A day trip from Venice to Verona is incredibly easy, especially on a direct Frecciarossa.

I spent a couple of nights in Verona and loved it. The city is romantic without needing the Romeo and Juliet gimmicks, although you will inevitably end up at Juliet’s House because apparently we are all powerless against aggressive literary marketing.

• Verona Arena: A huge Roman amphitheatre still used for performances today.
• Piazza delle Erbe: The lively heart of the historic center, surrounded by frescoed buildings and cafés.
• Ponte Pietra: A beautiful Roman bridge crossing the Adige River.
• Castel San Pietro: My favorite viewpoint over Verona’s rooftops, river, towers, and church domes.

Verona is compact enough to walk but has enough to occupy the entire day. I would choose standalone Verona over the combined Lake Garda trip if you enjoy cities, architecture, or slow lunches more than ticking off multiple destinations.

Getting to Verona from Venice

Direct trains connect Venezia Santa Lucia with Verona Porta Nuova. Choose a Frecciarossa where possible; it saves time and makes Verona one of the easiest long-distance day trips from Venice by train.

From Verona Porta Nuova, walk or take a short bus ride to Piazza Bra. A guided tour early in the day is useful for covering the Arena and main squares before exploring independently.

7. Bologna

Best for: Food, markets, porticoes, medieval towers, grand architecture
Travel time: Around 1 hour 30 minutes by high-speed train
Best way to visit: Take the Frecciarossa and join this Bologna food and market tour
Don’t miss: Piazza Maggiore, Quadrilatero Market, the Two Towers, and Bologna’s porticoes
My take: It is a longer day trip, but Bologna is worth the journey—especially if food is your main priority.

A Bologna day trip from Venice may sound ambitious, but the direct high-speed train makes it surprisingly realistic.

I spent several days in Bologna and loved it. The food was my favorite part, but the scale of the city also surprised me. The porticoes, towers, churches and vast red-brick buildings feel bigger and more dramatic than Bologna often gets credit for.

• Piazza Maggiore: Bologna’s main square, surrounded by monumental historic buildings.
• Quadrilatero: Narrow food-market streets packed with delis, bakeries, pasta shops, and wine bars.
• Two Towers: The city’s leaning medieval landmarks and the symbol of Bologna.
• The porticoes: Bologna has kilometers of covered walkways, including some impressively grand stretches through the center.

On a tight Italy itinerary, Bologna works as a day trip. But I would focus the day around food rather than trying to visit every church and museum. Book a tour, arrive hungry, and do not schedule a delicate little dinner back in Venice.

Getting to Bologna from Venice

Take a direct Frecciarossa from Venezia Santa Lucia to Bologna Centrale. Avoid slower regional services unless the price difference is substantial.

Bologna Centrale is close to the historic center. Walk towards Piazza Maggiore, join a morning or lunchtime food tour, and explore the porticoes and university quarter afterwards.

8. Vicenza

Best for: Palladian architecture, elegant streets, UNESCO sites, and fewer crowds
Travel time: Around 45 minutes by direct train
Best way to visit: Take the train and join this Vicenza walking tour
Don’t miss: Teatro Olimpico, Basilica Palladiana, Piazza dei Signori, and Corso Palladio
My take: Vicenza is the best choice if you want a beautiful Veneto city without another wall of tour groups.

A Vicenza day trip from Venice is an easy, quieter alternative to Verona and Padova.

The city is closely associated with Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, whose palaces, villas and public buildings influenced architecture far beyond Italy.

• Teatro Olimpico: Palladio’s extraordinary indoor theatre, designed to resemble an ancient Roman space.
• Basilica Palladiana: The city’s defining building, wrapped in elegant white stone loggias.
• Piazza dei Signori: Vicenza’s handsome central square and the best place to stop for coffee or aperitivo.
• Corso Palladio: The main historic street, lined with palaces, shops, and cafés.

Vicenza is not as immediately dramatic as Verona, and it does not have one globally famous masterpiece like Padova’s Scrovegni Chapel. Its appeal is the city as a whole: elegant, coherent, walkable, and far less frantic than Venice.

Getting to Vicenza from Venice

Direct trains run from Venezia Santa Lucia to Vicenza, with faster services taking around 45 minutes. From the station, walk through Giardini Salvi and continue along Corso Palladio into the historic center.

This is another trip where a car adds nothing useful. Take the train, book a short architecture tour, and spend the rest of the day exploring at your own pace.

More day trips from Venice worth considering

The eight destinations above are the day trips from Venice I would prioritise. But a few quieter alternatives are worth considering if you have already explored the obvious places or simply want fewer crowds.

Treviso

Treviso is an easy train trip with canals, frescoed buildings, porticoes and a much calmer atmosphere than Venice. It is also associated with tiramisu and sits close to the Prosecco-producing countryside.

I would choose Treviso for a relaxed half-day of wandering, eating and aperitivo rather than a packed sightseeing itinerary. For a fuller experience, combine it with a guided Prosecco Hills tour.

Bassano del Grappa and Asolo

Bassano del Grappa is known for its covered wooden bridge, historic center and grappa, while Asolo is a small hill town with elegant streets and countryside views.

They are lovely, but the transport is less straightforward than Padova or Verona. I would visit as part of a wider Veneto road trip or a private tour rather than forcing both into a complicated public-transport day.

Chioggia

Chioggia is sometimes described as “Little Venice,” which is lazy but not entirely useless. It has canals, bridges, fishing boats and excellent seafood, but feels more like a working lagoon town than an open-air museum.

Choose Chioggia if you want somewhere local and low-key. Do not choose it because you expect a prettier, emptier version of Venice. It has its own personality.

Ferrara

Ferrara is a Renaissance city with a moated castle, elegant palaces, medieval streets and a strong cycling culture. It is easy enough by train but slightly less convenient than Bologna, Verona or Padova.

I would choose Ferrara if you have already visited the bigger Northern Italian cities and want somewhere quieter and more manageable.

Day trips from Venice I would skip

Italy’s trains make some fairly absurd journeys technically possible. That does not mean they belong in a sensible Venice itinerary.

• Florence: Possible by high-speed train, but too rushed once you add queues, timed museum tickets and the amount there is to see.
• Milan: Easy enough by Frecciarossa, but I would only do it if Venice is your sole base and Milan is non-negotiable.
• Rome: No. Just no.
• Cinque Terre: Far too much travel and too many connections for one enjoyable day.
• Slovenia or Croatia: Better as part of a road trip or separate stay once you account for borders and travel time.

Florence and Milan both deserve proper time. Rome obviously does. Cinque Terre as a day trip from Venice is not a holiday either.

Tips for planning day trips from Venice

• Book high-speed trains early: Frecciarossa fares usually increase closer to departure, particularly on popular routes to Verona and Bologna.
• Check the departure point: Tours may leave from Piazzale Roma, Tronchetto, Venice Mestre or another mainland meeting point.
• Do not overbook the day: One guided experience plus independent sightseeing is usually enough.
• Reserve major attractions: The Scrovegni Chapel, Verona Arena tours and popular food experiences can sell out.
• Check the last train: Particularly if you plan to stay for dinner or aperitivo.
• Bring layers: Essential for a Dolomites day trip, even when Venice is hot.

For cities, my preferred formula is simple: take an early direct train, book one excellent tour or ticket, leave time to wander, and return after dinner. Trying to schedule every twenty minutes usually produces a very efficient day and a fairly miserable holiday.

Day trips from Venice FAQ

Should you spend all your time in Venice or take a day trip?

If you only have one or two full days in Venice, stay in Venice. The city deserves more than a rushed checklist of St. Mark’s Square, Rialto Bridge and one gondola photo.

With three or more full days, adding a half-day lagoon trip or one full-day excursion makes much more sense. Murano and Burano are easiest to fit into a shorter stay, while the Dolomites, Verona or Bologna need a full day.

Which day trips from Venice need to be booked in advance?

Book the Dolomites, Prosecco Hills and Verona–Lake Garda tours in advance because transport capacity is limited. You should also reserve the Scrovegni Chapel and popular Bologna food tours before travelling.

The Murano, Burano and Torcello tours have more frequent departures, but the best times can still sell out during summer.

Can you visit the Dolomites from Venice without a tour?

Yes, but public transport is not well suited to visiting several scenic stops in one day. You may reach Cortina by bus, but places such as Lake Misurina and panoramic mountain viewpoints add more connections.

For a single day, this small-group Dolomites tour is far more practical. Rent a car only when spending several days in the mountains.

Is Lake Garda or Verona better for a day trip from Venice?

Choose Verona for architecture, Roman history, piazzas and an easy train journey. Choose Lake Garda for scenery, swimming and a more relaxed summer atmosphere.

Choose the combined Verona and Sirmione tour if you want both, but accept that you will only get an introduction to each.

Are Murano and Burano worth visiting if you have already seen Venice?

Yes. Murano has its glassmaking tradition, while Burano feels smaller, brighter and more residential than central Venice.

They are not substitutes for Venice. They are an easy extension of the lagoon experience, and the half-day island tour is short enough to fit around your main Venice sightseeing.

Is Bologna too far for a day trip from Venice?

No, provided you take a direct high-speed train and leave early. The journey is manageable, and Bologna’s historic center is close to the station.

I would build the day around a Bologna food tour, Piazza Maggiore and the central porticoes rather than trying to cover the entire city.

What is the best day trip from Venice in winter?

Verona, Padova and Bologna work well year-round because the main attractions are urban and many are indoors. The Dolomites can be spectacular in winter, but itineraries depend on snow and road conditions.

Lake Garda and the lagoon islands are quieter in winter, although boat schedules may be reduced and the experience is obviously less appealing if your dream involved swimming and bougainvillea.

Planning a trip to Venice?

Venice is compact on the map, but bridges, boats, crowds, timed tickets and awkward luggage transfers can make a badly planned trip feel much harder than it needs to be.

I’ve visited Venice around a dozen times, and my biggest advice is to organise the practical parts before you arrive. Book the attractions you genuinely care about, choose accommodation based on transport as well as atmosphere, and do not assume you can simply improvise everything in peak season.

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