Why go?

History, mystery and romance can all be found here – placing it among the top Valentine’s Day destinations.

February can be a great time to explore Venice. The Carnival in the first two weeks of the month sparks the city into life with theatre and pageantry, more than seeing off the winter cold. This festival brings the opulence of the past back to life with its magnificent costumed parties – both indoors and out on its campi (squares).

Venice’s first inhabitants were villagers escaping 5th-century barbarian hordes, and salt and fish were their only resources on this once inhospitable land. Centuries later, the trade of oriental carpets, perfume, silverware, precious stones and spices had transformed the islands. With their ships sailing freely to Byzantium, Venetian merchants made enormous profits and splashed out on palazzi and glorious churches. The rest of Europe envied their lifestyle and riches; the ‘mistress of the Mediterranean’ became legendary for her Earthly pleasures.

Even if you’re not jetting in for the Carnival itself, when it finishes, the city returns to normal and is far less crowded than the summer season.

What to do

Exploring the city’s tiny alleys, you’ll soon stumble upon a Lombardy-style church, a gothic palace or a medieval courtyard. St Mark’s Square is simply stunning with its Byzantine basilica, 00 39 041 270 8311, www.basilicasanmarco.it – make sure you climb the bell tower for sweeping views of the city.

The Doge’s Palace, 00 39 041 271 5911, visitmuve.it, is known for its elaborate and grandiose rooms, while the impressive Correr Museum, 00 39 041 240 5211, is dedicated to the city’s history and Renaissance paintings. Other must-sees include the Accademia Gallery, 00 39 041 52 00345, gallerieaccademia.org, a treasure trove of works by Bellini, Tintoretto and Veronese, and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, 00 39 041 240 5411, guggenheimvenice.it, with pieces by Picasso and Kandinsky. Take the vaporetto (water bus) along the Grand Canal, and stop off at the Rialto Bridge and its bulging fruit and vegetable market.

Where to stay

There are plenty of five-stars vying for your attention, like Gritti Palace, 00 39 041 794 611, thegrittipalace.com, a stunning 15th-century palazzo on the Grand Canal – think Claridge’s on the water. A recent renovation reaffirms its iconic status. Be sure to check out Marriott Venice, 00 39 041 8035 906, marriott.co.uk, opening in March on an island in the lagoon. It has the largest spa in town and ultra-modern yet elegant rooms.

Boutique style comes in abundance at 29-room Ca’ Pisani, 00 39 041 240 1411, capisanihotel.it, which glows with art-deco decor and furniture. For a super little B&B fit for a doge, try Settimo Cielo, 00 39 342 636 2581, settimocielovenice.com in St Mark’s. Its pretty touches of brocade, rich fabrics and exposed brickwork create plenty of contemporary charm.

Where to eat and drink

Aperitivo time means a ‘spritz’ in one of the numerous bars around the Rialto Bridge, or a Bellini at the glamorous Harry’s Bar, 00 39 041 528 5777. For Venetian tapas, discover a traditional bacari, like Osteria alla Botte, 00 39 041 520 9775.

Oniga restaurant, 00 39 041 522 4410, www.oniga.it, is a true local’s place in the Dorsoduro district, and specialises mainly in fish fresh from the Adriatic. It does excellent, authentic meat and vegetarian dishes too. The seasonal menu changes daily so may include, for instance, schie (tiny lagoon-caught shrimps available only in December). Mains are about £14.

Da Fiore, 00 39 041 721 308, www.dafiore.net, is the celebrated Michelin-starred institution famed for its risotto. For great gourmet presents, stock up on crostate di marroni (chestnut tarts) and frittole (doughnuts with pine nuts, raisins and candied orange peel) at Tonolo bakery in Dorsoduro, or head to VizioVirtù, 00 39 041 275 0149, www.viziovirtu.com, to buy quirky but delicious spicy chocolates and cocoa pasta.

Time running out?

Listen to a classical concert performed in one of Venice’s beautiful and peaceful churches.

Travel Information

Travel Information

Italy’s currency is the euro. Venice is one hour ahead of GMT, and journey time from London is about two hours. Cost to carbon-offset is £1.96. Visit www.climatecare.org for more details.

Getting There

British Airways flies from London Gatwick to Venice.
EasyJet offers daily flights from London Gatwick, London Luton and London Southend to Venice.

Resources

Venice Tourist Board A comprehensive website for planning all aspects of your city break. www.turismovenezia.it