
From Paris and Vienna to Venice and New York, rediscover the charm of these classic capitals of romance with our hand-picked hotels and a host of experiences you’ll never forget.
Venice
That this dream-like city feels like a mirage isn’t so surprising. It’s made up of 117 islands linked by canals and bridges, where magnificent 16th and 17th century palazzo and piazzas shimmer in the sunlight or appear to entirely float during a downpour.
Your first memory:
Slipping into a vaporetto water taxi to get to your hotel from the airport and taking in your spectacular new pastel-hued water world.
The new moment you’ll never forget:
Rise and shine before sunrise to explore St Mark’s Basilica without the crowds as it starts to turn golden in the sunshine. After a coffee in the square – there are plenty of options: the 300-year-old Caffe Florian is consistently good – get teary eyed during ethereal mass (09:00 Monday to Saturday; 10:30 on Sundays). For the best views, but with none of the crowds churning up Campanile di San Marco, head across the water to the tower at San Giorgio Maggiore.
Where to stay:
Ruzzini Palace Hotel has enough Murano chandeliers and Baroque-style glamour to fulfill any Venetian fantasy, but it’s located on Campo Santo Maria Formoso away from the main tourist drag.