If you're arriving at San Marco airport, do splash out the 12 euros to get the blue line Alilaguna boat to your nearest stop. Day or night it's the only way to arrive, but once you're there, enjoy Venice most by just walking and getting lost in the quieter backstreets, and seeing a glimpse of what's left of the life of a diminishing non-tourist resident population. Small shops, bars, galleries and markets will welcome you.

Try Arsenale or around Campo Santa Margherita and the beautiful Del Frari Church for a start. If it's raining or misty, so much the better. If it's December, the Christmas market near Accademia Bridge will warm you up. For half a euro cross the canal by shared traghetti gondala and stand like the locals.

www.alilaguna.it/
Then have a map handy for use in emergencies only

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I felt perfectly comfortable during my stay in Venice. We were a group of people and our trip was arranged by a local tour operator that I found surfing the net. I contacted them by email and accommodation and all ground services were perfectly organised (boat trip to the islands, restaurants, guide and museums). Since I was the leader of a group of 23 people I felt a bit stressed until our vacation was over, but now I can tell you that it was brilliant! So do not miss the boat trip to Murano, Burano and Torcello, and ask for a trip off the beaten track... far and away from the crowds. They can handle it!

Missing Italia
www.missingitalia.com/en/meeting_incentive.html

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The glass factories on Murano take would-be buyers by water taxi from San Marco for a short demonstration of glass blowing.

This is worth a trip anyway, plus it's worthwhile wandering around the shops.

The only catch is that you'll get the sales pitch from the staff on the way out. The prices here are ridiculously high. You can buy exactly the same glassware outside the factory for less. So just stiffen up your lip and walk on out.

Ask at your hotel or look out for agents early in the morning at San Marco.

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Capannina Beach, located in the Venice party capital of Jesolo Lido, became the setting of the legendary sunset-aperitivo parties known as "The Better Days". With the magic combination of its house set (influenced by everything from acid to electronica to deep from minimal to techhouse), open air location and spectacular Venetian sunsets, The Better Days has grown to become the most important, unforgettable beach party in all of Venice. Guests of the party often make comparisons to the bliss and ambience found at the famous Circo Loco parties held in Ibiza, or to those of Cavo Paradiso in Mykonos. Unforgettable.

Spiaggia di Piazza Mazzini
Lido di Jesolo - Venezia;
tel: 0421.372024;
www.capanninabeach.net

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