Venice
To visit Venice is to step into a dream. It seems unreal to be in a city where the streets are canals, and snatches of Italian opera sung by gondoliers waft down narrow lanes. Newcomers are usually openmouthed as they are swept along the Grand Canal for the first time, past crumbling palaces, bobbing gondolas and domed churches.
After you’ve seen the main sights, lose yourself along the paths that cling to the canal-sides or take a water taxi to one of the many islands. For a truly authentic Venetian meal, opt for a superb seafood risotto in one of the tiny bacari (or pubs) frequented by the locals.