Photo by flickr user dijey bobo
The secret of a successful interlude in Venice is to get lost. Leave behind the crowds around San Marco and the Rialto and wander away, along quiet canals and through dusty squares, pausing from time to time in churches to find a Bellini here, a Vivarini there, and in neighbourhood osterie and bacari for something to eat and drink. Then back to your hotel or guesthouse, where, if the spell is not to be broken, atmosphere counts for everything. Always at least try for a room with a view: you need to book well in advance for high season, and be prepared to pay extra for the privilege. Or consider a winter visit: the skies are often blue, the crowds dispersed, prices are low, and that perfect room with a view is far more likely to be yours. We have divided the pick of the city's accommodation into two lists: Hotels; and Guesthouses. If you require hotel-style facilities and services, we know of places to stay that offer this, whilst still remaining atmospheric and characteristic of Venice. If, however, you prefer something less hard on the pocket and more intimate, you'll find that Venice is brimming with guesthouses and b&bs, often called locandas. We bring you the best. The order by which the guest houses are listed bears no reflection on our preference.
Written by Fiona Duncan
