Piazza San Marco
Venice is synonymous with fine art, majestic architecture and romantic gondola rides and as a tourist it is almost impossible to escape from one of them, let alone all three. The city’s centrepiece is the Piazza San Marco, arguably the most picturesque square in Europe and home of St Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, St Mark’s Clocktower and a few thousand pigeons. It is memorably depicted by Canaletto in his 1730 masterpiece Piazza San Marco with the Basilica, and the image is still exactly reflective of the scene today. However, it is not advisable to visit after heavy rain - Piazza San Marco is the lowest point in Venice and lies adjacent to the Grand Canal, so is extremely prone to flooding.

Basilica di San Marco
Previously known as the church of gold, St Mark’s Basilica is the most famous of all Venice’s churches. It is renowned as one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture, but is adorned with and houses decorations which both pre-date and supersede the building itself. St Mark’s Roman Horses are a must see: the highly sought after effigies were once displayed in Constantinople, were seized by Doge Enrico Dandolo for Venice, then Napoleon for France, before being returned to Venice in 1815.

Gondola rides
Gondola rides are extremely expensive. They are also almost inevitable. Make sure you haggle hard when that inevitable time comes.

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