Take the vaporetto (public water bus) from Venice's historic centre and you'll soon be sitting on a sunbed between the Venetian Lagoon and the Adriatic Sea. This sandy spit is where everyone escapes the city's hustle and bustle and is a godsend during the hot, Italian summers. Here you'll find restaurants, shops and ice cream stores to make a day kicking back in the sand even more blissful.

There's plenty to do when the sun sets in the lagoon city. Join the locals in a post-work aperitivo in some of the city's trendy cafés and bars or catch a cocktail in the historical Il Caffe Rosso in the Campo Santo Margherita area. The young and young at heart head to popular drinking spots Al Merca or Bancogiro. If you're looking for something a little different the Prosciutteria Dok Dall'Ava is a tasty dinner stop with a twist, turning into a modern club on the terrace come evening.

The city's contributions to art, history and architecture speaks for itself, but one thing you have to see to believe is the spectacular Peggy Guggenheim Collection of 20th century artwork. The third most visited museum in the city is tucked away in the 18th century Grand Canal palazzo and pays homage to some of the world's most prolific artists including Picasso. Other popular galleries include Punta della Dogana,Guidecca 795 Art Gallery and Bugno Art Gallery, where you'll stumble upon many international talents.