DAY 1: UK - Venice.
Fly to Venice and make your own way to your hotel. Alternatively, a transfer is pre-bookable at a supplement.

DAY 2-4: Venice. At leisure.
Two days to explore this bewitching city in your own way. Its own magical lagoon, Venice enchants from the moment you lay eyes on its miniature labyrinth of canals, narrow winding streets and intricate palaces. This romantic city is a dream come true for lovers of architecture, art and history, and the famous sites of St Mark's Basilica and the Ducal palace are so well known they lend the city an almost familiar feel.

First stop for most visitors, the magnificent St Mark's Square, is a truly overwhelming experience for first time visitors who are always struck by the size and scale of the magnificent buildings lining each side of the square. The pinnacle is of course St Mark's Basilica; this ornate palace is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful churches on earth with its elaborate façade covered in gold and precious stones. Complete your visit by taking the lift to the top of the Campanile tower for a view across the rooftops of Venice and the lagoon, which will take your breath away.

Staying close to St Mark's Square the Ducal palace and prison by the side of the lagoon is a stunning example of gothic architecture with its striking white and pink exterior. This fabulous exterior can only be beaten by the array of wonderful works of art on the inside.

Close to St Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs, with its baroque patterns and timeless beauty, is for many the romantic emblem of Venice. This is in stark contrast to the structure's origins - a place to tie prisoners before they were taken to the Doges prison.

Leaving St Mark's Square take a walk inland along the winding streets and tiny canals, each with their own unique charm, all steeped in history with their own story to tell. Many visitors follow the route to the Rialto Bridge, a formidable structure right at the heart of the city crossing the Grand Canal at its busiest point. Standing atop the bridge and looking down will give you the feeling you are looking at another world which has not changed for many years.

This area could almost certainly be described as the heart of Venice. The streets are lined with market stalls selling souvenirs such as the famous Venetian masks and glassware for which the city is so well known. Along with this there are a wealth of restaurants, cafes and bars catering for all tastes and budgets.

Of course the best way to discover Venice is to take a gondola ride, even away from the Grand Canal and the main attractions, the tiny winding canals reveal an array of spellbinding buildings, all full of character and literally rising from the lagoon.

Venice is an absolute joy for art lovers due to the quality and caliber of the galleries. The two most visited are the Ca d'Oro, housing a selection of tapestries and paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries and offering wonderful views of the Grand Canal, and the Galleria del Accademia, where a collection of Venice's most precious and famous works of religious art are displayed. (B)

DAY 5: Venice - UK.
Make your own way back to Venice airport for your flight to the UK. Alternatively, a transfer is available at a supplement and should be pre-booked prior to departure. (B)