My best kept secret  for when it is high tourist season is to go out and walk the city at 6am. I know it was hard, I was on holiday and the last thing I wanted to do is wake up early. But it was one the most unforgettable things I did. Why? It is extremely romantic,even if I did take my mom!. It was quiet. It was empty. You saw the locals starting their day. The businesses preparing for the day. Deliveries being made by boat. Then we nipped into cafe and had pizza and coffee for breakfast. It was truly a memorable experience and worth the extra effort.

There is a Great Deal to be seen in Venice itself. First time visitors, like I was myself, always head straight for St. Marks.Now I know there are many more places of high quality to visit that are not so over-crowded!. There is a great deal to explore in Venice once you get away from the immediate neighbourhood of Piazza San Marco, beautiful though both the Basilica and the Doge's Palace are.