A bad boy's playground

Getting there: Venice's Marco Polo airport is on the mainland, eight miles north of the island. The cheapest flights are often on Go (0845 60 54321, www.go-fly.com) from Stansted. Ryanair (08701 569 569, www.ryanair.com) also flies from Stansted, but serves the more distant airport of Treviso. For flights going out next Friday, 19 April, returning on 22 April, we were quoted a fare of £88 return on Go and £91 return on Ryanair. The other non-stop option to Marco Polo is from Gatwick on British Airways (0845 77 333 777, www.ba.com).

The Alilaguna water taxi takes you across the bay from Marco Polo airport to the city – tickets can be bought from the ticket office inside the arrivals hall or on board, and cost around £6.

Accommodation: The Cipriani, Giudecca 10 (00 39 041 520 77 44, www.cipriani.orient-express.com), is the most glamorous and expensive hotel in the city. It stands on Giudecca island, which overlooks St Mark's and the Grand Canal. Doubles start from £457 per night including breakfast. A cheaper option is the Albergo Doni, Calle del Vin (00 39 041 522 4267), two minutes walk from Piazza San Marco. Doubles cost from £50.