Day 1: An introduction to Venice.

Rialto Bridge: The graceful Rialto Bridge was built from 1580 to 1592 by Antonio da Ponte and is just in our apartments area. The bridge lies in the centre of the business quarter and is lined with shops and galleries affording views of the Grand Canal.

Grand Canal: Once called 'the finest street in all the world' Canal Grande is Venice's main communication route. The canal is nearly two miles long and between thirty and seventy metres wide. It divides the city in half and is lined with two hundred 12th - 18th century marble palaces in which the patricians whose names were in the Golden Book used to live.

St Mark's Square: St Mark's Square is famous all over the world. It forms a great marble saloon surrounded by galleries sheltering famous cafes and luxury shops. The huge Campanile (bell tower) towers over the square. The present structure was opened in 1912, replacing the earlier tower that collapsed without warning ten years earlier.

Doge's Palace: The palace was a symbol of Venetian power and the glory and was both the residence of the Doges and the seat of government. It was erected in the 12th century in the place of the building dating from A.D 825 and was completely transformed in the 14th and 15th centuries.

The Basilica di San Marco: The most exotic of Europe's cathedrals, and no visitor can remain dispassionate when confronted by it. It is the combination of ancient structure and later decorations which makes San Marco so bewildering along with the ornaments, many of which were looted from abroad and are sometimes older than the building itself.

San Giorgio Maggiore: A short ferry ride from St Mark's takes you to the little island of San Giorgio Maggiore. Here you'll find a church and monastery, built from 1559-80. Within the church are a number of important paintings by Tintoretto including "The Last Supper". It is possible to take the lift to the top of the campanile for a superb view over Venice and the lagoon.