By Anita Draycott

Unlike any other place on earth, Venice, is one of my top-rated cities. I’ve been many times and share here some of my favourite things to do:

• Join gondoliers in rustic bacaros (wine bars) where a glass of vino costs less than a euro and a plate of cichetti (savory snacks) such as marinated artichokes, a cod mixture spread on polenta squares and mini salami sandwiches, costs about 3€. Try Cantina Do Mori, San Polo 429, near the Rialto Market.
• Caffé del Doge, also near the Rialto market serves the best lattés. Take some beans home.
• Enjoy live opera in a palace on the Grand Canal and move from room to room for each act.
•  Dine on inexpensive pastas and pizzas under the wisteria or inside at the cozy Al Nono Risorto Osteria, S. Croce 2338.
•  Take a guided “Secret Itineraries” tour through narrow passages of the Doge’s Palace and see the tiny cell where Casanova was imprisoned.
• Shop for a silk Fortuny lamp.
• Buy exquisite lace at Emilia on Burano and dine at the romantic Riva Rosa restaurant, owned by the same family.
• Splurge on a room and dinner on the terrace at Hotel Danieli, a former Doge’s palace just off St. Mark’s Square.
• At the Hotel Cipriani’s Gabbiano Bar, sip a spritz, a Venetian cocktail made of Prosecco, Aperol bitter orange liqueur and a dash of soda.