Skip to main content

Laura Hamilton says there is just one word for Venice... Perfetto!

While making TV's A Place In The Sun, I always hope we will film an episode in Venice.

It hasn't happened yet – it's not the most obvious destination for a holiday home – so when my husband Alex booked a surprise three-night stay for us in the Italian city, I was delighted.

Once you land at Marco Polo Airport, you can take a commuter ferry (€15/£12.70) that takes 80 minutes to reach central Venice, or a private water taxi that takes just 20 minutes. We decided on the latter, sharing it with another couple and thus splitting the €150 (£127) fare.

Picture perfect: Venice's waterways provide the perfect way to get around the city as well as a beautiful backdrop

We stayed at Ca Maria Adele, a splendid boutique hotel with 14 rooms that is a stone's throw from the Grand Canal. The hotel is named after the owner's grandmothers – a lovely touch.

The lounge was both beautifully scented and lavishly decorated – not surprisingly, Ca Maria Adele was named the most romantic hotel in Europe by Condé Nast Johansens in 2011.

We stayed in a tastefully decorated deluxe room, which featured views of the Grand Canal. Perhaps the bathroom was on the small side, but other than that our accommodation could be summed up in one word: Perfetto!

Cheers: Laura and Alex enjoy a bellini outside Harry¿s Bar

Breakfast was an extremely relaxed affair. Guests can eat on the roof terrace, in the breakfast room or in their room. And with 60 dishes to choose from, it's a great way to start the day.

There is so much to see in Venice that it's impossible to do it all in three days, but Alex and I were determined to pack as much into our stay as we could.

At the suggestion of Nicola, the hotel's owner, we decided to explore the city by water, which allowed us to really appreciate Venice's stunning architecture.

A 72-hour travel pass for the public boats that cruise the Grand Canal costs €35 (£30). Back on land, a visit to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is a must, as is the renowned glass factory on the island of Murano.

For a beautiful view of the city, head to the top of the bell tower of San Giorgio Maggiore, and then catch your breath by popping into Harry's Bar for a bellini – it's where the peach puree and Prosecco concoction was invented. The bar isn't particularly special, but it's good to say you've been there.

Of course, no trip to Venice would be complete without a gondola ride – but be warned, it will cost at least €80 (£68) for about 20 minutes.

  More... Weekending in Venice: Climb aboard a vaporetto and enjoy the Lagoon Show Ferocious quizzes and dropping in on Gracie on a luxury European cruise Discover more top holiday tips from the stars

We jumped in our gondola near the Rialto Bridge and the serene ride took us along some of the city's smaller waterways.

In an expensive place such as Venice you have to be careful not to overspend unnecessarily on food and drink. Staff at our hotel recommended several great places that combined wonderful food with value for money.

Top viewpoint: Take in the city and its many waterways from the San Giorgio Maggiore

Our favourites were Riviera on Zattere Ai Gesuati and Al Gondolieri. We also enjoyed lunches at the Grand Monaco and Hotel Gritti Palace.

As Alex and I enjoyed a glass of wine at the hotel before our flight back to London, we agreed that a fourth day in the city would have been ideal.

But according to a couple we met, 'Venice is a city where you can make new discoveries every time'.

It just means we've got an excuse to return soon.

Laura Hamilton will be appearing on Channel 4's new show Beat My Build in the autumn.

Travel Facts

Expedia (0330 123 1235, www.expedia.co.uk) offers two nights at Ca Maria Adele from £415pp. This includes breakfast and return flights with Monarch from Gatwick to Venice, departing on June 11.



Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o