Luxury Vacations in Venice

The past is an ever-present companion in Venice, where days are measured – as always – in the sonorous chimes of church bells and the turning of the tide. Against the backdrop of this sun-dappled lagoon, serenaded by the time-honored songs of the gondoliers, contemporary art rubs shoulders with Renaissance masterpieces and sleek new boutique bedrooms are housed in medieval palazzos overlooking the canals. Yet while Venice is famed for its watery thoroughfares, it is also one of the most walkable cities in the world.

On foot – the sweet scent of wisteria, pomegranate and fig trees mingling with fresh coffee and sea salt – this stylish metropolis is dialed down to a pedestrian pace that inspires a spirit of spontaneity. Succumb to the aroma of fresh seafood and the clink of ice cubes at a traditional bàcaro or have the glass-blowers and lace-makers package up bespoke souvenirs to send home – reminders of a city that must be seen to be believed.