Elizabeth Heath

In our opinion, one of the top things you can do in Rome is check out a market. That’s partly because there’s a hell of a lot of them, selling everything from fresh groceries to secondhand furniture.  Come Saturday, Sunday and sometimes weekdays, you’ll find flea markets for nabbing designer clothes and antiques, and indoor food markets for cheese, meat, fish and more. Some are touristy, some only locals know. Here are the best markets in Rome.  RECOMMENDED:🍕 How to eat like a local in Rome🍝 The best restaurants in Rome🍦 The best gelato in Rome🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Rome Elizabeth Heath is a writer based in Rome. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

There’s a reason Rome has a reputation for being one of the coolest places on the planet. Everyone there is really, really cool. And between the endless bowls of pasta you’ll devour on your trip, you’ve got to mix it up a little bit, right? So you might as well go shopping. And luckily, Rome takes shopping very seriously indeed.  At first glance, you might just expect designer boutiques and jewellers on the pricier end, but although the designer offerings are second to none, you’ll be able to source a ton of vintage finds as well. And if you’re only interested in a spot of window shopping? This is the place. Rome’s best shopping streets are a beauty to behold. Here’s where to go shopping in Rome.  RECOMMENDED:🏛️ Unmissable attractions in Rome🍝 The best restaurants in Rome🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Rome🏨 The best hotels in Rome Planning your next trip? Check out our latest travel guides, written by local experts.

Sure, Venice is the most romantic city on earth and all that. But don’t write it off for a family holiday. The Floating City is actually as kid friendly as it gets, not least because when you think about it, the whole thing is pretty much a massive playground. From its fascinating history to its winding streets and its iconic waterways, Venice is like one huge theme park. And we love it.  And if you’ve got kids in tow, we’ve got you covered. Grab a map and help them explore, watch glass-blowers at work, or take the infamous boat ride along the lake. There’s snacks, gelato and masquerade shows galore here, and the best part? No dragging them around on buses and trains. Everything you need is a short, scenic walk away. Whatever the little ‘uns want to try out, we’ve got it all here. Here are the best things to do in Venice with kids.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Venice🏛 The best museums in Venice🍴 The best restaurants in Venice🛶 How to experience Venice like a local Planning your next trip? Check out our latest travel guides, written by local experts. 

What does it mean to be a local in Venice? It isn’t as simple as ‘someone from the place’. People flock to the city for inspiration or riches, adding to a diverse bloodline that has helped shape the city into a magical place. The traders of yesteryear are now the tourists of today, with the latter outnumbering full-time residents by a figure that makes ‘outnumbering’ feel like an understatement.While experiencing Venice as a local is nigh-on impossible, visitors can put themselves in the locals' shoes by staying in a charming neighbourhood, one that offers something different to tourist-filled streets, from cosy restaurants to curious bars and beyond. Here's our list of the best neighbourhoods in Venice to book your stay in.  RECOMMENDED:🛏️ The best Airbnbs in Venice🏨 The best hotels in Venice This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Rome is, obviously, known for its attractions – the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain, to name a few. But although Italy’s capital is as Metropolitan as they come, don’t be fooled into thinking this is just a city break. If you’ve got your sights set on lying on a wide open beach, we’ve got good news. Rome has it all.  Most of Rome’s fabulous beaches are just a short day trip from the main city, easily reached by public transport. They’re mostly free, often lined with gelato stands, and family-friendly. Most important of all, you can swim at them, and they’re all very beautiful. From Terracina to Sperlonga, here are the best beaches in Rome.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Rome🏛️ The best attractions in Rome🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Rome Planning your next trip? Check out our latest travel guides, written by local experts.

Venice, Italy is often associated with exorbitant prices, from gondola rides—singing costs extra—to the news of a trio of British tourists charged €526 for lunch on Piazza San Marco. While there’s no doubt that Venetian restaurants and merchants are creative when it comes to finding ways to separate tourists from their euros, hotels in Venice offer a refreshing surprise. Thanks to a market oversaturated with Airbnbs and other non-hotel type lodgings, there are more beds than ever in Venice. For travelers, that means some true bargains can be found, particularly if you visit in the off-season or book at the last minute. Here are some of Time Out’s picks for the beast cheap hotels in Venice. Note that by "cheap" we don’t necessarily mean bargain-basement, but rather hotels which, based on some combination of location, amenities and vibe, offer great value in La Serenissima; leaving you with more cash to spend on the city’s top attractions, best restaurants and a tipple or two.

Stylish contemporary décor isn’t the norm for Venice hotels, but Charming House DD724 (and its sister property, Charming House DD694 is 1 minute away) makes it work, with sleek, understated furnishings and color schemes offset by bold shots of color. You won’t be overwhelmed with amenities at this boutique property, but a glass of prosecco at check-in, art-filled common areas and a generous hot and cold breakfast buffet are nice added touches. In-room extras include Nespresso machines, bespoke toiletry kits and natural mosquito repellant—a welcome amenity during Venice’s humid summer months. Time Out tip: For a quieter stay, ask for a room overlooking the Rio de lo Toreseie canal or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection sculpture garden. Nearby:Gelateria Nico: For a cup or cone with a waterside view of GiudeccaAi Gondolieri: For a celebrated meat dishes in a city famous for its seafoodIl Pavone: For Venetian handmade paper stationery, books and gifts

The area around Santa Lucia train station is not the most appealing in Venice, but this smart modern hotel makes up for it, with highly polished interiors, sleek, slightly posh rooms and a nice enclosed courtyard with tables, umbrellas and lounging areas. Rooms have wood or tile floors, tufted headboards and ample natural light. Beyond its convenience for those departing on early morning trains, the hotel is also a short walk to the Grand Canal and the main vaporetto lines to reach Rialto, San Marco and points farther. Amenities include a breakfast buffet and a small cocktail bar. Time Out tip: Rooms here tend to run on the small side. If you reserve through the hotel’s website, include a note or send an email asking for a larger room. Or ask for an upgrade at check-in. Nearby:Giardini Papadopoli: For a nice patch of shady green space across the canal from the train stationBacareto da Lele: For an overstuffed panino and a glass of wine to wash it down withSanta Lucia Station: For surprisingly good shopping, including Desigual and MAC Cosmetics

There’s something about Hotel Flora that evokes the Venice of yore, when the city was filled with small, affordable family-run hotels. Flora is an inviting sanctuary in the thick of San Marco, where longtime staff members offer a warm welcome and go out of their way to accommodate families with small children. An petite, enchanting garden offers a shady respite for tea or a cocktail from the bar. There are few hotels in Venice providing this level of comfort and service at this price point, and Flora is filled with repeat guests. Book early. Time Out tip: Frequent guests to Hotel Flora say that standard rooms can run on the small side, and that it’s worth paying extra for a larger room, particularly one facing the garden. Nearby:Teatro La Fenice: For Italian opera on one of the world’s most famous stagesSanta Maria del Giglio ferry stop: For a short-cut over to Punta della Dogana and La SaluteBar Longhi: For pricey cocktails and Grand Canal views

Casanova called this palace home while he carried on his trysts in 18th-century Venice, and while his rooms were probably slightly more grand than current ones at this budget hotel, the association with the notorious lothario is good fun all the same. Ca’Bragadin’s location, near the point where the San Marco, Cannaregio and Castello sestieri all meet, means you got both well-traveled and less-explored Venice right outside the door. Rooms, while not fancy, are bright and airy, and some are quite modern. Amenities include a tiny courtyard and free breakfast. Time Out tip: Economy rooms are a real bargain here, but note that while they have private bathrooms, facilities are not en suite Nearby:Santi Giovanni and Paolo church: For Doges’ tomb and a Veronese ceilingSuSo Gelatoteca: For artisanal gelato made with fresh, seasonal ingredientsLibreria Acqua Alta: For books piled everywhere in the “world’s most beautiful bookstore”

The menu is short at Antico Forno, the ambiance is of shoebox proportions and service may be brusque—that is if you can elbow your way to the counter, past all the Instagrammers snapping photos of the archetypally awesome pizza served whole or by the slice here, but always to-go. “Pizzaccia” is a thick chunk of lofty focaccia bread overflowing with pizza toppings, or you can get a regular thin pie or an overstuffed panino (sandwich). This is good, honest grub at fair prices. Time Out tip: Venice suffers from a dearth of public places to sit down, and Antico Forno has a tiny, SRO dining area. So make your purchase, then walk about 4 minutes WSW to Campo San Polo, where you might be lucky enough to snag a park bench on which to enjoy your meal. Nearby:Cantina Do Moro: For wine and cicchetti in a legendary Venetian hole-in-the-wallRialto Bridge: For swoon-worthy views of the most famous of the Grand Canal bridgesScuola Grande di San Rocco: For Tintoretto paintings in a dazzlingly ornate setting

You’ve probably already seen photos of Burano’s colorful houses, painted in those bright hues so that returning fishermen can find them in the fog. Though Burano’s age-old traditions of fishing and lacemaking are waning as time marches on, you can still find traces of them on a daytrip here, and you’ll get away from some of the craziness of Venice. Lots of people combine Burano with a stop at Murano, but do take at least a few hours to explore this quieter side of life in the Venetian Lagoon. Time Out tip: Consider spending the night on Burano so you’ll be there in the evening, when fishing boats pull in for the night, neighbors lean out of their balconies chatting, and the day-trippers have gone home.  Nearby:Museo del Merletto: For a fascinating look at Burano’s lacemaking traditionsTrattoria al Gatto Nero: For a memorable fresh-off-the-boat seafood dinnerTorcello Island: For a look at where Venetian history began

The women of tiny Burano island have been making lace since at least the 1400s, and this small, interesting museum tenderly recounts their history and traditions. Lace from Burano has long been a luxury item and at one point, hundreds of women were employed—often in sweatshop conditions—in the production of lace. A handful of lacemakers still live on the island today, and you can see them at work in the museum, which is in the former lacemaking academy.  Time Out tip: Real Burano lace is expensive, and cheap counterfeit products abound in Venice, most of it machine-made in factories nowhere near Burano. For a list of lace shops selling the real thing, check online. Nearby:Panificio Pasticceria Palmisano Carmelina: For homemade cookies from a postcard-pretty storefrontVia Baldassarre Galuppi: For a wander down Burano’s “Main Street”Trattoria da Romano: For risotto that is the stuff of legend

Tiramisu, the classic Italian dessert of mascarpone cream over espresso-soaked ladyfinger cookies, wasn’t invented in Venice, but I Tre Mercanti make some of the most creative varieties you’ll find anywhere—like mango, salted caramel (yes, please) or matcha green tea. At this elegant café and gourmet shop, you’ll also find gorgeous macaroons, plus cheeses, olive oils, and balsamic vinegars, all great gifts to take back home as souvenirs of your trip to Venice.  Time Out tip: There’s really no place nearby here to plop down and enjoy a picnic, but I Tre Mercanti is a great place for stocking up on provisions if you’re heading to Lido, Giudecca or the Biennale Gardens for the day. Nearby:Osteria alle Testiere: For excellent seafood dining in an unpretentious settingMuseo di Palazzo Grimani: For modern art, plus period furniture and costume in a former Doge’s mansionLe Mercerie: For getting lost in the retail bliss of Venice’s fashion shopping area

“Iconic” doesn’t quite do it justice—the Rialto Bridge is one of the most photographed pieces of architecture in the world. And since it’s one of the few places you can cross the Grand Canal without getting your feet wet, chances are you’ll walk along it more than once during your stay in Venice. The 16th-century bridge is still supported by about 12,000 wood pilings, and contains three passageways, as well as small shops, most of them hawking touristy wares. It’s tough to linger amid the thick crowds, but try to take a few moments to admire the graceful design and details. Time Out tip: When the crowds get too thick, pop into one of the Rialto Market’s many bacari, tiny little wine bars for a plate or two of cicchetti (think tapas) and a glass of prosecco. Cantina Do Moro is a favorite.  Nearby:Rialto Fish Market: For the daily spectacle of more types of fish and crustaceans than you realized swam in the sea (closed Sunday)San Giacomo di Rialto Church: For checking the time on your watch against the massive 15th-century clock on the church facade.SuSo Gelatoteca: For artisanal gelato made with fresh, seasonal ingredients

When barbarian hordes swept across Italy after the fall of the Roman Empire, mainlanders fled to Torcello and set up housekeeping. The remains of Santa Maria Assunta church attest to the island’s importance in Lagoon history. The church dates to the 600s, though the surviving structure, along with its dazzling gold mosaics, are from the 11th century. Though the mosaics alone are worth the trip, Torcello also offers a fascinating look into the long-abandoned settlement that predates Venice—it was from Torcello that residents moved to the area now known as Rialto, to create the settlement that would grow to be Venice.  Time Out tip: The church’s Last Judgment mosaic graphically depicts sinners being shoved into the flames of Hell. Since most churchgoers were illiterate, the comic-like images were designed to communicate a load and clear message.   Nearby: Santa Fosca church: For early Christian relics and the tomb of a third-century saintLocanda Cipriani: For fancy dinner and drinks at one of Hemingway’s hauntsPonte del Diavolo: For a tiny bridge with a backstory of witchcraft and forbidden love

If you’re looking for a family-friendly break from Venice or wanting to see how Europeans rock their beach vacations, head to Lido di Venezia, one of the continent’s oldest beach resorts. Once a destination for Europe’s literary elite, it’s now a much more down-to-earth place, though the glamour factor rises about a gazillion notches during the Venice International Film Festival. Nightlife is hopping here during high season, and from the Venice side of the island, evening views of the city are magnificent. Time Out tip: Since free space on the sand is at a premium here, you’re ahead to rent a lounge chair and umbrella from one of the dozens of stabilimenti lining the beach, where you’ll have access to bathrooms, showers and changing rooms. Nearby:Hotel Excelsior: For drinks or dinner with sea views and legendary atmosphereCircolo Golf Venezia: For saying you teed off in sight of the Lagoon of Venice< br />El Pecador: For burgers and booze vended from out of a vintage London double-decker bus

In a palace first built in the 1400s for the Doge’s family and later a residence for the Popes, Gritti Palace Hotel today exudes history and understated elegance. Rooms, some overlooking the Grand Canal, are formal and elegant, with Murano glass fixtures, bespoke wall coverings and antique furnishings and paintings, while suites are over-the-top posh. Two restaurants offer gourmet Venetian cuisine and in the summertime there’s outdoor dining along the canal. The hotel’s Bar Longhi is a stop for fancy cocktails. A spa is open only to hotel guests. Time Out tip: Return home armed with a chef’s secrets for authentic Venetian cuisine by attending the Gritti Epicurean School, which includes a half-day cooking lesson and gourmet lunch. Nearby:Peggy Guggenheim Collection: For modern masterpieces just across the canalHarry’s Bar Cipriani: For the original Bellini cocktailSalita San Moise: For wall-to-wall designer shopping