Venice itself is closed to cars – no surprise in a city built around islands, canals and countless bridges. However, many visitors still use their hire cars to explore nearby parts of Italy, using Venice as a base. It’s also the perfect way to get to the city itself before parking up at a garage and then exploring Venice itself by foot or gondola.

Venice sits on the A4 autostrada, a toll road (most autostrada throughout Italy have tolls to pay – our local team will be able to advise you on how best to pay them) that runs from the east to west in Italy’s north. Driving in either direction will take you to some of Italy’s lesser-celebrated gems, such as Padua and Verona to the west, continuing on to Brescia and Turin. Drive east for the laid back and pretty Trieste, close to the shared border with Slovenia, a city that mixes cultures to charming effect. Be aware that sometimes main roads will start with ‘E’ – this means that it’s a longer European route, so the A4 will also appear as the E70 on some signs and maps.

The south of Italy is also within easy reach, heading west initially on the A57 before getting onto the A13 for Bologna. For Florence, Rome and Naples, along with access to the sublime Amalfi coast and resorts such as Positano and Sorrento, take the E35.

You’ll need to drive on the right and overtake on the left, and speed limits are clearly signposted. 

The changing nature of Venice, a place very much at the whims of water, has given it plenty of names. There are those who call it Serenissima, others The Floating City. It’s certainly a place like no other, which has acted as a muse for many of the greatest artists. You’ll be inspired by it too.

View the Venetians

While many of the city’s buildings are works of art themselves, you’ll also find timeless pieces here by the great Venetian masters. In the Scuola Grande di San Rocco you’ll find works by Tintoretto that have been here since the 16^th century. In the I Frari, Titian’s glorious “Assumption” takes pride of place in the chancel while his “Madonna di Ca’ Pesaro” is in the left aisle. It’s also believed that Titian himself is buried here – the sole victim of the plague who was allowed burial inside the city, testament to the regard in which he was held. Both artists have other works in the Gallerie dell’Accademia, along with Canaletto and Veronese.

Take a punt

Baroque and roll

Vivaldi is one of Venice’s most famous and celebrated sons, the composer of violin concertos such as “The Four Seasons” was born in the city in 1678. Many fans of classical music make their way to Venice just to hear his work performed there. Look out for the San Giovanni church where he was baptised and the plaque at the Ospedale della Pieta orphanage where he was ‘master of violin’. You’ll hear street musicians and amateurs galore having a crack at his compositions, but for the real deal try to see the Venice Baroque Orchestra, if they’re not out touring the world.

La cucina veneta

Venetian cuisine combines the greatest hits of Italian food with its own lagoon-based larder. Sardines and salt cod are popular here, the local rice lends itself to wonderful risotto and the lagoon crabs – moleche – are a specialty. Those with a sweet tooth will find plenty of places for gelato – La Boutique del Gelato on Salizzada San Lio is highly rated and the queues attest to the quality. Fish lovers who fancy a blowout should reserve well in advance for Antica Osteria Cera. This deceptively simple restaurant boasts two Michelin stars for dishes such as cannelloni with rockfish and sea bream with pepper and raspberry vinegar.

Venice continues to draw people in with its unique charm, and car hire in Venice will also let you explore Italy’s mainland, such as the nearby Verona, an inspiration for three of Shakespeare’s plays.