Venice in winter can be at its most romantic - a silvery mist haunts the backstreet canals, the pale winter sunshine shimmers over the lagoon and couples stroll hand in hand, unimpeded by the hordes of tourists which visit in the summer months.

That said, the 2 weeks preceding Lent are the busiest of the winter, thanks to the exuberant celebrations of the renowned Venice Carnevale. This lively event (9th - 20th February 2007) is the highlight of the Venetian calendar, attracting visitors from around the world. Although many of the masquerade balls are open to the public, they can be pricey and tickets need to be booked well in advance. Many visitors simply opt to soak up the heady atmosphere, enjoy the abundant street performers and photograph the passing costumed revellers.

Venice itself is perhaps best explored by water. If you can, arrive by water taxi into the Piazzetta San Marco to enjoy your first views of St Mark's Square and Basilica or hire a gondola to discover the narrow back canals and snatched glimpses of hidden boutique hotels, crumbling mansions and secret passageways. Then cruise down the Grand Canal for some of the best views of the Rialto Bridge and the bustling heart of the city, followed by a tour of the outlying islands of Murano, Torcello, San Michele, Mazzorbo and the Lido di Venezia

Other "must-sees" include:

Palazzo Ducale, Rialto Bridge, St Mark's Basilica - if you can tear yourself away from the glittering golden mosaics and Constantine treasures, climb the restored clock tower for fantastic views of the city and lagoon.

St Mark's Square - central to many of the most famous sites, the square enjoys a lively atmosphere and is usually bustling with visitors and pigeons.

Bridge of Sighs - connecting the old prison with the Doge's Palace, this bridge was so named by Lord Byron who imagined the sighs of regret and loss expressed by Venetian convicts following their last view of the city before being taken down to the cells.

The city of Venice is the capital of the Veneto region which lies between the Adriatic Sea and the Alps. The highlights of this part of north east Italy include the beach resorts of the Venetian Riviera, the culture of Verona, the dramatic peaks of the eastern Dolomites and the sheltered eastern shores of Lake Garda. Hiring a car from Venice, Padua, Verona or even Milan to the north opens up much more of this prosperous and wine-producing region to the visitor with many opportunities for sightseeing and sampling the local produce.

Venetian Riviera - Located on the Adriatic, the Venetian Riviera draws tourists looking to combine a beach holiday at the Lido di Jesolo or Venice Lido with culture of Venice.

Verona - One of the most prosperous cities in Italy and the setting for Romeo and Juliet, Verona attracts its fair share of tourists. The city is a designated UNESCO world heritage site with a whole host of architectural gems including the Roman amphitheatre (Arena), the Roman theatre, the Lamberti Bell Tower, the Gavi Arch the old city gates and the romanesque churches.

The Dolomites - One of the most celebrated and exclusive winter sports resorts can be found amongst the jagged peaks of the eastern Dolomites in Veneto. Perhaps best known as the backdrop for the Sylvester Stallone film, "Cliffhanger", Cortina d'Aupezzo is a world class resort offering alpine and cross-country ski-ing during the winter months and trekking and hiking throughout the summer.

Lake Garda - This is the largest of the Italian Lakes and a popular holiday destination, particularly during the summer months. The surrounding area is good for stocking up with local produce as vineyards, olive and lemon groves dominate the landscape. On the eastern shores of the lake are the lively resorts of Torri del Benaco, Garda and Bardolino. Bardolino is home to the red wine of the same name - visit in Setember/October and celebrate the Festa di Uva. Lake Garda's only car ferry can be found at Torri del Benaco for regular crossings to Toscolano-Maderno on the western shores.