1. Fitting around twenty people, traghettos are boats that cross the Grand Canal. As only three bridges cross this 2½ mile-long canal, they can save you quite a lot of walking. Even if you don't need to cross the canal, go for the journey as it only costs 50c and trying to balance for the duration of the 90 second journey is extremely enjoyable.

2. Due to the amount of walking required from you in Venice, a large bottle of water will be attached to your hand for the most part of each day there. Rather than throw them away, bring them to one of the numerous wine shops around the city where you can get them filled with sumptuous wine for as little as €2.10 per litre. You'll find them on Campo Santa Margherita, Fondamenta dei Ormeisini and Calle de la Bissa, just minutes from Rialto Bridge.

3. Some of Venice's most beautiful buildings are its churches, most of which are free to enter. These include Chiesa San Salvador with its paintings from the 14th and 15th centuries, Chiesa San Rocco which represents the structure of a typical Venetian school and Chiesa San Giacomo di Rialto, the oldest church in Venice.

4. Twenty minutes from Venice via vaparetto is Lido, home to Venice's golden beach making it the perfect place to flake out for the day when the crowds in the city get too much.

5. Costing €11, the St Mark's Square Museum Card grants you entrace to a total of 4 museums. This includes Doge's Palace and Museo Correr, two of Venice's best. It also gains you entrance to the Archaeology Museum and the Monumental Rooms of the Marciana National Library.