Venice: readers' tips, recommendations and travel advice Rather than pay for all the museums and attractions, invest in a good guidebook showing local churches. The joy of discovering treasures in these can outweigh what you'll get from more organised and commercial pleasures. Don't confine your wanderings to the San Marco area; explore the other five 'sestieri," or districts, as well. Dorsoduro, for example, holds the Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection; Cannaregio has vibrant streets and churches full of treasures such as Tintoretto's parish church; San Polo contains the breathtaking Frari, an enormous Gothic church with an exquisitely carved choir stalls and monuments to Titian and Canova. If you eat a short distance away from the main drag, prices fall. We had a delicious lunch in the alleys behind the Rialto Bridge for a fraction of the cost charged along the canal bank. It was, by far, our best meal in Venice. Linda Kerr, Manchester Your say: Win a spa break for two at Champneys At some point, preferably when you first arrive at the railway station or Piazzale Roma, be sure to take a vaporetto (water taxi) along the Grand Canal to San Marco or San Zaccaria, just beyond (wherever you're staying). It's a compelling, low-cost and hugely memorable introduction to the city. The No 1 and 82 boats run down the canal; the No 1 makes more stops. Be sure to get on a boat going in the right direction. Bill Monroe, London Find and book at the best hotels in Venice at the lowest prices I recommend staying at the San Cassiano (0039 041 524 1768; sancassiano.it). If you're on a really tight budget, try the Miramare campsite (camping-miramare.it) at Punta Sabbioni. Either way, the first view of Venice must be from the sea, perhaps on the traghetto (ferry) from the airport. Martin Turff, Cornwall The Hotel Al Ponte dei Sospiri (041 241 1160; alpontedeisospiri.it) has a perfect location, a minute's walk from St Mark's Square. We stayed in a room that had a view of a canal and we could watch the gondolas going past. Good value for money, even if the hotel could do with a bit of renovation. Audrey Jestin, Cambridgeshire I don't think it can be said enough - you simply must walk around Venice at night as much as possible. It's safe, and the streets, given the number of people on them by day, are incredibly empty. Just you, a medieval city, and the only sounds the lap of water and your echoing footsteps. Clare Weber, West Sussex We went to Venice on our honeymoon. Before we went some friends advised us not to sit in the cafés in St Mark's Square or go on gondola rides as these were so expensive. They were right about the expensive bit. But for once we were glad to have ignored the advice. For us, this was the trip of a lifetime and one of the few we would have as a couple for a long time - our first child was born two years later. Save before you go to Venice and live for the moment. We have not been back since our honeymoon but still have the memories of a magical place, and of drifting silently through the canals on a gondola. Anne-Marie Kesselman, Middlesex We had a memorable weekend celebrating my husband's significant birthday one November. Venice was magical and atmospheric at that time, no floods or crowds. We enjoyed a superb meal at the Corte Sconta (Castello 3886, Calle del Pestrin, Arsenale; 041 522 7024), where we ate what we were given; wonderful atmosphere and not at all stiff and starchy. I would suggest booking. Venice may seem expensive, but you will never forget it. Penny White, Chester If you stay in the centre try to ensure a room at the back of the hotel because the noise of all the wheeled traffic (carts, suitcases, and so on) on the cobbles goes on all night. For true local life, walk along past the Arsenale towards the gardens and stroll among narrow workers" houses rather than the tourist hot spots - this area is also excellent for reasonably priced coffee or meals. Diane Cornforth, Lancashire When I first contemplated going to Venice I asked a friend how often he'd been. Forty-three times was the reply - it's that sort of place. Do the sights, but also take time to get lost in the back streets. Don't ignore the island of Torcello, nor the cemetery island (for Ezra Pound, Diaghilev and Stravinsky). It is vital to stay in Venice itself, perhaps near the Rialto Bridge, to savour the bustle of the early morning and the fish market. Another essential experience is the Secret Tour of the Doge's Palace, bookable online (further information at museiciviciveneziani.it or venice-museum.com), getting into the very roofs of the state rooms. I have only been to Venice four times, but another visit is looming. It's that sort of place. Diggory Seacome, Glos Get to St Mark's Square by 9am. You will have it virtually to yourselves before the day visitors arrive. Take the trip up the Campanile, the bell tower of St Mark's. From the top, via a lift, you will get a fine view of the city's roof tops and wonderful buildings. Directly below you are St Mark's and the Doge's Palace. You will be able to follow the Grand Canal on its winding journey through the city and see the domes of the most wonderful churches. Anne Graham, North Yorkshire The Campanile offers a good view of the city; fewer people know about the view from the tower of San Giorgio Maggiore, on the island of the same name. In many ways it is a better view, for it includes a broad sweep of the city that includes the lagoon, St Mark's and the Campanile itself. Tim Cooper, London Didn't we pass this earlier? You're in a square with lots of streets radiating from it; which is the one you need? Oh, and by the way, there may not be any street signs. So pack a compass! Knowing which way is north (or south, east or west) could be useful. Janie Saunders, London When my fiancé and I went to Venice we wanted a gondola ride but found it pricey, so we asked four people in the queue if they wanted to share the boat and they did. Not only did it work out a lot cheaper for all of us but we also met some lovely people. Another tip: if your budget does not stretch to a hotel in Venice, stay in a nearby town or island. I stayed in Lido di Jesolo, which was close enough to be able to get to Venice to visit, but the accommodation cost a lot less and was still nice. Sian Dare, Essex The island of Torcello was once the lagoon's most important settlement, founded more than 1,300 years ago around the Byzantine Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta. Don't miss the mosaics of The Virgin and Child and The Last Judgment. The campanile is well worth climbing for fine island views and next door are the 11th‑century Santa Fosca Church and a small museum. Locanda Cipriani (041 730150; locandacipriani.com) is the place to eat and stay. Seventy-five years ago, Giuseppe Cipriani, founder of the prestigious Venice bar, developed the Locanda as a rustic retreat. Having seduced authors such as Hemingway, this refuge has entranced guests and celebrities ever since. Brian Robinson, Newcastle upon Tyne Venice doesn't have any hidden corners unknown to outsiders, but the north of the city is definitely quieter than some. Check out the area in and around the old Ghetto, and in particular the new breed of small restaurant opening along Fondamenta degli Ormesini to the east. Calle Lunga San Barnaba, five minutes from the Accademia, is another emerging dining area. Tom Ellis, London What to avoid Don't necessarily stay in Venice itself - fly to Treviso with a budget airline and stay at BHR Treviso Hotel (0039 0422 3730; bhrtrevisohotel.com), the best four-star hotel I have stayed in. It is easy and cheap to get to Venice, 45 minutes away by rail, and the money saved on accommodation will get you a lovely meal in one of the many good restaurants in Treviso. John Bray, County Waterford The busiest months are June, September and October, especially September and the first three weeks of October. Foreigners and Italians come in droves, especially at weekends. While the weather may be more comfortable, the discomfort caused by the crowds is far worse than hot weather. Also, in mid to late-October there can be flooding, which makes St Mark's and other places difficult for the four hours it lasts. Steven Green, address withheld Please don't take a cruise to Venice. Wherever you are in the city, you can't miss seeing giant cruise ships dwarfing everything and ruining the skyline. The lagoon is only 12ft deep, so has to be dredged to allow these monsters to dock. Venice was built on a bed of thousands of wooden piles, hammered into the mud. If the mud is removed, the algae preserving these wooden foundation posts also disappears. The wood then rots. Myra Robinson, Newcastle upon Tyne