Venice carnival is on now until February 28, which means the city will be packed and accommodation more overpriced than usual. A good time to visit is between carnival and Easter. Venetian Apartments has elegant self-catering accommodation in the city - a nice way to take advantage of all the wonderful produce while you're there - which can be booked for short breaks until the end of March. At Campo Arsenale, there are five apartments to rent in a 15th-century house a 10-minute walk from San Marco. Prices for an apartment sleeping four start here at £550 for three nights. Or for aficionados, Orio Santa Croce, the top floor of a palazzo in the untouristy area of Santa Croce, with terraces affording canal views and two bedrooms sleeping three people. A three-night weekend here costs £920.

Flights on British Airways from Heathrow cost, for example flying on Thursday March 2 and back on Sunday March 5, from £150, around the same from Stansted on Ryanair flying out Friday March 3 and returning Monday March 6, or £216 on bmibaby from Heathrow if you fly out Friday and back Monday.

Venice-rentals.com, 020-8878 1130.