Travel tip for Venice

I love Venice. The waterborne transport system, architecture, history, art, culture, food and people. But, there are queues for everything and they all cost money, though I did draw the line at eighteen Euros for a small beer in St Marks Square. Thankfully, before leaving the UK I was told of a venue that proved to be an exception to the rule. It’s a hidden gem. The Fondaco di Tedeschi is a large white building situated on the east bank of the Grand Canal, next to the Rialto bridge. It is now an upmarket mall with goods priced with enough noughts to resemble altitude readings. Still, window shopping costs nothing, just like a visit to the rooftop balcony which provides views that are some of the best in the city. We were there in August, when there were hour-long queues for just about everything, yet we walked straight up and were allowed onto the rooftop without so much as a Euro. It ought to be on everyone’s to do list even if there was a charge, (but don’t tell them that).