Centro Vacanze San Francesco

In San Donà di Piave (25 minutes’ drive), the MUB - Museo della Bonifica explores the history of the local landscape with archaeological artefacts and displays on land reclamation, plus sections on the two World Wars. On select summer evenings, the museum becomes the setting for concerts and theatre performances. A protected nature area between the Adriatic Sea and the lagoon, Oasi Vallevecchia di Brussa (45 minutes) has sand dunes, agricultural fields and pine tree-shaded trails that provide a home for hares, roe deer and herons. Drive to Punta Sabbioni (45 minutes) and from there catch a ferry to Venice (about 10 minutes). Brave the crowds in St Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge, or walk along less busy narrow alleys lined with canals and splendid buildings. Alternatively, head to Burano, with its pastel-coloured fishermen’s cottages, or Murano to visit its famed glassworks.