Independent, La Giudecca Hotels

Ten minutes by waterbus from Piazza San Marco, the quiet residential island of Giudecca, is the place to escape the crowds. The only monument of note is Palladio’s church Il Redentore, focus of a major festival in late July. The atmosphere is typically Venetian and there are a handful of restaurants. Two major hotels, the legendary Hotel Cipriani and the new landmark Hilton Molino Stucky Venice also offer some services to non-guests.