It is always worth it to keep one day of your stay for a daily excursion to explore the islands of the lagoon. Rent a private boat and start from Murano, famous for its famous glass masters; move to Burano, the fishing village with its colourful homes and lace artisans; and have lunch in Torcello, the cradle of Venetian civilisation. Once here, choose the fashionable Locanda Cipriani, a restaurant with a garden where famous people who visited Venice like Princess Diana, Elton John, and Ernest Hemingway have left a signed photograph. Take time to visit the island of San Francesco del Deserto, an old, secluded Franciscan monastery, or San Lazzaro degli Armeni, the old Armenian monastery island. Feel like a movie star while sipping cocktails at the Excelsior Hotel at the Lido, where the Venice Film festival is held every year in September, or play golf at the club overlooking the sea. To those seeking to explore from the sky, Heliair gives helicopter tours over the lagoon.