Consider the gentle light as autumn rolls into Venice. Morning mists clear to sparkling days. Time to wander. Many museums offer free entry. I recently attend a wonderful concert at the Basilica dei Frari in honour of Caterina Cornaro. The nave overlooked by Titian's masterpiece of the  Ascension.A quieter time to explore the elegant grandeur of this city.

Carnival in Venice fills everyone with amazement. For a few weeks in the darkest part of winter, the sky lights with fireworks, the palazzi glitter. Fabulous creatures emerge in exotic dress. Visitors from all over the globe dance and sparkle to a open air ballroom that only Venice can supply.Glamorous Balls abound, but Carnival is everywhere. Children dress up scattering confetti. Every turn creates a photo opportunity for visitors who may also be masked. The fabulous party before Lent. Historically the Venetians celebrated six months of the year, but today it is two weeks of fun and festivities.

June 2014 sees the international Architecture Biennale. The main exhibits are in the arsenale and Giardini. Both a five minute stroll from my apartment Piccola Perla. Running to late November they cover the summer months. Also an ideal time to visit the beaches on the Lido.Venice is multi faceted in that it has history, art, architecture, culture and the seaside. Perfect.

An antique photo captures the quiet of Venice in winter. The Venetians decorate with subtle greenery and cribs. The arcades in St Mark's Square delicately twinkle with white lights.This is a time for family and the gentle lapping of water in the canals, carols in the churches.Christmas in Venice has not changed for centuries. Piccola Perla available from 21 December through to New Year.