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OUR Spotlight On column gives you the lowdown on what to see and do in some of the most popular holiday destinations – as well as some unsung areas.

This week, we’re taking a look at Venice, made up of a group of islands famous for its winding maze of beautiful canals.

Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding raved about visiting off-season.

She said: “I visited Venice after the peak season had finished in October – the weather was mild but more enjoyable and all the crowds had disappeared.

“Having read a lot about the city before I visited, I knew to not get a gondola as it would cost me a small fortune.

“But still wanting to see Venice from its waterway, I grabbed a €25 (£21.59) water bus day pass where I hopped on and off boats around the city and got to see many of the amazing views that you see on a gondola (just minus the narrow waterways).

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“Eating out in the city can be expensive, but there are plenty of supermarkets around, which are super affordable.

“My family and I managed to pick up a bottle of wine, some meats and cheeses for around €40 (£34.55) total and heading to a pontoon to eat – a much prettier spot than most restaurants.

“The city is also full of quirky Airbnbs which I would recommend over hotels as they often boast original Venetian architectural features.

“And definitely don’t miss out visiting Murano and Burano – two islands in the Venetian Lagoon with the former known for its historic glass-blowing factories and the latter known for picturesque multicoloured houses.”

MUST-SEE/DO

Ride a gondola along the waterways. A 30-minute trip costs from €80 (£69.10) – you can pay more to be serenaded by a singer.

Or try this money-saving tip that won’t sink your budget: to get the experience for just €2 (£1.73) per person, hop on board a traghetto, a smaller taxi gondola that will take you from one side of the Grand Canal to the other.

HIDDEN GEM

Venice is made up of around 118 islands, and the main city in the lagoon is really all about tourism.

Many of the locals live and work on the surrounding islands, including Giudecca, just south of the city.

It’s one stop away by vaporetto (water taxi), which has a calmer vibe, but will still give you a fascinating insight into the traditional Venetian way of life.

Here, you’ll find craftsmen making souvenirs in workshops, people creating traditional Venetian masks and glass, or jewellery from paper and growing vegetables in their gardens – everything you’ll buy in the main city.

BEST VIEW

The most obvious is the 98.6metre-tall St Mark’s Campanile (bell tower) in the famous St Mark’s Square.

The tallest structure in Venice, it was originally a watchtower to look out for ships. It costs €15 (£12.96) to enter and you’ll be pleased to know there’s a lift, which takes just 30 seconds to reach the top.

RATED RESTAURANT

The Hotel Bauer has a rooftop restaurant, De Pisis, with views over the Grand Canal, while the traditional Ristorante Do Forni (where Charles and Diana dined in 1985) is famous for its seafood dishes and dining room modelled on the Orient Express.

At Trattoria Al Gatto Nero, lagoon-fresh seafood and homemade pasta is made quite literally from scratch – so if you want the lasagne, be prepared to wait two hours.

BEST BAR

In 1948, founder Giuseppe Cipriani Senior invented the Bellini cocktail (white-peach puree and Prosecco) in Harry’s Bar, by the Grand Canal. One drink will set you back €22 (£19) – if you can get in

The Cantina do Mori is the oldest wine bar in Venice, founded in the 15th century, and probably one of the smallest.

It’s like stepping back in time as you enjoy local wines and cicchetti – small Venetian tapas.

Costing just a few Euros for wine and food, it’s a charming bargain. They’re open from 8am, but don’t expect coffee – it’s just wine.

HOTEL PICK

Escape the inflated prices by staying further down the coast in the quiet town of Jesolo, at the five-star Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa – ideal for families and couples with fantastic food, pools and playgrounds.

Its sea-view balconies look out on to nine miles of sand, so you can have a beach holiday, too. See falkensteiner.com/en/hotel-spa-jesolo.

JAMES Corden has revealed he’s actually not a fan of one of his iconic Gavin & Stacey episodes, branding it “awful”.

The actor and presenter created the popular sitcom alongside Ruth Jones, with it running for three seasons until 2010.

Despite being much-loved by fans, James has revealed that he was not a fan of the show’s second ever episode – despite it being the one where the titular characters get engaged.

Describing the episode as a “very, very, very bad half hour” whilst talking at the BBC Comedy Festival, James explained that he felt they were “backed into a corner” by the episode ending with Gavin proposing to Stacey.

The episode sees Gavin – played by Mathew Horne – travel to Wales to make up with Joanna Page’s character Stacey following a dispute, and ends with him proposing.

Despite noting some “saving graces” in the writing, he added: “It’s an awful episode”.

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Despite ending over a decade ago, Gavin & Stacey returned in 2024 for one final Christmas Special episode, rounding off the popular series.

However, James has remained close friends with the show’s cast and his co-writer and close pal Ruth.

Back in September, The Sun revealed how the duo were once again working together on a new series.

James and Ruth have signed a multi-million pound deal with AppleTV+ for a follow-up series.

They will star in the ten-part comedy drama alongside an all-British cast.

Set in the UK, filming begins next year with the hotly-anticipated show due in 2027.

The deal, believed to worth up to £8million, was agreed amid interest from BBC, Netflix and Amazon Prime.

A show insider said: “In what has unquestionably been a pretty miserable year for Brits, there is finally something to cheer — a new James and Ruth co-production.

“As you might expect, it is uplifting, gentle and very funny.

“They wanted to bring something full of heart and warmth back to screens; water cooler moments for all the family.”

Staying true to the spirit of the original show, audiences will see three contestants and their pros battle it out in three rounds of trick shots to reach the dramatic finale.

The BBC has announced the return of iconic snooker show Big Break.

The show originally ran from 1991 to 2002 and was hosted by Jim Davison with the late John Virgo as referee. But the new look show will see it moved from BBC1 to BBC2 and now co-hosted by Paddy McGuinness and Stephen Hendry. They will be joined in the studio by professional snooker players, from across the globe, straight off the competition circuit, in a bid to win their contestants the cash prize.

New co-host Paddy McGuinness said: “I am absolutely delighted to be a part of Big Break. It is one of those shows everyone knows and loves so to be hosting it alongside legend Stephen Hendry will be something special. Bring it on!”

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The show originally aired on Saturday nights but the new version will air on BBC2 in daytime. The hosts will be joined in the studio by professional snooker players straight off the competition circuit in a bid to win their contestants the cash prize.

Stephen Hendry, who will co-host and also show off some trick shots and skills on the show, said: “Big Break was a unique mix of trick shots and great entertainment and I can’t wait to be back at the table and bringing this incredible show to a whole new audience and who knows, we might inspire the next generation of snooker players to get into the sport.”

Fans of snooker have long been calling for the return of Big Break, although whether they will like the new format and hosts remains to be seen. Paddy McGuinness was also previously the host of a revamped Question of Sport quiz which failed to win over viewers.

Rob Unsworth, Head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak Commissioning said: “Snooker fans and pros alike have been calling for Big Break’s return, so we’re excited to confirm they’ll get their wish – and can even apply to take part.

“This revamp will showcase some of the game’s best known and up-and-coming faces, as well as tapping into the deep well of snooker fandom online and already on the BBC. The recent World Championships pulled in 120million viewing hours, so pairing upcoming live coverage with the new Big Break will mean audiences can come together with the whole family to enjoy more of what they want.”

Big Break will return in the form of 20 episodes lasting 30 minutes each. Further details on how and when to watch Big Break will be announced soon.

The BBC promised a “brand-new look and feel to Big Break” with the new series, saying audiences will now be “put on the table, behind the ball and into frame, getting up close and personal with the professionals”.

They also insisted they are staying true to the spirit of the original show, so audiences will see three contestants and their pros battle it out in three rounds of trick shots to reach the dramatic finale. Filming begins shortly.

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