In Venice, the shortest distance between two points is rarely a straight line. Streets will unexpectedly come to a dead end or splinter off into two or more unmarked roads. My best advice: Don’t sweat it. While you pause and get your bearings, use it as an opportunity to check out a cafe, a wine bar, or—best of all—a gelato stand. With four days, you’ll have plenty of time to see all the major attractions (including Piazza San Marco and the Doge’s Palace), tour the nearby islands (especially Burano and Murano), and take in any scenic detours.

You can cover a lot of ground in Venice in just 48 hours, from its wide-open piazzas to its ornate palazzos. With two days, you can easily cover the floating city’s greatest hits. And the pace doesn’t have to leave you totally exhausted, either. All it takes is a little planning, which we’re happy to help with.

Only have a week in Italy? Here’s how you can experience the best of Venice, Florence and Rome in one week and the best ways to get around.