Venice for The Three Generations: a Friday-to-Monday weekend

Board at the start so the grandparents get the seats at the front, and ride all the way to San Marco; the city's only flat sightseeing.

A lift to the top of the bell tower, the only climb in Venice everyone can make; the bells at the hour are loud and the children love it.

A big, bright dining room by the Rialto with waiters who have seen every kind of family; a long table, fried fish and spaghetti with clams.

The one great interior, with a lift to the state rooms and the Bridge of Sighs on the way out; the prisons are the children's favourite part.

Lunch under a vine in a courtyard garden five minutes from the square, with room for a pushchair and a menu that does not frighten anyone.

Six to a boat, the official rate shared, half an hour through the small canals behind the square; the gondolier helps everyone in and out.

Forty minutes across the lagoon to the island of painted houses, which is flat, bridge-light, and built for a slow walk with ice cream.

The island's famous dining room, risotto di gò and fried fish at long tables under the paintings artists left in payment.

The lace museum on the square, with the old lacemakers at work on Sunday afternoons and a bench for whoever has had enough.

A timed ticket for the golden mosaics before the queue builds, with the Pala d'Oro behind the altar and the horses on the loggia for the children.

Wagner's café on the square, a hot chocolate at the tables under the arcade while the grandparents rest and the pigeons perform.

A canteen counter since 1930 with mozzarella in carrozza and plates of pasta for everyone in five minutes; then the water bus to the airport.