Book excerpt: Think ‘Venice’, and images of gondolas drifting along misty canals and pigeon-feeding visitors dwarfed by the splendor of St. Mark’s and its square come unavoidably to mind. If it’s Venetian icons of the sort you’re looking for, this magical city will never disappoint. But for a more rounded experience, the longtime residents and experts who have contributed to the sixth edition of the Time Out Venice guide will lead you down back streets and into campi and calli where few tourists tread: to hidden churches with hidden artworks; to architectural and sculptural gems in concealed courtyards; and to districts where the everyday life of Venice goes on in time-honored, washing-festooned, market-haggling fashion. And the guide will take you beyond, out across the lagoon to verdant islands and swimming beaches, as well as to the magnificent cities — Padua, Verona, Vicenza, Treviso — and countryside of the mainland Veneto region. Highlights: • Venture beyond the well-worn trail from St Mark’s to the Rialto and perfect the art of getting blissfully lost in the Venetian labyrinth • Explore art-packed churches and breathtaking museums • Escape the menu turistico and discover Venice’s authentic eateries