what did you think to Venice?

[fishingfilly]

have chance to go somewhere for 2 nights in Feb with DH.

Good flights to Venice from local airport...please sell it to me?

All we want is good hotel, good food and be able to enjoy each others company wandering around etc... ah life before the children !!!

I've been twice - once for the day (in high summer) and once for a week, also in about July. I didn't notice it smelt, and though the tourists are rife at that time of year, if you walk and try to get lost, you can always find a quiet square or alley. It is utterly magical and quite unique.

As for food, I don't remember being ripped off unless we were daft enough to go to one of the quick-in, quick-out pizza places off the main squares. Have a wander, get a bit lost and find a back-street cafe or restaurant. Venice's ethos is for the locals to eat out a lot, including their breakfasts. You can find decent food, and better than decent!

We stayed in a small, family-run B&B or guesthouse - nothing at all swanky, but I don't see the point if you're in the most beautiful city in the world. I'm an artaholic and it was heaven for me, but even if you're not bothered with that stuff, it's well worth wondering into the odd church as you pass. Venetian churches are incredibly atmospheric.

Oh, and watch your pocket (and bum) in Piazza San Marco. Didn't lose any money but was groped extensively.

Ah Venice. Good memories for me - DH and I had just met, I was working in the travel industry, he said lets go away somewhere for the weekend, surprise me.

He turned up at Heathrow unknowing and we went. We spent a lot of time in the ahem, bedroom. I also remember the food being so average we went for a Chinese one night. We stayed on the Rialto Bridge, so right in the middle of it all. Didn't do gondolas as felt too much like a cheesy tourist rip off.

Given the choice, I would go to Rome instead. But its such a personal thing. I like places that aren't just about tourism, and Venice felt a bit like that to me.

Plenty of excellent food within a 15-min walk of San Marco - ask your hotel for recommendations for good food. There's also good food in the touristy areas but it's expensive.
La Columbina was good a few years ago.

Loved it - was there on honeymoon in August a few years ago. Surprisingly un-smelly, and perfect for getting on boats to shady islands like Burano and Murano and having icecream...

Loved Venice - we arrived late at night and caught a boat to our hotel and I thought it was absolutely magical!

We stayed here and they recommended some fantastic restaurants.