Ansel.Iwish Loc: Wales, UK

Venice is a unique city and visited by tourists throughout the year but it is not a particularly smelly place. It's best to avoid the tourist hot spots for eating and drinking: walk around the corner and you'll find much better value.

This year we visited Venice for the third time and my wife and I rented an apartment in Canareggio for 8 days. (It's easy to find a reasonable place using the internet.) We walked extensively, both day and night and took vaporetto trips to the islands in the lagoon. Venice is such a photogenic city that you never tire of it: there is so much to see and do.

I would suggest that you don't attempt to include a visit to Venice on this trip but take it easy and do what you can in the other places you intend to visit, otherwise everything will just be one big rush and you won't enjoy your trip as much!
It would probably be much better if you could save up and see Venice on another trip, you'll get much more out of it.

We're lucky and have the benefit of living in Europe so access is easier for us: previously we have spent separate weeks in Rome, Naples, Lucca (3 times), Cinque Terre plus touring Tuscany by hire car and two weeks touring in Sicily. In each case, there was still never enough time to do all that we wanted to do. That's why we keep going back!!!

Best wishes and have a good trip whatever you decide to do.

Scarborian Loc: East Midlands, UK

Plenty of good photo opportunities in Venice, trying staying away from the usual tourist traps. Murano is worth a visit, less touristy. Easy to get lost and disorientated in Venice, so a good map is needed. Also, ensure any travel ticket, once bought, is validated as you start your trip. We stayed in nearby Treviso in October 2012, and had two good days in Venice.
Guy Jibson

ishootthings Loc: Western shore of Lake Michigan

Really pretty! We've decided to stay in a place outside of Venice, such as you did. Great photo ops to be had, but we don't like crowds! Thank you for the info!

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Didn't Katherine Hepburn jump into one of the Venetian canals in the movie Summertime? I understand she contracted some virus in her eyes that bothered her the rest of her life.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

I was there when I was in the Navy. It was cool seeing the prison and the museum. There is a lot to photograph and the food is okay. There weren't many people speaking English there. I had to put my camera in my back pack when I went through the museum.