Venice is a beautiful city to get lost in, but not in the pouring rain, which is how we found it when we arrived in mid-March. It was hard to read the map in the dim streetlights and the signs are not all there. Eventually we found a nice dry warm place to spend the night, and the sun came out the next day making all the difference.
The Vaporetto (water-bus) used to be an inexpensive and convenient way to get around this city - what happened? It now costs 6 euros ($10) for one-way, adults and kids alike! That's the most expensive transit system anywhere in the world. And the ride was crowded, most times we had to stand all the way, and every time it docks, it's noisy and bumpy. It's also slow - we'd rather walk all the way. That makes the 80 euros gondola rides more attractive.

Venice is one place everyone has to visit at least once in their lifetime. It's more enchanting than you can ever imagine and you leave with breathtaking memories of this fascinating place.
We went to Venice as part of a Contiki tour. We arrived by boat and spent most of the morning wondering through the Doge's Palace, which is a mesmerizing museum with great works of art and an impressive display of ancient weapons.
Strolling through the narrow streets, we found ourselves thoroughly lost, which in hindsight, was the best thing that could have happened, as we found ourselves in the quieter part of the city. We managed to get to the university area, where we found a reasonably priced lunch.
The highlight of Venice, is of course, the gondola ride, which we took at dusk. It is the most enchanting experience of all - make your gondola goes extra slow so that you can soak it all in and remember every last moment!

Nothing prepared me for the loveliness of Venice.

Usually I venture into a city for a day, and am glad to escape back to my country haunts and home.

Venice is different.

Here there is peace, and freedom from the tyranny of the car, truck, and bus.

A human place.
A civilised place.
A beautiful place.

Simple structures of brick take on new loveliness when allowed to age gently. Water too, shimmers everywhere, though murky like pea soup, it reflects the sky and bridges so well.

Food is fresher, more tasty.

People are more friendly and courteous.

You will no doubt have heard of the main wonders of Venice, like the Palazzo and such.

I myself have heard clarion calls of simple wondrous things emanating from Venetian walls and tiles and water, and am enchanted.

Venice changed my ideas of place.

I am in love with Venice now, and forever, perhaps.

This astounds my Scottish heart.

Just back from a long weekend in Venice. my first visit but my wife Steph, had been several times before as a teenager. many thanks for the tips from fellow readers. here are some of my reflections.

Flew in with British Midland - tiny fare £1 but much superior service than Ryan Air. Caught the Alilaguna waterbus to San Marco - 12 euros each and a good service around 1 hour long depending on time of day . Stayed at Best Western Montecarlo. great location and very helpful staff.

Tried to eat at the often recommended Taverna San Trovaso which was full. We were escorted around the corner to their sister Ristorante San Trovaso, Dorso Duro 967 - so good we went back again. Same menu, same prices but a bigger room and a garden area. Great professional service and excellent food (try the baked sea bass) Can't recommend strongly enough.

Second night another guest recomended we try the Rivetta in S. Provolo. what a disappointment - jammed in, waiters more concerned with impressing the ladies and double charged for veg - obligatory 12.5% servive wasn't worth it. Remided me of the Soho Italian resturants of the 1970's - and you can see why they all closed. We won't be returning.

Top tips - buy an Insight Fleximap and use the Traghetto (0.5 euro) to cross the Grand Canal - stand like the locals do.

Have a great visit - we did.