Venice Travel Forum

Hi

I am wondering about a romantic getaway to Venice for the first time but am unsure whether to go for New Years Eve, A Valentines' break in Feb or to wait until the Spring

What is Venice like in Dec/Jan? Too cold/wet to get around or not busy enough? Can you still go on Gondalas? Obviously I know it would be cold and we'll wrap up warm!

I just want it to be lovely but obviously not go there and think 'oh, I should have waited until Spring to come'

Any advice/experience welcome - especially from women on what they would rather be surprised with doing as this trip is a gift for the other half!

many thanks!

I went to Venice for New Year's Eve and Day four years ago. The weather was good. It wasn't too cold, there wasn't any snow and the sun was out every day. Another perk is that there aren't too many tourists at this time so you can visit Doges Palace, St. Mark's Cathedral and other sites without having to wait in long lineups. You can take a ride on a gondola although the gondola rides can be quite expensive, 100 euros and up. Happy travels.

The aqua alta occurs in the winter so if you choose a winter travel date be prepared for the high tide. It shouldn't stop you exploring but if it coincides with your trip you may want to get some wellies :o)

We were in Venice this spring (end of April). The weather was great and the hotel I had booked was absolutely wonderful. We stayed at Hotel Antiche Figure on the Grand Canal. I fell in love with this hotel just from their web site and I was not disappointed.
Alessandro is the perfect host. I would not want to go to Venice when it's cold, it's just the kind of place that you want to be in shirt sleeves not a coat.

We're going for the whole month of January, so it hasn't put us off!! There again, we're going for the art and architecture and so on, not a romantic getaway!! We're from the UK so if it is damp and dreer, though I am assured it isn't all the time, then we're used to that, and will take our trusty wellies also!! And the light should be fabulous as well. As to advice, if your wife really wants to see something special e.g. the Doge's Palace, then it'd be better to go out of the busy seasons as she wouldn't truly appreciate having to stand in a queue for hours!! Btw, the Carnviale in 2009 is from 13th Feb - 23rd, so Valentine's Day might not be the occasion to celebrate - very expensive (even more so than usual!) accommodation during Carnivale.