Reply #5: so far in all my travels, Italy is my favourite place on the globe

[pink-o]

And I have a soft-spot for Venice. It's like no other city in the world, as you walk around there you can pretend you're living in another century without too much suspension of disbelief.

Until you get the credit card bills!

I travel to Western Europe every year if I can, but this year I just can't justify the cost. My suggestion to you is to spend some time in Venice, but beware the tourist traps. Yes, you have to go to St Mark's square, but don't even think of buying dinner there. And as for a Gondola ride--I've never taken one, haven't been too upset because I missed the experience. They're pretty touristy as well.

And as for accomodation, a few years ago I found a website called Venere.Com which has never steered me wrong for nice lodging in Europe. I stayed at a really cute B and B right by the Ferrovia (railway station) in Venice 2006 which was not too expensive.

I can't stress the sticker-shock of converting Yankee Dollars to Euro enough! If budget is a concern, remember in Venice you're very close to Croatia. I stayed just east of Trieste in a little town called Rovinj, which is absolutely charming--in the Croatian wine country. The currency over there is called Kuna, and it's only 2 hours by train and bus outside of Venice. I also got a cool stamp in my passport, cuz I transited thru Slovenia. Everyone in Croatia speaks English and the Istrian peninsula is really pretty.

Just a consideration. And although I enjoyed Croatia, nothing compares to Italy. I'm just in love with the place, and I can't ever leave it for too long!