PS: I'm one of the biggest critics of Venice tourism on this board and forcing people to go to Venice. But it makes a lot of sense to spend a week there -- more than spending 1-3 days out of the truly ridiculous belief that it would be "all you need" for the city.

Apart from Choggia for your fishing husband, the one other day trip (beside the island of Torcello) I might recommend is Ravenna. It's a fabulous art treasure. Really fabulous.

We have stayed here - http://realvenicevacationflats.com/

The web site is quoting 820 Euro per week, close enough to USD 1000, or about $140 a night.

We will be staying there again in November for nine weeks - we're both Venice nut cases.

The apartment is not five star, but it's comfortable and the kitchen works well. Supermarkets are close so buying food is easy and saves money.

You mentioned that your husband is interested in fishing. The fishing fleet works out of Chioggia (that’s the Adriatic fleet), and one of the links from Zeppole’s post describes a trip to Chioggia. Fishing boats work out of Burano as well, but they are smaller lagoon boats.

Visit the fish market near Rialto early in the morning and watch the catch being delivered. And you can buy razor clams – lightly steam with lemon and a little onion.

I wrote a bit about our time in Venice when we visited 18 months ago. It’s here:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...st-verbose.cfm

The report does not say much about the treasures of Venice, the galleries and churches, which are mind-numbing in their richness. It’s more about “our” Venice, which is quite intimate and humble.

If you do contact the owner of the apartment I mentioned above (she lives in San Francisco) tell her that Peter recommended it. And Zeppole, thanks for the links in your post.

Casa Rezzonico is another nice, small B&B, in Dorsoduro.
http://www.casarezzonico.it/

I haven't stayed there, but my daughter has, and I've visited there. It is charming.

And you can get to the Casa Rezzonico from the Ca' Rezzonico waterbus stop without crossing any bridges. The location is quiet - yet it's only a few minutes from Campo San Margherita, and about 15 or 20 minutes walk to San Marco.

An apartment rental is the way to go. I wouldn't have done all seven days in venice being that the tourist to local ratio is not the same as in other places, however I love Venice and think the kids will. Take a day trip or two out of the city to points north.

oops, missed the fact that the kids aren't coming.

I think the original poster is long gone from this thread but some great information here. Zeppole, what a stunning view, thanks for the link. And for you other links, from the Guardian one I found this apartment which seems a fairly reasonable price, thought it might be worth a look.

Oh dear that was dumb: here's the link http://www.joinvenice.com/?m=About%20Us&l=2&t=0

zeppole,: I'm getting a kick out of your reply about Venice. Neither I , nor many friends , would align myself with "resorts" in Europe..as you mentioned. My husband and I love to drive the countryside of France, Italy,, Switz. etc, stopping in small villages, walking the streets, connecting with the local people. (along with enjoying the cities some)
We lived overseas for 5 years, (West Africa, Dakar....and Portugal, Lisbon) and have traveled extensively in Europe.
Venice, we do love,(and would like to return in January some year) ... but for us it is not at the top of our list. I guess it's fair to say that one should respect how each chooses to travel (their OWN way),, there is no right or wrong.

Heidebraley: You will have a wonderful trip to Venice, an enchanting city~~~ plenty to see and do. AND I'm sure there are lots of budget ways to enjoy it, without missing any of it's charm. Have fun and I will look forward to your report on Fodors. May should be a nice time!

We stayed in a convent in Castello the last time we were in Venice about a year and a half ago. It was very reasonable- a larger room than most budget hotels and an elevator. I think the price was 75 euros a night.

Heide, I see you haven't been back for a few days and I truly don't understand the posters who state that you shouldn't spend all seven days in Venice.

It is the perfect spot to bring your husband for the first time. I just returned from two weeks in Italy, five of those days in Venice. And that is not nearly long enough. We were there in late April, not a lot different than May. It will not be nearly as crowded as it will be in August. Don't sweat the small stuff.

I am on board with the other posters here who recommend renting an apartment. We rented a lovely apartment in the Cannaregio district. We were in an extremely quiet neighborhood in the center of the district, and yet were only 5 minutes walking from the main shopping strip and 10 mts from each of two different vaporetto stops.

PLEASE listen to the positive posters. :) Venice is lovely in May and you and your husband will have a wonderful time. Apartments are less expensive than hotels and you can cook your own meals, which also save you money. (I agree with one poster above who stated that there are more overpriced mediocre restaurants in Venice than should be.)

Have a wonderful trip. (You might want to read some trip reports here. And get yourself a good guide book. I like the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide for Venice. But you should browse through all the Italy/Venice travel guides at your local Barnes&Noble or Borders. Additionally, you should pick the airline flights that save you the most money. Trains in Italy are frequent and awesome. You can train from Rome to Venice in less than 4 hours. Milan to Venice in about 2-1/2. So, book the cheapest flight, whether it is into Venice, Rome or Milan. Even Pisa. Check them all out.)

Buon Viaggio!!!

Nice post sarge, so refreshing to see someone who has the glass half full and not the other way around. Life's too short, so many places to see and so little time & money!
We will be in Venice in May 2011, we can't wait.

I so agree with Maudie....."life's too short, so many places to see"....all the more reason to stay a tad shorter time in Venice and see MORE of beautiful Italy.!

(and ALWAYS have the glass half FULL,,,,the only way to look at life! )

Yes, life's too short, so many places to see. You're never going to see all of them. So why not really see the places you do visit instead of just ticking that name off a list and moving on. Especially when you find a place as unique and magical and fantastical as Venice. And endangered.