There are loads of wonderful and good restaurants in Venice that won't break the bank. I recommend Muro's at the Frari. It's definitely off the beaten path and you'll enjoy navigating the narrow calles and crossing bridges. Get off the Vaparetto at the San Toma stop. It's a 10 minute walk from there. Wonderful food, affordable wine and delightful staff.

Then the gondola! YES! This is a special event. The vaparettos are fun but definitely not special and are NOISY, crowded and can be smelly. Not your romantic experience.

>>>>>><i>Trip is paid for through frequent flyer mileage - planes and hotels. So only paid taxes on flights and hotels. Too bad gondolas don't take frequent flyer miles. </i>

You don't owe anyone here an explanation. It's YOUR trip, and if you want to have a budget, so be it. I feel bad that you felt the need to have to try and explain yourself :(

Bottom line, not everyone is wealthy, and it will most always cost thousands to get anywhere - So, some folks NEED to budget. Would some of you rather suggest the budget minded stay home instead?

Sheesh.

My boyfriend and I got a dusk gondola ride from the stand at near Santa Maria del Giglio. We had reservations at the restaurant next to it Ristorante da Raffaele. We secured a gondola then got drinks from the restaurant for our ride through the back rios and part of the grand canal. When we returned, our canalside table on the terrace was ready. The gondola ride was around $100-$130. I think the light in Venice is beautiful at that time of day, and I got some great photos.

What if you do a nice, long, private, romantic gondola ride and have wine and a fancy 'picnic' dinner while you drift along the canals? Spend money on the gondola experience, which is unique to Venice. Skip the restaurant. More bang for your buck.

Perhaps if you tackle this from the other direction, which is making this ride/dinner the priority and look for ways to jiggle the budget to afford this special evening. If not the above suggestion is a good one - have a picnic on the gondola ride, and then either a pizza aterwards, or a strolling gelato dessert. But do go at sunset, and find a ride that will take you on some of the back canals, far more private and romantic.