Appreciate everyone's input and my apologies if I offended anyone regarding Venice opinions I have received.>>

Heather - none of us are offended. We just want you to have a good time!

Our Italian travel agent advised that two nights in Venice would be plenty, so that's what we booked. That gave us the rest of our arrival day and one full day.

Honestly, I don't know how she could have made such a recommendation - it was a rush from start to finish, and the major regret of our Italy trip.

We got a very, very superficial overview and not much else. Dashing through St. Mark's, trying to see a couple of other things, forget about taking time to sit outside and take a breath.

Having said that, a day and a half in Venice was better than no days in Venice.

<i><font color=#555555>"my apologies if I offended anyone regarding Venice"</font></i>

I know plenty of people of who hate Venice, and never plan to return. They think I'm crazy for visiting as often as I do. But they didn't have boater parents like I did. I spent my childhood summers on a boat, and those memories come to life for me in Venice.

It's possible the awful floods this year will turn more people off. I was there for the 1st acqua alta of the season on Oct 15, and let me tell you, those canals really stunk. Venice is a very humid city, almost year round. And thanks to the licenses given to the Chinese, the junk-glass shops are more ubiquitous than ever.

It's getting harder and harder to find good food, prepared by Venetians. Many of the restaurants are now god-awful. If you plan on eating well, be prepared to drop $80 a person, even for lunch.

To really enjoy Venice, you have to do a lot of homework, you have to commit to more than two nights, and you have to plan a decent budget. Otherwise, you'll be lucky to experience no more substance than what a postcard can provide.

Good luck.

Our Italian travel agent advised that two nights in Venice would be plenty, so that's what we booked. That gave us the rest of our arrival day and one full day.

Honestly, I don't know how she could have made such a recommendation >>

she probably came from Naples.