I could easily spend 2 weeks in Rome & 2 weeks in Venice when it's warm, but not at Christmas. Venice could be extremely cold (it was freezing when I visited one Christmas) & both places may be rainy. If I had 6 weeks (lucky you !) I'd spend a maximum of a week in each, then spend a month in Sicily where it will probably be warm enough to sit outside in the daytime.

You could combine those days skiing with Venice as the best spots for skiing are in the Dolomiti Alps, in Trentino Alto Adige region, not far away from Venice and near Austria.

check www.dolomitisuperski.com
for the skipass and skiing areas

this skipass offers access to 12 areas in Dolomiti area and to 800 miles of skiing fields !

We have spent 4-5 weeks in Venice twice a year for the last 8 years. We never get tired of this magical city. To stay in Mestre is not to experience Venice. Save money by renting an apartment - you can get more room for less money and save more money by cooking some of your own meals. I could easily give you 2 weeks worth of activities in Venice without taking into account all the special art shows and concerts that are there at any given time. Besides visiting the various islands in the lagoon, you can easily travel to Padova, Verona, Vicenza, Treviso, Asolo, Bassano del Grappa and the Dolomites from Venice.
Acqua Alta, when it occurs, is really only severe at the hour or so of high tide. You can avoid the low lying areas or buy or bring boots and carry on. Some years we have had several days of acqua alta and other years we have had none at all.
If you are at all used to winter, you will not find Venice especially cold. At night, out on the canal you will want warm clothing although all the vaporettos have inside compartments that are heated. We have plants in our courtyard that live through December and January and we see flowers in the window boxes - real ones not plastic so it cannot be all that cold.
We will be in Venice this year from 13 December to 17 January. If you are there during that time we will be glad to meet you for a drink or an espresso and intorduce you to Il Dolce Far Niente - the way to enjoy life in Venice.

Well, we've taken in all opinions and we think if it were warmer weather, we would travel around but as it's winter, we'll stay the two weeks (Boleskine thank you for your suggestions of places to visit). So, for those of you who know Venice well, we have a 20 year old son and a 17 year old daughter. Are we better off staying near Campo Santa Margerita or would it be 'buzzy' enough for them in Cannaregio (we have the option of an apartment on Fondamenta Della Misericordia)?

Boleskin,

Eight to ten weeks in Venice every year? Do I envy you! Unfortunately, I was in Venice for only two days for carnevale in February, 2003, but I was thoroughly enchanted by the city. I am not close to retirement, yet ( at least, not voluntary retirement ), and I even went on the internet to search for apartments to buy. Much to my disappointment, it does seem that property in Venice is very expensive, and the current exchange rate doesn't help, either. I do think it would be wonderful to have an apartment to go to whenever one wanted, and to possibly even retire there. Of the five cities I have visited so far ( Berlin is next, in March, 2006 ) I like Venice best. I prefer it to Florence, and even to Paris. How nice that you can spend so much time there!

Ooops! My apologies for the misspelling of your Author name.

Boleskine --

I envy the amount of time you spend in beautiful Venice. We are headed there in 4 (short) weeks for our third trip and I am already counting the minutes.

> I could easily give you 2 weeks worth of activities in Venice without taking into account all the special art shows and concerts that are there at any given time.

Mind sharing some of your favorite ways to spend your time in Venice?

Thanks so much for all your help and support! With a 20 year old son and a 17 year old daughter, are we better off staying near Campo Santa Margerita or would it be 'buzzy' enough for them in Cannaregio (we have the option of an apartment on Fondamenta Della Misericordia)?
We love art, but most of all we love people-watching!

If you have the choice of an apartment, I would go for it. More room, not having to "go out" for breakfast, etc.