It's my 40th birthday in December and my wife wants to take me away somewhere for the weekend (from the UK). As she is a teacher, time off is impossible which means that it has to be a late flight on a Friday and back on a Sunday. This narrows my destination down, basically, to one of my local airports and where they fly to. I've found an excellent flight and hotel to Venice (we got engaged there 18 years ago).

Is Venice out of the question for December? Coming from Wales, we are used to the rain and the cold but is the flooding restrictive?

Unfortunately, I can't change my birthdate and my wife really wants to take me away on my birthday.

I've always wanted to go to Venice in December!

As I understand it, flooding is more of a fall - October, November - and spring thing.

There was a bit of flooding when I was there in late December 2004. The platforms were up in some areas. I literally couldn't step out of my hotel without going through a huge, ankle-deep puddle. Fortunately, I had brought waterproof Rockport boots, and they handled this situation with no difficulty. That only happened on one day, and the flooding, such as it was, had no impact on my tourist schedule. It was lovely to walk around Venice without excessive crowds or heat (I've never been there in the summer, but can guess what that might be like).

Thanks for those responses. I'm relieved that they aren't of the "don't go!!" variety.

I reckon I'll book it, then.

Winter is my favourite time of year in Venice, and the occassional acqua alta only lasts for a few hours anyway. Enjoy!

Thanks again for the replies.

My wife has gone and booked it, so we're off to ROME in December! She says I always liked surprises. That's wives for you!

Rome in the winter is also great.Enjoy!

We are off to Venice, Florence, Umbria & Rome in December too. We were unsure also, but after researching & discussing here we are now very excited (less crowds, etc.) Have fun planning.