Hi All, I can't seem to find too much information on what Venice is like in the winter. My husband and I are traveling to Venice for a couple days at the end of December (not NYE). I've been there several times in the summer, but my husband has never been. Is snow a factor? Are all the touristy things still open and readily available? Gondolas, shops, museums, etc? Trying to figure out if he will get the Venice experience at that time of year. I assume its going to be quiet, but we don't mind quiet. Less tourists is good for us

I have visited Venice in December and there was a smattering of snow and a dearth of tourists - relatively speaking. I was in Venice most recently in September 2011 and will henceforth try really hard to stick to the off seasons.

More info might be found here: http://www.fodors.com/search/results...enice+december

and here

http://www.google.com/search?q=venic...ient=firefox-a.

I enjoy Venice in December. D.

We have stayed in Venice twice in late December. I wrote a bit ....http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...st-verbose.cfm

In December Venice definitely has winter - but it's more likel to be 40 and raining than snow (which is possible but rare). Do check on the hours for the palces yuo want to see -since in off season some sights may be open only from 9 to 1 or 2 pm - rather than all day.

More than half of my stays in Venice has been in winter, including December and of which about 6 - 7 times so far was at Chirstmas. As nytraveler wrote it's more often rain than snow. Snow is rare and I was so happy to see it fall in last Christmas even though those frakes melted as soon as they touched the ground. Otherwise I had so many glorious sunny days in Christmas times I spent in Venice. Absolute joy to ride on water bus on such day visiting Venice and other islands. Yes less tourist that's a bonus. Daytime is much shorter unfortunately but I guess you cannot get all you want. Will be there again in a week (the Pentecost weekend) for vogalonga race.

Just note that Acqua alta, the Venitian flooding often occurs in winter. I have never had a serious one in Christmas but rather in November and early December. The worst ( and the best) I had was one year in December 2005 ( think it was 2nd or 3rd of December). I enjoyed it for great photo opotunity.
https://picasaweb.google.com/kappa341003/VeniceDec2005#

This year some of the canals froze in Venice, but that is very rare. The main drawbacks are the damp cold and the early darkness, so pack and plan accordingly. But Venice without crowds is wondrous.