We are actually staying right at St Marks square (Baglioni Luna) so I'm hoping we can see the square early and late when the crowds have gone and avoid it all day :)

Not at all! I've lived in Italy twice (Rome as a child and went to college at the U of Bologna) - I basically live my life to get him to love Italy as much as I do! So far he's only been once (our honeymoon) and always has talked about going back.

Will definitely make dinner reservations in Venice - great call, Sassafrass!