I had really not much idea what to expect of Venice but I have to say I instantly loved it. It's a tourist trap to be sure, but it's a tourist trap for a very good reason. Like other tourist hotspots, parts are extremely crowded, but mainly only at the choke points - other parts are busy, but not unusually so. And plenty of streets, even very picturesque ones with beautiful canals and cute little bridges by the dozen, are totally empty. The canals really are almost everywhere, not just some gimmick (even if the obligatory gondolas surely are).
Having spent last weekend absolutely baking in the 31 C heat and humidity of Padova, I wasn't sure that Venice would be a good idea even for a day trip. I don't get on well with heat or humidity and throw crowds into the mix and I'm not usually a happy camper. But it was only €5 for the train trip (and the same for the tourist tax) and I didn't have anything else to do today.
Fortunately in the morning, the small shady streets and sea breeze were enough to fend off the worst of the heat, and though busy, it wasn't the standing-room-only nightmare I envisaged except in a very few select spots. By mid-afternoon the temperature became much more oppressive though, at which point I retreated.
I would recommend Venice to just about everyone. It's a great place to get lost in, highly varied, cafes and restaurants aplenty, endless things to see, with a really nice, relaxed, convivial atmosphere about it. I'll definitely be coming back in the off-season.
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