Our first impression of Venice was not so great... The Italians were pushy and rude. And, the whole place is really polluted and UBER expensive!!!

An example: each ride on the Vaporetti- the water bus, is 6euro each way. Lucky for us, we have a great book that tells us where to get good deals in Europe, so we knew to purchase Blue Venice cards, where for 16 euro per person per day, we have unlimited rides on busses, Vaporetti, public restrooms, and discounts at restaurants and stores. We definitely saved there, since just using the public restroom once is 1 euro ($1.50)

We walked Rialto market and bridge, napped at a park (where Will got yelled at for picking flowers for me), and had lovely picnics all over the city, since it is so expensive to sit and eat in a restaurant. If you stand, or get it to go, you save a minimum of 30%. So, we bought a whole roasted chicken from a butcher-YUM!!! Chocolate crepes, Gelato, Pizza, and enjoyed the view.

We stayed at a GREAT bed and Breakfast right in the heart of Venice, for 70euro a night, which was WAY cheap for Venice. The couple that ran it were very young and sweet, clean, and safe. We loved it and highly recommend them to anyone!!!

We walked the Piazza San Marco and saw the big basilica, but couldn't go in because of their dress code, and also went to the island, Lido to walk their beach, which after the riviera was a huge disappointment.

Maps are close to useless, the alleys are impossible to navigate, so we just followed the signs to the big sights.

TRIP HIGHLIGHT: 40 minute gondola ride- talk about expensive, but it is worth every euro!!! It cost 70 euro plus tip, but it is truly as romantic as they say it is!!! We knew to bring a bottle of wine, 2 cups, and the driver, Alex, narrated the tour and gave us info about Venetian history. He was an amazing driver and literally came within inches of other gondolas and boats without hitting them. We went at sunset, with the light and buildings reflecting off the water, it was by far the most romantic thing either of us has ever done.  At sunset, the traffic on the canals has nearly ended, and it was silent on the back canals.  It changed our ENTIRE view of Venice- it became so charming after that, yes, partly due to wine, but mostly due to the gondola ride. Before our cruise, we didn't want to come back, but after our ride, we've agreed to do it again in 50 years or so (if the water hasn't risen so high as to drown the city, it rises 2 and 1/2 inches every 10 years). We are SO thankful we splurged, and that gondola ride was by far the highlight of our trip so far, and that's saying something!!!