But it’s etched deep in my memory….
‘You’re going to Venice when?’, stuttered my sister, ‘but it’ll be cold and flooded and awful’. I’d read an article in a travel magazine that said winter was the time to see Venice at its moody best. Michela, our host, echoed this sentiment and told me – ‘this is Venice of the Venetians, my favourite time’. Not having to share Venice with the majority of the twenty million tourists who flock to see her each year appealed; for that we could put up with cold weather. Sure, this is the time when the mists roll in from the lagoon, and water rises through the paving stones, but there can be sharp clear days when the Alps are visible across the lagoon, and sunsets turn the sky into an artist’s palette of pinks and mauves.
And there are other bonuses to a stay over Christmas – nativity scenes and free concerts in churches, midnight mass at St. Marks, and steaming vin brulee ladled from barrels on street stalls, smelling of spice. We wanted to settle for a while, wander deserted foggy streets, and just take our time. We wondered if our budget could stretch to being in Venice for a month, but we decided to give it go.
Wondering Woman 
Amazing to see the Alps looking so close!
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Yes, for most of the time we didn’t even know they were there!
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I’ve been twice in November. One time the weather was OK, the second I had a couple of days of pouring rain and high winds, then calm and grey.
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But there’s always a museum to duck into – or a church!
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Venice in December. Poetry in fog and mist, shivers and gelatos. Shall we drink a frulala shot to that? xx
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Cin-cin! xx
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Venice, one of my favourite places in the world, I’d love to be there at Christmas time whatever the weather. Beautiful pictures.
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Thanks! Just looking through all the pictures made me want to go back. It’s so beautiful.
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So beautiful in the mist. I can imagine Venice being special at that time of year. We were there in October ( a few years back) and loved it, but it was still pretty crowded.
Alison
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It got more crowded around Christmas, but it was always manageable. Sometimes really cold! but beautiful.
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I would love to see Venice at Christmas. In fact I’d love to have a white European Christmas. Here is Australia it’s hot summers over the Festive Season. ☀️😉
https://amindfultravellerblog.wordpress.com
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We hardly ever get a white Christmas here anymore. Mostly it’s just grey and miserable – by comparison, I think hot must be good!
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Hot is great as I love the hot weather. It’s what we are used to.
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I am wanting to know more about Venice as you said the water comes up through the cobblestones. I want to better understand how it came to be and how it’s changed.
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Water is everywhere in Venice and affects everything. It’s just a series of islands in a lagoon rocked by tide and weather. Water bubbles up, tips foundations, tilts and will eventually topple all. It’s an amazing place.
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