Venice in early winter

Weather in December is unpredictable. In the week I spent there (same timeframe as you) I experienced blue skies, sun and temperatures where a top coat sufficed and to two days of constant rain. Not heavy but relentless. Go for it. It's Venice. Magical and intriguing in all weather and a fabulous, surprise for your wife!!! Fly from Paris.

If you've never been to Venice then you might want to spend more than 2 nights. It's definitely worth it.

We been in Venice in December in the last five years and will return again this year. It will be cool, but most likely cold. It might rain or even snow and then, maybe not. Who can really predict Home is San Francisco and I don't bring any clothes that I don't wear here at home. I do layers if it's cold. The weather hasn't stopped us from doing whatever we want to do. We do travel with an umbrella. I would not stay in the San Marco area, the lowest point in Venice. Ask the hotel you are interested in about acqua alta (flooding caused by high tides). In 2009 2008, Venice experienced very bad flooding, the worst in some years. However, last December, the tides were so low and there were no acqua alta.

I was in Venice the 1st week in dec 2010. We had a mixture of blue skies, incredible rain, fog like I've never seen, warm temps (low 60s), cool temps, cold temps and flooding caused by venice's acqua alta......all in the 3 nights we stayed there. It was a weather variety.

Thanks for the posts, I was really concerned about the acqua alta possibilities and perhaps other weather phenomena unknown to me. The information about avoiding San Marco is especially useful. Any favored hotels or apartments to stay?And yes it seems silly to leave Venice for an extra night in Brussels on the way home via Dublin on Aer Lingus

The best time for Venice is whenever the tourist season is most dead. Wife and I went in early March one year and it was wonderful. Far fewer tourists and crowds.

Ca Dogaressa has 2 Jr. Suites that look out over the Cannaregio Canal. The Jr. Suites are large with large bathroom, unusual for Italy, and the view is great. I haven't seen the regular rooms. The people are friendly and easy to work with and it's convenient to the train station. Vaporetto stop is almost right out the front door. Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo is in Dorsoduro and I like this neighborhood, also. It is quiet at night. And they also are friendly and easy to work with. These are our favorites. If you can only be there for 2 nights
Ca Dogaressa is a good choice, convenient to the train station, but not in that touristy walk right around the train station. Have a great trip!

Al Ponte Mocengigo was so wonderful. We slept in room 5, their only room with a balcony over a small canal. Their breakfast was great too, especially the croisants with some kind of apricot filling. Yum. the staff was incredibly nice, too.

One of the most memorable and fun trips my husband and I took was to Venice in January. It was cold and rained on us constantly. We stayed at the Al Leon. Every day we would don our rain coats and umbrellas and wander the streets. There were little to no tourists, the shops were eager to help and all having sales. We had the best service. My husband bought a Versace suit and 2 Zegna suits and a pair of alligator shoes at a great price AND they tailored them before we left town. Every day we'd be soaking wet, shoes soaked and we'd strip off the wet clothes and hang to dry...giggling all the way....So...it depends upon your attitude. We had a blast.

Oh yeah, stay in Venice the 3rd nite instead of Brussels!