Venice or Milan?

Venice and Milan are virtually the same latitude and are going to have about the same weather in December (Venice might be a little more windy being on the water)--I mean, it isn't going to be fun in the sun at either destination in December. Let's see what others say, but I bet that 95% + of experienced travelers who reply to your question will recommend Venice over Milan, if the choice is just between those two and you have to choose one.

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Milan is well, Milan

Venice is, indeed, more "beautiful and romantic", and ordinarilly there would be no contest, but you are very likely to run into aqua alta conditions in December, which makes makes a pretty big dent in both the beauty and romance, as you clamber on and off the "duckwalks" laid down so people can get around. We were just there last week, and it was pretty hard to get around at high tide- and conditions were far from as bad as they can get. Even so, I'd probably still choose Venice, but be ready to shop for rubber boots to shlosh your way to the nearest gelato stand.

Unless their sole purpose for traveling to Italy in December is to buy clothes, Venice is the place to go. Milan is crowded and industrial. There are some sites, to be sure, but no comparison to Venice.

Venice is like no other city in the world. It will likely be damp in December but Milan will have traffic splashing them on the sidewalks.

Defintely Venice.There are tons of stores (all kind of stores) in Venice to do their shopping and no city in the world is anything like Venice.

Venice is one of the most scenic and unusual cities on the planet. Milan is a fasion capital but that's it. In Venice, you walk the Mercerie which runs between the Piazza San Marco and the Rialto bridge and all of the famous shops are there. Throw in tours of the San Marcos Basilica, the Doge's Palace, the Peggy Guggenheim museum and perhaps a 1/2 trip to Murano to see the world famous glassblowing factories and shops and it's a real trip. I would suggest Venice over Milan.

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I would have to vote for Venice, but have to confess that I have never been to Milan. I do know that from what I have learned, I couldn't afford to shop in Milan. I have shopped in Venice and found such wonderful things like masks, murano beeds. It truly is a fantasy city and so different than any European city I have visited.

As for acqua alta, well, that seems facinating in itself. I know you can buy shoe coverups to deal with the high water, and you get a warning to prepare. It appears that it doesn't last all day and what interesting stories and photos you would have to share with friends and family.

I will return to Venice in mid-December, and look forward to whatever Venice holds :-)

Definitely Venice. Milan, as a previous poster noted, is very a industrial city, at least that's what I thought. Venice had a lot more to see and do.

We found Milan to be very friendly and well worth visiting, to see the Duomo and the Last Supper. But if I had to choose one, I would go with Venice. We went in late October and found Venice to be about the same temperature as Milan. But Venice was much more damp.

I have been to Venice 10 times over the years and absolutely love it. If you are in the fashion business or an opera lover, then go to Milan. December can be cold and damp in the winter,but it will warm up once the sun comes up. I have experienced really cold weather in early February with 2 inches of snow and a foot of water during Aqua Alta, but it was soon back to normal. If your girls want to do shopping, go to stores south of the Ponte Realto, prices are very reasonable. Merceria between Piazza San Marco and Realto has good fashion but a bit pricey. The street west of Piazza San Marco has all the famous fashion houses in Italy and France. Cross the Realto bridge will take you to the cheapest shops in Venice. One word of warning, Venice is one big tourist trap! although it is really safe to wonder around. Getting lost (and you will get lost!) is itself an unique adventure. Milan is not as safe, I will be going to Milan next year, but will only stay for one day! Go to Venice!

I guess Jarrod said it all, but I would have to agree, Venice, besides it may not be there forever. Truthfully I wouldn't want to spend 5 days there, I would do both Venice and Milan. Split up the time, they are only 3 hours apart by train. I also must say its a very long flight for just 4-5 days. Try to add a few more days if you can. The expensive part is getting there, unless you are using FF tickets.