When advising friends heading to Italy, I claim there's a minor law (wink wink) that requires one to stop at all gelato stands, and drink all the wine. My first visit included a hotel that did a prosecco reception every afternoon, and my second involved walking past a tiny gelato stand that offered a gelato that was pretty much frozen pureed pineapple. Gal's gotta do...

Hi Karin, I am totally with you regarding Venice. I've been to a few northern cities, including two weeks on business in Torino. I look forward to seeing much more of the boot, including Rome and Pompei, but Venice owns my heart. So far it keeps drawing me back and my super-if-only-dream trip either starts or ends there.