While Venice does boast some world-class museums and churches, everyone knows its real charm lies in its canals and architecture. I’ve been to this watery city more time than I can count, and my favorite visits are always those when I just spend the day getting lost while wandering through the city’s charming, narrow streets.
Hotels can be pricey in Venice, but in the off-season there are often good deals to be had. Check out Venere or Booking.com for some potentially wonderful hotel deals. If you do end up staying in the city, I highly recommend an early-morning walk - the city has a completely different feel before the hoards of tourists come out to play.