I have only been to Venice once in 2014; I’m contemplating going for the day before my conference begins in December. Is December a nice time to visit Venice? Who has been in early December (or at any time, for that matter) and can offer some advice/tips?
Anytime in Venice is the right time!! I have been working there with the glass artists since 1993. Suggestions from Alan are great as well. But the day pass is better than the one ticket vaporetto. You can also get a 3 day pass, 7 day pass (or for me it is always the month pass). That way you can change your mind on destinations and not worry about the time limit. So far MOSE has been holding the high tides out, but if it arrives, you can buy plastic boots. Also buy the Museum Pass (10 state Museums including the Doges Palace, Correr, Ca 'Rezzonico, Palazzo Mocenigo Museum, Casa di Carlo Goldoni, Ca' Pesaro, Murano Glass Museum, Burano Lace Museum, Museum of Natural History, Palazzo Fortuny 41 Euro for 6 months, skip the line. The museums are great places also to have a snack and find a clean bathroom. Other choices at veneziaunica.it to buy online. Read my blog: blogvenice.com or as I say #WhyIwork
We were in Venice for 2 weeks in late November/early December 2016... it was a nice time to be there - no crowds! We arrived near midnight and walked into an empty Piazza San Marco. Early morning fogs are magical - perfect for colour photography that looks black and white. For the best panoramic view of the city, rather than the top of San Marco's bell tower, take the vaporetto to the San Giorgio Maggiore (it's a 2 euro vaporetto trip rather than the 7.50 euro standard vaporetto fare) and go to the top of the bell tower there - that way you'll get a view of San Marco that's missing from the better-known tower.