McGrath,
       If there is one place on this earth to go before infirmity sets in it is Venice. It can be costly although some of the hotels in the region of the bus terminus are reasonable for 2004. There is so much history, culture and blatant, tatty commercialism to be seen in the popular sites but the fascination is in walking through the urban neighbourhoods with their shops, bars and restaurants.Also, in truth, one can walk everywhere and because the place is relatively small you can never get lost. The only thing I have never seen is traditional Italian songs and music but you can take coffee in St Marco to the strains of a string quartet playing all the evergreens.