avoiding expense

My girlfriend and i have just returned from Venice yes a lovely place to visit but also very expensive. One way to help keeping your costs down are to stay on one of the other islands surrounding and catch either the water bus or ferry to Venice from where you are staying. We stayed on the island of Lido 10 minute ferry ride from st Marks a very beautiful island without the expense of Venice hotels ranging from 80 euros per night low season (nov-dec) to 110 euros high season (jul-oct) and food and drink can be almost half the price and they do not add cover charge or service charge. e.g we had a 3 course meal and 3 jugs of wine in lido 50 euros the equivalent in Venice cost us 105 euros. Plus if you fancy a bit of a rest from the walking Lido has one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, most of it is owned privately by the hotels but the top and bottom of the beach is public but no less beautiful or impeccably clean.