I'm really glad I did it this year then!
It was *****y freezing and yes, Venice was busy and expensive but, hey, it was CARNEVALE!, and that was what we went for. To be honest, the other days out were clearly designed for better weather and all the villas and such were very bleak and cold, and a lot of the lovely towns we visited seemed to be closed down for the season. Nevertheless, I doubt that I would have ever got to see Carnevale without JY, I met some lovely people and the town of Bassano del Grappa, which is where we stayed, was lovely.
Toni