I had the unbelievable privilege of living in Venice for 4 months while studying at the business school there. I heard mixed reviews prior to going, predominantly negative. However, I can tell you with absolute confidence that it was one of the most breathtaking, unique, charismatic, charming cities I have ever stepped foot in. Something that I found to be unique about Venice was that while I strolled around other cities in Europe, there were certain streets that made you feel as if you could easily be in America until you stumble upon a famous landmark. Venice is different. Every single quaint pathway, serving as a maze through stunning canals, is unapologetically and unmistakenly: Venice. There is no city like it and there never will be; it's straight out of a dream. I say this with confidence because I lived there during the most severe consecutive flooding the city has seen and locals smiled at me saying, "if you lived here through that week, you are a true Venetian". With this said, certain times of the year are so packed with tourists that it is difficult to enjoy the beauty of this place.  Despite my deep love for Venezia, as the locals call it, there are certain days and seasons that I would not be caught dead there due to the chaos of tourism. Read below to avoid such times.