Venice - why did it take me so long to go?

I had heard mixed view of Venice, so was very apprehensive that this was not only my first time there but also my birthday. We somehow managed to find the most amazing place to stay on Airbnb which was a converted gothic palace. Once we had dragged our luggage up the 4 flights of stairs, we set eyes on the view from the place from our rooftop terrace and fell in love! What more is there to say? Apart from the most amazing views, sunsets, tucked away chapels. Flooded crypts and bridges. Plenty of beautiful bridges. We were there at the end of October so the weather was perfect, and it wasn't too crowded.