Snow in Venice (Venezia) can be a lot prettier than the aqua alta (high water) that usually hits in November or December. One early December, I brought a pair of Muck Boots to Italy with me; when I got to Venice, Piazza San Marco was inundated but most shops were open (with a few inches of water) and it was business as usual.
Helped carry a couple of elderly ladies from one scaffold to another. You would think all of the natives would be prepared with wellies or other foul-weather boots but apparently such footwear are a major breach of style.
no doubt theres a stylish witch boot version somewhere..