Yes, I think I would much rather read a sex scene (any sex scene) than watch one in most cases. Still erotic photos/art could be different, but I don't go looking for those, and it's rare I come across them.

Oh, I don't know what Venice is like now, but it's a very interesting city. And I, too, have good memories from it. I doubt I'll ever make it back in this lifetime, but who knows?

I don't know. I think it's worth watching once for the imagery and Venice, but, you know, watch out for the sex and at the end, well, the villain is sort of Wrong (not to give anything away but I was, like, groaning in a bad way at the climax).