How to tell someone you have never been in Venice without telling them you never have been to Venice. Just kidding, but I don't think venetians as I know them

How to tell someone you have never been in Venice without telling them you never have been to Venice. Just kidding, but I don't think venetians as I know them would even want to become a world power again, yet the capital of that former world power is truly amazing place. I may be spoiled because I grew up nearby, so I have been there often, but it is one of my favourite cities in the world, just because it forces you to think completely different about what a city is or could be.