Help me pack for a long weekend in Venice….

[Merse]

MN Stylistas - am after your ideas. Am off for a long weekend in Venice for a v. special birthday (let's gloss over the - ahem - age). Anyway, after inspiration for what I should pack. We are pushing the boat out in terms of hotel/restaurants etc. so need to scrub up reasonably well. But equally, lots of walking/bridges in Venice so assuming need comfy shoes for daytime. Nike Airs just not going to work, right? Brogues? Ballet flats? Could I get away with nice suede trainers? And what else…. Will be mid April so assuming pretty Spring like weather.

It can be quite rainy in April in Venice - so I'd pack something waterproof yet nice to walk in (though could be an excuse to buy something new when you are there).

Also a coat that will take a bit of rain if necessary!

Have a fabulous time - it's a lovely city.

Comfy shoes with a good sole for the cobbles, uneven pavements and endless walking. For me ballet flats would not be good enough for walking all day.

Good tips - thank you .Have rather lovely light mac so that should be good. And suspect you are right on the ballet flats. Trouble is my brogues are also v. thin soled so not much good…..

During the day it won't really matter what you wear as most people dress very comfortabley. Everyone is in the same boat . If you are going somewhere nice for lunch you could maybe take a pair of shoes to change into. Even the nicest hotels have visitors who dress with comfort in mind. In the evenings depending on how far dinner will be from your hotel then I would take some nice wedges or thicker heeled shoes/boots. I have worn stilettos when not walking far and have been fine. I find jeans etc are fine for the day with maybe a nice dress or smarter jeans/capris and tops in the evening.

Good point, Crazy. And I love walking so comfort matters. May go for navy blazer to vaguely elevate jeans and trainers for day and make more of an effort in the evening.

Check the weather the week before you go. We went in Whitsun hols a couple of years ago, and it was only 22 c at its hottest. Comfy shoes are a must. I wore my Converse, but we didn't go anywhere smart!

Just yet another urge to wear comfy shoes and avoid thin soles whether on ballerinas or other shoes unless you know you're not going to be walking far. Strangely the only ballerinas I have that I can walk quite a long way in because they have rubber soles that are not ridiculously thin are Italian ( Geox brand) but I wouldn't wear even those for a hard day's sightseeing.

Jeans for the day will be fine. If you take your smartest ones and nice light coat and maybe scarf you'll look far more stylish than the vast majority of tourists there ( and practically everyone is a tourist).

I went in April a couple of years ago. I agree with comfey soled shoes. It could also get quite cold. I took a big chunky cardigan and a light mac. I wore them both. Most of the Italian women wore black quilted, belted coats. They looked very smart and elegant.
We were lucky as it didn't rain whilst we were there. However, it had been raining the day before we arrived.

Yes agre the Italusn women look elegant - but, unlike in Milan or Turin, they're in the minority.

Geox shoes (ballerina-esque or otherwise) are a very good idea, actually…… Hmmm.

Geox are available on Amazon, thanks to this thread I've just solved my smart but comfy problem and bought the black patent leather Italian moccasins for a trip to London. The ballerinas look lovely too but not sure it'll be warm enough to go without socks. Hope you enjoy Venice.

And when it rains in Venice it does so in biblical proportions. It rained all day on one of the days we were there and St Marks Square all round by the basilica was under water. And take an umbrella.

For sightseeing I would put comfort before style. Unless you are going somewhere flash in the evenings I wouldn't bother pushing the boat out too far clothes-wise either.

Venice is lovely. I envy you. Also be mindful of pickpockets. It is a massive problem in Venice, as it is in any major Italian city.

Hello, was going to post the exact same question for a trip to Venice this Friday! Hope that you don't mind me tagging onto your post Merse. I second the comfy shoes and waterproof coat recommendations. Geox shoes are very comfortable, but not just ballet flats. It can be very windy if it is cold too, so would suggest layers.

I am also going to the opera on Sunday, does anyone have any idea on dress code?

Hopeful bump.

clippity hope you enjoy your Geox moccasins. I've walked around quite a few European cities comfortably in their loafers and moccasins.

wombling, I've been to La Fenice but only for a New Year's Day concert at midday when I wore trousers and nice but not overstated top. Can't really help with evening dress code, I'm afraid. Guess it may depend where you're sitting. I don't feel the need to dress up too much for Covent Garden, even in best seats, but Italians are generally conservative and might have a rather more formal approach. Think I'd personally go for a dress, but not a very 'eveningy' or long one, but others on here may know better from first hand. Enjoy the opera!

I have traipsed across many a European city in my Bloch flats.

If many cobblestones, then cushioning is a must. Tbh I wore my new balance trainers when sightseeing in these areas.

Welcome Wombling! In my experience, Italians love any excuse to dress up so I would definitely make reasonable effort for La Fenice. Proper frock, heels if poss, eveningy jacket?

Think will see what Geox are available on Amazon. Will probably take my trainers too.

Feeling rather lucky about the whole thing; haven't been to Venice for YEARS - and last time I did I certainly wasn't doing it in style!

Thank you for the reassurance poly, they were quite expensive and I just hope they come on time for me to break them in a bit! We usually do our city traipsing in the summer when I can always rely on my Clarks sandals, pretty enough to wear with dresses but super cushioned and comfy. It's always been summer when we've visited Venice too, I think I'd wear a dress or wide leg trousers, flats and a nice coat/scarf for the opera there at this time of year. Have a lovely time Merse!

I went to La Fenice two years ago. I wore a dress and shawl and certainly wasn't underdressed. Dress was varied, but mostly smart casual. I've been to loads of operas and not too many people go for the black tie/evening dress look these days.
I echo comfy shoes. Thickish soles seem to help.

Hello Merse, thank you.

Thanks for the advice ladies.

The time of the performance is 3:30 pm. I have 2 choices:

Venetian blue silk skirt in a full circle style, with a very fine knit bracelet sleeved sweater in a blue and black print, with pointed toe flats or black heels, and a statement necklace.

Black cocktail dress: I have a very funky Cos one, that is round necked and long sleeved and fitted in a soft fabric, with a asymmetric detail on the front, and a zip detail to create a side split at the back. Or a plunge front wiggle style one. Same shoes as options.

Which would be best do you think? I am tending towards the skirt & sweater combo, as looks good with flats, and is comfortable and warm, and not too " middle aged woman - slightly overdressed"

I have bought a ultra light down quilted jacket in black from Uniqlo that is very lightweight, warm and stylish as either a light coat on it's own or an extra layer under my smart coat. It packs into a tiny bag in then order of my case, would recommend as smart yet practical extra layer against wet or cold weather.

I think they all sound nice but skirt option nicest for the occasion.
Jacket sounds good - Italians certainly love their quilted down jackets. Enjoy the opera .

Who said about the rain in biblical quantities was right - 2 days it hasn't bloody stopped but it ie due sto ease later thankfully.
La Fenice in the afternoon is without a doubt smart casual more towards the casual side of things. The evening is more smart casual to elegant smart casual if that makes any sense!
Smart restaurants trousers are fine and maybe smarten up with accessories - many other travellers are in the same boat (sorry) as you so a smart necklace or scarf added helps.
Mid April it usually gets a bit warmer just keep an eye on 3B meteo and Il meteo for weather updates or send me a PM and I will let you know !
yes YEs to comfy shoes I live in Geox or anything soft soled . Happy planning !

We went to Venice in September for a special birthday of mine. I thought carefully about what I packed - especially as we took hand luggage only but honestly everyone seemed to be a tourist dressing for comfort over style. I felt nice in what I wore and we had some lovely warm sunshine as well as some chilly rain so layers were good. I was glad to have comfortable flats for the day and for our special meal I wore gold pointed toe sling-back wedges that were very comfortable for walking, perfect for our stroll to St Marks Sq after dinner and along the grand canal.

I was surprised to feel over dressed at the very expensive restaurant we went to (wide leg black crepe trousers and cream embroidered top - nothing ostentatious!!) many people were very, very casual. So unless you are going somewhere where the millionaires eat then think chic, smart casual.

Got back Monday, after a fabulous weekend, had such a lovely time, and the sun shone brightly! We did lots of walking, and managed to eat outside at lunch. La Fenice was fabulous - i didn't feel under dressed, just very short in my flats, as there were some towering stilettos in evidence!! The opera was amazing - can't wait to go again.

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

I went to Venice in November.
My first tip is to pack as lightly as you can. There are no taxis once you're in the city, and you'll be dragging your case up steps and over endless bridges and cobblestones.
It's not a very glamerous place during the day, certainly choose comfortable and waterproof items!