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.

Bear in mind that acqua alta can happen in April as it's still in the season.

The phenomenon is most likely to take place between late September and April, and especially in the months of November, December, and October, in that order.

europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/acqua-alta.htm

I went at the end of May one year and the place was flooded... But you can by the plastic foot covers.., not particularly attractive though

wombling, so glad you had a great time! I went for the first time last year and was so excited. How could anywhere live up to all the hype? But I loved it!

We got married at the town hall near the Rialto bridge 20 years ago which was flippin amazing, so this trip was an anniversary treat! So much has changed, but it is still so, so beautiful.

Wombling - how fabulous! Hugely romantic place to have got married and must have been lovely to go back. Interesting about the stilettos. We are leaving TOMORROW and still wondering about what to pack. Weather forecast looking pretty good which helps!

Just normal tourist wear. Venice is a city of tourists these days, few locals left. The city is humid and made of stone so it gets really freezing cold at night - make sure you pack enough layers. I'm in Rome and I this morning I wore a sweatshirt (with a tee under it) and an ultralight down jacket, a scarf, trainers and leggings and opaque tights. Days can be warmer so you may be able to shed a few layers but mornings and evenings are nippy so take a warm jacket and a sweater. Right now it is not quite warm enough to stay outdoors without some sort of a coat, but too warm for my heavy winter parka. Do take some sunscreen and your sunglasses, I burn my neck on my morning walk if I don't protect myself.

We stayed in Venice in January for a long weekend and I didn't need any fancy clothes - we stayed in Cannaregio and had our meals in local taverne and trattorie where anything goes. In Italy, generally at classical concerts, opera and the ballet some people will really dress up and others are in sweaters and jeans. When we were there temperatures were near zero (with snow on the ground in the mainland) also really dry although I took my wellies. Trainers would be fine but take your comfiest shoes as you will walk more than anyplace else. I usually take a pair of sheepskin slippers or woolen stocks - Italian stone floors are usually chilly in winter.

Currently thinking of belted mac/trench - and also packing Uniqlo sleeveless thin down jacket to shove under if necessary. Thinking skater shoes rather than full on trainers, but maybe I should bite the bullet and take trainers too….

A down gilet would be a really good thing to pack, it's gilet season in Italy right now. Colorful trainers are standard street wear these days (we did some tourist-spotting earlier this spring in Florence and about every second person was wearing them) - your feet will thank you Have a lovely trip!

I would definitely do Mac and down gilet Merse, trainers is a great idea, as you will walk and walk! A merino/cashmere sweater and a couple of scarves too would be my advice, for morning/evening layering.

Have a fabulous time!

Thank you everyone!!! Up at crack of dawn and doing v. last minute packing. Bring it on..