Venice What to Pack

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Miscellaneous: Mapeasy's Guide to Venice is a great thing to have in your kit during a stay in Venice. It is printed on waterproof and almost indestructible paper. It is detailed and accurate. There is a ton of information on it.

It is designed to be traveler friendly and easy to use.

I do not work for the company or benefit in any way from this post.

Luggage and bags: Wherever you go: always travel light.
When flying I only take hand luggage. If it is for a weekend or 4 weeks, doesn't matter.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: For Venice take good walking shoes with you.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Only a toothbrush. The rest you can buy when you are there in a nice little supermarket and leave the shampoo in your room for the next guest.

Photo Equipment: That you will have to take with you.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: When you want to spend some time at the Lido in summer swimming stuff would be nice.

Miscellaneous: Always take a few photographs or cards from your hometown with you to give away to people you meet.

Miscellaneous: A map is indispensable in Venice since the canals and the alleys combine into mazes. Everywhere, you see visitors - and locals - poring over maps. The sun and your natural compass don't help, as you tend to get confused in dark corners.

My family and I were carrying all sorts of maps. It became clear quickly that mine, the Waterproof Venice Map by Rough Guide Maps, was the best. It was the most accurate, the easiest to read, and the most resistant. I'm not usually very sentimental about maps, but this is truly perfection on (recycled and biodegradable) paper.

On the day of my departure, I needed to walk to the bus station at Piazzale Roma at 5:00 a.m. I used my map to draw myself schematic directions, and I am glad I did. Even with a practice run the day before under my belt, it was confusing.

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Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: You are allways afoot in Venice. Bring your most comfortable broken in walking shoes or boots.

If they are new wear them at home till the are broken in. If you do not have a pair that fit replace them with a pair that do. Look till you find a brand that fits your foot. Look for a good shop where they still know how to measure your foot and fit you with the right footwear.

Break them in at home. A blister at home is an annoyance. In Venice where you reach everything on foot it could derail your fun completely.

Bring good socks. Wool or synthetic will work much better to prevent blisters than cotton and dry faster when you wash them. Bring at least 3-4 pair so you can wash one pair out each evening and have a clean dry pair always ready

I know this sounds a bit excessive but footwear and walking are an especialty of mine. I have hiked 10s of thousands of miles and I am on my feet every day. I have fit hundreds of people with boots and shoes. I have not had a blister since 1979. (brag, brag, brag)

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Miscellaneous: Buy a simple compass and a good map. If you can find one on that tough waterproof paper great! If you are unsure about how to use a map and compass ask a friend to show you the basics. Since there are signs everywhere you will only need rudamentary map and compass skills.

This will give you the freedom to wander at will. With these simple inexpensive tools you will be able to find your way around Venice with confidence.

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Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: When heading to Venice in the late fall and winter take good rain gear. Low key colors keep you blending in.

A light pair of ploy pro or silk under wear fits nicly under your clothes and can make the cool rainy days much more enjoyable.

Throw 30 extra euros in your kit to buy a pair of rubber boots incase the town floods on the days you are there. They are avalible all over town. While I cannot justfy carring them around for a long trip. Without them on a flood day your activiy will be brought to a stand still. If you do not want to take them with you when you leave make a gift to some one just begining their vist in Venice.

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Luggage and bags: I packed hand luggage only for my 4 day trip in a holdall, plus a smartish roomy handbag. Lost count of the times I was nearly knocked over by rucksack wielding tourists rushing across bridges or Piazzas, or by wheeled cases nearly removing my ankles, as their owners blithely dashed along- Can't begin to imagine how busy it is in summer!

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Comfortable footwear is essential- I still haven't mastered the Italian art of walking around in high heels!
In December I was glad I'd packed my winter coat, it was quite chilly out of the sun and at night. Plus the locals were usually very smartly dressed, so I didn't feel too out of place. I even got stopped and asked directions in Italian a few times!!
I've just seen an article saying that etiquette wardens are going to patrol St Marks square this summer to combat 'falling standards' such as walking around the city bare chested !!

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Compeed blister plasters came in useful!
Plenty of Pharmacies here, but carry your essential medications.
'forget' your perfume/ soap etc. and re-stock with Italian fragrances!!!
'Resolve' or other hangover 'remedies' in case of a few too many Bellinis

Photo Equipment: I'm still not digital- Though Venice has proved that perhaps I should convert!!
It's cheaper to buy film in UK or USA, I paid 5 and 6 euros for 36 exp films - thought I'd brought enough-Hmmm, no I'd used all of my stock on my 2nd day! UPDATE- I'm now digital! So, I now know to recommend plenty of memory cards, spare battery and charger

Miscellaneous: Sunglasses/lip salve-even in Winter
Credit Card etc- Venice isn't always cheap, and there's plenty to buy!
Bubble wrap for those delicate souvenirs, bottles of Prosecco etc.
Binoculars- for viewing Venice from high above etc.
Wet wipes/tissues for before and after eating those delicious ice creams 'on the move'

Luggage and bags: TRY TO PACK YOUR CLOTHES IN A BACKPACK OR AT LEAST IN A SUITCASE WITH WHEELS AS YOU WILL HAVE QUITE A BIT OF WALKING TO DO AND YOU REALLY DONT WANT TO BE LUGGGING A LOT OF LUGGAGE AROUND THE NARROW STREETS OF VENICE..REMEMBER YOU WILL BE CARRYING IT ALL YOURSELF.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: LIGHT SUMMER CLOTHES LIKE T-SHIRTS FOR THE DAYS BUT A SHIRT OR SOMETHING WARM FOR THE EVENINGS WHEN IT GETS A BIT COOLER..{ WE WERE THERE IN LATE SEPTEMBER)
LOVELY WARM DAYS BUT COOLER IN THE EVENINGS.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: MUCH AS YOU WOULD ON ANY TRIP ..JUST MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH OF EVERYTHING AS VENICE CAN BE EXPRNSIVE TO STOCK UP ON THINGS.

Photo Equipment: BRING LOADS...YOU WILL TAKE LOADS OF PICS OF THIS WONDERFUL CITY.
AND REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR CHARGER.