Venice What to Pack

Luggage and bags: Visits of churches in Venice are things to do and there is dress code for that which is obliged. It is necessary to avoid mini skirts or pants, tops… everything that uncover shoulders and knees. Unless you are properly dressed you will not be allowed to enter a church.

In some churches there are paper covers which can be bought for several Euros, but it is unnecessary expense.

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Luggage and bags: A rolling bag is a must - yes even with bridges and cobblestones. There's a lot more dragging than lifting, and there is no one to do it for you. We each took one small rolling bag and used a backpack as our carry-on. We also took an extra empty LeSportsac type suitcase and filled it with laundry, using the rolling bags for packing any purchases. Tip: They do not allow backpacks into the museums, you will need to check them - so be sure to carry your valuables separately. We purchased travel pouches for that purpose and were very satisfied with them.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Pack as LIGHTLY as you possibly can, but realize that even with rain boots, you will be very wet at the end of the day in rainy season. The streets are quite dirty, it won't be enough to "rinse" your pants, you'll either have to wash them or bring a sufficient quantity. I cannot stress enough how important rainboots are at this time of year. Galoshes, overshoes - they must be at least calf height. Even the Italians were asking us where we got our boots! (See our pictures for the calf high flooding in St. Mark's Square, and even light flooding at local bridges. Umbrellas are difficult to use because of the narrow streets and alleys, ponchos are better.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: We brought soap and shampoo, but the hotel, a 3 star, did provide it. We brought loads of Pepcid AC (Used them!), Benedryl (used them - mosquito bites - ouch!!), Rhuli-Gel (anti-itch, used it!), Aleve (Used it! Walking for 8 hours/+ per day) and assorted other items. Cough drops are sold everywhere.

Photo Equipment: It goes without saying. Be sure to bring a charger and an adaptor for your charger.

Miscellaneous: Everything in Venice costs a fortune, and dollars are worthless. Although it's great to have credit cards, there are loads of places - especially cafes - that do not accept them. It's cash - in Euros - or go elsewhere. So be sure to always have cash (Euros) on you. ATM's often give better rates than anywhere else.

Luggage and bags: I suggest a very light trolley bag. In venice there are many bridges and it's no fun having heavy suitcases to drag around.
You can leave the heavy stuff in storage in Piazzale Roma or at the train station.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: In winter rubber boots are very handy!

Luggage and bags: Warning! Do not take a huge heavy suitcase like I did. Lugging a 50lb bag from the train to the bus stop over the bridges to your hotel isn't fun. Remember, you will have lots of stuff to take back too.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Light & heavy clothing required. Good walking shoes.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Bring your own washcloth.

Luggage and bags: There are cetain months where the mosquitos breed within the lagoon, and if your hotel or self-catering flat does not have nets, make sure you take some with you.

We made the mistake of not taking a net, and our arms and legs were suppurating by the time we went home.

The mosquitoes in the Lagoon are very small, so a fine net is essential. The locals have no problem with them as their system is almost immune, but they are the most painfull of bites, and you suffer for weeks afterwords.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: During the summer it is hot. And I live in Houston, Texas so I know what hot is, trust me! So make sure to bring a battery operated, hand-held fan or something to cool yourself with while wandering Venice. These battery operated ones can be found at Walmart, Hobby Lobby, etc for under $5. You can thank me later ;)

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Luggage and bags: Backpacks are the best to store and transport your stuff in, believe me. I use my trekking backpack for all trips, not only hiking ones, but also for city trips. Remember that you’d have to transport your luggage from a boat stop to your hotel and you need to walk over many bridges. I saw so many travellers who had problems in dragging their suitcases (even with rolls) through the narrow calles.
Ladies: bring (hand) bags for your belongings, if you intend to visit San Marco Basilica ! Without any discussion, visitors (who have queued for hours) arriving at the entrance of San Marco Basilica, will be sent back by the guards to drop their backpacks at a specific place, and must start queuing again = see photo 3.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Pack shoes where you can walk miles with and won’t feel them at any time (the shoes that is). You’ll need them, and even with good shoes your feet will be happy to have a rest in the evening. Bring some good foot cream as well, to prepare your poor feet for the next days’ marathon.
Bring appropriate clothes, and try to leave shorts and spaghetti tops at home, or in your luggage, if Venice is only part of your travel in Europe. Remember, you are in Italy and the people are very much religious; too much flesh (arms and legs) is insulting Italian church habits . Without any discussion, you will be rejected if you intend to visit a church in spaghetti tops or shorts !
Bring a Raincoat (instead of umbrella), as you will be better protected and won’t kill people or pricking out others’ eyes if you are with umbrella among the masses on Piazza San Marco. Plus, if there is rain and wind, your umbrella will be destroyed within seconds (and not mentioning the eyes of other visitors).

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: There are enough supermarkets and beauty shops to stock up whatever you need to buy or forgot back home. Thanks to Chiara, I now know that a nice shop to buy beauty stuff is Bottega Verde, something like the Italian version of Body Shop. It is located in Strada Nuova, in Canaregio, north of Ponte Rialto (see photo). I didn’t use up my stuff, so I only did window shopping, but it looks like a great shop to satisfy your needs.
Venezia has a lot of pharmacies, so you can get any OTC stuff. If you need personal prescription medication, it is always better to bring these from home.
Bring sunsreen in summer and mosquito repellent as well.

Photo Equipment: Oh yes…. this is maybe the most important item to fill your luggage with. Bring enough cards or a possibility to store your photos. You will end up with more photos than you ever can imagine (I took around 3000 or 5 GB in 12 days). There is no problem to buy cards in Venezia, and also no problem get your photos downloaded on a CD. I didn’t try this, as I had my notebook with me, but this is my own personal attitude. Do not forget your wide angle and tele lenses. You will need them ! Wide angle is a must when driving along Canal Grande, and tele lens to zoom in the magnificent details. Fish eye lens, however, is something that won’t work here, as it completely destroys the fine lines of this incredible buildings.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: If you intend to stay on Lido on one of the camping, yes, you’ll need to bring these. If you intend to come to Lido for some swimming, yes, you also need to bring beach stuff.
Bring binoculars, if you intend to do wildlfe watching in the laguna.

Miscellaneous: Books… yes, you will need them, as it is very much magic to read books about Venezia, sitting on a campo and sipping wine, Spritz or a coffee. I brought some guide books and some books to read while there. As a fan o Donna Leon and her Commissario Brunetti, I brought her newest paperbacks “Blood from a stone” and “Through a glass, darkly”. The latter is about Murano’s glass industry, and I have already written about why this is an important book to bring on Murano

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Local people say that a black shirt would prevent you from the pigeons' secrets. These birds tend to 'disturb' people dressed in white at the San Marco square. I myself was dressed in white to prevent myself from the heat! Our guide pointed me and said 'Beware from the pigeons!' She was dressed in black.