Venice What to Pack

Luggage and bags: Use a pack sack, cobble stones make it difficult to navigate with luggage on wheels.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Layer your clothing, there are many areas where sunshine does not penetrate in Venice, so on the canal you are warm, in the interior you may find discomfort.

Bring your old, comfortable runners, they are certainly 'acceptable' in Venice, and throughout Italy.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Everything you may require is readily available. (except ADVIL)

Miscellaneous: Bank machines are plentiful, so access cash only when needed. You will get a better hotel rate, and prices on goods if you offer to pay cash. Often merchants will add a surcharge if you present credit card for payment.

Luggage and bags: If you are going to do lots of walking and sightseeing, do remember to put the following items into your tote bag or backpack: Maps and perhaps phrase books, Your all-important Guidebook, Water bottle, Sunglasses.... etc.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: My rule of thumb is to take enough clothes for one week OR for the length of the trip PLUS two days, whichever is shorter.

If you are traveling on business, you can probably pack along two suits and rotate between them. Try to take different colors of shirts/blouses; mixing and matching might fool people into thinking you brought more clothes than you did. That's the whole idea, isn't it? ;-D

If you are going on an extended trip, pick one color and stick with it... like say black. If you are part of the Generation X (ahem!).... REJOICE! Why? Because black travels very well. You can get ketchup stains all over your black jeans or coffee stained on your black t-shirt... and nobody will ever notice! Just make sure they don't stand too close to you to catch a whiff of the...er... Well, I'm sure you know what I mean!
:-))

Photo Equipment: I ALWAYS, ALWAYS bring along at least 2 camaras with me... just in case one breaks down. My friends used to laugh at me.... until their one and only camera broke down. When when they have to RELY SOLELY on me and my amateurish photographic skills, they stopped laughing. Yes, immediately. Serve them right! :-))

Miscellaneous: DON'T forget to bring along your much-treasured ATM card to withdraw cash. Yes, no need to rush to the money-changers to change all your money into Euros before your trip.

DON'T use your Visa or Mastercard to withdraw cash. This is considered a CASH ADVANCE and you'd be slapped with a HEFTY fee.

In fact, you WILL benefit and enjoy from the low interbank exchange rates. Trust me (I'm working in a bank).

Just ensure that you adhere to the following steps:

(1) Flip to the back of your local ATM card, do you see the logos "Cirrus"?

(2) If the answer is 'yes', then you have absolutely nothing to worry about!

(3) Why? Because you can withdraw cash from any ATM machines in Italy, no matter how obscure the town you're at is.

(4) If you use this method, you'd also save alot from the interbank exchange rates. Money changers will charge you much more compared to a bank.

I've been using this method countless of times before and so far, no ATM machines in this world have failed me yet.

Luggage and bags: It's best to pack light when traveling to Venice, as it's certainly no fun to lug a 25-lb. suitcase over the numerous bridges that you'll have to cross to get to your hotel! Porters are (sometimes) available, but I've been told that they charge 20E per bag and are not available until after 8:00 a.m. If you need to arrive/leave prior to that, you're on your own! Based on my past experience, I vow to always make Venice my FIRST stop when traveling to various cities/towns throughout Italy.

Luggage and bags: Keep in mind that Venice is an island that you cannot drive into. You WILL have to carry all of your luggage around with you. Make sure you keep this in mind when packing. I learned the first time I was there, and it made the next times that much easier!

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Perhaps Boots, depending on when you go, if there is aqua alta!

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Definately take an umbrella! I don't know if it is all the time or not, but the weather in Venice changes suddenly without warning... :) We were lucky to have our umbrellas with us. Of course you can buy an umbrella from the many men selling them on the streets too...they'll try as hard as possible to get you to buy one...even if you already have an umbrella of your own! ;)

Good walking shoes are also a must...you will walk lots while you're in Venice. :)

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: I think you could buy almost anything in Venice but the prices are very high! Bring most of the things you'll need with you.

Photo Equipment: Take a tripod for some nice night photos of the canals and buildings.

Luggage and bags: Once you get off the waterbus at whatever point in Venice you will inevitably have to walk to your hotel. It is better to bring a backpack rather than a suitcase on wheels as all the bridges have stairs and there will me many off them, saves you having to lug your suitcase up and down. Make sure you get good directions to your hotel as it is very easy to get lost and not all alleyways are marked.

Luggage and bags: Whatever you are happy carrying - but be secure if you carry it every day.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Good shoes for walking in - lots of steps! Expect any type of weather.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Mosquito repellant in summer weather

Photo Equipment: Lots of film!

Miscellaneous: A good credit card - it is not a cheap city to visit!

A mobile phone - it is easy to get separated!

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Waterproof footware (aka Wellington boots)

Miscellaneous: Aqua Alta typically occurs in late Autumn, but can catch you out at any time. Although it is great to watch the water lapping over the kerb, and walking on the eleveted pathways, Wet feet can take the shine off the most wonderful sights!