A Rough Itinerary Of A Weekend Trip to Venice: Day 1:

-Depart from Florence: 8:00

-Flat Tire: 8:18-9:53

-Permit to enter city: 11:03

-Arrive in Lagoon: 11:11

-Arrive at Hotel: 7:00

-Feeling in Fingers Return: 7:10

-Traditional Venetian Dinner: 8:40-10:55

-Feeling in Toes Return: 11:30

Venice is relatively tourist free in the winter with the exception of Carnevale, a celebration akin to Mardi Gras. Before or after Carnevale is a great time to visit Venice for the anti-touristers and the well prepared over packers. Many extra layers and shoes are needed when traveling to Venice in the winter, don’t think you can get by with a cloth jacket and wing-tip shoes. The lethal concoction of wind and low temperature, will chill you to the bone, add rain to the mix and your socks will never be the same. It was an interesting trip that I will (hopefully) remember as one of the coldest.

Here is my add on packing guide for those looking to go to Venice in the winter.

-Plastic Bags and Rubber Bands to protect your camera

-4 Pairs of Thick Socks – you never know, the day after it rains you may fall in the Lagoon

-An Extra Pair of Shoes – the rain leaves the air wet, shoes are slow to dry

-An Umbrella – the kind from street vendors do not last

-A Water Proof Winter Coat – proof is the key word, Venice laughs at “water resistant”