I read a great article by Doug Saunders about the state of Venice and flooding at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20071020.VENICE20/TPStory/Travel
It looks like we may be there during this time of year, which doesn't really bother me, but I'd like to hear from anyone who has been through it before. Should we expect flooding, or is it pretty hit and miss?
Posted by
Newburyport, MA
683 posts
Flooding is largely seasonal (mostly in Spring and Winter) and it is confined to certain areas like St Marks Sq and environs. Most of Venice is unaffected and floooding doesnt make seeing things impossible, just more of a trek.
Posted by
San Jose, CA, USA
424 posts
Steve, when I was in Venice in May, my hotel had a sign at the front desk stating they had boots for sale for 10Euro. These are the slip on yellow "waders" that you may have seen in pictures of the acqua alta. I will be there in December, and leaving on the 23rd - which is the full moon and a good chance if it happens, it will happen then. It could be an exciting experience. :-)
Posted by
Novato, CA, USA
1 posts
My wife and I spent eight wonderful days in Venice starting on September 26th. There were one or two days of flooding (sirens go off ahead of time so you can plan your day). It seemed to really affect mostly the San Marcos Piazza and Rialto Bridge areas—lots of water and lots of people trying to navigate on narrow walkways so definitely avoid these areas during the Aqua Alto (these areas are already very crowded with loads of tourists). During the Alto Aqua periods we just wandered around the back alleys of Venice and had a wonderful time--our best vacation ever--so don’t worry about the high water.
Posted by
Wilmington, DE, USA
712 posts
The tables they have for walking on during high water make great places to sit and rest when stacked. We were there the same time in Sept. Just headed to other areas during "high tide".
Posted by
San Francisco, CA, USA
97 posts
I was in Venice about 3 weeks ago and the water came up two days in a row -- just a lucky combo of high tide and rain. It was dry at 9, the water started rising in St. Mark's Plaza at 10:30ish, and it had all drained off again by 3.
Even though it was sort of inconvenient to shuffle along the walkways with a million other people, it was definitely an experience to watch the police in hip waders directing the foot traffic as people tried to get around the plaza!
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
42 posts
we were there mid-september and were quite lucky. The day before the square had flooded. The next day when we were there, dry as a bone. It really is hit and miss.
Posted by
Wilmington, DE, USA
712 posts
If you want a flavor of what flooding is like in Venice, check out this video I watched before I left. I found it with a "Google" video search. The whole city does not flood, just certain areas, so there is still a lot to do if you have the flooding while you are there.