Rain, Rain, Rain in Venice

I hope they still offer mirrored trays for observing all of the paintings on the Scuola ceiling! Don’t miss the wood carved trades paneling on the first floor too. We too had a couple of downpour days on our last visit to Venice but thankfully were able to keep going and avoid the lowest spots that Alta aqua was starting to impact. Enjoy the museums, churches, concerts, arcaded walkways.

Pat, I am really sorry that your visit to Venice is beset by rain. Glad that you have excellent lodging that you enjoy and have already "done" Venice.

We are also having a lot of rain in Paris these past few days (and for the next few as well), but we have also been in a severe drought, so are glad for the rain. Today it cleared up nicely in the afternoon and I strolled through a park a bit on my way home.

Pat….sorry about your rain in Venice. It does change things…glad it’s not your first time there. We were there last May and we lucked out…dry and above normal temps. There are many things tho indoors and you are finding them. Smart you got the ponchos and boots! In our 2 times there…missed the flooding that frequently happened. That would have dissapointed me. We did just miss it tho and saw the stacked wooden ramps and walkways.
So Paris too is getting rain. Not fun either….but oh the drought of recent years…they all need it badly. We go in July and hoping their parched land and water to fill lakes and rivers. And not the record breaking heat of last summer…..PLEASE!

Currently in southern France with sprinkles off and on for the last few days with one short downpour. Locals are happy as they have been dry. We leave tomorrow for the RS Switzerland tour and forecast is for rain and rain and more rain. Looks like I’ll be adding a poncho too and maybe rain boots.

Thanks to all for the good wishes. We actually made the best of today, and although tiring to walk around in a downpour, the extra protection helped, and we had a quality day. The rooftop viewing experience above the Grand Canal was canceled, with no notification, after I spent so much time getting the reservations- oh, well.
The Tintoretto's were impressive, and the magnified mirror viewing trays are quite creative for admiring the ceiling. The costumed Baroque Music concert was energetic and delightful, and a highlight.
We even found a wine bar in our Cannaregio neighborhood that had wines on draft, take-away, a glass for 1 Euro, and it was great! We asked to buy a bottle of this draft wine, and the owner took out a 1liter recycled plastic water bottle and filled it at the outrageous cost of 4 Euros!
Finally, by evening, the downpour stopped, but we are leaving tomorrow, heading to Lake Como.

Patty, my experience in Switzerland is that rain was always predicted , but usually materialized in the evenings. I hope that happens for you, also. That tour is incredible!

Thank again to all for your input! Safe travels!

Pat…please give us a trip update when you can. Hope your weather allowed you to do the things and places you had planned!

I will write a complete trip report when I return.
We are on day 10, and today is only the 4th decent day we have had. The tour of Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello was ok, the rain would stop and we then had the views, but no blue skies or blue water. It was just too hard to cancel yesterday and rearrange everything else.
Today and tomorrow have good weather predicted, but rain will return on our last day.
Thank you so much for asking. Safe travels!

Pat….glad you got some better days to see those beautiful Italian sites! Your timing was not great with the flooding rains that hit parts of Italy. Luck of the draw…and likely dissapointing. Enjoy what’s left. Look forward to your report.

I love rain! It's romantic. Makes me think of "Dancing in the Rain." For a moment I'm Gene Kelly!

Hi Pat, you should have taken me with. 😊 My streak of near perfect travel weather continues. Would you believe I had just one day of rain for my UK trip?!?!?!?

Can’t wait to hear more about your trip.

Hi Pat sorry about the weather, maybe you remember when I went to the Uk last year and ended up buying a parka because we hit an abrupt extreme cold snap. I love Rick’s tip on this, you can buy your way out of emergencies. Anyway look forward to hearing more. We’re planning Italy and a return to Switzerland combo next Europe trip. Cheers, Chris (from the 2021 Switzerland Intrepid Travelers)

Chris, I actually did think about you as were we making lemonade. Your well-written London report inspired me. I think we made the best of Venice and Lake Como, but Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast were much more of a challenge. By that time I had a cold and laryngitis, and the weather still unfavorable. We splurged on a Sorrento hotel with a (potential) gorgeous view, our own terrace, and private beach in Sorrento, and a few days could not see beyond out terrace. The hotel's beach area and restaurant were closed due to the weather. By this time we were talking to other travelers who were burned out on the rain and canceled outings, as the ferries to Capri were canceled on several days. We were also frustrated with the lack of efficient public transportation in the area. We had a private driver for some outings, but even sitting in traffic in a private car can be frustrating. It took two hours to get from the Naples train station to our Sorrento hotel, by private car. On our way to the Rome airport, it took an hour just to get out of the Sorrento area. (Our flight was the next day , so we didn't have that stress.) We arrived in Italy to rain, and two weeks later we left Italy in the rain.

Carrie, we ran into several frustrated Brits who were upset because they paid a lot of money to get away from the UK weather, but that weather followed them. I'm looking forward to your Trip Report, and happy that you had sun and clear weather.
Yes, Trip Report to follow , as there were positives, one of which our British Airlines flights were all on time, Business Class service has returned to pre-COVID quality, and my cold was not COVID! The glass I purchased in Venice all arrived intact, in my carry-on suitcase.
Thanks to all for the caring comments.
Safe travels!

Thanks for your latest report. But sadly your weather in Italy was mostly a dampening experience! And you surely did your best to deal with it! I am glad you can see the positives through the fog!
When we go there in mid July I worry about the heat and how it will affect our family trip! But you are helping me realize that may be less problematic than constant rain! Weather and our attitudes can make or break a trip! Always be prepared…scouts motto. I hope you have mostly happy memories and can return one day….