Venice in Jan
Dec 4th, 2013, 08:17 PM
#2
I would love Venice in January as there are far too many tourists visiting in the summer months.
How I long to visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection without listening to insipid comments from the cruise ship crowd.
Go visit my favourite church in Venice, the exquisite Santa Maria dei Miracoli.
Thin
How I long to visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection without listening to insipid comments from the cruise ship crowd.
Go visit my favourite church in Venice, the exquisite Santa Maria dei Miracoli.
Thin
Dec 4th, 2013, 09:06 PM
#3
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I love Venice any time of year (except summer). It can be cold in January but often at sundown, the sky turns pink - and it is beautiful. There are no crowds. Not sure if acqua alta is an issue during January but it shouldn't keep you from going...
Dec 5th, 2013, 01:32 AM
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Venice is far more interesting in January than any city on Lake Como. After January 6th, you will have the locals to yourself until Carnivale in February. You simply need to be prepared for the biting damp cold.
Venetian women prefer fur in winter (think Russia). It's not so much a fashion statement (some of those furs look quite ancient) as it is a means to keep as warm as possible. The freezing cold winds off the Grand Canal and the Giudecca can be quite bone chilling. Wool socks are a must. I've never walked a city with colder streets in winter.
Fog is popular in January, and there's nothing quite like photographing Piazza San Marco covered in fog.
Venetian women prefer fur in winter (think Russia). It's not so much a fashion statement (some of those furs look quite ancient) as it is a means to keep as warm as possible. The freezing cold winds off the Grand Canal and the Giudecca can be quite bone chilling. Wool socks are a must. I've never walked a city with colder streets in winter.
Fog is popular in January, and there's nothing quite like photographing Piazza San Marco covered in fog.
Dec 5th, 2013, 03:46 AM
#6
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What on earth do you need a tour for?
It's a tad over 2 hrs by train from Florence (impossible to travel faster any other way) and you've got no alternative to walking and/or getting a vaporetto once you're there.
So what value can a tour possibly offer? Just remember that there are two railway companies, and you need to check prices on both. And that Mrs F and I disagree with each other on few things about Italy, except which of these cities is the colder in January. I've never spent as much on a piece of clothing as I had to in Florence one spectacularly freezing January day: she claims she's never experienced cold like a January she once spent in Venice.
In both cases,it's much to do with getting exposed to unaccustomed mixes of chill, damp, breeze and lack of shelter while walking. There's certainly no point deluding yourself that by passing over a day in Venice you're going to avoid exposure to the cold.
It's a tad over 2 hrs by train from Florence (impossible to travel faster any other way) and you've got no alternative to walking and/or getting a vaporetto once you're there.
So what value can a tour possibly offer? Just remember that there are two railway companies, and you need to check prices on both. And that Mrs F and I disagree with each other on few things about Italy, except which of these cities is the colder in January. I've never spent as much on a piece of clothing as I had to in Florence one spectacularly freezing January day: she claims she's never experienced cold like a January she once spent in Venice.
In both cases,it's much to do with getting exposed to unaccustomed mixes of chill, damp, breeze and lack of shelter while walking. There's certainly no point deluding yourself that by passing over a day in Venice you're going to avoid exposure to the cold.
Dec 5th, 2013, 10:30 AM
#7
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It doesn't really matter whether Florence or Venice is colder in January, as you could find a cold day in either city. Venice, being on the sea, is damper, so it can seem colder. Neither city gets much below freezing even on its coldest days, but if you're outside all day, you will feel the effect.
I'm sure those women wearing furs in Venice are as ancient as the furs themselves. I rarely see a woman under the age of 75 in a fur. Young people in Italy just don't wear them, and even a lot of older women have stopped wearing them.
I'm sure those women wearing furs in Venice are as ancient as the furs themselves. I rarely see a woman under the age of 75 in a fur. Young people in Italy just don't wear them, and even a lot of older women have stopped wearing them.
Dec 5th, 2013, 10:51 AM
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<i><font color=#555555>"Young people in Italy just don't wear (fur)"</font></i>
It's true, but young people are notorious for wearing practically nothing in the cold. Young people stupidly think they are invincible. Furthermore, good luck finding young people who choose to settle and make a life in Venice year round. Not a large group at all.
I don't have a problem with anyone who wears fur in a freezing cold environment. I view staying warm and being fashionable as two different things. I personally won't purchase high fashion fur, but as my bones get older and I spend more time in Venice during the winter, I've come to appreciate certain warming tools.
The freezing cold winds that blow up off the Arno can cut like a knife, for sure. I enjoy Florence at Christmas. But in Venice, the damp cold rises from the floor, and the effect on your body, particularly your feet, can take a visitor by surprise.
It's true, but young people are notorious for wearing practically nothing in the cold. Young people stupidly think they are invincible. Furthermore, good luck finding young people who choose to settle and make a life in Venice year round. Not a large group at all.
I don't have a problem with anyone who wears fur in a freezing cold environment. I view staying warm and being fashionable as two different things. I personally won't purchase high fashion fur, but as my bones get older and I spend more time in Venice during the winter, I've come to appreciate certain warming tools.
The freezing cold winds that blow up off the Arno can cut like a knife, for sure. I enjoy Florence at Christmas. But in Venice, the damp cold rises from the floor, and the effect on your body, particularly your feet, can take a visitor by surprise.
Dec 5th, 2013, 11:47 AM
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While both cities can be very chilly, windy and damp they aren't really full-on winter cold (lots of snow and temps below freezing) - as you get on the central european plain or the northern US.
If you are from a very warm climate you may find it very uncomfortable - but with warm clothing being outdoors should be no problem.
(And yes, I have been in Venice in was certainly not as cold (even with wind and damp) as NYC.
If you are from a very warm climate you may find it very uncomfortable - but with warm clothing being outdoors should be no problem.
(And yes, I have been in Venice in was certainly not as cold (even with wind and damp) as NYC.
Dec 5th, 2013, 12:31 PM
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Unfortunately, some people who post here don't know what they are talking about. I swear some of them never travel or base their opinion on one lucky visit.
Last January, Venice hit temperatures below freezing (32º F) on 24 days. And those temperatures do not include wind-chill factor, which in Venice, can be fierce.
This past February, just after Carnivale, Venice was hit by a severe storm, which included snow and terrible floods, with lasting wind gusts of 40mph. The weather was brutal and dangerous.
Yes, Venice is not Chicago or Montana, but a winter visitor would be a fool to visit unprepared. I'm in Venice every winter for weeks at a time, and I know what I'm talking about. Like everywhere else, the weather can be bizarre in Venice. I remember during one Carnivale (Feb), experiencing 3 days of glorious 60º weather with bright sunshine. People were taking in the sun on the Zattere (I have the photographs of shirtless kids). Then, overnight, the temp dropped to 28º, and the high winds drove everyone towards finding shelter. The poor folks in costume did not know what to do. There weren't too many venues that could accommodate their tall head dresses.
Last January, Venice hit temperatures below freezing (32º F) on 24 days. And those temperatures do not include wind-chill factor, which in Venice, can be fierce.
This past February, just after Carnivale, Venice was hit by a severe storm, which included snow and terrible floods, with lasting wind gusts of 40mph. The weather was brutal and dangerous.
Yes, Venice is not Chicago or Montana, but a winter visitor would be a fool to visit unprepared. I'm in Venice every winter for weeks at a time, and I know what I'm talking about. Like everywhere else, the weather can be bizarre in Venice. I remember during one Carnivale (Feb), experiencing 3 days of glorious 60º weather with bright sunshine. People were taking in the sun on the Zattere (I have the photographs of shirtless kids). Then, overnight, the temp dropped to 28º, and the high winds drove everyone towards finding shelter. The poor folks in costume did not know what to do. There weren't too many venues that could accommodate their tall head dresses.
Dec 5th, 2013, 02:11 PM
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"the effect on your body, particularly your feet, can take a visitor by surprise."
And that's the point.
Few of us live in places that are cold year-round. And most of us, when the cold outside overtakes our comfort zone, go inside.
So we're rarely prepared for the cold that hits you when you spend more time outside than you're used to. And that cold hits you differently in places that aren't like home.
That's why, bizarrely, you hear New Yorkers (whose winter climate is almost indistinguishable from the Arctic) bleat about winters in downright balmy London or Paris (where, though we're north of New York, we don't have to put up with the uninhabitable horrors God imposed on most of America before She inspired humanity to invent central heating and air conditioning.)
It's pointless debating whether Venice is colder in midwinter than Florence. Walking round either creates challenges on people from different climates. Both need adequate insulation, neither have Primarks (or are likely to), and there's no point avoiding the cold in one - because the other's going to be pretty much as tough without the right clothes.
In both cases that means full-length outers (I always take my calf-length Barbour) and really well-insulated shoes (this Xmas, I'm taking both my full-length wellies to Venice, and my cold-weather hiking boots). It also means leaving them in the hotel sometimes, and strolling round in something far less sweat-inducing.
Nothing wrong with digging out the thermal undies from the skiwear cupboard, either.
And that's the point.
Few of us live in places that are cold year-round. And most of us, when the cold outside overtakes our comfort zone, go inside.
So we're rarely prepared for the cold that hits you when you spend more time outside than you're used to. And that cold hits you differently in places that aren't like home.
That's why, bizarrely, you hear New Yorkers (whose winter climate is almost indistinguishable from the Arctic) bleat about winters in downright balmy London or Paris (where, though we're north of New York, we don't have to put up with the uninhabitable horrors God imposed on most of America before She inspired humanity to invent central heating and air conditioning.)
It's pointless debating whether Venice is colder in midwinter than Florence. Walking round either creates challenges on people from different climates. Both need adequate insulation, neither have Primarks (or are likely to), and there's no point avoiding the cold in one - because the other's going to be pretty much as tough without the right clothes.
In both cases that means full-length outers (I always take my calf-length Barbour) and really well-insulated shoes (this Xmas, I'm taking both my full-length wellies to Venice, and my cold-weather hiking boots). It also means leaving them in the hotel sometimes, and strolling round in something far less sweat-inducing.
Nothing wrong with digging out the thermal undies from the skiwear cupboard, either.
Dec 5th, 2013, 03:40 PM
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Hey Snobby - Caroline's been living in Venice for the past couple of years now. Where she works is irrelevant. The rest of your post is pretty much uncalled for - they created the Lounge for comments like that. See if you can try not to be crude over here, okay?
Dec 5th, 2013, 04:08 PM
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While NYC winters are cold they are nothing like the arctic. 30s and even 20s are not Arctic temps.
However,anyone going to either place in midwinter has to be prepared for cold, very chilly rain and either sleet or even some snow. Tht means full winter clothing.
Agree that part of the issue is that many people don;t ordinarily spend a lot of time outdoors in winter (or any other time - seem to drive everywhere). For people who live in cities in which you spend substantial time outdoors unless you encounter a full-on blizzard - neither Venice or Florence is horrificly cold.
But my question is - why be so much more concerned about winter in Venice than in Florence?
However,anyone going to either place in midwinter has to be prepared for cold, very chilly rain and either sleet or even some snow. Tht means full winter clothing.
Agree that part of the issue is that many people don;t ordinarily spend a lot of time outdoors in winter (or any other time - seem to drive everywhere). For people who live in cities in which you spend substantial time outdoors unless you encounter a full-on blizzard - neither Venice or Florence is horrificly cold.
But my question is - why be so much more concerned about winter in Venice than in Florence?
Dec 5th, 2013, 04:41 PM
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Its not winter *yet* but Caroline's husband's most recent blog post is titled, simply, "Cold."
http://jonesesavenezia.blogspot.com.au/
Having been in Venice during a couple of winters, it is indeed some kind of damper cold that goes into the bones, but that is balanced by the lack of other visitors and can be remedied by a hot chocolate or red wine in a nice toasty cafe. It is a great time to visit Venice, when else can you have the Accademia museum all to yourself?
I was there last May and it was 55 degrees and I felt colder than I have in January in Venice.... because I wasn't prepared. So, just be prepared and have a great time.
http://jonesesavenezia.blogspot.com.au/
Having been in Venice during a couple of winters, it is indeed some kind of damper cold that goes into the bones, but that is balanced by the lack of other visitors and can be remedied by a hot chocolate or red wine in a nice toasty cafe. It is a great time to visit Venice, when else can you have the Accademia museum all to yourself?
I was there last May and it was 55 degrees and I felt colder than I have in January in Venice.... because I wasn't prepared. So, just be prepared and have a great time.
Dec 5th, 2013, 05:01 PM
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Last November my sister and I were hit by six aqua atlas in a two week period. We had to endure some pretty freezing storm weather. I wrote on the Slow Trav site about the horror of the floods and the ice pellets slapping us in the face. My sister and I have no desire to relive that experience. Our next trip to Venice will be in September.
