1st visit to Venice...packing problems
 

Wondering what the weather will be like in two weeks time in Venice and how much to pack. If i take my rain coat it will take up masses of room in my bag as I want to wear my warm coat while travelling there. i could take less and buy clothes in Venice but how expensive is that! I'm on a tight to moderate budget...more tight than moderate. 7meals are already catered for plus breakfasts but 15 more meals plus odd coffees etc ...wondering how much to allow for that too.
moonrise

I would not take a heavy coat -- I'd take a rain coat and wear a sweater under it when it is cold. And I'd not pack a coat in my suitcase - carry it on and place on top of your carry on in the overhead.

hi moonrise,

TWO coats? it'll be April [just about] when you get there. What you will need are layers. on our visit in the last week of March last year, we encountered rain, mist, and also sunshine hot enough for us to eat lunch outside, but nothing requring a warm coat. the airport buildings you'll be in will be heated too - no warm coat needed there either! [perhaps it's my age!].

leave the warm coat at home, and wear your mac, with a fleece and t-shirt underneath, like janisj says. then you'll be equipped for anything, and your luggage will be considerably lighter!

regards, ann

I agree with Janisj,think layers and leave the heavy coat at home.It sounds like your traveling with a tour. When I do that and I have many times,I eat that hugh buffet breakfast and I hardly ever need a lunch. I just grab a fruit or pastry or gelato and that holds me nicely till dinner.Bring your raincoat and a small umbrella and layer something warm underneath if needed.Carry the raincoat over your arm and put in the overhead while traveling..Venice is very expensive of course you don't want to have to buy clothes there. Believe me there are no bargains in Venice.Venice is the most amazing place. I love it,my very favorite city in Europe!!

In several weeks Venice will be in Spring and your heavy coat will be too much. A raincoat with possibly a sweater underneath at night - should be plenty.

As for food - it depends on what places you choose to at. There are lots of casual places that are fairly inexpensive - but be sure to drink water or wine - soft drinks are extremely expensive. And do look for places locals eat - since Venice is the one place in Italy with unreliable food (due to so many tourists versus locals - anyplace else the bad places would go out of business). Avoid anyplace that has menus in 12 languages or pictures of the food.

But do figure prices will be like NYC - not like those in a small town.

Two cheap food ideas.

First, there are some little sandwich stands, or shops with a sandwich case. Sandwiches ran $2.00 to $5.00 and were really good: roast beef, sliced eggs, cheese, seafod, etc. They are good for lunch, but run out late in the day. Sometimes we bought extra and put them on our window ledge to keep cool for later.

There is also a Brek Cafeteria a block or so to your right as you face Santa Lucia Station with your back to the Grand Canal. Walk to your right, Brek will be on your left. Their salads, breads and desserts are excellent. Their pastas are pretty good and DH liked their meats. This isn't nearly as nice inside as some of the other Breks, but the food is pretty good, especially for the money in Venice.

In Campo Santa Margherita, there are a couple of good pizza places.

My daughter and I found the food better and cheaper at places "the locals" ate. We just asked or looked to see where the locals were (usually reading their papers at their tables). Definitely try to find where the locals eat. :)

You will LOVE Venice! Love it, love it, love it! :)

Paula

PS I agree with everyone else- layering is the answer. Take the Mac,leave the heavy coat.

Just buy a cheap umbrella - it will cost about five Euro. Simple.

Coffee at the American Bar is two Euros. That is near the top of the price range (Except for Florians et al)