Just a mention to anybody going to Venice in the next few days that we saw very high "aqua alta" on both December 30th and January 3rd. It interfered a great deal with boat traffic - cabs were not able to get to hotels to pick up people for flights, and lots of folks were walking in ankle-deep water to get out to the main canal where the cabs could still run. Bring tall boots, or prepare to have wet feet. (otherwise, a totally beautiful trip!)

I'm not being facetious, but why does more water mean boats are hampered? I mean, when there's a flood in the Midwest, the first thing that comes out are boats!<BR><BR>Boat experts, please explain this to me!<BR><BR>

If the water level is too high, boats begin having difficulty passing under bridges <BR><BR>From what may be seen at the site of the tide forecast center in Venice, though, is that there's no "acqua alta". Of course, a tide of 85+cm does flood San Marco square and lower quarters of the city but is a long long way to be characterized as acqua alta.<BR><BR>http://www.comune.venezia.it/maree/prev.asp?F=page_b<BR><BR>Paulo

Thank you, Paulo. I didn't realize the water got that high. Maybe they need to have a supply of emergency inflatable boats, everybody lies down to get under the bridges.

Oh elvira! How picturesque! All those bright yellow rafts -- or maybe tubing exepditions where you tie big black innertubes together...whew! Glad my trip is set for May.

Dear Paulo, <BR>Thanks for the information - what actually qualifies as high water in Venice? The people in our hotel were referring to what we had yesterday as aqua alta - maybe just to make us feel better as we slogged out to the Grand Canal to get cabs, maybe just to make all of us tourists feel like we were seeing something special. But what is REALLY REALLY high water there? What's the worst it's ever been? <BR>Thanks for any info you have!

An "acqua alta" is characterized when the tide level reaches 110+cm. If you haven't heard the sirenes blowing ... The worst tide happenend in November 4th, 1966, reaching 194cm. For some info, you may refer to <BR>http://www.salve.it/uk/attivita/CRIS...NUTI/alte.html <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

I like the tubing thing - beer coolers and big ol' stereo lashed to 3 semi-truck inner tubes; radio station RVs along the canals, blaring rock music as you float by....<BR><BR>On a serious note - is the high water dangerous, as in, is there a dangerous current, like floodwaters we experience?

Elvira - I want to travel with you! It would surely be an unforgetable experience, high water or not.

No, Elvira. The danger is only to the cultural heritage as it degrades the buildings. Oh, well, one may catch a cold if one gets wet to the bones <BR>Paulo<BR>

There is definitely a risk of getting PRETTY **** COLD! We waded out to our cab at 5 a.m. and of course got wet feet, and had wet feet for hours 'til we finally got on our flight out of Milan and could take off our boots (to the delight of everyone seated in our vicinity) <BR>So my original warning was more to prepare people for discomfort and inconvenience - and now I'm learning all kinds of cool things about Venetian history and aquatic structure. (Thanks again Paulo!)

I know this is going to sound like a stupid question - but we always pack very light (I take one normal-size backpack) and my husband takes a medium-sized "backpacking backpack". <BR> <BR>We are going to Venice for 3 nights the first week of March. I have black snow-rain boots that come up to under my knees...is it advisable to take them?

Elvira -- if we plan a DC Fodorites meeting sometime this summer as a float trip down the Potomac, can we count you in?

Don't worry, Mariarosa:<BR><BR>a) very high tides in March are higly unlikely; and<BR><BR>b) should Venice get flooded to a high level, you may just buy a cheap pair of rubber boots and leave them behind when you're done. <BR><BR>Paulo<BR>

Will be there late Feb for Carnival; is this a time for high tide?? <BR> <BR>Thanks

80% of the "acque alte" occur from mid October to mid February ... that leaves 20% for the rest of the year <BR>The tide will reach 86/85cm tomorrow (at 7:30am and at 9:15pm. This will be enough to flood San Marco square mildly. Even if you don't witness an acqua alta during Carnival, some flooding in the Piazza is almost certain. <BR>Paulo<BR>