I recently read a USA Today article which highlights the ever-present flooding problems in Venice. I am planning a trip there in late April and am wondering what time of year heavy rains are most likely? Has anyone ever been in Venice during the a flood? I've also heard that Venice can smell pretty badly...is the odor a result of the floods? Is there anyway to enjoy the city inspite of flooding?

"Floods" (acqua alta) in Venice are not floods at all. They are just unusual tides, that can happen all year round and that are not connected to rain (be it heavy or light). Also, do not expect some extravagant catastrophic event: it is more like walking in shallow water, if it ever happens. Also, since acqua alta happens all the time, Venice is equipped with raised platforms that are placed in "strategical" positions to allow transit without wetting the shoes you are wearing. In case you want to wander in areas that are not equipped with these platforms, a pair of rubber boots will do fine.

The Aqua Alta (high water) season has to do with not just rain, but tides and winds as well, and the season is generally mid-fall through winter.<BR><BR>I have not experienced any odors in Venice whatsoever,including when it rains heavily. My visits have been in the fall.<BR><BR>Is there anyway to enjoy Venice inspite of flooding?<BR>Most people here (not all, but most) rank Venice very highly as a place to visit, rain, shine, or even aqua alta.<BR><BR>I have a file on Venice; if you'd like to see it,email me at<BR>[email protected]

My husband and I will be making our first trip to Venice at the end of June and we were discussing the &quot;flooding&quot; situation just the other day. Quite frankly, we didn't realize that this could happen all year round. One never knows how to pack, but I don't have ANY spare room for rubber boots. <BR><BR>My husband works with a man who travels often to Europe and always goes first class. While a 5-* hotel in Venice, the hotel was given about a half hour notice during which time they tied the curtains up off the floor and did experience water in the lobby. He was dressed to the nines in a suit with his shoes off and pants rolled up just like other folks around him. I can't imagine this and hope that I won't get to experience this on our trip. BUT, if we do, it will make for a great story when we get home. <BR><BR>Have fun and come back with some good restaurant recommendations. We are more the mid-price range eaters.<BR><BR>Ciao,<BR>Pam

Alice and Elaine are both right. While acqua alta *can* happen at any time of year, if the conditions are right (tides, strong winds, etc.) I believe that, as Elaine noted, they usually occur in the fall and winter months. We were in Venice in mid-April last year, asked some Venetians if we might experience acqua alta and they all replied that it was not very likely...but, of course, always possible. <BR><BR>Acqua alta also does not happen equally throughout Venice as some parts of the city are lower than others, most notably Piazza San Marco. In those places -- especially highly touristed ones -- which are most likely to have high water, platforms are set up so people can walk over it. While that certainly must be an inconvenience, I can't imagine it would cause people to actually not enjoy Venice and, in fact, may even cause one to enjoy the experience (personally, I think seeing Piazza San Marco under water would be fascinating.) <BR><BR>I've been to Venice twice, in early September and last April. The September visit was quite some time ago, in 1987, and I *seem* to recall a bit of an odor from the canals then. Last April, however, neither of us was put off by any canal-related, or other, odors.

Everytime I visit Venice I kinda wish for acqua alta .. to me it's something veneziano, something to be experienced just like San Rocco et al. Sadly I have missed it each time!

I understand the feeling of wanting that unique experience but aqua alta is very bad for Venice, hastening deterioration. I believe that recently after much political wrangling a plan was approved to install sluice gates in the lagoon to control water flow some day.

Good points. Sluice gates are still convtroversial due to the effects they might have on the lagoon. Personally I worry more about the pollution in the canals than the high water.

We were in Venice for an aqcua alta in late october. It's true the waater was thigh high. Most hotels have some foot/leg wear to sell. You can also pack two big plastic garbage bags for each person and use them to get around if need be. We found our way to a hardware store and bought wellies for 13 euros/pair. We lugged them home where they sit by the entry way to remind us of wonderful Venice. There are also catwalks everywhere in Venice generally during these events so one can travel in a limited fashion. The Venetians have lived with this forever it seems and so it goes rather smoothly. Certain parts of the city flood more readily (like Piazza San Marco) so you can also wait out the waters while not venturing to the lowest areas of Venice. Personally, I rather liked walking around the square in my boots. I even ran into someone from San Francisco I used to buy flowers from sitting at the Florian also waiting out the high water. It all was an adventure. Venice never smelled to me.

The tides rise and fall twice every 24 hours, but the highest tides occur every fortnight around new moon and full moon; the flooding normally only lasts a short time. In west London, there are riverside roads in districts like Richmond and Twickenham which are also flooded by high tides. In Venezia, certain paths are maintained by wooden walkways, but otherwise, just wait for the tide to fall - you don't need to take boots.

Info and explanation of Aqua Alta on the internet.<BR>www.veniceworld.com/weather.html<BR>

The books say (and posters here) that November is prime time for flooding.<BR><BR>Would you not visit venice at this time of year, even if it were your honeymoon?

Re: &quot;I understand the feeling of wanting that unique experience but aqua alta is very bad for Venice, hastening deterioration.&quot;<BR><BR>Elaine, speaking only for myself, while I think experiencing acqua alta would be fascinating (and perhaps also frustrating), I would also be thrilled if it stopped completely before I ever got to experience it since I'd love to see Venice's rate of deterioration lessen.

The frequency of Aqua Alta has increased<BR>but it should not detur you from going to venice, it is a tidal phenomenon it occurs twice in a 24 hour period so the peak is only maybe one to two hours long.Last winter there were some extreme tides that made it possible to canoe on the piazza.This will not happen every year,Venice is a most magical place so go and enjoy!

We've not noticed any unusual odors in Venice on any of our trips there. Just what you'd expect the sea to smell like.