I have options to go to either Venice or London in December...which one?

Question

Is it true that Venice could be flooded during that time?

Have you been there then?

Answer 1

I spend a lot of time in Venice in December some years. It's not as crowded and there's a small, but nice, Christmas market in Campo Santo Stefano. My favorite thing is the exhibit of Preseppi (nativity scenes). There are a lot of concerts, but it's generally a fairly quiet period.

Yes, it can flood in the winter during high tide occassionally. Sometimes, it's just puddles in Piazza San Marco. If there are storms and tidal surges in the Adriatic coinciding with the high tides, it can get quite deep. I've been in Piazza San Marco when there has been water above my knees (I'm 6'3"). It's pretty easy to find pictures; for example: http://travel.webshots.com/album/2167340... and a good video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDPWwW6w9... Usually, it's not as high as the pictures. The worst I've experienced was one year when my daughter visited for Thanksgiving - snow in addition to the flooding. We just went into an exhibition in Palazzo Grasso for an hour until the tide went out.

It's real, but not everyday and the flooding is gone when the tides drop from the peak. The city puts out raised walkways during the high tides. Some hotels provide waders. There are lots of shops that sell them. Think of it as part of the adventure.

Venice is not bad to visit in December, but given your choice, I'd recommend London. There will be much more to see and do. Venice is a wonderful city to walk, but it can be pretty cold in December. Plan a trip to Venice in April - May or September - October when the weather's nicer, but it's still not so crowded... or come for Carnevale or Il Redentore when the city is celebrating.

Answer 2

Both are great but I live near Venice and it is awesome.  Here are a few links.

Answer 3

What an enviable choice you have to make!! London and Venice happen to be my two favorite cities!!! And for entirely different reasons.  Venice is lovely, romantic and mysterious.You can take a gondola ride, visit the Doge's Palace, and Basillica  di San Marco at a time when there are much fewer tourists in December.  Visit Murano for the glass making factories and showrooms and Burano for its colorful houses and lace. And one of the most fun things you can do is just walk through the alleyways.  Visit the shops there or just plain get lost!  Venice is small and you won't be lost for long, but that is a part of the Venice adventure! The drawback of Venice in December though is the very real possiblity of acqua alta (high water or flooding).  This is more common during the colder months.  They set up wooden walkways in Piazza San Marco so you can navigate your way over the floods. Be sure to bring waterproof boots if you go then. Keep in mind that summers in Venice are very crowded and can be extremely hot and buggy, so in contrast December may not be too bad.

London.....there is just so much variety of things to do (and places to shop if you are planning your December trip for that purpose).  There are the historical sights such as St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, as well as some great museums if that is your thing (Natural History Museum is wonderful) Take a ride down the Thames River or view London from the London Eye.  Go see one of the many shows at the London Theaters. Go to Harrods-even if you decide not to buy, it is an experience to visit!! Don't miss the food hall there; it is magnificent! If you get a nice mild day, stroll through the parks (Green Park, Hyde Park, St. James Park). They are beautiful!  And just walk around and enjoy what makes London London.  The red busses, the black cabs, the architecture, the people!  It is a wonderful place.

The drawbacks of London in December are first, that the days are very very short at that time of year.  Sun comes up after 8 in the morning and by 4 in the afternoon it has gone down.  Then there is the exchange rate between pound and dollar......which does not seem to be improving.  The euro seems to be a bargain compared to the pound these days!! If your purpose iof going to London is holiday shopping you may be better off elsewhere where you can get more for your buck.

And now, I will give my own personal answer for which place I would choose.    While I love both places (Been to London 3 times, Venice twice), given the time of year, I would choose London.  I think that much of the Venice experience is outdoors, while in London you can find a huge variety of indoor things to do at a time of year when  it will be chilly and and will get dark early.  I would save Venice for a spring visit (April is beautiful; dry not too hot yet) when you can really savor the Venitian experience outdoors in comfort and before the heavy tourist season begins.

Good luck with whatever choice you make...both are wonderful cities!!!!

Answer 4

Either are beautiful places.  I would suggest picking whichever one is cheapest and/or most interesting to you.  I have been to both cities in December and was lucky to have decent weather when I visited.  I had been warned about flooding when I visited Venice, but the sun was out, and it was dry when I was there.  Prepare for cold though.  In both London and Venice, the temp was around 40 degrees F.

Answer 5

I would go to London. Venice is a beautiful city, but it smells like cat pee, and there are pigeons everywhere!

Answer 6

Venice is much quieter in December and is not flooded. If you enjoy culture it's a good time then but for Xmas shopping/entertainment I'd rather go to swinging London.