Venice Carnival , Italy / 2010

                                   CODE:F-Venice

Where: Venice , Italy When : February  How Long : 10 Days

Venice , Italy , Every February Carnival, or Carnevale, has been celebrated for centuries throughout Italy for 10 days . The word may well derive from carne vale - 'farewell to meat' - which would explain the function of the celebration: an opportunity to indulge and use up such treats before the start of Lent (like an extended Pancake Day).  Map

In modern Italy Carnevale is generally a time for children, who are led, carried and wheeled around town dressed in costumes - from cute fluffy animal suits to musketeers and Harry Potters, leaving a trail of confetti, sweets and 'silly string' littering streets and piazzas. Sometimes the celebrations extend to organised events for the whole community, but on the whole it's not a very important time for adults.

In Venice, however, the tourist board and hoteliers hit upon a fantastic money-earner in the 1980s when they revived a picturesque version of Venice's past. In Venice it's the grown-ups who have most of the fun, with masked balls, costume parades and a slightly antiseptic nostalgia for more decadent times.

However much the modern Carnival may be contrived for tourists, it's undeniably atmospheric to walk down a lane in Venice and pass cloaked and masked figures. The tourist board and hotels urge their guests to participate by wearing at least a mask as they tour the town. It can be an exciting time for children: as long as the dehumanising masks don't scare them, there are plenty of opportunities for fun. Young and old can admire the spectacle and select their favourite costumed characters, and there are plenty of opportunities to photograph your loved ones alongside dramatically-costumed carnival-goers. The city is very busy, particularly during the two Carnival weekends, and there is a genuinely festive atmosphere.

The 2008 Carnival was organised for the first time by a consortium headed by the Venice Casino. There were lots of events scheduled all around Venice, but it didn't get off to a very smooth start, with delays distributing the programme, and then all of the first day's events (Saturday 26th) being cancelled due to the city's decision to have an official day of mourning for two workmen killed recently on the mainland.

Throughout the Carnival period there is plenty of entertainment to be had around St. Mark's Square and the adjacent Piazzetta. A programme of events takes place in the Piazza, open to everyone. A schedule is displayed on notices around the square (or pick up a calendar at the tourist office). Apart from the organised events, there is a lot of fun to be had costume-spotting. Costumed characters parade and preen throughout the day, happily posing for armies of photographers. Some are in greater demand than others; after half-an-hour's wandering you'll probably have your own favourites.

To add to the festival atmosphere, there are several refreshment stalls in the Piazza selling snacks and drinks like mulled wine, local Bellini cocktails and the local speciality fritelle.

The grand opening celebration of the Carnival takes place on the first Sunday, with an event called il volo dell'angelo (the flight of the angel). This adaptation of an old tradition involves an 'angel' (in 2007 this was a female swimming champion; in 2008 the rapper Coolio) swinging on harnesses from the belltower into the Piazzetta San Marco. One of the big events is generally an afternoon parade of costumes on a catwalk in St. Mark's Square. If your costume is fabulous and you're feeling confident, then you can join in. When we visited, there were participants from England, San Francisco, Brazil, France, Germany and all parts of Italy. The festival ends with a big celebration and fireworks above St. Mark's.

There are a number of special events and balls held in Venice during the Carnival. Tickets are generally expensive and should be booked in advance, but if you've left it late, it's still worth calling around. Venice's opera house, La Fenice, hosted one grand event last year, and some of the smarter hotels also put on balls and parties

If you've always had a secret hankering to wear fancy dress, then the Carnival is a perfect opportunity to indulge without attracting stares. Masks, cloaks and wigs are easily purchased at countless tourist shops and souvenir stalls. If you're looking for something more elaborate or authentic, visit one of Venice's papier-mâché workshops where good-quality masks are handmade. Costumes can be hired at shops throughout the city, but they may be in short supply if you don't book them promptly.

For a one-stop Carnival shop, visit the Mercato delle maschere e dei costumi Veneziani, in Campo Santo Stefano. This little market is made up of stalls from some of Venice's artisan mask and costume workshops, and runs for the duration of the Carnival.

Venice itself is one large tourist sight, one of the most breathtaking in the world. Many travellers will be content to admire the views, to cruise along the Grand Canal, and to stumble upon hundreds of picturesque angles. If, on the other hand, you like visiting museums, churches and galleries, there are enough here to last you many weeks.

Tourist cards and passes

If you want to 'do' everything that Venice has to offer, you'll find it a time-consuming and expensive business. There are different combinations of museum tickets and tourist passes, so if you have an idea of the places you want to visit, it's worth researching ways to save money on admission charges. The under-30s and over-65s are the lucky ones when it comes to saving money.

The Venice Card, which comes in two brands, orange and blue, has different prices and offers for different age groups. These cards include public transport, but are not an amazing bargain; and are really only worthwhile if you plan to visit a great number of museums and public toilets(!). Read the information carefully, and if you decide you want the card, pay in advance online for discounts.

Those aged 14-29 will find it worthwhile buying a Rolling Venice card, which costs just €4 and lasts until the following December. It entitles the holder to a 3-day travelcard for €18 (a good saving), and to significant discounts on most museum entry charges. You can buy the Rolling Venice card in tourist information offices, including the one at Piazzale Roma.

The city museums, Musei Civici, which include the Ca' Rezzonico, Museo Correr and the Torre dell'Orologio, have a range of combined tickets. Again, it's worth reading the list of attractions included to work out what will represent the best deal for you. EU children, students and over-65s are entitled to reductions.

Museums and galleries

> Gallerie dell'Accademia - collection of exquisite paintings by Italian masters.
> Ca' d'Oro - the Galleria Franchetti is an art collection within the loveliest Grand Canal palazzo.
> Peggy Guggenheim Collection - modern art in an unfinished Grand Canal palazzo.
> Palazzo Fortuny - Gothic palazzo hosting exhibitions.
> Ca' Rezzonico - Museum of the 18th century.
> Palazzo Mocenigo - historic palazzo with 18th-century furnishings and costume exhibition.
> Museo Storico Navale - naval museum with models and historic gondolas.

*CLICK THE BOX BELOW TO SEARCH ONLINE FOR FLIGHTS ,

    HOTELS & ALL INCLUSIVE PACKAGES

                  WE`LL TAKE YOU THERE

Amazingetaways does not promote or represent any event(s) listed under "World Festivals ". All World Festival listings on our website are for information purposes only. Some events may require tickets and may also require you to purchase tickets in advance. We strongly recommend to make your travel arrangements well in advance and to make your Hotel arrangements up to 6 months prior.

Amazinggetaways is affiliated with Travel Professionals International, whose travel arrangements are handled by a licensed and bonded Ontario travel agency. As members of TICO, Travel Professionals International (TPI) arranges itineraries and travel details for Amazingetaways with leading suppliers of hotels, airlines, railroads, cruise-lines, and other providers of accommodation, transportation or other services. Amazingetaways and TPI make every effort to ensure that the quality of the services rendered by the suppliers is consistent with the descriptions provided. Please note that pictures and photographs are not intended to be guarantees of all the attributes represented. From time to time, specific services may not be available for reasons beyond the control of Amazingetaways.

All coupons, exchange orders, receipts, contracts and tickets ("the travel documents") are issued subject to any and all tariffs, terms and conditions under which such services are provided by the suppliers. Your acceptance and use of such travel documents shall also evidence your consent to the conditions.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION
It is your responsibility to have your passport, travel visa, or other documentation in proper order. Many countries now want to see that your passport is valid for 6 months past your departure date from that country.

All images and material on this page are copyrighted to the respectful photographers whose work was gathered through research for information purposes only. We do not claim any ownership to any images that are posted in this page.  All images are true work of their owners without any alteration or editing.

Photos by : Norbert Mainer , Radumanolescu, Magicalxpixie, Danielle, D`Arcy Vallance, Alaskan Dude