Venice Carnival 2011

Venice Carnival (Carnevale di Venezia) is an annual tradition which can be traced back to the fourteenth century, and the modern version is an attempt to revel in the rich history of the city. It takes place for a two week period leading up to Shrove Tuesday, which takes place in either February or March. Around 30,000 people visit Venice each day to soak up the atmosphere during Carnival, whilst the event is starting to attract tourists too, who sometimes combine a visit with a stay in Florence hotels or hotels in Rome prior to their arrival in the famous 'water city'.

The wearing of masks characterises Venice Carnival. As the celebration transcended classes, masks were worn so the nobility were indistinguishable from the commoner. Today, this tradition endures and creates a rather spooky and atmospheric feel. Many people spend hours on end crafting their masks out of gold leaf, leather, glass, and gesso whilst gems and feathers are often used as ornamentation. This means many masks are exquisite works of art and you cannot help but marvel at the dedication and talent which has gone into their creation.

Venice Carnival is famed for its classy balls, which take you back to the days of lords and ladies. Some are fabulously expensive and wickedly decadent, offering the most sumptuous cuisine and luxurious surroundings as you dance the night away. Costume and masks form part of the dress code, whilst cocktails and champagne are the order of the day. These costumes can commonly be observed throughout the city during Carnival time and add an element of dramatic grandeur to the architecture of the city.

Meanwhile, for those on tighter budgets, events such as the ‘Hot Chocolate in Costume’ at Cafè Lavena may better suit. Furthermore, the ‘Carnival Pub Crawl Venetian Style’ is guaranteed to give you a good night out if you are interested in sampling some of the local wine, whilst the walking tour will also enable you to observe some of the stunning sights in this charming city.

During the Carnival, concerts are also popular, adding another layer of culture to what is a cultural event. Many of these events take place in the heart of the city but heading into the suburbs to sample some of the local festivities is also advised as you never know what you may find.
 

- More information on the Venice Carnival in 2011 can be found at the official Carnevale di Venezia website.