Venice for Carnevale!

(LOTS of picture links in this one...they are worth it! click them!)

This past Sunday I took a trip to Venice for Carnevale, which is a European celebration that actually originated in Venice that celebrates the 10-days before Lent begins.

Basically, it’s a 10-day Mardi Gras.

And they sure know how to party. Masks are the chief component of any guise, but most people have taken it to the next level and basically made it Halloween in February. There are festivals throughout Italy and Europe, and every town has its own way of celebrating, but Venice is by far the most grand.

Venezia is in the northeastern corner of Italy in the region of Veneto. It is by far the most beautiful city I have visited thus far. If I get the chance to go back, I just might…especially when the weather will be warmer and it will be less crowded.

There were so many people in Venice last weekend. The city was NOT built to hold that many people. The tiny little alleys and streets and footbridges crossing the hundreds of canals were so jam packed that at times we were simply at a stand-still.

But it was worth it. Venice is arguably the most romantic city on the planet. If you don’t get at least a little sentimental while you’re there, you have no heart. The waterways through the city are simply magical; there’s no place like it on Earth. And the gondolas are really everywhere, though I didn't hear any of the boatmen singing...I think you have to pay extra for that! You can see as many movies and pictures of it as you like, but there’s nothing like being there.

I went with a group called “Florence For Fun” which organizes trips around Italy and even to other countries. We paid 65 Euro to catch a bus at 7:30 (Well, we left by 8:30…) and rode for three hours to Venice. Once we were there, we took a private ferry boat down the grand canal along the outside of the city to San Marco Square. We were on our own for the rest of the day. The group of friends I was with grabbed lunch at a little place with outdoor seating. The weather was beautiful, but still a bit chilly.

One of my favorite highlights about the city is that Antonio Vivaldi was born, raised, and spent his life there! There are many buildings, shops, and restaurants devoted to his name.

Venice is also famous for its Murano glass, and it is sold EVERYWHERE. It’s a little pricey, but extremely beautiful and everyone bought souvenirs/gifts for loved ones at home.

We got home pretty late (around 11:00) and decided that would be a good time to check out the Florence Diner, and American-style diner in Florence that’s very popular with young study abroad students. Here, we heartily enjoyed a feast of cheeseburgers and French fries that we’ve all been craving for weeks. Of course, it wasn’t QUITE the same as in the states, but it’s nice to have a taste of home every now and then.

Some people stayed up to watch the Academy Awards (which started at 2:00 AM over here…) but I chose to get some sleep after a long day on my feet! Unfortunately, I came home to no power, no water, and no internet…all of which have since been successfully restored, but it made for an interesting night!

Pictures from my trip to Venice can be seen HERE