Italy: Venice’s Masked Carnival
Many festivals are prepared for spring, such as Europe’s spring celebrations – Venice has its masquerade balls, Cologne has its tie-cutting tradition, Nice hosts grand flower parades… They’re far from ordinary, 100% fun. If you don’t want to go too far, Japan’s Sapporo Snow Festival and Taiwan’s Lugang Lantern Festival are waiting for you. A year’s plan begins in spring. Don’t let the greenery on the earth or the feelings in your heart go to waste—spring is the time to get inspired and take action.
Known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” Venice always offers travelers a few classic scenes: wandering through its canals, strolling over its bridges, meandering around St. Mark’s Square, while the enchanting voices of gondoliers drift faintly in the distance… But if you happen to be in Venice during its Carnival, you’ll witness a whole different spectacle.
Known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” Venice always offers travelers a few classic scenes: wandering through its canals, strolling over its bridges, meandering around St. Mark’s Square, while the enchanting voices of gondoliers drift faintly in the distance… But if you happen to be in Venice during its Carnival, you’ll witness a whole different spectacle.
Exquisite Masks
St. Mark’s Square is the focal point of the festivities, with the Carnival’s opening ceremony held here every year in what Napoleon called “the most beautiful drawing room in the world.” The vast square becomes packed with revelers, and against the backdrop of music, it transforms into a grand exhibition of masks and costumes. Hidden behind their masks, you can’t tell whether that stunning face belongs to a tall man or a delicate woman, nor can you guess whether the expressionless face beneath conceals a smile or a frown—only the unfathomable eyes and gestures bring to life the twists and turns of the stories hidden in yellowed pages.
Other Ways to Enjoy Venice Beyond the Carnival
1. Ride a Gondola Through the Water City
Venice’s gondolas are the world’s only aquatic “taxis,” gliding visitors through ancient sites like Byzantine structures, churches, and palaces under the shimmering sky and water. St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, and the Bridge of Sighs are must-see landmarks, while the area near the Rialto Bridge is a bustling hub of trade, dotted with shops and stalls, and home to many souvenir stores perfect for treasure hunting.
2. Sip Coffee at St. Mark’s Square
Some say that visiting Venice’s St. Mark’s Square without trying coffee at its three famous cafés is like seeing only half of Venice. Europe’s café culture originated in Venice, and the square’s Caffè Florian, Gran Caffè Quadri, and Caffè Chioggia have hosted literary giants like Balzac, Hemingway, and Wagner. All three serve top-quality Italian coffee, which is why they remain bustling with customers daily.
3. Explore and Photograph Burano Island
Burano Island in Venice is one of the most colorfully vibrant places in the world. It’s said that this small fishing village, famous for its lace-making, has a local rule requiring residents to repaint their house exteriors every year. The locals have painted their quaint houses in a riot of colors, making every corner look like something out of a fairy tale.
The island’s most famous feature is its long-standing lace craftsmanship, even beloved by European royalty such as Louis XV, Queen Victoria, and Marie Antoinette.
● How to Get There
Currently, travel itineraries to Venice include in-depth tours of Italy and multi-country packages, usually lasting about 10 days. Applying for an Italian visa takes 8 to 10 working days, plus time for submitting documents and preparation, so it’s recommended that travelers book at least 15 days in advance.
Travelers suggest focusing on two key points when preparing documents: 1. I have the money; 2. I will definitely return home. If you’re visiting more than just Italy and plan to go to other Schengen countries, it’s best to enter through Italy, i.e., make it your first point of entry into the Schengen Area.
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