Okay friends, let me break down exactly how I tackled Venice Carnival last year. Straight from my notebook to you.
First Move: Booking Early Is Everything
I nailed flights and this tiny B&B near Cannaregio like five months out. Prices triple closer to Carnival time. Pro tip: avoid San Marco area hotels unless you enjoy mortgage-sized bills.
The Mask Drama No One Warns Me About
Figured I’d grab a mask locally. Big mistake. Tourist trap shops sold flimsy cardboard junk for €50+. Ended up dragging my tired feet to Ca’ Macana workshop after two hours. Dropped €120 but got this hand-painted leather beauty that actually survived the trip.
What Worked:
- Workshops over souvenir stalls – Real artisans charge more but last forever
- Comfort over looks – That glittery unicorn mask? Yeah, it’ll stab your eye by hour two
Navigating the Flooded Maze
Got cocky thinking “I’ll just walk everywhere”. Venice laughed at me. Pro tip number one: hit Traghetti crossings. These big gondolas cost €2 to cross the Grand Canal instead of €80 private rides. Pro tip two: download offline maps because Google Maps freaks out in those alleys.
Parade Survival 101
Rolled up to St. Mark’s Square opening day at 10AM thinking “nice and early”. Nope. Got stuck behind seven layers of Japanese tour groups. Next day: set alarm for 6:30AM. Chugged espresso standing up, power walked through foggy streets. Scored front row spots by 7:30AM as vendors were still setting up.
What no one tells you: wear thermal underwear. Standing still for hours in February? My toes went numb watching those float people toss confetti.
The Gold Mine Secret: Cannaregio District
Escaped the crowds on day three. Followed this drunk Venetian guy singing opera down alleys to Cannaregio. Found locals grilling sarde in saor right on the canal. Paid €15 for stacked seafood platter while main tourist spots charged €40 for worse quality. Lesson learned: go where the college kids party.
Key Takeaways That Actually Work
- Buy mask online beforehand – Etsy has great Venice artisans
- Pack blister bandaids – You’ll walk 15km daily on stone
- Budget for bathroom scams – Even cafés make you buy €4 water just to pee
- Bring empty water bottle – Fill at drinking fountains (they’re everywhere)
Final confession: best night wasn’t even official carnival event. Got lost near Arsenale, stumbled into some students’ apartment party with homemade limoncello. Woke up with my mask crooked and zero regrets. Sometimes you just gotta wander.
