Mystery. Elegance. Debauchery.
Here in Venice, you can disguise yourself,
take on a new identity and commit all manor of sins. Well, during carnival anyway.
But carnival here can feel pretty overwhelming.
So I'm here to figure out how to navigate the madness.
Once a year, the streets of Venice are flooded with people
wearing magnificent costumes, going to extravagant parties
and essentially letting loose before the period of lent begins.
But how do YOU, as a tourist, get involved?
Where is all the action? What should you wear? What can you eat?
Well, that's what I'm here to find out!
And I also want to know what carnival even is and how all started.
We're starting at the Piazza San Marco,
the most popular square in Venice and the heart of the city.
This is where all the action is happening.
Look at all the beautiful costumes!
Everyone is wearing masks – so it's about time I got one for myself.
Ready for carnival!
Why do you love carnival?
Venice! The people.
Venice is carnival.
Crazy people!
Venice carnival is different from other carnivals
because Venice has this kind of,
this something, nearly Halloween. You have a little bit of fear,
but it's not only fear, it's also luxury.
Yeah it is a weird, kind of mysterious feeling.
It's very beautiful because you get to meet people from all over the world
and it's very easy to meet new people at Carnivale.
They say Venice Carnival began in 1162 as a celebration of Venice's victory
over the town of Aquileia. But it likely dates back further.
It was a time to indulge in life's pleasures before the solemn period of Lent.
Carnival allowed the Venetians to have a specific period of time
dedicated entirely to parties and pleasures.
It's so easy to get caught up in the atmosphere just by walking around here.
The Venetians are right, you just have to come to the Piazza san Marco
and get lost in the craziness here.
Sitting down for a rest – not that they can actually
catch a break because everyone is still taking pictures!
Okay, now I want to try some of the famous carnival food.
The streets here are filled with the tempting smell of fritelle –
sweet pastries eaten only during carnival.
They pair perfectly with a bellini, the Venice original cocktail
made with prosecco and peach juice.
It's so lemony – and it has got pine nuts in it.
Cheers!
That was so good, I have to go and ask the chef how it was made!
They're kind enough to let me into the kitchen to have a peek.
I find out that typical Venetian frittelle is made simply with eggs, flour, butter,
and milk – and then some raisins, pine nuts, a little vanilla, lemon, and a pinch of salt for flavour.
But why are they so popular during carnival time?
What would a trip to Venice be without a wander
along the canals and pass the cities back-water streets? Let's go get lost!
Even in February, it's beautiful here. If you need a breather from the bustling crowds
like I do, then wander away from the Piazza san Marco to quieter parts of the city.
Then you have the space for yourself to enjoy the true beauty of Venice.
It's amazing how all of these tiny little streets that don't really look like anything
then open up into these amazing beautiful canals.
The Gondolas are like, what Venice is famous for, right?
Snaking through the canals in these beautiful boats just seems like the height of luxury.
But at around 80 euros for a 20 minute ride, they're not for everyone.
So what would you say if I told you there was a way to experience
the gondola ride for a fraction of the price?
Not that many people know about this,
but you can also take the local gondola ferry for just 2 euros.
It would be somewhat inconvenient if I fell in the river right now.
You know I never thought that it was possible to feel seasick after being on the water
for 30 seconds!
Feels good to be on solid ground again.
The streets are starting to get crazy busy now – and almost everyone is dressed up.
But the real essence of carnival are the masks that everyone wears.
Oooooh look at these people. So who better to talk to about the infamous
Venetian masks than someone who designs them?
Ciao Alessio! Hi, I'm Hannah. Nice to meet you.
Alessio Benetti's atelier is filled with handmade
historical costumes made right here in Venice.
So why do people actually get all dressed up for carnival? I mean, what's the history there?
And why does everyone wear all of these beautiful masks?
Here in Venice we live everybody very near, rich and poor, you know.
And it was very hard to be near and live together.
So what happens, the nobility make a period where everyone can be all the same.
The people can be free of all the kind of problems of life.
This was very interesting and very intellegant because it was,
in this way, easy to live together.
They were all together with the masks, you cover your personality –
man, woman, rich, poor,
and they had a period where everyone was the same.
Yeah, to do a lot of parties. You can go to party with 150 euros but there are parties
where one ticket can go to 3,000.
So if you want to spend not so much money
you can go to some disco parties where you just need some accessories, the masks.
A mask with feathers. You see this is more traditional with paper-mâché.
This mask is gold plated with gold leaf decoration.
Plated in gold and of course feathers.
It's kind of more mysterious masks. So you can try on.
This is the corno ducale, the traditional hat of carnival,
of the King of Venice. You can try it.
Can you imagine me walking around the streets of Venice with this costume on?
The sun is setting, it's getting darker, and there's a sense of anticipation in the air.
I want a picture!
See that's what carnival is all about, going crazy,
changing your identity, changing your gender, if you like.
I'm here on the first official day of carnival, which means the first parties of the season
are taking place tonight. But like Alessio said, many of the private parties are pretty expensive.
If you're not ready to drop that kind of cash,
there are still loads of ways to get involved in the fun.
I'm headed to the student district of Santa Margherita,
to see what the vibe is like on the other side of town.
People are a lot more casually dressed here. There's definitely still celebrating,
but costumes aren't quite as high brow.
Are you celebrating carnival?
I am the carnival.
A slightly different vibe this side of town.
People aren't wearing big and fancy costumes. Do you guys dress up?
I used to when I was young. But now not as much, but sometimes we do.
Got a little mask on.
Yes, yours is cute as well.
Thank you.
So do some students still get dressed up or
is it more about just going to some parties and having fun?
Well usually when you go to parties like in Arsenale, which we'll have next Saturday I think,
you have to go dressed up.
But there are friends of mine that have dinner parties
where people are dressing up, so we usually do it, yes.
Why are you here here in this part
of the city at Santa Margherita?
Piazza Santa Margherita is very cool in the night
because a lot people drink and dance and have parties.
There you have it – Venice carnival in all of its shapes and forms.
It was amazing to see all of the extravagant costumes around the Piazza san Marco,
but it seems like that kind of scene attracts maybe older Venetians and tourists,
whearas younger students have their own way of celebrating.
Either way, lots to see and lots of fun to be had.