Carnival of Venice Italy

“I've both done it as a day trip from another city (as a teenager), and once when we stayed over night in Venice. I have to say the magic of walking the abandoned, softly lit streets at night after all the festival-goers have left is magical, especially when it's just slightly foggy. The young kids who attend often treat it as an opportunity to dress up in costume too (think American Halloween), and everyone throws confetti at each other in celebration [...] it's certainly not about public drinking or debauchery like in some of the other cities.”

“One of my favorite Carnevale events in Venice is the kick-off events held in Cannaregio Canal on the first weekend of the Carnevale celebration. It’s focused on the residents, instead of the tourists. It’s a party in the street, but on the canal instead. I love the local feel of it with all the simple homemade costumes and the huge boat parade down the canal. [...] After the parade, there are food and drink booths lining both sides of the canal. This is where it becomes a big street party! Lots of fun, lots of cameraderie, lots of fritelle and lots of confetti!”