Things to Do at Carnevale in Venice, Italy
Tired of the winter scenery? How about adding a little pop of colour to your month of February by enjoying the annual Carnival in Venice, Italy? This annual fete is a two-week celebration that offers a large number of costume contests, the traditional Flight of the Angels, and a plethora of masquerade balls. Just what the doctor ordered to shake those Winter blues away! You are definitely going to make incredible memories here but, make sure that you have the right travel equipment with you to make this experience even better.
The Carnival
Did you know that ‘carnival’ means ‘farewell to meat’? This is because the carnival, like the French Mardis Gras, takes place before the period of Lent, a period of fasting and penance. Travellers from all over the world flock to celebrate this annual fete and enjoy dancing, dressing up and feasting.
Getting There
As this Venetian event is on many people’s bucket lists, you can expect a higher number of travellers at the airport and in other transportation hubs. Travel efficiency is therefore key so that you can quickly check into your hotel room or vacation home and start enjoying all that the city has to offer. The Swissgear Ultra-Lite Collection Expandable Hardside Spinner Luggage Set will help you do just that.
This lightweight 3 piece set is elegantly designed with a lightweight polypropylene exterior that makes it both flexible and long-lasting. Plus, the material is eco-friendly which makes it even better. And with its ultra-modern design, it will serve just the right amount of look to make you feel right at home in one of the world’s top design destinations.
As it is a 3 piece luggage set, you will have all the options needed for travelling. The expandable 24-inch and 28-inch hardside suitcases will allow you and your travel companion to have all the space needed for everything you need and want. While the 21-inch carry-on is the ideal size for overhead bin storage.
But there is more to this brilliant life-hack suitcase set: it has a TSA friendly lock that will make travelling efficient and safer. And it’s telescoping handles and 360-degree spinner wheels will only add to the ease with which you will be rolling through the airport.
An Essential Guide to the Venetian Masquerade
You won’t live the true Venetian experience if you don’t find yourself one of their world-famous masks. With roots dating back to the Middle Ages, masks were a way for the locals, whose lives were dictated by strict class distinctions, to conceal and alter their identity. By hiding behind a mask, they were given the unique opportunity to be anyone they chose.
Originally, the masks were not as ornate and were typically made of leather, glass or porcelain. Over the centuries, however, the masks became more elaborate and decorative. Today, they come in a variety of colours, materials and finishes: from shimmering gold leaf or gemstones to feathers and horns. Helping you to make whatever fashion statement your heart desires.
Attending a masked ball is by far the best way to admire the artistry of these handmade masks. One of the grandest balls of the carnival is the Mascheranda Grand Ball, in the Palazzo Pisani Moretta, which overlooks Venice’s Grand Canal and is candlelit for the occasion. Get ready to live a magical evening surrounded by the most beautiful spectacle of silk and satin costumes, over-the-top hats and grandiose decor.
You can find your attire in a local rental shop. Shopping for the coordinating evening bag will only give you another excuse to peruse the numerous stores around the city. And, to safely store all your night’s essentials, such as ID, credit cards and money, don’t forget your Swissgear Leather Zip-Around RFID Billfold Wallet. This clever wallet has a RFID-blocking technology to protect you from personal data theft. Plus, its zippered closure will make sure everything stays nicely organized and stored. And with its smooth leather, it is sure to last you for years to come.
Not-to-Be-Missed Events
To open the Venice Carnival, a fabulous parade of boats is organized along the city’s Grand Canal. Illuminated floats create an impressive scenery against the backdrop of the night sky and darken water. Gondolas with flame dancers, magical characters with luminous wings or ladies with backlit gowns add a touch of magic and whimsical flair to the evening.
The Flight of the Angel is another event that is a long-standing tradition and is sure to provide you with its share of escapism. Taking place around midday at Saint Mark’s Square, this event features a person dressed as a brightly hued angel with butterfly-style wings, that flies high above the square from the bell tower to the Doge’s residence. So, come enjoy an amazing espresso or tiramisu on one of the square’s numerous terraces and watch the magic unfold.
But like with all the popular events surrounding the Venice Carnival, expect large crowds. Therefore, packing your essentials for all your day’s adventures in a secure travel backpack is key. The Swissgear 6996 Scansmart Tablet & Laptop Backpack will not only come in handy during your adventures, it will also help to streamline your travels. The TSA-approved Scansmart design makes it the perfect backpack to go through airport security since it lies flat on the scan belt and allows the security personnel to scan your devices without taking them out of their padded compartments. With all these travel-friendly features and the durable quality of the material used, you’ll want to keep this travel backpack on hand. Because you want to focus on what is truly important: hunting through the shops for just the right mask or taking a relaxing gondola ride through the sunlit canals of Venice.
Other Things to Put on Your To-do List
Venice is not short of things to do and see. Highlights of the Venice Carnival include daily costume parades where you can view some of the intricate costumes and masks locals and enthusiasts are wearing. Or, enjoying the numerous shows put on by street performers during the festivities and taste the local delicacies served by the food vendors.
Other notable activities are visiting the Grand Theater in St. Mark’s Square which features entertainment, music, contests and a children’s story hour, as well as taking part in one of the city’s free tours of some of Italy’s finest museums. And for those staying until the end of the festivities, make sure to catch the awe-inspiring firework display that takes place on closing day.
So, since the Venice Festival is right around the corner, visit Swissgear.ca today to find TSA friendly, expandable spinner luggage sets, Scansmart backpacks and secure travel wallets to make your vacation one for the books. Because having the right travel accessories is a sure-fire way to truly enjoy the fun of travelling.
