Venice Carnival 2013 is only months away! The annual celebration of Venice’s theatrical roots kicks off on January 26th and runs through February 12th.
This year’s exhilarating lineup includes parades, walking tours, exhibitions, contests and of course the internationally famous masked balls.
Absolute highlight of the Carnival in 2013 will be the Best Masked Costume Contest, judged over a period of several days amongst the color and excitement of the masked Balls at Gran Teatro of San Marco. Judging begins on the Thursday of the festival, with the winner to be announced on the Sunday.
If you are lucky enough to be in Italy during Venice Carnival, you should aim to attend the three main masked balls, considered to be the Best of the event. These featured Balls are Il Ballo del Doge, the masked ball in Palazzo Pisani and the Tiepolo Ball. Tickets for these high profile feature events are much sought after, so you should contact us as soon as possible so we can secure your admission. Of course, if you cannot get a ticket to one of the masked balls during Carnival time in Venice, you will still have an amazing experience in in the city. Venice Carnival is bursting with events, which are all described in the 2013 program.
Of course, whatever time of year you visit Venice, you will be drawn to the intricately decorated masks displayed in shops all around the city. Many visitors find themselves unable to leave Venice without having purchased one, two or even more, including yours truly!
Have you ever wondered about the history of the amazing Venetian masks? While mask designs were originally influenced by theater masks, especially the Commedia dell’arte, they did actually have a real-world use. Amazingly, their prevalance in Venice stems from a long-held tradition of people wearing masks to disguise their social status and to experience life anonymously.
Did you know that? To think that such a practice flourished as part of the local culture in a city like Venice, well, that certainly adds to the allure of the city. If this air of mystery has been so firmly embedded in the culture of Venetians for so long, what other fascinating secrets might the city of Venice hold? Believe me, there are many and I know that the excitement of discovering them will ensure your vacation in Venice is both breathtaking and unforgettable! We even found a fascinating website devoted to the tradition of wearing Venetian masks.
So, back to Venice Carnival 2013! If you peruse the Venice Carnival program, you will see that there is something in this massive collection of events for everyone, including the children. Why let us help you design your own tour, taking in the excitement of Carnival in Venice? With a customized tour you can focus on your favorite events, or perhaps add some of the lesser known Venice Carnival activities like Ice skating at Campo San Polo or Walking tours of the city. The list of events during Carnival is huge – it really is that magical time of year in Italy, and Venice Carnival 2013 will be pure magic!
Learn more about this year’s event by exploring the official Venice Carnival website, and get a real sense of this magical tradition. Make a note of the activities and events you would most like to add to your Venice Carnival itinerary, then contact us immediately so we can get started on building your dream vacation in Venice!
Are you dreaming of being in Italy for this year’s Venice Carnival? Or have you experienced the magic of the Carnival in the past? Share your dreams and memories in the comments below.
Priscila Siano is the Marketing Director of Tour Italy Now, an online tour operator specializing in Italy travel. She's a respected expert on making dream Italy vacations a reality for clients.
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