Hello friends! It's truly a pleasure to return and share with all of you the experiences and emotions I lived during my latest adventure in Venice for the Carnival. My absence has been long, but I'm finally here to tell you all the details, and I hope this can be interesting for you.
Yesterday was a succession of magical moments, embraced by a radiant sun that made the festive atmosphere surrounding the lagoon city during the Carnival even more enchanting. My decision to take the train and reach Venice was driven by the desire to fully immerse myself in this millennial tradition; it had been years since my last visit to Venice for this occasion.
Upon arriving in Venice, I immediately felt the general enthusiasm, with the streets teeming with happy and joyful people, many of whom were wearing colorful and imaginative Venetian-themed costumes, some even in historical attire! Incredible! The Carnival, with its blend of tradition and creativity, has turned the city into a unique stage globally, attracting tourists from all over the world during this period.
This year's theme caught my attention particularly. Orientalism was the guiding thread of the festivities, a tribute to the famous Venetian explorer Marco Polo and his extraordinary journey. I'm sure you all know about his adventures, which are quite famous! It was incredible to see how the city transformed, enriching itself with details and colors.
I confess that, although fascinated by the possibility of actively participating in the Carnival by wearing a themed mask, I'm not a fan of disguises. I prefer to enjoy the spectacle as a spectator, without hiding behind a costume, letting the magic of the Carnival unfold before my eyes—it's already a spectacle in itself.
The crowded streets were filled with people proudly wearing costumes inspired by the era of the Venetian Republic, creating a fascinating mix of history and fantasy. However, I couldn't help but notice that many souvenirs and masks sold in shops were mass-produced and came from the other side of the world, from China, rather than being the result of local Venetian craftsmanship. This is truly sad!
Among the various attractions of the Carnival, the pastry shops are always an indispensable point of reference, especially for sweet tooths like me! During this time of the year, they skillfully prepare Venice's typical frittelle, a delightful treat with a fascinating history. The leavened dough enriched with raisins, pine nuts, and other ingredients, fried and sold hot on the streets, has a flavor that takes you back in time. During the Serenissima Republic, frittelle were considered the national sweet, prepared and sold on the streets throughout the Carnival; fortunately, today, pastry shops are still making them.
I decide to take a break at one of the most renowned Venetian pastry shops to savor these delights and, taking advantage of the opportunity, buy some frittelle to bring home as a surprise for my mother. I knew she would appreciate the gesture and the authentic flavor of this typical sweet, maybe I took some from someone!
In conclusion, I hope the photos I shared have captured the essence of this extraordinary day, and that my story has virtually transported you through the lively Venetian streets animated by the Carnival. See you on the next adventure!