Taking place in the run-up to Shrove Tuesday (this year from January 31 to February 17), the Venice Carnival is one of the most atmospheric and magical experiences on the European social calendar. Banned in the 1930s when Mussolini outlawed the wearing of masks, the Venice Carnival was revived with huge success by locals in 1979. The festival now attracts tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world, but amid the bustle, the character of this romantic city is never lost. The Venetian masks that are de rigeur for all-comers give proceedings a Mediaeval secrecy and a wild abandon, as the normal constraints of daily life are cast aside. Walking through the narrow passages of the city near St Mark’s Square is a heady experience. With masked balls, concerts, theatre and street productions aplenty, the city is teeming with events to satisfy the most well-informed culture vultures, as well as those just looking for a good time. “Super VIP” tickets at €2,500 will get you into this year’s Il Ballo del Doge, a sumptuous event that mixes historical costumes, bejewelled dancers, classy cocktails and large doses of Vivaldi. Enter if you dare.
The masks at Venice Carnival create an air of mystery | Stefano Montagner
Where to berth your superyacht for the Venice Carnival
All visitors know that while Venice may be the most beautiful city in the world, the normal routes in and out are spectacularly ugly. So savour your exclusive passage through the Adriatic’s most northerly reaches and into the tranquillity of the lagoon – you’ll be seeing a side to the archipelago that few experience. With or without the lagoon’s famous mist, which in February could well be part of your experience, it’s a haunting passage. As the skipper makes his way through the seemingly incomprehensible maze of deep water channels crossing the lagoon, you’ll cruise past ancient quays and rural scenes on the lesser known islands that will take you back to a time when a superyacht was merely a big coracle. The only deep water berths suitable for superyachts in Venice are to be found at Venice Yacht Pier, near to St Mark’s Square. You’ll need to book well in advance, naturally, but if the full 900 metres of docking space is taken, try Marina Fiorita, suitable for boats up to 50m. This marina is within the lagoon and a short tender ride from the Venice Carnival. A 30 metre boat will pay around €300 per day.
Where to watch the Venice Carnival
If you’ve grabbed a berth at Venice Yacht Pier, you’ve found perhaps the best spectator spot in the city. Most of the festival centres on St Mark’s Square, which is right on your doorstep, so even if you do need to move from your aft deck, you’ll only need a short excursion ashore to become fully immersed in the heart of the Venice Carnival. But the beauty of Venice is being able to walk everywhere and during carnival, you won’t need to walk far before you find something to whet your appetite.