Beyond the fabulous frou-frou of the Renaissance gowns or the scintillating yet admittedly also scary impression of the big masks, the Carnival of Venice is all about romance. This is the best place to enjoy the company of your special someone as you experience this iconic annual event. Get lost in all the old-world revelry and live out your classical romance novel fantasies at this one-of-a-kind carnival. Especially when you ride a gondola, for instance. As well as dance on Piazza San Marco. And don't forget about attending the grand balls! These and more are just some of the most romantic things to do at the Carnival of Venice!
Ride a Gondola
That's right! Even when you're wearing big, fabulous costumes, you can still
ride a gondola during the Carnival of Venice. They still operate even during the event and remain a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike. When you're all dressed up for the carnival and you float through the different parts of the city, you'll really feel like you're in a classic novel or a Hollywood period film. And if you want, you can even get your photos taken in costume on the gondola. Now that's a memento you and your partner can cherish forever!
Dance on Piazza San Marco
There's really no beating the Piazza San Marco during the Venice Carnival. This is the place to be during this time of the year. It's like the entire public square turned into a huge costume party, which is essentially what the Carnival of Venice is all about. Hand-in-hand with your partner, you can dance all day long, joining the parade of big embroidered gowns and ruffled collars. It's as if you're a fairytale couple who are lost in a daze, surrounded by well-dressed beings that you're not even sure are all human. What's not to love?
Attend The Grand Balls
Speaking of dancing, apart from Piazza San Marco, you can also get down and groove in any of the grand balls of the Venice Carnival. The main one is “
Il Ballo del Doge” of “The Ball of the Duke.” As the name suggests, it's a royal affair that's sure to captivate everyone. Though these days, it's simply become a massive costume rave with a DJ, and lit-up dance floor, and the like. The Santa Chiara Glass Slippers Masquerade Ball, on the other hand, is just the fairytale-like fantasy you'd expect in this event. Though it's perfect for couples, it's also a great place for singletons to find a mysterious partner and fall in love as the night rages on.
Watch The “Festa delle Marie”
As far as romantic traditions in the Carnival of Venice goes, the
Festa delle Marie is a definite must-see! Back in the olden days, The Venetian Doge would offer dowries to 12 local girls from commoner families during the carnival. However, in the year 973, the 12 girls of that year were kidnapped by pirates. Fortunately, they were eventually rescued and since then, 12 girls are parades throughout Piazza San Marco as a way to give thanks to the Virgin Mary. This parade usually follows after “The Flight of The Angel” tradition that starts the entire carnival season.
Indulge in The Traditional Treats
A sweet date always makes for a great way to spend time with your special someone, isn't it? And despite having to wear masks, you can still do just that at the Venice Carnival. There are a few
traditional Venetian treats that are always served during this time of the year. There's the
Fritelle, for example, which are fried dough balls with either raisins or pine nuts, sprinkled with icing sugar and sometimes filled with custard. You and your partner can buy yourselves a piece each (or more! What's stopping you?) and enjoy them as you walk around the different
neighborhoods of Venice. Or even as you ride the gondola too!
Set Up a Photoshoot
As mentioned earlier, you can set up a photoshoot while you're all dressed up for the Carnival of Venice. It's not every day you wear such extravagant clothes, after all. And though your face won't be seen, you and your special someone will know that it's the both of you in the photo having the time of your lives! During this event, you can hire a professional photographer to follow you around the city, taking all sorts of snapshots and perhaps even a few rare and intimate moments too. And yes, the photographer can follow you all the way to the gondola as you float across this amazing city.
The Carnival of Venice is just so romantic, isn't it? And it's even more so if you and your special someone choose to do a few romantic things that the city offers during this fabulous annual event. You'll fall head over heels all over again!
