How to Celebrate Fat Tuesday (Carnevale) in Venice

Fat Tuesday is a celebration of Catholic origin which represents the end of the seven fat days. Carnevale comes from the word "carne," which means meat and "vale," which means "it is allowed." On this day before the start of Lent, you suppress temptation by consuming any of the delicacies that you can't eat over the next 40 days.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Book a hotel in Venice, Italy.
2. A Venetian Mask Buy a costume or at the least buy a mask.
3. Frittelle Make sure to fill up with frittelle and crostoli (or chiacchiere), typical sweets served during this festivity.
4. Be prepared to play pranks and to play pranks on others. Remember the Italian saying, "A Carnevale ogni scherzo vale!" It means "During Carnival every joke is acceptable."
5. Walk through the “calle” in Venice and enjoy the extensive holiday. Festivities go on for 7 days or longer in Venice. And you can find people walking in costumes on every corner.
6. Show in San Marco Square Stop in San Marco Square where there are several shows throughout the day and night.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are in Italy during Carnevale but cannot be in Venice, don’t despair. Every town celebrates it in their own way and you can find people in costume, parades and festive foods all over Italy.
• If you are in a group, stay close as it is easy to get separated when so many people are in such a small area.