Had anyone been to Venice during Carnivale? What's it like? What can I expect to see? Thanks for any comments!

Was in Venice for the last few days of Carnivale this February. The crowds were tremendous. It took +/- 45 minutes to get from Piazza S. Marco to the Academia Bridge, a walking trip that should take about 15 minutes. Wall to wall people. Having said that, the costumes were wonderful, the revelers within control and the overall experience was great. The weather, however, was, at best, not memorable. But it was, after all, incomparable Venice.

Hi Diva, If you go, I hope you've got a diva costume to match that name! If not you'll certainly get some ideas. I agree with Dale completely. We were there in February and March of 2000 and the weather was cool but dry. St. Marks square is packed, but you can move except crossing the bridges. In other areas of Venice, there were just alot of people, but not the crowds you'll have at St. Marks. Don't let them keep you away. The city is to die for lovely and the carnivale is the icing on the cake.

Venice is beautiful during Carnival but so packed that you can't move. Imagine sardines in a box!!!!!!! you can get stuck in an alley - no going through -no backwords either! horrified. <BR>In the St. Marks' it's beautiful but otherwise - zillion of people. <BR>Also very very cold.

Aha, the secret is to go the first few days of Carnivale not the last few. <BR>We were there this year and it was not very crowded at the beginning but by the time we left on Friday AM the 23rd it was really getting crowded the crowds were streaming off the trains and into Venice.