Scenes from Venice Carnivale 2011

What's it like at the Venetian Carnivale?  Well, here are a few videos that give you an insider's look at Venice's wild celebrations.  Personally, I love the costumes!



Here's the Fontana di Vino -- Fountain of Wine -- that's in San Marco:



What's not to love there! And how about a parade of gondolas and boats -- the Corteo Acqueo in Maschera:



Even if you can't make it to Carnivale, there's no reason you can't celebrate! And tomorrow, we'll be having a Carnivale giveaway, so make plans to attend!

Venice Carnivale: The Flight of the Angel

Venice's Carnivale dates back to 1268 -- that's one long-running celebration!  One of the eagerly anticipated parts of Canivale is the traditional Flight of the Angel which took place on Saturday.  A young woman dressed as an angel, is lowered from the bell tower at San Marco into the piazza while the costumed crowd looks on and cheers.

This year's Carnivale theme is "Ottocento: da Senso a Sissi, la citta della donna" -- a tribute to the 19th century, 150 years of Italian unification, and the powerful women of Italy.

In celebration of Carnivale, I'll be having another book giveaway on Friday.  Until then, here's a video of the Flight of the Angel from Venice last weekend.

Venice's Carnivale Sweets: Frittelle

Carnivale begins tomorrow (February 26, 2011), and when I was in Venice the city was putting on her best clothes and getting ready.  One of the city's traditional Carnivale sweets is a fried pastry, the yummy frittelle.  Resembling a doughnut, these scrumptious sweets come in several tasty varieties.

The most traditional Venetian version incorporates currants or raisins and orange peel into a heavier dough that is fried.  However, bakeries are filled with the decadent treats in a range of tempting flavors including apple and cinnamon.  There is also a lighter, filled variety (much like a cream puff, but yummier) which may be filled with chantilly cream, chocolate, ricotta cheese, or even Nutella.

Other parts of Italy also enjoy Frittelle with regional differences.  Check out Divina Cucina's recipe for the Tuscan version:  Frittelle di Riso (Rice Fritters).

And the City of Venice provides an easy recipe for the traditional Frittelle as well as another Canivale treat, Galani:  Frittelle e Galani.

Headed to Venice for Carnivale?  Be sure to make time for a cafe and a Frittelle during your visit!  And come back next week for our Carnivale Giveaway!