A travel guide to Italy’s own “Mardi Gras”

Looking for the ultimate “Mardi Gras” experience? Try this: Travel to Venice Italy for the 2009 Carnival of Venice, which runs from Feb. 13 through Feb. 24, and then take in the American version that starts in New Orleans on Feb. 24.  It is not likely to be an itinerary offered in the typical travel guide.

The origins of the Mardi Gras popularized in New Orleans can certainly be traced in part to the Romans and the carnival held in Venice. It was declared an official pre-Lent celebration by the city of Venice in 1296, but was on the decline in Italy during the 18th century. The revival began nearly 30 years ago and transformed into an international event in the 1980s. The obvious similarities between the celebrations held in Venice and New Orleans are the colorful masks, parades, parties and street performers.

The fringe benefits associated with the Carnival of Venice are many. Any guide will note that “Piazza San Marco” also known as “St. Mark’s Square” is the backdrop for the carnival and a must-see place to visit, no matter what time of year you travel there.

But if you plan your travel with the carnival in mind, then you can experience both the culture and traditions of Venice. One event that has become an attraction is “The Flight of the Angel,” which made a comeback as an annual carnival performance in 2001.

Initially, a man walked a tightrope to the San Marco bell tower to mark the last day before Lent began. Then in 1680, a man climbed the same tower riding a horse, with the help of ropes, and, the next year, the same person received stage help as he acted as though he were rowing a boat up to the tower.
The name the “Flight of the Angel” began to stick after a man wearing wings was made to look as though he were flying by using a system of suspended rings. Later, a mechanical bird did the flying for the annual show.

But the “Flight of the Angel” returned to aesthetic prominence with the participation of live actors. In 2002, it was Italian actress Antonella Elia, followed by fencing champion Frida Scarpa, who played the part of the angel in 2003, followed by Carlotta Montovan in 2004. It has become a key part of the carnival festivities.

In Venice, locals and visitors wear costumes and masks for “Fat Tuesday” also known as Mardi Gras, where Venetian pastries such as “fritelle” and “zaibbaione” are available for your pleasure.

Of course, travel to Italy is hardly limited to Venice and its carnival. CIE Tours can guide your travel in Italy. Once trip being offered is the “2009 Italian Classic“  vacation that starts in Venice and takes you to Verona, the setting for Shakespeare’s love story “Romeo and Juliet,” as well as to beautiful Florence, wine tasting in the countryside and the many historic sites of Rome.

Top Museums in Italy

I have no idea what region of Italy you’re visiting, so I’m picking out the coolest, weirdest or best museums in each of 6 regions to recommend for your visit in this travel guide. Hope these are of use!

In Florence, visit the Bargello. It’s unusual to visit a palace cum barracks cum prison cum art musuem. Even rarer is such an imposing stone fortress housing works by Donatello, Michaelangelo and all the other ninja turtles. Seriously, though: the place is impressive and the collection is magnificent, do not miss it.

Stopping off for some ham in Genoa? visit the Museo di storia naturale Giacomo Doria (Natural History Museum of Giacomo Doria). The 20 room museum - miniscule by American standards - has exhibits of everything from ancient monsters, curious stones, bizarre evolutionary twists and fanciful birds.

My favorite? The primates and predators rooms. Get wild, but not too wild - the atmosphere is one of utmost curiousity and inquiry with the feel of a victorian parlour act.

Milan is the home of fashion - that art that exemplifies style over substance. The Biblioteca Ambrosia is the opposite. Rather plain (by museum standards) in architecture, the biblioteca houses some of the greatest literary treasures in the western world. Notably the famous illuminated Illiad.

“Step back in time” is one of those tired old phrases you probably associate with cheesy medieval themed dinner shows. No longer. Now you can associate it with the largest and most beautiful collection of Egyptian artifacts outside Egypt. Only in Turin, only in the Museo Egizio. The breathtaking power of these ancient relics can not be described in words and pictures do not do them justice. To be in their presence is to breath the nile air.

The Museo di Capodimonte houses a very nice art collection as comfortably as it use to house the kings of the two Sicilies many centuries ago. It is this housing, in Naples, that is the true focus of the beauty of this museum. Yes, it houses a large and important cultural art collection with pieces from the 13 - 18th century but who cares? If you’re the type of person that prefers central park to the museum mile, you are the type who will love this museum.