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Although the most famous Italian Carnevale festivals are held in Venezia and Viareggio, debauchery and merrymaking can be seen and enjoyed throughout the Peninsula.
Most towns and cities have events planned for revelers of all ages.
While the Roman party is not quite what it used to be, there is still a week-long series of fun games and performances for children in Piazza del Popolo.
In fact, costume-clad kids and confetti can be seen littered all over the cobblestone streets of the eternal city leading up to Ash Wednesday.
No matter where you are in Italy when Carnevale comes around, make sure to sample the delicious Castagnole (essentially donut holes) and Frappe, which are only made during this time of year!
– Contributed by Ian Zurzolo, (see bio, writer, editor, American University of Rome Senior, Italian Notebook Editorial Intern.
Here in Bolzano/Bozan, the traditional treats that are (mostly) only found in a
pasticceria at this time of year include both of the ones Ian mentions, plus krapfen, which is basically a jelly donut with powdered sugar on top. Yum! BTW, has anyone been to the Carnevale festival in Milan? I just read in the paper here that it is on a different cycle and that this past Saturday was “Fat Saturday” there, 4 days later than the usual “Fat Tuesday”. Just curious if it has different traditions (including sweets! :-) )
Good question Lee. I’ll have to ask one of my friends up North. Funny though, usually the northerners are ahead of schedule compared to the rest of us. ;)
We went to Busseto, Verdi’s birthplace where a carnavale procession is held every sunday of the month of february. Once they have started, the Italians know of no ending!
I spent last carnival holidays in Rome. I never saw the one in Venice but I must say that I wasn’t left disappointed by the one in the Capital. I stayed in a flat I had booked through a website that has many holiday apartments in Rome and enjoyed the carnival in the main streets and squares of the city for the entire week-end!