Life in Venice during the carnival is very different from everyday life. From all over Europe, including from Russia, enthusiasts and lovers who create a variety of suits come. It is they who define Venetian life that reigns in the squares and streets within two weeks. At the same time, it is necessary to understand that Venice is different from the usual city, that she has no familiar streets that cars are sinking. Instead, the channels for which everything moves, from Gondola to Vaporetto.
We were on the carnival in 2012 and 2014. Maybe the crisis is to blame, but 2 years ago the festival was more beautiful and thoughtful. Although the costumes and masks were all good.
San Marco
It is a pity that most Russians see San Marco Square only during the day when the crowds of tourists sail the boats on a tour. It is impossible to understand or find out the city in a few hours spent in the attachment and a fussy hurry behind the guide. Therefore, very many people who visited Venice during the bus tour, just remember this crowd and smell from the channels. What is the palace of the Doge and Basilica there: just some buildings on the square. However, most remember the bridge of sighs, and even then, only after the story of the guide. Otherwise, no one would notice.
To evaluate the greatness and beauty of San Marco Square, you need to come here early in the morning, even before sunrise, when there is no one on it. A pair of janitors and you against the background of a blighted horizon and peacefully rocking gondola.
So I want this moment lasts forever, but ... some hour and a half, and the crowds of people will kill this mumbling charm. However, before that, the first "masks" appear and enliven the landscape.
Gondola
Of course, this is an attraction that works for tourists. Ordinary Venetians have long used the boats for moving through the channels and the lagoon, and the gondollars whose number is strictly limited, earn money. This year, most tourists who sat in the gondola were from Asia. Although 2 years ago, the majority were the persons of European appearance. If I really want to know what a gondola is, it is better to use tragetto: and cheaper, and extreme, especially if you stand in the boat.
Walk
When the Venice Center is filled with crowds of tourists, you need to go away. And wander along the quiet streets and stands on the outskirts of the city.
There is a special beauty in it - walk, not looking into the map, to or enter a deadlock ending with a narrow canal. Or reach one of the many small areas where you can see how simple Venetians live. Or go to the embankment of inexcons, where Brodsky once lived, eat ice cream, sitting on the edge of the lagoon and listening to the splashing waves. Or sit on the Vaporretto and twist the channel. Where there are practically no tourists, you can sit down at the table and drink spritz, contemplating the lightly on the background of the sunset sky.
Charm Venice in the absence of tourists, so you need to find out this city from the inside, settling there at least for a week. In all other cases, this city will never open the tourist. And only the sediment will remain in the form of a sea odor and pushing people.