Has anyone been to Carnival in Venice??

[Maricat]

I will be travelling in Italy in February, and had not planned to go to Venice, but now I have learned that we will be there during Carnival, so am considering revising our plans!

Has anyone been to this? Was it fun/worthwhile, or just a massive tourist horde?

We are thinking of doing either:

1 night Pisa
1 night Florence
3 nights Venice
3 nights Rome

OR

1 night Pisa
2 nights Florence
2 nights Venice
3 nights Rome

My only problem with the two nights in Florence is that one of the days we would be there is a Monday, when all of the museums are closed. But, had thought that perhaps we could rent a car and go visit some hill towns that day.

However, the lure of Carnival is making me think that we would need the full three nights in Venice!

Any advice appreciated!

Thanks,
Mari

[Jules80]

i would say 3 nights florence, 2 nights venice, 3 nights rome and do a day trip to pisa on the monday. while i haven't been to pisa, i decided not to go based on ppl at the hostel in florence saying that there was nothing to see other than the tower! so i don't think you necessarily need a whole day there or anythign.

jules

[WillTravel]

If you're going to Carnival, book your accommodation now! I know it's expensive and fills up very quickly.

[Maricat]

Thanks for the replies! The only reason we are staying the night in Pisa is that we land there on EasyJet at 5:30pm, so just seemed simpler to go ahead and stay the night, check out the Tower quickly, and then move on to Florence in the morning. I have also heard that the Tower is pretty much the extent of the sights to see in Pisa, but I've been through there twice before on the train and never checked it out and regretted it, so this time we are gonna take a quick peek!

Also, we have decided to go to Carnevale, and risk the tourist masses. It is a once in a lifetime chance that I just can't pass up... seeing all of those people in gorgeous costumes walking around in the mist & strolling over the bridges... too fabulous! ;D I lucked out and got a budget double room for 95euros/nt, so we are all set.

Our final itinerary looks like this:

2/15 - Leave USA
2/16 - Arrive Paris, stay 2 nights
2/18 - Fly to Pisa, Italy on Easy Jet , arriving 5:30pm & stay one night to check out the Tower, Duomo, & Field of Miracles
2/19 - Train to Rome, w/ stopover in Lucca or Orvieto if we feel like it/get up in time. Stay 3 nights Rome.
2/22 - Train to Florence in the A.M., see the Duomo, the David & the Uffizi, stay one night.
2/23 - Walking Tour of Tuscany/Visit to the Hill Town of Fiesole in the a.m., then catch train to Venice - Stay 3 nights in Venice for Carnevale!!
2/26 - 8pm - Fly back to Beavais/Paris on Ryan Air, arriving 10pm
2/26 - 2/28 - Paris for three nights - same hotel
3/1 - Fly home

Mari