Jordan Alexander Interview

No problem. I am from Auckland and I am a software developer full time.

Why did you go to Venice last February in mid-winter, when it is summer in NZ?

My wife and I stumbled across a deal late last year which had effectively less than half price tickets to Europe during a fixed time period (Jan - Feb).

I have been to Europe several times before but hadn't really had the chance to see it outside the tourist season. 

We decided to just do it, and it turned out to coincide with the Venice Carnevale which was an amazing opportunity.

What was the weather actually like?

It varied from place to place. When we were in Austria we experienced -13 temperatures which was by far the coldest I had ever seen!

When we went to Rome it snowed the day we arrived for the first time in 26 years. We have photos of the Forum/Colosseum and Spanish Steps covered in snow. It was both beautiful and chaotic because Rome is not prepped for any type of snow so most of public transport was cancelled, and people were not going to work.

When we were in Venice, the day we arrived was miserably cold and rainy. The following 2 days however were gloriously sunny with blue skies. It was amazing the difference it made to the atmosphere.

Were there many tourists there?

In most of the places we travelled to in Italy there were very few tourists around compared to the summer. We went to the ruins at Pompeii and basically had the entire place to ourselves. 

However in Venice during the Carnevale, San Marco square and the surrounding areas were completely packed with people. It was incredible.

Can you describe the Carnival – what is there to see and do for a tourist during that time?

There is an entire program of a week of activities. They have many public events. For example Commedia Dell'arte plays in many different languages in San Marco Square.

The opening ceremony involves "Il Volo Dell'angelo" (The flight of the Angel) where a woman selected from the previous year is ceremoniously hoisted by wire from the top of the bell tower down to the bottom of the square.

There is ice skating in public squares and the public spaces are constantly brimming with people in fantastic costumes.

For a large fee, you can also pay to attend one of the many balls that go on during the festival.

Where you go and have an elaborate dinner party with other people elaborately dressed in expensive costumes.

We couldn't afford to do this, but it would be a fantastic experience no doubt.

What was the most amazing thing you saw during the Carnival?

One of the most memorable events would have to be the climax of the closing ceremony.

A hundred or so candle lit gondolas left from the Rialto bridge heading towards San Marco square. Upon arrival a giant 50 ft tall wooden bull was set on fire.

My wife and I sat for 2 hours or so on one of the gondola docks and got front row seats to this amazing display. 

How did you join in?

We went to a shop and managed to pick up 2 capes and some matching masks for relatively cheap and managed to attain quite a legitimate looking costume.

Because there were 2 of us we actually ended up looking like a very legitimate pair. With several tourists asking to take photos of us etc. 

I would say one in 20 or so people at the Carnevale were dressed up. It definitely makes it more fun if you make an effort. 

Having done this, would you recommend it for others?

Yes definitely, although it is very hit and miss with the weather. If the weather had remained very cold and rainy for the entire time than I think it would have been a very different experience.

We were lucky to have great weather most of the time.

What tips  would you give someone attending the Carnival to make the most of it?

Stay somewhere very far from San Marco if you can not handle the large crowds. Definitely make an effort to dress up. 

Dream of Italy has some incredible masks that I wish we had with us during our trip that would have made our costume much more appealing.

Make sure you look online at the various activities going on during the festival.

We also were only there for 3 or 4 days of the festival. I definitely felt it was enough, so going for the full week may not be necessary.