Recent news about Mardi Gras celebrations led me to look back in my photo library for images from our visit to Venice during Carnevale in 2012. We used an international conference in Rome as an excuse to take a few days to see Venice for the first time, not realizing that our visit coincided with the last week of Carnevale!
Grand Canal at sunset
The crowds were unbelievable! Of course, one of the main attractions was the people in elaborate costumes -- generally surrounded by photographers. The image below shows the "Queen of Hearts" on the move across Piazza San Marco, stalked by photographers. We joined the party, and I was able to get several good images of elaborate costumes that are posted in this gallery.
The "Queen of Hearts"
Even diners in the restaurants lining Piazza San Marco got into the act...
Dressed for dinner
...as did the locals. We found a local family taking pictures along the Grand Canal, and they graciously allowed me to photograph their children in costume.
All in the family
And, if you forgot a costume you could always visit one of the shops, perhaps for something like this:
Costume shop
To beat the Carnevale crowds in Venice, we took a vaporetto to Burano, one of the "suburban" islands in the lagoon that is known for lace-making and its colorful houses.
Reflections of Burano