la bella avventura: Carnevale di Venezia

"Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go."-Truman Capote

Last weekend, Ilaria (one of my italian roommates) invited Caroline, Valentina and I to come and stay at her house in Padova, and then go to Venice for Carnevale! We took the train early afternoon on Friday, and arrived in Padova around 4pm. Her mom picked us up in her car, and then took us to a Pasticceria to eat some typical Carnival-time pastries--Frittelle di Venezia (cream filled doughnut hole covered in powdered sugar)! After that, she took us on a mini-tour of Padova, showing us all of the villas and monuments and all the historical information that went along with them!

Ilaria's mom made sure that we were well fed because we were "ospiti importante!!" (important guests)! Ilaria told us that they never eat that well--it was like Christmas dinner :) Her mom made us homemade sunflower seed bread, a roast with potatoes, fresh veggies and peaches for dessert. The second night she made rabbit (I know it sounds crazy, it was my first time eating it, and it was really good), more veggies, and the best olive oil I have ever had...I could go on and on about the food, so I will stop now.

We got to meet Ilaria's friends and went out Friday night to Bassano del Grappa with them.

On Saturday we hopped on a train to Venice for Carnevale!

Carnevale is an annual festival that starts about two weeks before Ash Wednesday and ends on Fat Tuesday. There were some AMAZING outfits and masks galore, and lots and lots of people.

Now time for some pictures--they speak more than words!