The Festa Veneziana kicks off the Carnival in style. It’s a decadent celebration marking the start of the Venice Carnival. The opening celebrations consists of a large procession of themed boats that slowly make their way along the Rio di Cannaregio.

I arrived at the Cannaregio hours before the party started and found a place on the fortification wall. Later, there were several rows of spectators behind me and we in the front row were always worried that the crowds would push us into the water. But I stayed dry.