NEW YORK, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Each winter, Venice throws the largest Carnival celebration in Italy, taking place Feb. 9-20 this year. Carnevale di Venezia celebrates life's beauty, joy and sensuality before the introspective Lenten season.

In Venice, that means strolling clad in elaborate, themed costumes and masks. Fortunately, if you can't jump on a plane to catch Carnevale, you can witness the work of mask artisans throughout the year on a hidden streets of Venice walk offered by Ciao Italy Travel, a New York tour operator specializing in trips to Italy.

The great equalizer, masks conceal everything from class to age, making them popular among commoners and nobles. Carnevale di Venezia masks and coordinating costumes impersonate Italian folkloric characters.

One popular folk character is Arlecchino, or Harlequin. This serf, clad in a jacket and trousers covered with multicolored polygons, wears a demonic mask. Personality traits like stupidity and greed make him a rogue ready for wreaking havoc during Carnevale.

The largest, most elite party of Carnevale di Venezia is perhaps Il Ballo del Doge (The Duke's Ball). The ball takes place, ironically, along the Grand Canal, rather than at the famous Doge's Palace. To get a sense of the splendor that inspired this fête, take Ciao Italy Travel's tour of the palace, most anytime year-round.

Carnevale is during Italy's winter. "It's cooler outside, and, because of all the canals, a mist hangs in the air. People in fantastical attire appear and fade into the fog. It's surreal," says Guido D'Ugo, president of Ciao Italy Travel. If you make it to Italy later in the year, D'Ugo suggests an evening ghost walk to relive the mystique.

Part of the appeal of Carnevale, and Venice overall, is losing yourself in the fabric of winding streets and waterways. Ciao Italy Travel's Grand Canal tour explores Venice's famous buildings and history via boat.