February - Venice Carnival

With a two-week series of processions, masquerades, traditional ceremonies, music and all-round festivities among the canals, squares and palaces of this ancient city, the carnival is one of the most celebrated and fascinating events in Europe.

The whole place is filled with musicians, acrobats, theatre troupes and revellers from all countries, and for those with a more aristocratic bent, there are dozens of masked balls, "carnival brunches" in period costume and gala dinners to attend.

The carnival, with its attendant tradition of mask-wearing, has existed in some form or another since the 13th century. The masks themselves - along with the traditional bauto (hood and cape), tabarro (cloak) and tricorn hat - were favoured because they conferred complete anonymity on their wearers.

In 1769 also the Emperor of Austria, Francesco Giuseppe, guest of the Tron and Rezzonico families, took part in the Carnival incognito under the name of Count of Falchenstein.  It was then not so unusual that kings and princes of European courts took part in the Carnival.

To find out more about the Venice Carnival please click here.