The city of
Venice is an extravaganza of sight and sound. From the
Bridge of Sighs
that spans one of the many canals to the
decadent
architecture that hangs across the city's skyline, it is a
place where history truly comes alive for the visitor.
Echoes of past lives can be found everywhere you go, and
this is no more so true than at the Venice
Carnival in the ten days before Lent.
The Carnival has a
tradition that stretches back to Roman times in Europe, and
is more traditionally associated with the final feast before
fasting at Lent. In Venice, the carnival took on a new
meaning at the height of Venetian oppulence in the 17th and
18th centuries. Then Venice was a world power. Living was
done to excess, and so the carnival was begun on December
26th, the non-stop partying, flirting and gambling lasting
through until Mardi Gras.
Carnival
dress was important. Masks and costumes we worn to hide
identities and to protect the reputations of those
participating in the more illicit activities. By the end of
the 18th century the high life in Venice was over. The
carnival fell by the wayside as Venice came under the rule
of Napolean.
Today a reincarnation of
the Venice Carnival occurs every year in the week leading up
to Lent. Events include numerous masked balls, theatrical
performances, concerts and pageants in a more tempered style
of the Venetian glory days. The 2006 Venice Carnival takes
place from the 17th-28th February.
Getting to Venice
The Marco Polo
International Airport is the main gateway into Venice for
international travellers.
A connecting flight from Milan or Rome may be required.
Whichever route is chosen car hire can be booked in advance
for pick up from these airports at http://www.your-carhire.com
Seb Jay is a freelance
writer specializing in the origination of web content for
http://www.your-carhire.com
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/
