Carnevale Di Venezia (Venice Mask Carnival)

Carnival of Venice (Italian: Carnevale di Venezia) is an annual festival, held in Venice, Italy. The Carnival starts starts 40 days before easter and ends on Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday or Martedì Grasso), the day before Ash Wednesday.

The Masks

Masks have always been a central feature of the Venetian carnival. Traditionally people were allowed to wear them between the festival of Santo Stefano (St. Stephen's Day, December 26) at the start of the carnival season and midnight of Shrove Tuesday. Maskmakers (mascherari) enjoyed a special position in society, with their own laws and their own guild.

Venetian masks can be made in leather or with the original papier-mâché technique. The original masks were rather simple in design and decoration. Nowadays, most of them are made with the application of gesso and gold leaf.

Bauta

Bauta is a "mask which covers the whole face, with a stubborn chin line, no mouth, and lots of gilding". It was used on many other occasions as a device for hiding the wearer's identity and social status.

Moretta

Moretta is an oval mask of black velvet that was usually worn by women visiting convents. It was invented in France and rapidly became popular in Venice as it brought out the beauty of feminine features. The mask was finished off with a veil.

Larva

Larva, also called the volto mask, is mainly white, and typically Venetian. It is worn with a tricorn and cloak. It is thought the word "larva" comes from the Latin meaning "mask" or "ghost". It is easy to imagine the effect of a Venetian all dressed in black with a white mask and a black tricorn, going past in the moonlight.

Italy

Italy is style all the way. It’s shaped like a boot and no ordinary boot this! Italy''s fashions are enduring, its cars snazzy, its cathedrals calm, its landscape awesome, its piazzas packed and its pizzas…lip smacking-phenomenal! For the visitor, Italy is a feast for the senses. You can’t go through Italia without a heightened consciousness of beauty. Whether in the glorious hues of the Tuscan landscape, in the seamless amalgamation of the riches of the past, the reality of the present and the hopes of the future, or in the majesty of the Alps, Italy is all one elegant casket of flavourful stuff. You may choose to do the popular circuit of Rome, Florence and Venice where there are more than enough museums, churches, piazzas and gondolas on canals to keep you happy. Or you may choose instead to strike out into the countryside where the pleasures derived from the scenery and the passionate people are enormous. At any rate, on any trip, Italy promises lots and delivers more

Where to Stay in Italy

Whether it’s a hostel or camping out or the most exclusive luxury hotels, there is a range of accommodation in Italy to suit every traveller’s requirement. Hotels are rated on a scale of ‘stars’; 5 star hotels are the plushest of the lot and usually boast facilities like swimming pools, health centres, conference rooms, multi cuisine restaurants and in house nightclubs. The tourist centres of Rome, Florence and Venice are full of these. If you are in Tuscany and have the money, there’s the option of renting out a country villa for the duration of your stay. Mid rung options include rooms in private residences known as Affittacamere, where you can rent a room and really savour life the Italian way. It’s also possible to camp out at specially set-up sites, which more often than not are way outside city limits. Most have all the modern conveniences and are quite comfortable. Hostels are popular with students, backpackers and no-frills thrill-seeking traveller. There are about 50 hostels liberally scattered through the expanse of Italy, giving value for money accommodation deals. Many impose restrictions like an evening curfew, no-drinking and no-smoking. The one-star pensione are for those on a tight budget. Some of them are really quite charming. Prices are to be put outside your room by law. If they aren’t there, make sure you get them in writing. Check to see if your breakfast is included. (It’s usually an extra charge clubbed together with the room rent which can be separated from the room tariff and is not compulsory.) Also, check to see if a shower is included. Rooms with a con bagno or private bath, cost more. Whatever you choose, if you haven’t reserved ahead, make sure you begin looking for accommodation before noon.

Best Time to Visit Italy

Considering fewer crowds of tourists, reduced prices of hotels and flights as well as the weather and climatic conditions at the time of the year, the best time to pay Italy a visit is surely March through October, save July and August. The prime reason for excluding the ‘peak tourist season’ of July and August is that the heat levels reaches astonishing heights, becoming almost cruel to your skin. To make matters worse, most locals take vacations in August, resulting in closing down of a number of shops and restaurants as well as crowded beaches. It’s a wise idea to avoid Italy during the high season of July and August, also including Christmas and Easter time. The reasons for such a condition are the obvious culprits of escalated prices, uncomfortable weather, dearth of available accommodation and a slew of incoming tourists. The summer season (June to August) is scorching and dry while the winter season is known to be mild and foggy. If you are visiting Northern Italy such as cities of Bologna, Verona, Venice and Milan- spring season (April and May) is the perfect time for arriving at these destinations. You also get to be a part of Settimana della Cultura, which takes place annually in April. Southern Italy, on the other hand, experiences Mediterranean climate, which makes the region intolerable during summers. If you are looking for respite, it’s best to visit the mountains, forests and coastal areas of Italy. Winters in Alps and Apennies are lengthy and cold, with the Ski Season opening in December and lasting till April. The summers in these regions are cool and short, but it’s better to visit these places in winters than in summers. Naples, too must be visited in winters when the locals come back in town, giving you a glimpse into their daily lives. But if you are looking to visit the beaches of Amalfi Coast, make sure to avoid November through March as the beaches remain closed during this time. Therefore, before planning a trip, make it a point to know what you want to achieve from your travels to Italy or else it’ll result in a perfect mismatch.

Climate With 7600 kilometres of coastline, the Italian climate is predominantly Mediterranean. July and August are hot and humid, and marked by thunderstorms that strike in the afternoons. Inland areas in the north are the most susceptible to this phenomenon. Both summers and winters are warmer and drier in the south than in the northern and central parts of Italy. The mountainous areas near the Alps experience heavy snowfall in the harsh winters.

Barcelona , Spain

Described as the “Paris of Spain” by Hans Christian Andersen, Barcelona is rather like its French cousin - a city of great beauty, immense charm and considerable cultural significance. An evening stroll down one of Barcelona’s old streets, flanked by cafés and bars, is a delightful experience. Situated along the Mediterranean coast, with towering mountains as a backdrop, the city is the capital of the province of Barcelona, as well as that of the autonomous region of Catalunya. Barcelona’s a major commercial and industrial centre, an important transport hub, and a city bursting with good museums, galleries, medieval monuments and more. And, as if that isn’t enough, Barcelona is also the gateway to some of the region’s hottest tourist spots: the Costa Brava, the Balearic Islands, the Roman city of Tarragona and the Costa Dorada territory. But even if you don’t step out of Barcelona, rest assured you’ll find plenty to entertain you, within the city itself. Whether you’re looking for Art Nouveau museums, busy markets or traditional Catalan cuisine, this is where it’s at its best: Barcelona.

Where to Stay in Barcelona

Barcelona offers a wide range of accommodation facilities from posh hotels as well as hostels, pensions, and cheaper inns. Although tariffs tend to be higher than virtually anywhere else in Spain, they’re at least lower than some other European cities. Elegant old hotels, restored palaces and the like, form the most expensive accommodation around the city centre. Somewhat cheaper is the Eixample district, and cheapest of all are the Barri Gòtic (the Gothic Quarter), and the area around Ramblas, both of which have a large number of cheap hotels and hostels. Do take care, though - these areas are rather seedy and tend to be unsafe at night, so make sure you’re in your room by nightfall. Barcelona also has a huge number of campsites, all along the coast, where you can stay cheaply. These, however, are outside the city - the closest is some 7 km out - so keep that in mind, as you might end up spending quite a bit on transportation.

Best Time to Visit Barcelona

Barcelona has good weather through out the year, with a comfortable summer and a cool winter. In order to enjoy the Mediterranean sun without scorching your skin, the ideal time to visit and sight see would be May, June, September and October. The tourist season normally experiences its peak between end of March and early October.

Things to do in Barcelona

Sightseeing Barcelona can be a walkers’ paradise, with its charming green walks and architecturally rich boulevards. Be sure to steer clear of the crowded, congested and polluted areas of the city. You can ramble through the Rambla de Catalunya , one of the most captivatingly colourful boulevards. To absorb some splendid architecture, trace a route through Barcelona’s numerous plaças or squares. These wide-open spaces, many of them historic and beautiful, will transport you back to the days of yore. Palau Reial or the Royal Palace, is one of Barcelona’s landmarks. This palace is a fine example of medieval architecture. The building has an exceptionally beautiful wood-panelled banquet hall, with a series of porticoed galleries rising five stories above it. Once the home of the counts of Barcelona, the palace later became the royal residence of Aragon. Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand received Christopher Columbus here after his voyage to the New World, and also met a Native American within these walls. Attached to the Royal Palace is the Museu de Història de la Ciutat , a museum that traces the history of Barcelona from its days as a Roman colony to the present. Housed in a 14th century villa, the museum has an impressive collection of Roman and medieval artefacts. Among the best-known squares are the Plaça del Rei , supposedly the oldest in the Barri Gótic, where Columbus was received on his return from his historic voyage, the Plaça Rius I Taulet, renowned for the beautiful clock tower which stands in its centre and the popular Plaça Reial. The last-named is a lovely and colourful square, surrounded by apartments owned by the rich and famous - including Nobel laureate author Gabriel García Marquez. Sunday morning sees the Plaça del Reial at its liveliest, with people trading and selling coins and stamps. Barcelona is home to some splendid museums and fine buildings. The Museu Picasso is situated in the picturesque Carrer de Montcada quarter of town, an area of lovely old buildings, painstakingly restored and redecorated. The Museu Picasso is Barcelona’s tribute to one of the world’s greatest painters. The museum contains an excellent collection of Picasso’s work - definitely the best in Spain, and also among the best in the world. Besides the permanent displays, there are also regular temporary exhibitions held throughout the year. The museum is open from 10 am to 8 pm Tuesday to Saturday, and from 10 am to 3 pm on Sundays. The entry fee is waived on the first Sunday of the month. The mount of Tibidabo , named after a verse from the Bible, forms the northwestern boundary of Barcelona. This is a mountain that soars up to 1745 ft and offers a stupendous view of the surrounding area. On a clear day, it is said that you can actually see as far as the island of Mallorca, and even Montserrat and the Pyrenees. At the peak of Tibidabo is an amusement park that offers lots of great rides and plenty of fun for kids. (Incidentally, if you’re wondering which Biblical verse the mount is named after, it’s `Haec omnia tibi dabo si cadens adoraberis me’- “All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me”- Satan’s words to tempt Christ). The Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia and the Gaudi Museum is the work of Barcelona’s most famous architect, Antoni Gaudi. The Temple is one of Barcelona’s most striking pieces of modern architecture. Although unfinished at the time of Gaudi’s death, the Temple is truly spectacular, with eight spires soaring up to a height of 100 metres (it is believed that Gaudi planned a total of 12 spires, to represent the twelve apostles). Work is currently underway to complete the building, but it is possible for visitors to roam around the premises and to take an elevator to the top of the tower for a view across the city. Inside the temple is the Gaudi Museum, an exhibition dedicated to the life and work of the architect; it also includes a history of the Sagrada Familia. Considered to be one of the finest examples of Catalonian Gothic architecture, the Catedral de Barcelona is a fine basilica, built largely between the 13th and 15th centuries. Once described by the historian Cirici as `the loveliest oasis in Barcelona’, this is one building you can’t afford to miss. The cathedral has three wonderfully illuminated naves - high bell towers and beautifully sculptured choirs and Gothic arches. The cloister has a series of vaulted galleries, fabulously decorated with carved vegetation and forged iron grilles. It is also the home of a fine museum of medieval art, which contains some excellent works, including Bartolomé Bermejo’s La Pietat. The Museu Nacional d’art de Catalunya is housed in the Palau Nacional and contains one of the best collections of religious art in Europe. Included in the items on display are a huge number of altarpieces, icons, carvings, frescoes and the like, brought here in the 1920s from churches in the Pyrenees, mainly to save them from destruction. Most of the exhibits are Romanesque or Gothic, and many are fine examples of traditional art. Also included in the museum’s collection are works by masters such as Velazquez, Mirador and Zurbarán. Founded in the early 14th century, the Monestir des Pedralbes is known both for its splendid architecture and for the excellent collection of art which it houses. The convent, set up for the Clarist nuns in 1326, has a lovely chapel with a rose window and impressive murals. The cloister, housed in an unusual three-storied structure, is acknowledged by many to be the best in Barcelona. Within the former dormitory of the nuns (a chamber of elegant pointed arches and high windows) is housed the Thyssen-Bornemisza collection, a large selection of works by greats such as Tintoretto, Rubens, Tiepolo and Velazquez. Barcelona has a number of other interesting buildings, both public and private houses, which are known for their architectural excellence. Included in the list are Casa Milá known for its curved stone façade; the Gran Teatre del Liceu , which is said to be the most beautiful opera house in Europe and the wonderfully colourful music hall known as Palau de la Música Catalana. Even if you don’t have the time to specifically go to any of these places, just stroll down areas like the Eixample, and you’re bound to see some interesting sights and some good architecture.

Shopping

Barcelona is an excellent place to go shopping. It has long been a commercial centre with goods of every type, whether designer jewellery, fashion accessories, clothing, shoes, art, porcelain or woodwork. On the whole, the city, though cheaper than other cities like London and Paris, is still expensive, but you can pick up decent bargains with a little effort. Some of Barcelona’s major shopping districts include the Barri Gòtic (for art); the Passeig de Gràcia and the Mercat de la Boqueriá- the last is full of fresh produce, cheap handcrafted items and the like. The Avinguda Diagonal and the Eixample are also good hunting grounds for avid shoppers, though if you are looking for cheap buys you should try the many flea markets across town. In addition to these, a lot of large stores have special sales in mid January, late July or August, when stock is sold off at heavily slashed prices. Most shops in Barcelona open 9 am to 8 pm, Monday to Saturday, although smaller shops often have a siesta between 1.30 pm and 4 pm in the afternoon.

The best restaurants in Barcelona

Barcelona's best tapas restaurants

Restaurant La Luna Barcelona

Located in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, Barcelona La Luna will seduce you with its lounge atmosphere and delicious tapas. The restaurants tapas have an appropriate price performance ratio. We recommend thequesadillas if you go to La Luna Barcelona. The tapas are quite in plenty supply unlike other restaurants in Barcelona. This place is both, bar and restaurant where you can enjoy tapas in Barcelona. La Luna Barcelona also offers delicious cocktails. La Luna Barcelona - Tapas Bar Carrer Abaixadors, 10 08003 Barcelona 9329555513 Metro Jaume - Yellow Line

Cerveceria Catalana Near the Passeig de Gracia, this restaurant offers a wide selection of tapas of good quality. The tapas are not very expensive. Be aware of rush hours when the restaurant might be too busy. Cerveceria Catalana - Barcelona Tapas Restaurant Carrer Mallorca, 236 08013 Barcelona 932 160 368 Metro Passeig de Gracia - Yellow Line

Barcelona's best restaurants to eat Catalan specialties: El 7 Portes To eat paella, typical Catalan or Spanish food, such as watered or caldos fideua and many other typical dishes of Catalonia, the restaurant el 7 doors in Barcelona is opened from 13 to 1 without interruption.

El 7 Portes - Barcelona Catalan Restaurant Passeig Isabel II, 14 08003 Barcelona 933 193 033 Metro Barceloneta - Yellow Line

La Tomatina

When: 29th August, 2012 Where: Bunyol, Valencia, Spain

Did you say you loved tomatoes? Tomato soup, tomato ketchup, tomato salad- or anything, for that matter, with loads of the carotene-rich vegetable/fruit in it? Then Valencia (Spain) is where all your tomato-tinted dreams will come true in August every year. On this particular day, the streets of the town of Bunyol become the scene for what may qualify as one of the biggest food fights anywhere on Earth: the festival of La Tomatina. La Tomatina (as its name signifies) centers around the humble tomato, 1,25,000 kilos of which are used by the town's populace- and visiting guests- to pound, batter, and completely cover each other with squishy tomatoes.

La Tomatina's origins are pretty humble: it began as a common brawl outside a restaurant way back in 1944- but the decades since then have seen it develop into one of Spain's biggest, most popular and most fun tourist draws. Bunyol's actual population is only about 9,000, but during La Tomatina, that figure swells to a respectable 30,000- all of them with a ferocious red gleam in their eyes, eager to pelt everybody in sight with tomatoes. The tomato festivities begin at 11 am with the launching of five tomato-packed rockets- and then, for the next 2 hours, everybody goes more than a little mad. The rules for the tomato fight are simple enough: no ammo other than tomatoes is allowed, and all tomatoes must be squished before being thrown.

Two hours of tomato-throwing take their toll on participants and streets alike, and after everybody's washed and changed and Bunyol's streets have been hosed down, La Tomatina continues- with plenty of wine, lots of music and feasting- all of it in the still-tomato-redolent environs of Bunyol. So if you're looking for a bit of good ol' street fighting, and that too with your favourite vegetable, come to Bunyol for La Tomatina!

In 2013 the La Tomatina festival will be celebrated on 28 August.

How to get there by Air Madrid as well as Barcelona has a busy international airports, served by airlines from all over the world. Contact a travel agent for seasonal discounts and fares.

How to get there by Rail If you’re traveling from within the Union, you can get tickets for the Eurail to enter the country by land. Other international trains normally connect to Spain via France.

How to get there by Road You can drive into Spain from bordering France or Portugal. Driving is on the right hand side of the road and you will require an International driving license and a proof of insurance Green card. The general condition of roads is good. The toll roads are marked A and they are known as autopistas. The national and main roads are marked N and the country roads are marked C. Gasoline is expensive as also toll charges which are on the higher side.

How to get there by Sea There are ferry shuttle services to Gibraltar connecting Tangiers and Morocco.

Getting Around By car The fast improving road and superhighway system of Spain is making it a great country to discover by car. Just a few pointers : drive to the right, don’t honk in cities, fasten your seat belt and no kiddies in the front seat. Remember these few rules for the Spaniards are serious about them and you just might end up with fines to pay – which are high, just like the highway tolls. Its also important to keep in mind that car theft isn’t uncommon, and you are safer off parking your car in a staffed parking lot rather than out on the road. By bus Spain has a great bus network, although there is no national or state run bus company. Cheaper and more frequent than trains, buses allow you to experience the interiors. On major routes, advance book tickets around tourist season. By train

There are many options to choose from even within this category.

There are 3 kinds of trains that the national RENFE offers : Tolgas – fastest, most comfortable and costliest. Expresos and rapidos ( a little contrary to their names) are

slowest but cheaper. Buy the RENFE Tourist Card, for great value and unlimited travel for 3,5 or 10 days. The most recent development in the Spanish transportation network has been the opening of the superfast AVE train network which connects Madrid to Seville and Cordoba.

By air

Some might find Spanish airfares high by world standards, but they are a quick and comfortable way of getting around the country. There are several shuttles between Madrid and Barcelona, as well as other locations. The carriers include not only the domestic service but also a number of subsidiaries and private airlines.

Introducing Europe

Few places pack the punch of Europe. From its Northern Lights to its Southern shores, this drama queen keeps on thrilling, surprising and confusing with her extraordinary wealth of sights, sounds, peoples and parties..

What a history Europe has! As well as the birthplace of democracy in Athens, the Forum of Rome, the renaissance buildings and art of Florence, the graceful canals of Venice and the Napoleonic grandeur ofParis, there’s always the less expected sites such as the Moorish palaces ofAndalucía, the remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the World in Turkey, the majesty of a second Venicein St Petersburg and the haunting buildings ofAuschwitz in Poland

But Europe is far from limited by its extraordinary heritage. The continent leads the world in fashion, art, music, architecture and design; just see the street styles and music scenes of London and Berlin, the ground-breaking design in Antwerp,Copenhagen and Stockholm or the amazing displays of contemporary art, well, just about everywhere.

Glorious scenery your thing? Try out the awesome fjords of Norway, the stunning scenery of the Scottish Highlands, the volcanic dramatics of Iceland, the breathtaking Alps of France, Switzerland and Italy, and the lesser-known mountains of Spain,Slovenia, Southern Poland and Slovakia. For beach life you can fight for some sand on France’s Côte d’Azur, Spain’s Costa Brava or Portugal’s Algarve, or – far more enjoyably – discover your own pristine beach in Albania, Bulgaria or on the gem-like islands of Greece and Croatia.