Every year Venice sees thousands visitors attracted by two events of great importance taking place in the month of May: the “Festa della Sensa” and “La Vogalonga”.

The Sensa Festival was celebrated by the Venetian Republic on the day of Christ’s Ascension that in Venetian dialect is “Sensa”.

The festival commemorates two important events in the life of the Venetian Republic: the first event dates back to 9^th May 1000, when Doge Pietro II Orseolo gave aid to the inhabitants of Dalmatia, who were under the Slav menace.

Ah, Italy. Just hearing its name conjures up thoughts of rolling Tuscan hills, tucked-away piazzas, winding cobbled streets and warm summer evenings. Italy can quite literally claim to be the home of romance, considering the word ‘romance’ originally meant ‘from or about Rome’. With scores of romantic spots across the country the only hard part is deciding where to go.

Whether you only just met your partner through friends or after you started to visit eHarmony UK, going on romantic trip to Italy together can be a wonderful experience. Italy is not a long way to travel – the perfect distance for a long weekend. Below are five of Italy’s best romantic getaways.

Venice

The sinking city oozes romance from every corner. The key to seeing the romantic side of Venice? Get lost.

Venice, Italy isn’t called the City of Bridges for nothing. Aside from offering a romantic setting to couples, the city is also famous for its breath-taking and beautiful bridges. If you are in Venice, make sure you don’t miss the chance to explore the city’s bridges, as well as the usual attractions – that is, after you check yourself into a hotel. Or if you prefer to feel like a Venetian resident during your trip, you can stay in one of the many Venice apartments available four tourists.

Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs)

This bridge is probably one of the most famous – if not the most famous – bridges in Venice.
Built in 1602, this famous landmark is made of white limestone. Passing through Rio di Palazzo, Ponte dei Sospiri connects the city’s old prison with its interrogation rooms. The bridge is said to be called the Bridge

You still have a few days for marvelling at Salvador Dalì’s artworks in Venice.

An exhibition entitiled “The Dalì Universe” will be held until 18th March 2012 at S. Apollonia Museum in Venice, a few steps away from the charming and famous Piazza San Marco.

This exhibition, dedicated to one of the greatest artists of 20th century, puts over 100 artworks on display.

Visitors can admire a collection of artworks lesser known to the public, which include bronze sculpture (such as his Profile of Time

Are you ready? Come to Venice and show ff your best mask!

Carnival 2012 is ready to begin. Tomorrow 4th February many dances, masks, parades and theatre performances will liven up Venice!

This year the theme of the carnival will be the theatre: “Life as a Theatre!”. So, several theatre performances and many more theatre-related initiatives will be held during this carnival edition.

On 4th February, the Great toast at the fountain of wine, and a beautiful theatre performance, “A Venezia la vita è Teatro” (“In Venice, life is theatre”). In addition, skating rinks will be open to the public in Piazza Ferretto and Campo San Paolo in Venice.

On Sunday 12th, there will be the famous and traditional “Angel Flight”, the exciting flight of a secret guest star, who from the top of San Marco bell tower will fly above the square, landing in the centre of the square. He or she will wear an amazing mask in honour of the carnival.

In addition, this year Venice Carnival will celebrate and remember the significance of the environmental protection, thanks to a special initiative by Ecolamp, the cooperative devoted to the separate collection of rubbish and waste disposal.

From 4th to 21st February will mount a stage – “Teatro della Luce e del Riciclo” – in Campo San Paolo, proposing games and shows dedicated to environment.

For more detailed information about Venice please visit the guide About Venice.

Book your hotel in Venice with About Venice!

Find out more about Venice Carnival.

A special exhibition is still taking place in Venice, from last 1st October 2011 until 22nd January 2012. An exhibition in which history, adventure, science, trade, historical events and great artworks interweave.

As well as Cleopatra seduced Caesar and later Mark Antony, the charming Egypt was able to seduce Rome and later, in the course of time, the whole West.

The exhibition, taking place in the wonderful Sala dello Scrutinio at Palazzo Ducale in Venice – symbol of the city – shows with many findings the relationships between Venice and Egypt during almost 2 thousand years (from the classic age until the opening of Suez canal, an initiative proposed by the government

If you want to spend a magic, and unforgettable new year’s eve, at the sound of music, surrounded by magnificent buildings rich of culture Italy is the place to be!
This year 2011, Italy doesn’t miss the change to surprise us another time with events suitable for every age and for every kind of wallet!

Starting from Turin the capital of Piedomont , in Piazza San Carlo from 22:30 to 01:30 , you will have the chance to partecipate to a free concert full of culture and risorgimental spirit.. Renzo Arbore one of the most famous italian musicians, with the help of his orchestra,will make us dream of the past with his music rich of memory and tradition.

On the other hand, Milan with its charming Castello Sforzesco, will be the setting of a celtic celebration. Internationl groups such as the Irish Kila and the Scots Wolfstone, will project us into the world of the scottish Highlands, with its nostalgic but at the same time, full of life ballads.

Are you a fan of opera or classical music? Then book your New Year’s Eve concert right now!

It could seem too soon but time is running out and New Year’s Eve is near! Have you already thought about how to spend this magic night?

If you’re planning to spend this New Year’s Eve in Italy, then why not to enjoy a wonderful classical music concert or an opera at theatre? Or maybe, even on the first day of 2012!

For those who wish to end 2011 with the magic notes of The Barber of Seville or start the new year with the emotions raised by famous operas such as Nabucco or Tosca, don’t miss the fabulous concerts

St Mary of Health Day is celebrated every year on 21st November, in honor of Madonna of Health, to which the Basilica placed on Canal Grande is dedicated. It is a catholic event celebrated by Venetians and consists in a votive pilgrimage to the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute (Basilica of St Mary of Health), which was built in late 17th century for celebrating the end of a terrible period of pestilence.

In 1630 Venice experienced an unusually devastating outbreak of plague. As a votive offering for the city’s

Everyone knows the so-called “Indian Summer”, a meteorological phenomenon that takes place in Autumn.

It refers to a period of considerably above normal temperatures, accompanied by dry and hazy conditions, usually after there has been a killing frost. Everywhere in the US, this period is more commonly known as the “dog days”.

In former times in Europe, “Indian summer” was called “Saint Martin’s Summer”, referring to St. Martin’s day, November 11th, when it was supposed to end.

The phrase ‘Saint Martin’s Summer’ comes from France where it is still widely used. In Italy, St Martin’s summer (Estate di San Martino) was expected and celebrated as a rural tradition with ancient origins, and