Oscar Wilde once said: “Give a man a mask and he’ll tell you the truth.” Many weird and wonderful things have been revealed over the centuries by the masks at the Venice Carnival. Perhaps that’s why the city of a thousand canals has an air of mystery about it that sets it apart from the rest.

The 25th of April is a special day in Venice. It is the day in which Venetians celebrate the Feast day of St Mark, a significant day in the calendar for most Venetians and Italians as it is also Liberation day. It is a day where the Patron Saint of Venice, St Mark is honoured with mass and a procession in the Basilica, a day when lovers declare their love for one another and of course no holiday in Venice would be complete without a gondola race.

Venice is a city full of traditions. One of the more famous is the Festa della Sensa in which the wedding between the Duke, the former Govenor of the Venetian Republic, and the Sea

Venice Carnival renowned for its carnival masks and 18th century period costume is one of the most famous carnivals in existence, a magic event with the ability to take you back in time. Venice Carnival 2013 takes place from the 26th of January to the 12th of February. More than two weeks of Carnival in which masks, capes and stunning costumes occupy the city’s streets and squares.