If you are traveling to Europe in early spring, consider the incredible city of Venice in Italy. The Carnival of Venice is linked to Easter, so the date changes every year. The festival lasts for about 2 weeks. The carnival is known for it’s amazing costumes and beautiful masks. Exciting events include, gondola parades, gala balls and concerts. Venice is truly a feast for the eyes, with its intricate web of canals, gondolas gliding slowly across the water and centuries old palaces. There are numerous restaurants to choose from, with seating outside along the canals.

Carnival of Venice, Italy by heatherbroster

In March if you are traveling to Europe you might want to include the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland. St Patrick is the patron Saint of Ireland. This is a religious and cultural festival. If you want to see the parade it is held on March 17th, but there are many other events, such as a boat race, music and dancing and of course green beer flowing in the pubs! The festival is now a 4 day event and is held every year.

If you like excitement, Pamplona, Spain is the place to be during July 6-14 for the festival of San Fermin, otherwise known as the Running of the bulls. This may be something you would prefer to watch, rather than participate in. Injuries and deaths do occur! Two excellent viewing areas to choose from would be Plaza Consistorial or Estafeta Street.

San Fermin, Pamplona, Spain by Abir Anwar

An exciting and historic city to visit is Edinburgh, Scotland, with its magnificent castle perched on a hill overlooking the city. August is an excellent time to visit Edinburgh because most of the year Edinburgh can be cold, wet and windy. In August, you have the added excitement of the 3 week long Edinburgh festival, which is a festival of the performing arts, including, music, dance, theater and opera from around the world.

Okoberfest is held for 16 days in Munich, Germany. It usually opens in late September and is known as the world’s largest keg party! The festival has costume parades and rides for all the family. The festival is held in the center of Munich, and there are traditional foods, such as, wurstl (sausages) and brezn (pretzels). Just to get an idea of the size of the festival there are roughly 6.5 million visitors. Events are held in large tents, the most popular being the Hippodron, where many of the classic Oktoberfest bands play their traditional music.

Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany by Gutsul

December in Europe is home to amazing Christmas markets. These Christmas markets started in Germany, France and Austria. The oldest Christmas market started in Dresden, Germany in 1434. The Dresden Christmas market has over 250 stalls and attracts 2 million visitors a year. There are similar markets in Munich, Cologne and Nuremberg. Visitors can enjoy, Christmas carols, Christmas tree lighting, delicious treats such as mulled wine, spicy gingerbread and roasted chestnuts. This is an opportunity to buy delightful hand made gifts for friends and family.

Monica Sing has been living in India for the last 23 years. She is currently planning on a backpacking holiday across Europe. Apart from traveling, she also teaches yoga to guests at The Paul, a leading hotel in Bangalore.  You can contact her on natasha.dogre(at)gmail.com to know more.

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During the Carnival of Venice there are lots of people from all over the world in Venice, so you need to be prepared for the queues at the refreshment stalls. Right in the heart of Venice, you will not find any benches. They are only in front of the restaurants, where you have to order something. This is why the people sit everywhere. However, not far from the center of Venice, there is a park with benches where you can rest. The park is open till 19:00.

If you walk around Venice, you’ll meet a mask on every street corner. Some of them are very interesting but also very expensive. Domestic conceived the carnival as their holiday, so you can even meet married couples, who were dressed in festive costumes. There are also many artists who can paint the mask directly on your face and it is really very nice and funny to watch such an artist at work. Also there are many foreigners who come here to show their costumes as well.

There is a competition for the best mask. These masks will then walk through the stage.

In 2011 Carnival of Venice starts on Friday 25.2.2011 (21:30 – 1:00) with Carnival Moon Dancing and finish on 9.3.2011 at 01:00am.

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