The Venice Carnival is one of the world's greatest festivals.
Just before Lent more than half a million people travel to the city for its 12 days of Carnival.
Pageants, theatre, concerts, balls and masked self-display are all part of the celebrations, until Shrove Tuesday signals an end to the party.
While most visitors come to watch the parade of costumes, music and street performers that pack the streets; others come to participate.
Masks are on sale everywhere and a lot of temporary shops appear in the street during Carnival.
San Marco Square is the heart and symbol of Venice and come Carnival time it is packed with costumed tourists and locals.
In the square you can find a lot of mask making and a variety of designs for sale.
The modern Carnival began in 1979. Its hey-day was in the 1700s but elements of the Venice Carnival can be dated back further.
The oldest document mentioning the use of masks in Venice dates back to May 2, 1268.
During the day people dress up and head to the Piazza to be photographed.
Parents dress up their kids and businessmen can be seen doing their shopping in the classic white mask, black cloak and tricorne hat.
In the evening those who have spent literally hundreds of euro on their costumes install themselves in the windows of Florian's and pose.
Carnival is topped off with a ball for the glitterati - the Il Ballo Del Doge, held in a 15th century palace, the Palazzo Pisani Moretta.
The ball is named for the Doges who ruled Venice in the 17th Century.
The palace features frescoes by Tiepolo and Guarona, grand sweeping marble staircases and two marble floors candle-lit by chandeliers of Murano glass.
Four hundred guests attend the Doge Ball each year, all making grand entrances by gondola or boat.
The entertainment includes opera singing, minuet lessons and the world's most scrumptious dinner.
Venice facts: Venice (Venezia) is built on 117 small islands and is divided into six quarters: Castello, San Marco, Dorsoduro, Cannaregio, San Polo and Santa Croce. The city has 150 canals and 409 bridges. Only three bridges cross the Grand Canal: the Accademia, the Rialto and the Scalzi.
