The Carnevale di Venezia is among the oldest carnivals in the world. Carnival madness first began centuries ago as a period of excess before the rigours of Lent, the 40 days of fasting that ...

A woman dressed in Carnival Costume poses in front of gondolas in Saint Mark's Square on Feb. 25, 2014 in Venice, Italy. Getty Images Thousands of people took to the streets in Venice, Italy, this ...

The wild, the beautiful and the crammed: Dressing up for Venice's Carnevale party. By PHILIPPA GREGORY . Published: 11:29 EDT, 24 September 2013 | Updated: 11:29 EDT, 24 September 2013 ...

The masked revelry of Venice Carnevale is under way, but locals and regulars know that the real fun is still on the horizon. Here are five insider facts about this year's events: 1. It doesn’t ...

Venice, Italy, February 2005: A pair of costumed revelers pose along the Bacino San Marco during the Carnevale di Venezia celebrations. This year the festivities run through Feb. 21.

The table setting of Houston Grand Opera Ball 2017, Carnevale di Venezia are seen at Wortham Theater Center Saturday, April 8, 2017, in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle.

The Carnevale di Venezia starts on Saturday and runs until 21 February. Be part of the masked frivolity with a well-timed city break.

Venice's ancient carnival was revived in 1979 and it is now seen as a good excuse to don a mask and costume and parade around the city.