Matino

The Rialto is the oldest, the most famous and the loveliest of the three bridges spanning the Grand Canal. Originally made of wood, a picture by Carpaccio in the Academy Galleries illustrates the special mechanism with which it was once equipped that allowed the middle section to be moved whereby even the tallest masted ships could sail through. In the 16th century it was decided...

when:Jun - Sep 2012 (annual) where:Arena di Verona cost:€23-€198 time:9pm Verona's International Opera Festival, one of the Italian cultural must-sees, takes place in the Arena, an ancient Roman amphitheatre. Some 50 large-scale performances of works by Puccini, Mozart, Verdi and others are lit by candles distributed to the audience. The programme in 2010 included...

The bridge joins the Doge`s Palace to the 16th century Prigioni Nouve (New Prison) and was designed by Antonio Contini in the decorative 17th century Barogue style. The sighs the bridge was named for actually go back to a 19th century Romantic tradition, they had nothing to do with sighs of love, but were probably the much more tragic exhalations of the condemend as they cast...

Across from the pier of St. Mark`s is the Isle of St. George with the lovely white facade of the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore. The curch was designed by Palladio in 1565 and the facade employs the typical "giant order"he used in countless other buildings: i.e. four enormous Corinthian columns supporting a huge triangular tympanum surmounted by statues of the Savior and two...

The modern Venetian Carnival runs up until the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday (known as "Mardi Gras"), starting two Saturdays before the Tuesday. Venice carnival dates therefore vary in step with Easter as follows:Carnival 2011: February 26 - March 8Carnival 2012: February 11 - February 21Carnival 2013: February 2 - February 12Carnival 2014: February 22 - March 4Carnival 2015: February...

Michael Fassbender with his Venice film festival award for best actor. He spends much of his time in Shame engaged in increasingly unhappy acts of sex in stark hotel rooms. Photograph: Danny Martindale/WireImageActor Michael Fassbender took a giant leap towards superstardom by winning the best actor prize at the Venice film festival for his controversial role as a man addicted...

Renting an apartment in Venice is a great way to live at one's own pace in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Let alone the chance to live the Venetians' life, and feeling independent: a traveller, and a resident at the same time. A special experience, a choice which tells the difference between a tourist and a world explorer: no matter how short.Don't forget this...