Not To Miss Events and Festivals When Visiting Europe in 2012

Events and festivals in Europe, these are some of the reasons why travellers, visitors and party-lovers from around the globe are visiting this continent. There are a lot of things to experience here especially the famous and colourful festivals and events that are happening from time to time in the different places and cities in Europe. Be sure to plan and book your international flights ahead of time. There are always affordable flights you can find online to any destinations in Europe.

Venice Carnival in Italy is one of the unique and colourful festivals you can witness in Europe. Here you will find participants wearing masks of various forms, colours and styles. It is simply a Venetian tradition which made it famous not only in Europe but also around the world. This year's festival will take place from February 11-21. If you want your visit to be memorable, why not buy a mask and a costume and participate in a palazzo ball.

a woman wearing a mask and costume while on a gondola ride during a Carnival in Venice. I was in Venice thrice already.

The Lemon Festival in French Riviera- This is is an annual event held every February in Menton, a town in Cote d'Azur in France. It is nicknamed "The Pearl of France". The place is famous for its mild climate and known to have 300 days of sunshine in a year. During this festival, you will witness a parade with various floats decorated with lemons and oranges of different motives, forms and designs.

Menton, France during our visit last April 2011.

While the other parts of Europe are still having winter during this time, a multicoloured festival under the sun will be taking place in this beautiful town of Menton. The parade of "Golden Fruit" will take place from February 17 to March 7, 2012.

St. Patrick's Festival in Dublin, Ireland- St. Patrick Day is celebrated around the world but its celebration in Ireland is very special and unique because this is where its history started. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and he was the one who brought Christianity to this country particularly in Heaton Celts 1500 years ago. Christians and non-Christians from around the world visit Ireland to witness and participate this famous festival. It will take place from March 16-19, 2012. Don't miss to watch its highlight, the St. Patrick's Day Parade on the 17th of March.

London 2012 Olympic Games- This is one of the highlights for this year's event. The 2012 Summer Olympic Games are scheduled to take place in London, England, UK from July 27 to August 12, 2012. London defeated Paris, Madrid, Moscow and New York City during the 117th IOC Session in Singapore last July 6, 2005.

view of Big Ben and the London Parliament as the London eye was ascending. It was a wonderful experience riding this wheel. Taken during my 3-weeks vacation in England last 2008.

For sure, many of you had already booked your flights and tickets for this event. I believed many are still looking for cheap flights and accommodation to London at this time. Try your luck in searching for low-cost airlines such as Easyjet, Ryanair, Air Berlin, Germanwings and many more.

Oktoberbest in Munich, Germany- known as one of the most famous events in Germany and also the world's largest festival, this Bavarian culture is visited by 5 million people from all corners of the world every year. Don't miss to taste some of the German beers and the German delicacies such as Schweinebraten (roast pork), Schweinshaxe (grilled ham hock), Bratwurst, Weisswurst, Steckerlfisch...I guess I have to stop mentioning about food right now because it just makes me hungry. It is held in Theresienwiese in Munich from September 22 to October 7, 2012. If possible reserve your seats earlier in one of the many beertents in Oktoberfest.

one of the beer tents in Oktoberfest during our visit last 2010.

Semana Santa in Andalusia, Spain- You can pick some of the big cities in the region of Andalusia to witness its famous Holy Week festival known as Semana Santa. Seville, the capital city of Andalusia and Granada are very famous for this religious celebrations. Semana Santa is one of the famous traditional event in whole of Spain. Don't fail to witness the processions of paso and other religious sculptures.

Plaza de Espana in Seville, Spain during our trip last December 2011.

Riding Gondola in Venice, Italy

It was the reason why I always wanted to go back to Venice, Italy. I had been to this city twice but was not able to ride a gondola. Finally during my third visit last July 3, 2011 I finally experienced it.

How much does a gondola ride cost? I asked about five gondoliers and they answered me almost the same. A ride for about 30 minutes costs 80.00 Euros maximum 6 people. A forty five minutes ride range from 120-150 Euros. If you are alone or two or three people, that is quite expensive. I heard somebody talking last time that he don't want to ride a gondola because it is very expensive. For me it is quite different. That is the reason why I went back there. Besides the experience of riding a gondola is for me priceless. Every tourist has its own wants and goals when visiting a certain place and I always respect it.

For now, I am quite happy and contented because of a gondola ride experience. I still want to visit Venice in the future. That is to witness its famous Carnival of Venice.

a narrow canal in Venice. One of the canals we passed-by during our gondola ride.

Gondolas parked at their moorings.

My Europe Travel in Venice, Italy

I had the chance to visit Venice again for the third time. You know why I came back there last weekend? The main reason is to ride the gondola. For me, this is one of the great experience when visiting Venice. The price depends on long you want to ride the gondola. A 30-minutes ride costs 80.00 Euros up to six persons. From 120-150 Euros, you can have a 45 minutes ride. I guess it is not too bad especially if you want to see the narrow canals and want to see more of Venice.

Venice is one of the most interesting and lovely places in the world. I say so because I had been there thrice and I always love it. That is also one of the reasons why Venice is always flocked with tourists every day.

Venice seems to be a small city but it is not.It is made of different districts and visiting it in a day or two is not enough. If you happen to visit Venice, be sure to visit its famous square, the St. Mark's Square.

More updates and images in my future posts.

gondolas in Venice, Italy during my third visit last July 3, 2011.

the Campanilla or Bell tower in the background.

My Euro Travel in Venice, Italy

I guess it is time to travel Europe again. I am done with Paris, Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, Munich...what else folks? Let's just go back to Venice. I had been there twice but I still want to go back next time. Off topic; I am quite sad because Germany did not win against Spain. I can't do anything. Spain played better, so congratulations! Viva Espania!

Back to the main topic;
This is the Grand Canal or Canal Grande in Venice, Italy. It is considered to be one of the most water-traffic corridors in Venice. Water buses and private water taxis are the forms of public transportation here. Most tourists explore the canal through gondola.

At one end the canal leads into the lagoon near Santa Lucia railway station and the other end leads into Saint Mark Basin: in between it makes a large S-shape through the central districts (sestieri) of Venice. It is 3,800 m long, 30-90 m wide, with an average depth of five meters (16.5ft).
The banks of the Grand Canal are lined with more than 170 buildings, most of which date to 13th to the 18th century and demonstrate the welfare and art created by the Republic of Venice. The noble venetian families faced huge expenses to show off their richness in suitable palazzos: this contest reveals the citizens’ pride and the deep bond with the lagoon. Amongst the many are the Palazzi Barbaro, Ca' Rezzonico, Ca' d'Oro, Palazzo Dario, Ca' Foscari, Palazzo Barbarigo and to Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, housing the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. The churches along the canal include the basilica of Santa Maria della Salute. Centuries-old traditions such as the Historical Regatta are perpetuated every year along the Canal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canal_%28Venice%29

My Euro Travel in Venice, Italy

It has been almost four years now since the last time I visited Venice or Venezia in Italy. I had been to this city twice already. The first time was in October 2005 and the second time was in April 2006. I don't have much pictures that time because I was still not a camera or photo addict until 2007. I have here a picture of St. Mark Cathedral or San Marco Basilica as it is called by Italian. Please find below a little history of this Cathedral.

picture I took during my second visit in Venice, Italy last April 2006

The building of St. Mark's Cathedral

The first St Mark's was a temporary building in the Doge's Palace, constructed in 828, when Venetian merchants stole the supposed relics of Saint Mark the Evangelist from Alexandria. This was replaced by a new church on its present site in 832; from the same century dates the first St Mark's Campanile (bell tower). The new church was burned in a rebellion in 976, rebuilt in 978 and again to form the basis of the present basilica since 1063. The basilica was consecrated in 1094, the same year in which the body of Saint Mark was supposedly rediscovered in a pillar by Vitale Faliero, doge at the time. The building also incorporates a low tower (now housing St Mark’s Treasure), believed by some to have been part of the original Doge's Palace. Within the first half of the 13th century the narthex and the new façade were constructed, most of the mosaics were completed and the domes were covered with higher wooden, lead-covered domes in order to blend in with the Gothic architecture of the redesigned Doge's Palace. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mark%27s_Basilica

Let's Go To Venice, Italy

This is quite a very old picture but I still cherish it. This was taken during my first visit in Venice, Italy last October 2005. At that time, I was using a film camera not a digital one. It means that I just scanned this picture to share here. Since Venice is surrounded by water and October is already a fall season, the weather here can be very cold. My friend in the picture was already freezing a bit. I guess wearing a UGG Bailey Button is a perfect outfit when you visit Venice during autumn and winter time. I just bought a new one last month. It is not so expensive and I am happy to have one already. You can also see the St. Mark's Basilica in the background. I wish to go back there next time with a better camera and perfect clothings too especially during cold times.

My Euro Travel in Venice, Italy

I just remember my trip with friends in Venice, Italy. I already visit this city twice and I am still planning to come back. The first time I went there was in October 2005. The second time was in April 2006. This city is quite interesting. I wish to visit it again to ride Gondola..wink!

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me and friend Lucil in St. Marco square, Venice, Italy

My Euro Travel in Venice, Italy

Let's travel and visit Venice in Italy this time! I have been to Venice twice already. The first time was in October 2005 and the second time was in April 2006. I still wish to go back to Venice when I can. This picture was taken in St. Mark's Square. That cathedral you can see in the background is the St. Mark's Cathedral. How I love to see Venice once again!

A photo taken at St. Mark's Square during my second trip to Venice, Italy...lovely city to visit!

Venice, Italy

Want to travel in Venice, Italy? I am organizing a trip there this coming May 2009. If you are interested please click the other right side of this site for more infos about the trip. If you are especially coming from Hohenfels, Germany or some near towns or cities from here, you are very welcome to join us. You can invite anybody, your friends, neighbors, co-workers or even your family.

I have been to Venice twice already. I love this place and when I have the chance to always go there, I will. The photo's background is the so-called St. Mark 's Basilica...keep reading below for more information about this famous Cathedral.

Saint Mark's Basilica (Italian: Basilica di San Marco a Venezia), the cathedral of Venice, is the most famous of the city's churches and one of the best known examples of Byzantine architecture. It lies on St Mark's Square (in the San Marco sestiere or district) adjacent and connected to the Doge's Palace. Originally it was the "chapel" of the Venetian rulers, and not the city's cathedral. Since 1807 it has been the seat of the Patriarch of Venice, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. For its opulent design, gilded Byzantine mosaics, and its status as a symbol of Venetian wealth and power, from the 11th century on the building was known by the nickname Chiesa d'Oro (Church of gold).