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On the outskirts of Venice there is the section of the city called Porto Marghera. Here there is a naval construction center called Fincantieri. They are considered, just like Venetians of the past, top notch ship builders. The good news is that they have just finished building and consigning the biggest ship they have ever built to Carnival Cruises. It's called. CARNIVAL FREEDOM.

This ship is huge. It has eighteen bridges, ...

Since we're still in theme until February 20th, there's something interesting and fun happening at the Santa Lucia train station for Carnival. The city of Venice has set-up a stand where anyone can get there face made up with make-up for the festivities. In exchange the youngsters doing the make-up work ask for a contribution to help construction of the "Villaggio dei ragazzi" (Village for Young People) in Romania. ...

Yesterday I wrote about the carnival mask, and today I'm going to write about carnival desserts. There are two treats that are the symbols of the Carnival of Venice. The recipes are so simple. There aren't any fancy ingredients involved, and yet, they taste so good that it's difficult to eat just one. These are frittelle and galani.

Frittelle are made by preparing a dough with flour, milk, eggs, sugar, a ...

Well folks, the Carnival of Venice is almost here. From February 9th to the 20th one of the most famous celebrations will take place. Please, take a look at my blog entry of January 23rd for general information. Right now, I want to write about one crucial object of this feast: the mask.

The most famous and used mask of the Carnival of Venice is called the bauta. This is the ...

Perhaps while in Venice you will happen to pass by workers in the canal, usually securing buildings underneath water level. It's actually fantastic to watch. They create great walls with wood pilings to surround an area of a canal. Then, they use big pumps to take the water out of the enclosed section. Once the water has been taken out, underneath there's mud.

It's interesting to look at the sides of ...

Marco Polo is a figure that has sparked the imagination through the centuries. In his personality the world has connected the essence and spirit that represents Venice. Yet, in a city that has remained the same for centuries his home, or at least its location, seemed to be lost, until a recent discovery.

In 1998, during restoration work being done to Teatro Malibran (Malibran Theater) archeologists of the city of Venice ...

Once again the carnival is arriving. In the month of February, Venice's magic and romance increases. The entire city involves itself with the old tradition of the carnival, which has its roots in an ancient celebration that traced the passing of winter into spring. The Carnival of Venice is one of the most well known celebrations, where the world remembers Venice by the elaborate masks and costumes.

Today, the Carnival of Venice ...

It's difficult to write about sad things on a happy site such as Hotlesbycity.net, but I do it only because I feel that it's important. January 27th has been officially chosen, by various countries of the world, as the day referred to as the--Day of Rememberance (in Italian Giorno della Memoria). This is the day to remember those who died and sufferred the Nazi death camps. In fact, January 27th ...

Tomorrow is January 6th, which in Italy is the day observed as a church festival that celebrates the coming of the Magi to visit Jesus, and it is considered the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. The three wise men bring the famous gifts of frankincense, myrrh and gold.

Tomorrow is also known as the day of the Befana (kind old hag). This legend dates back to pre-Christian times, but ...

It may seem a bit obvious, and many may think that mentioning it would be redundant, but no discussion about Venice can exist without talking about the most natural aspect: WATER!

Venetians are surrounded by water. The city is built on tiny islands in the middle of a lagoon in an inhospitable location, which proves their fortitude and ingenuity. Venice is fascinating with its greenish canals. On beautiful days the buildings ...