In the ten days before Lent, the city erupts in a bacchanalia for Carnevale. Today’s celebrations rival those of the festival’s heyday in the 18th century, and you’ll find merry makers in costumes along the canals. The city’s also known for its rich artistic tradition, which you’ll find reflected in the many museums and galleries. Highlights include the Accademia, which features masterpieces ranging from the Byzantine to the Baroque, and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, which focuses on more modern works. And, held every other year, the Biennale is Europe’s most prestigious exhibition of large-scale installations.
