Museum of Natural History
In the palace known as Fontego dei Turchi, once the Turkish legation - now the premises of the Natural History Museum, a room is completely given over to Venetian entrepreneur and palaeontologist Giancarlo Ligabue and his scientific expedition to the Sahara desert in Niger which, in 1973 discovered the famous fossil remains of
dinosaurs. The almost intact skeleton of an Ouranosaurus came to light in the sands. Seven metres long and three metres in height, it is one of the most rare finds of this type known anywhere. Today the remains of this iguanodon from 110 million years ago, and the cranium and part of the skeleton of a giant crocodile Sarcosuchus imperator - a flesh-eating creature of gigantic proportions (12 metres in length, weighing 8 tons) - seen in this appropriate setting astound visitors to the new hall on the first floor of the museum.

Lastly, on the ground floor, the new aquarium holding five thousand litres of sea water, gives an idea of the environment on the reefs known as ‘tegnùe’, which are situated off the Venetian coast and host some fifty species. This display offers an extraordinary insight into the reef’s diversity.
A reconstruction in the Aquarium of the ‘Shoals’
Info: Museum of Natural History
Sat and Sun from 10am to 4pm
ph. (+3…
Upon reservation for workshops: ph. (+39)041.5236830

                  We can suggest for the Carnival event one splendid apartment with view Grand Canal, located in Campo San Vidal:

Vidal

LOCATION
Vidal is a luxurious and prestigious apartment located in Campo Vidal near the Accademia Bridge and the Accademia Museum.
The central neighborhood allows the guest to reach many points of artistic, historical and cultural interest in just a few minute walk. The Zattere, a romantic walkway along the southern end of Venice from the Salute church down to the Maritime Station! The closet vaporetto ACTV ( water bus) stop is located at the Accademia Bridge, just in front of the apartment. Otherwise one can reach the property by water taxi which can come directly to the apartment.The apartment is part of an exclusive and elegant condiminum, situated on the second floor ( third floor American) of the building. There is an elevator. The property is very bright and from certain windows you can see a “slice” of the Grand Canal. Elegantly decorated with antique furnishings, paintings and rugs, this property gives the guest the opportunity to experience an exclusive vacation in a typical Venetian residence. An internal terrace that can be accessed from the kitchen offers the opportunity to enjoy your breakfast or brunch relaxing in the open-air.

DESCRIPTION
Very spacious and comfortable, this 150 square-meter home includes and entrance, a large living room with television, sofa and aemchairs and table with chairs. From the windows there is a pleasant view of Campo San Vidal. In addition there is a dressing room from which one can reach the terrace, a master bedroom with Grand Canal view, bathroom with tub, well-equipped kitchen that accesses the terrace, two single bedrooms with single beds, and a second bathroom with shower.This property is ideal for those wishing to have an exclusive stay in an exclusive residence.

The price for 1 week : 1700 euros

FOR MORE INFORMATIONS:
info@venice-holidays.com
www.venice-holidays.com

                                                     Carnival Opening Opera at the Luna Hotel Baglioni
Start time: 18:30
Place: Luna Hotel Baglioni
Organizer: Baglioni Hotels
Don’t miss the special evening at the Luna Hotel Baglioni to celebrate togheter the traditional Opening of the Venice Carnival!
The appointment will be at 6.30 pm in the warm atmosphere of the Fireplace Room for our Welcome Cocktail: just in front of the warmlighted-on fireplace you will savour the typical Venetian Canapès while sipping the renown Bellini and Rossini Cocktails, created for you by our Chef Carlo. During the cocktail you will be entertained by a special funny Opera: “Il Barbiere di Siviglia”. The famous Opera of Gioacchino Rossini will be performed by top-level artists, prouded boast the stage of the most famous Italian and International Theatre.
Starting from 8.00 pm the refined Buffet Dinner will be served in the elegant ambience of the Marco Polo Ballroom, with original frescoes by the Pupils of the Tiepolo School.. The Marco Polo Ballroom is in fact the perfect setting to experience the real Carnival of Venice and you will have the chance to parade your Venetian Carnival costumes and traditional Masks! Our Chef Carlo will surprise you with a special carnival menù and with the exquisite Venetian typical desserts: frittelle and galani!
We will make you dance till late with Dance Music of our Disk-Jockey: international covers, rock, group dances, music by ‘60s and ‘70s…
A sparkling and exciting evening is waiting for you in the elegant ambience of our Luna Hotel Baglioni to celebrate in the most unforgettable way the Opening of the Venice Carnival!
Dress Code: Carnival Costume (Costume d’Epoque or Cloak with Mask) Rate: 180,00 Euro per persona (VAT and Wine from Canova Selection included) Cancellation Policy: by 12.00 p.m. of 20th January 2008, with the whole rate as penalty.
On the second floor of the Luna Hotel Baglioni the special Carnival Atelier “Venice Atelier” will be organized during Carnival period, in order to rent and buy Costumes d’Epoque, Masks and Cloaks.
Partecipation costs: Euro 180 Euro

                                                                             The Flight of the Angel is an event usually held on Shrove Thursday of Carnival (grasso) this has its roots due to an event that happened in the mid 16th century. In those years, during various exihibitions, a Turkish acrobat did something that stupefied the Venetians.With the only aid of a pole he walked on a rope from a boat tied in Riva degli Schiavoni to the top of St. Mark’s Tower and then from the tower to the Doges Palaces balcony, as a tribute to the doge.

The exihibition changed its name and became “The Flight of the Turk”, it has been held every year with various changes, first it was made only by professional acrobats and lately by common people that wanted to show their ability and bravery.

The exihibition name changed into “The Flight of the Angel” when for the first time an acrobat dressed with angel wings tied to a rope was let down the tower, at the end of the descent the doge himself gave the angel impersonator a gift.

The event changed its name again into “Volo della Colombina” (“The Flight of the dove”) starting from 1759. In that year the acrobat dressed as the angel fell down over  the horrified crowd.
Since then a wooden dove substitute the men.

After the fall of the Republic the event was banned (as many other traditions) until recent times.

Starting from 2001 “The flight of the Dove” become again “The Flight of the Angel” with the reintroduction of a real person instead of the wooden dove, staging the old ritual of the homage of the  sceptre to the Doge. This announced the beginning of the Carnival of Venice with a triumph of confetti and coloured air balloons. The event is now held on the week-end previous to Shrove Thursday and marks the beginning of the festivities.

San Bortolomio Apartment

-  San Bortolomio apart (San Marco area)
http://www.venice-holidays.com/apartment.aspx?cat=&item=23

LOCATION
This lovely apartment is located next to Campo San Bortolo, a famous square located right between Saint Mark’s square and Rialto bridge. Piazza San Marco is probably the best known spot in town, and it is so important amongst locals that it is said that everyone who lives in Venice passes beyond San Marco at least once a day. The wonderful square in front of the cathedral, full of children who feed the birds, souvenir sellers and cafés with live music (some of which are probably the most expensive coffee bars in Italy!), is definitely a must for those who visit marco Polo’s town. As you walk around it, don’t forget to have a look at the Palazzo Ducale (Duke’s Palace) and its Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs), which joins the courtroom with the ancient jail. For those who are not scared of heights, we recommend climbing the tower, which overlooks the entire town.

DESCRIPTION
This apartment is located on the second floor (lift unavailable). It has been recently renovated and sports numerous typical features, such as Venetian flooring and exposed wooden beamed ceilings.
The apartment is composed by a small living room, two double bedrooms (with a Queen size bed each), a kitchen and a bathroom with a shower.
The apartment includes air conditioning (from middle May on) 2 TV sets (TV only in Italian), a microwave and an iron.

The prices are:

3 nights: 530 euros instead  of 650 euros

4 nights: 620 euros instead of 740 euros

5 nights: 750 euros instead of 890 euros

6 nights: 880 euros instaed of 1.000 euros

7 nights :950 euros instead of 1.150 euros

www.venice-holidays.com
info@venice-holidays.com
fax 0039 041 58131178
phone 0039 041 2602334