What is there to see at the Venice Carnival 2012?

Venice's annual carnival is famous for its colourful costumes, striking masks and air of revelry. If you're planning to attend the Venice Carnival 2012, why not do so by rail and incorporate several other exciting destinations into your trip?

Taking short breaks by train is a great way to experience new places and, while Venice is a thrilling city to explore at any time of year, it really comes to life during its carnival.

By booking yourself on a rail adventure, you can begin your holiday by getting into the festival spirit, before travelling onwards to destinations like Florence, Luca and Pisa.

So, what can you expect from the carnival itself?

Dating back to the 13th century, the 'carnevale' has an immensely rich history. What makes it particularly unique is its use of masks, which for much of its life have allowed revellers to conceal their social position and rid themselves of inhibitions.

Nobility mixed with common people, with no-one able to tell one class from another - something that rendered the annual event especially exciting for all involved.

The 18th century is generally thought to have been the event's heyday, while in the 1930s it was banned altogether by Mussolini and was only revived in recent decades.

However, it still keeps up the original spirit of the festival, with revellers donning increasingly striking and creative masks. Typically it runs from 40 days before Easter to Shrove Tuesday, but in recent years organisers have included an event the weekend beforehand.

This year, the carnival is taking place between February 11th and 21st, while an opening toast was made on February 4th. Its overriding theme will be 'La vita e teatro! Tutti in machera', which translates as 'Life is theatre! It's time to get masked'.

Events across the city will be kicked off by an opening ceremony at the Grand Theatre at Piazza San Marco. On each day of the carnival you'll find exciting things going on all over the city, from colourful parades and lively parties to theatrical performances and concerts.

So, whichever day of the event you attend, you can expect to enjoy a whirlwind of colour, music and, of course, masks.

The carnival ends with the awe-inspiring Vogata del Silenzio - or silent water parade - which starts at 23:00 on February 21st and proceeds slowly down the Grand Canal, the route atmospherically lit by flames.

On your rail tour, you'll have a full day free to get involved in the local festivities - and you may well want to pack a mask of your own to really help you get into the spirit of things.

Before you dive into the carnival, you'll spend a day getting to know the city's main sights. Take a guided tour in the morning to see attractions such as St Mark's Square - or the Piazza San Marco - the Basilica di San Marco and the Doge's Palace.

In the afternoon, you'll be free to explore at your leisure, so make sure you take a gondola ride on the city's iconic canals and treat yourself to some classic Italian ice cream.

After you've explored the metropolis and had a taste of the carnival, you can continue your holiday with a rail trip to Florence.

Here, you will enjoy a guided walking tour, as well as having time free to roam the city's scenic streets independently. Perhaps its most iconic site is the fantastic orange-domed Duomo, but you'll find countless other examples of amazing architecture, as well as some excellent cuisine.

A rail excursion to Pisa and the walled city of Lucca can come next on your itinerary, before you set off for another thrilling festival - the Viareggio Carnival.

Elaborate costumes, colourful parades and a host of events will make this trip truly unforgettable. Spend a full day getting involved with the various games, music and entertainment on offer, ahead of another scenic train ride through the Tuscan countryside. After arriving at Turin, you can begin your journey home.

If you're keen to discover exciting European festivals - and fascinating cities - by train, why not start planning your next adventure with Great Rail Journeys?