February sees the start of Carnival or Carnevale as the Italians call it. Traditionally the time when food was eaten up before fasting started for Lent – hence the name ‘carne vale’ or ‘meat good-bye’ – it now includes music, theatre and artistic events.

This year is the tri-centenary of the birth of Venice’s most famous playwright, Carlo Goldoni, after whom the city’s Goldoni theatre is named and theatre will have a season of productions in his honour, including Chekhov’s The Seagull. But the highlights will be the processions – including Scottish marching bands - and a special event for local school children in the Piazza San Marco on Friday 9th March.