Venice Carnival 2009

I have just put online some of my photographs of this year's Carnival in Venice. There have been some great costumes - including a real hot-air balloon - and colourful characters. This weekend is the final of the 'best costume' award and should see entertaining parades of costumed revellers.
> Venice Carnival photos 2009
> About the Carnival

Valentine's Day in Italy

If you are looking for romantic ideas for Valentine's Day, why not book a short-notice trip to Italy? It is Carnival time in Venice, and hotel prices are high... but the atmosphere should be very special. We've just published a new page, Romance in Venice, with insider tips for romantic places to stroll and share special moments. For more ideas on romantic breaks or honeymoons, try our Romance in Rome and Romantic Italy suggestions.

Yet another Ryanair charge

For several months Ryanair have been emailing travellers with warnings that they should only take one piece of hand-luggage aboard their plane. Now their motivation is clear. The low-cost airline is planning a £30 charge for anyone attempting to take extra luggage aboard - including duty-free purchases, laptops and handbags. Those of us who dutifully carry one piece of hand-luggage through security, then remove a second bag from within to carry over one shoulder, before heading to the airport shops to acquire bags of shopping will have to reconsider our moves. I don't know how Ryanair plan to enforce the charge - the staff amid the chaos of the boarding gates would presumably have this added to their workload.
> Guardian: Ryanair: £30 charge if you can't fit duty free in your hand luggage
> Ryanair: Cabin baggage allowance
> Ryanair: news item including the threatened £30 charge