I am planning on traveling to Italy for about 10 days. I wanted to spend 4 of 5 days in Venice during carnival time. Has anyone been to Venice during this time and do you have any suggestions for visiting Venice during carnival. thanks mj

I don't have any answers, but I have the same question. It's such a crummy time of year that we ought to somewhere. BTW: it's not elegant but Mardi Gras in rural Louisiana is not bad [not NO}

I do know that hotels fill up fast for Carnevale. So if you want a good selection (location, price, amenities, etc.), you'd better decide soon.

The theme for the Carnevale will not be "Americana" as originally proposed. It has been changed to "The Orient."

I was there a few years ago. It was pretty cold and grey and a little wet at that time (max probably abt 11 degrees C) but the Carnivale made up for it all. There were spectacular costumes and masks everywhere on the streets. It was a feast for photographers and there were free stage and music performances as well in the streets.

I've been in Venice at Carnivale in 2001 and 2003. It is spectacular. Be ready for huge, but not unruly, crowds.

****The theme for the Carnevale will not be "Americana" as originally proposed. It has been changed to "The Orient.****

I guess they had enough of the rude loud Americans this summer!

So says the Mirror...

BRITS are the rudest, worst behaved and least adventurous holidaymakers in the world - and Germans the best.

Tourist offices placed us bottom of 24 countries, a survey said yesterday.

In contrast those sunbed bandits from Germany ranked highest for behaviour and their attempts to speak the local language. Dermot Halpin, boss of online travel service Expedia which conducted the survey, said: "Much as it pains me to say it, the Germans deserve the best sunbeds.

"British holidaymakers are some of the most widely travelled in the world. But that doesn't mean we're good at it." Expedia questioned tourist offices in 17 popular destinations worldwide. Britons were worst for rudeness, followed by Russians and Canadians.

They were also worst for their behaviour, learning the language and enthusiasm to try local delicacies.

Next on the bottom of the list were the Israelis, Irish and Indians. At the top, the Germans were followed by Americans, Japanese, Italians and French.

Americans were the most polite and most generous tippers and Italians the most adventurous eaters.

The Foreign Office said: "A lot of our tourists are no worse than other nationals. Look how well behaved they were at the World Cup in Japan."