Unloxit 2026

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Trip start
January 1, 2026
Unloxit 2026 Traveler
China, the Americas....and Peckham
January 1 in England ⋅ ☁️ 4 °C
New Year's Day in London is a great time for blowing away the cobwebs of 2025, with its annual parade. Last year was a washout but today the weather is bright (albeit cold) with an ideal chance to travel virtually. It's worth starting a couple of hours before the parade starts, to watch the performers getting ready, making up and so on. I start near Hyde Park Corner and avoiding the crush of the main parade, take it up near the Houses of Parliament.

There's a fleet of ancient vehicles, followed by a motley crew and then dancers from China, Ecuador, Bolivia, Poland and the USA. By now they must have got back to their day jobs but it's great to see them having their day of fun.Read more
Speak, WorldWhat a wonderful, huge posting! 25 pictures – – wow, that’s more like it! People really go all out with the costumes don’t they? It looks very festive and fun.
1/18/26Reply
TravelerYes, it's great that they've increased the capacity to 25 images. A great way to start the New Year as well. The Bolivian dancers are called caporales.
1/19/26Reply
TravelerIt also fascinates me that as in all major cities, expat communities frequent specific parts of London. The Elephant & Castle, near here, is home to many Ecuadoreans and Colombians---and maybe Bolivians as well. The Polish community is traditionally linked with Hammersmith.
1/19/26Reply
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Unloxit 2026 Traveler
Anyone for Venice?
February 9 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C
Yes please---it's a unique city that that lends its name to other places---Venice of the north (Bruges and, er, Birmingham), Little Venice in London, and even Venezuela. For the ten days I'm there in February, I see it in all weathers and times of the day. The multitude of churches, especially the Renaissance ones, are best appreciated when the sun shines
But the Grand Canal is exceptional, rain or shine.

People often say that Venice is crowded, which it is around the hotspots like San Marco, but two or three streets away from them, lie oases of quietness and peace. And this being the run-up to Lent, people are gearing up for Carnival........Read more
Speak, WorldYou really outdid yourself with the photos in this post! So much beauty combined with so much, how should we call it? Commonness? Anyway, I greatly appreciated it because I know you meant what you put in every photograph!
4wReply
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Unloxit 2026 Traveler
Wet in Venice
February 10 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
I'm not here for the weather, that's for sure! This is the view from the window of my hotel room, which I've chosen not for its historical location but guaranteed comfort and easy access from the airport. But I soon get to know the excellent vaporetto (water bus) service, which glides around the waterways at 65 euros (about £60) for a seven-day pass. It's fascinating to see that commercial business from on-line deliveries to rubbish collection, can't be conducted by lorry or van, but by boat. The city still suffers from floods but less so since the large barrier was completed a few years ago and to help with maintenance costs, there's a daily tourist tax.

The first couple of days are spent ignoring the hotspots but exploring the quiet backwaters. Venice is divided into "sestiere" (comparable to boroughs), the nearest of which is Dorsoduro. One of its churches, San Nicolo, featured in the 1973 film "Don't Look Now" in which the Donald Sutherland character, an artwork restorer, has an accident and nearly falls off the scaffolding. These days it's more peaceful, although photography of the beautiful paintings inside is not allowed. Another impressive district is Cannaregio, site of the former ghetto (which gave its name to similar places around the world) with metal plaques commemorating those who were transported to the death camps in the 1940s.

Although the Rialto itself is beloved of selfie-takers, even within a few streets of it, quiet corners abound. Not all the residents are pleased, however....Read more
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Unloxit 2026 Traveler
Some Venetians, Scots, Argentines and Peruvians
February 13 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C
After 3 days of bypassing the Carnival, it's impossible for me to ignore it any more. Venice's Carnival is like no other; the city's geography precludes the usual parades and processions, so revellers do their own thing---many of them probably visitors. The original Carnival reached its height in the 18th century, hence the profusion of period costumes, but was dormant until the 1970s. As you can see, they don't have to look Venetian; there's a group evidently from Scotland, another team dancing to tango, and a lady sporting the flag of Peru. Carne vale, indeed!Read more
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Unloxit 2026 Traveler
Venice
February 16 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C
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Unloxit 2026 Traveler
Never forget Venice
February 16 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C
While the carnival activity in historic Venice is unique, thanks to the excellent official website, I find out about more conventional displays in the environs. The island of Burano (not to be confused with the glass-blowing island of Murano) is a half-hour vaporetto ride from the Castello district. Even the houses seem to have joined in the carnival spirit. A couple of days later, in a typical Venice fog, I travel to the Lido for the beginning of the parade before bad light stops play. Finally, a short train ride to Mestre on the mainland leads to its carnival. It's a no-nonsense, unfussed place, totally the flip side of Venice, and could do with some lightening up---which it duly gets.

After 10 days in Venice, the carnival is over but it's been a thoroughly satisfying visit.Read more
Speak, WorldFabulous, beautiful, amazing photos and their subjects, with their usual addition of the common! I will never forget Venice. Add a note to you the photographer, never forget that you have a phone with video option in the photo app. If if you ever go to another festival and record it with photos, please at least add a few videos! Then we can add the sound to some of the pictures.
3wReply
TravelerThanks so much for your feedback! Being a "stills" man, I'm not used to taking videos but could try some time.
3wReply
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China, the Americas....and Peckham

Anyone for Venice?

Wet in Venice

Some Venetians, Scots, Argentines and Peruvians

Venice

Never forget Venice