LateRooms.com - Join in the celebrations at the Viareggio Carnival near Florence

LateRooms.com can announce that the Viareggio Carnival has been suggested as one of the best alternative festivals to attend in 2010 by one national newspaper.

According to the Guardian, anyone who has booked accommodation in Florence will want to travel to the nearby village of Viareggio to join in the festivities.

Parties are held every Sunday, beginning on January 31st and running until four days after the start of Lent.

The final event, described by the news provider as "an almighty shin-dig" is scheduled for February 21st.

Celebrations centre around impressive processions, with the papier-mache floats stored and repaired between each event in 16 purpose-built hangars, which can be visited by the public at a cost of €7 (£6.29).

Tickets for the processions themselves can be picked up locally in the days running up to each event.

Since its origins as a folk festival in 1873, the event has developed into a world-class carnival parade, the Tuscany Pass website states.

Described as "a dynamic and lively show" it is no doubt worth travelling from some of the surrounding towns and cities to witness the spectacle.

Train journeys from Florence to Viareggio take just over one and a half hours.

If you're heading to the Viareggio Carnival this year, we strongly advise that you book your hotel Firenze as soon as possible, given the huge popularity of the event.