Pick out your outfit, we’re off to the best festivals in the world!
At carnival time, anything goes! The streets fill with all kinds of music, performers, dancers, masks, floats, wigs and costumes as cities across the world take on a fun party atmosphere. Sitges, Venice, Prague, Buenos Aires, Florence and Paris are just some of the top carnival cities. Choose a destination, stay in one of our fantastic apartments and start 2018 in style!
Pick a city and enjoy the best carnival of your life!
Venice Carnival: at the Venice carnival, elegance rules. From 27 January to 13 February, period costumes, genuine Venetian masks, gala balls and lots of frittelle (typical carnival doughnuts) take over the city. The main activities include the Festa Veneziana on Water, Flight of the Angel, Most Beautiful Mask Contest, Flight of the Eagle, Official Gala Dinner and the 2018 Venice Carnival Ball, among many others.
Sitges Carnival: from 3 to 14 February the craziest costumes and the wildest dances are the order of the day at the Sitges Carnival, one of the most famous and popular throughout Catalonia. Don’t miss the amazing street parades. On Sunday 11 February, the Children’s Parade is at noon and the Rua de la Disbauxa, with spectacular floats, costumes and groups, is at 7.30 pm. The fun comes to a close with the Rua del Extermini (Tuesday 13 February at 9 pm) and the traditional Burial of the Sardine (Wednesday 14 February at 7 pm).
Prague Carnival: during carnival time, a bohemian air fills the centre of Prague, whose streets are taken over by acrobats, and costume balls. You can even take a gondola trip along the River Vltava! Prague Carnival dates back to the 13th century, when similar festivities were held in honour of the god of wine, Bacchus. If you’re looking for the most authentic Czech carnival, though, head out to the Hlinecko region (150 km east of Prague) for carnival in 19th-century-style costumes.
Buenos Aires Carnival: carnival here is all about the murgas, with their irresistible dances and colourful outfits, all across Buenos Aires from Saturday 20 January to Tuesday 13 February. Families often play with foam as the floats pass. The Buenos Aires murgas have been listed as part of the city’s cultural heritage since 1997, so don’t miss them on your trip to Buenos Aires!
Florence Carnival: Viareggio throws one of the most famous carnivals in the whole of Italy. Over 1 million visitors flock to this quiet Tuscan town just over an hour from Florence to see its unique parades with huge papier-mâché figures up to 20 metres high.
Paris Carnival: the liveliest carnival in France is in Dunkirk, only 2 hours from Paris. It dates back to cod fishermen who held celebrations before heading off to the hazardous waters around Iceland. The carnival includes seamen’s songs and costumes, as well throwing herrings at the Town Hall to commemorate great fishing feats of the past. It is also one of the longest carnivals: from 6 January into Abril, although the main days are 11, 12 and February. Take note and enjoy the carnival!
Noelia – Marketing Team
