Enjoy the best of fests & carnivals around the world

Hot bods, sensuous dancers, loud drum beats, bright costumes and thumping heartbeats — Welcome to the season of carnivals across the globe at this time of the year. Quite naturally, a huge tourism magnet to scores of tourists who love to soak in the local flavours, carnivals are like a wave of high energy and great non-stop fun extending from mid February till March 4.


We have dedicated our lead cover picture to mark the most popular — Brazil Carnival or the Rio Carnival, which is the hotbed of action at this time, what with FIFA World Cup (June 12- July 13, 2014) being the loudest talking point. Well, even the Samba dancers are playing football in the dance break time (see cover picture).

In the land of Samba, carnival time is the most famous holiday in Brazil and has become an event of huge proportions. Except for industrial production, retail establishments such as malls, and carnival-related businesses, the country gets into a mood to party for almost a week and festivities are intense, day and night, mainly in coastal cities.

The Rio de Janeiro Carnival is by far, the most popular in Brazil. A great attraction for the young at heart, it’s the Samba dancers and Street Carnival Bands, called ‘Blocos de Rua’ that have become an expressive feature of Rio’s Carnival. In fact, you too can become a part of the Blocos as it is formed by small or large groups of revellers with a distinct title with a funny pun. Come along, shake a leg and kick in some football fun. For all the revelry that you can indulge in, just happily ‘Blame it on Rio’...

Today, carnivals are the biggest tourism offerings from a country. There’s dance, music, food, street parties, booze and free mingling. However, the very crux remains the same even after centuries of its existence. Carnival originates from ‘carne levare’ (away with meat). Most people, before fasting forty days according to the Catholic tradition of Lent, enjoy rich, and plentiful cuisine during carnival time. It’s the season of excesses and it became fun because everyone could get away by mocking exisiting sociopolitical systems, by hiding behind masks, protected by disguises.

The tradition of Carnivals is celebrated with unique local touches where musicians and dancers have a great time competing and tourists and locals join in the revelry. Modern-day floats, songs, eateries, booze and food are evolving with time as scores of tourists throng the venue bringing in greater revenue via tourism for the country. Carnivals also offer a way of life that speaks of free culture and progressive lifestyle. Mostly a hangout where youngsters party right on the streets, it’s also a good time for a family visit as many hotel chains extend offers along with tours during the Carnival time. So, where are you headed?

Carnaval De Nice

Region: Nice, France

When: February 14 — March 4, 2014

Get set to experience a street phenomenon like never before, it will sweep you away in a fun way. In the beautiful town of Nice in South France, you can cheer the groups of Mardi Gras who go parading through the main street. The top of the parade is noble ladies who hold yellow mimosa flowers. The next, you will see are the musical bands who wear big masks and play the theme music of this year’s carnival.

Get your cameras ready to snap the big float on which a huge figure of the winter king wearing a golden crown, is installed. Join the spectators as they throw ticker tapes with the yells. At the night, the winter king is burned at the beach. Then people of Nice celebrate the visiting of spring. You must join in the revelry.

Take Your Family Along: On this occasion, the hotels and receptive agencies of Nice offer packages for groups of 20 people or more, for 2 to 7 nights in hotels ranging from 2-star family to luxury establishments, including small family-run 3 and 4-star hotels. This way, you can enjoy the very best of Nice, its Carnival and famous Flower Parades, well within your luxury. Nice is a city immersed in Mediterranean culture turned towards childhood and offers a variety of activities for children. Look for places with the ‘Famille Plus’ label. Enjoy!