walki-talki.com Travel Blog

Yes, it’s that time of the year again. In most places where they celebrate it, it is bitter cold. Some view it as the last opportunity to party before the forty days of lent begin. Others insist that it is the age-old tradition of worshiping the Greek and Roman Gods of wine.

Whatever you think are the reasons, you ought to give serious consideration to celebrating theis magnificent party that is known as Carnival, Carenevale, Mardi Gras, Karneval and many other names. In most places, Carnival will begin on February 13 (yes, Friday the thirteenth), 2009, and end, as usual, on Fat Tuesday (i.e., Mardi Gras), February 24. The biggest celebrations fall on Tuesday the 24th, but some of the biggest parties, like Rosenmontag in Cologne, Germany, (by far the biggest celebration in Germany), are on Monday the 23rd of February.

In general, you will find plenty of partying to do at every city where Carnival is celebrated for the entire duration of Carnival: from the 13th through the 24th. In New Orleans, the parades started on Saturday the 7th of February, as a matter of fact, and gradually pick up in size and frequency leading up to Mardi Gras. In Cologne, Germany, (so far, my only and favorite Karneval location) the Fasching festivities start on 10th of February. (Actually, technically, Karneval season in Cologne starts on November eleventh, 11/11 that is, of the previous year.)   In Venice, the Carnevale starts on the 14th of February, and you can find a small introduction to the Carnevale in the walki-talki.com self-guided audio walking tour of Venice.

If you are not going to be anywhere near Venice, New Orleans or Cologne in the next couple of weeks, you need not worry. Follow this Wikipedia article to find the Carnival celebration nearest you. This festival is celebrated from Rio de Janeiro to, oddly enough, India. In Europe alone, Carnival is celebrated in approximately 20 cities in Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain and Poland to name but a few countries. Chances are that there is a party near you. Do attend one and have a great time. The current world situation is not going to provide anyone any solace, not even the smallest quantum of it.