The big Mardi Gras parade in Rio de Janeiro had to be canceled in 2022 due to corona - but the carnival will still take place. And it's happening all over the world, from Europe to America: We present four of the absolute hotspots for parades, parties and antics for this year's Mardi Gras.
In upbeat New Orleans, the "cradle of jazz," impressive and varied parade floats roll through the city's neighborhoods on Mardi Gras Sunday. They are decorated by the Mardi Gras clubs, the Krewes, carefully prepared weeks in advance.
This ranges from horse parades that are not for young people of the Krewe of Vieux, about the early risers of the North Side Skull & Bones Gang to the dog parade of the Mystic Krewe of Barkus. Flambeaux acts often demonstrate their traditional art of flaming. Definitely worth seeing!
In the French Quarter, night owls in daring costumes take to the streets, clubs and pubs. Art exhibitions, costume contests, balls, numerous concerts and picnics also take place.
Mardi Gras in New Orleans is rung in on Monday evening, Lundi Gras, by the king of Mardi Gras "Rex". Celebrations take place on March 1 - but it's worth arriving two to three weeks in advance to be there for the first events.
In addition to the countless parades, one should by no means miss the Endymion Extravaganza in Caesar's Superdome - this year Maroon 5 and Diana Ross are headlining the stage there.
The official greeting on Mardi Gras Days is the French Cajun phrase "Laissez les bon temps rouler" ("Let the good times roll").
In the luxurious suites of the Maison de la Luz in the French Quarter, you leave the hustle and bustle behind. Spaciously furnished in the style of the southern states, with floor-to-ceiling windows and many selected details, feeling good is the order of the day here. Fine dining is available in the hotel's two restaurants, and the Alto Rooftop Pool Bar provides a view over New Orleans.
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Casanova, Venetian masks and elegant dresses come to mind: whoever takes part in the Venice Carnival , does so with tradition and style. The Italians have been celebrating the festival since the 13th century, over time it has become more and more pompous - and is still one of the most sought-after in the world today.
Throughout the "City of Masks" one finds artistic performances, concerts, operas and balls in magnificent palaces and colorful Rowing boat removals in the canals. During the day you go into the narrow streets of Venice and let the colorful hustle and bustle of the crowd carry you away.
In the lagoon city, the festivities start on Saturday evening with the Festa delle Marie and 12 girls in Renaissance costumes at the Gran Teatro. On February 12 the Angel Flight officially rings in the fooling season from the bell tower, the carnival reaches its climax on Shrove Tuesday, March 01.
The clear highlight is the crowning of the most beautiful costume on the Sunday before Shrove Tuesday. "Il Concorso della Maschera più bella" takes place in the afternoon in Piazza San Marco.
The traditional venetian Half mask, often richly decorated with golden ornaments, originally comes from the Commedia dell' arte. Together with a cape and the Italian tricorn, one took it to all important occasions.
Clean, modern, hell: Im Herzen des Dorsoduro-Viertels, direkt am Canal Della Giudecca gelegen, bietet Il Palazzo Experimental geräumige Designzimmer mit Terrazzoböden sowie auffälligen Marmorakzenten. Das Experimental liegt etwas abseits der Touristenpfade und ermöglicht so entspannte Stunden nach durchwachten Nächten – etwa im hofseitig gelegenen Hotelgarten.
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Il Palazzo Experimental
Fondamenta Zattere Al Ponte Lungo, 1411, 30123 Venice, Italy
Tel.: +39 041 098 0200
Web: palazzoexperimental.com
Price: from € 250/night, 2 persons
Bolivia is the land of diversity: Tropical rainforests can be found here as well as the azure Lake Titicaca, the snow-covered Andes or the driest desert in the world, the Atacama. And also the carnival: in the mining town of Oruro invite the inhabitants every year to the lively Devil's Carnival to the Andes Massif. Their much-visited "Carnaval" is a mixture of Catholic customs and indigenous Rites.
The ConjuntosThe local dance groups organize festive parades with bandas, large marching bands, dance for the Virgen del Sovacón, the virgin of the mine tunnels, and celebrate Dios Momo, the god of fun. The big highlight on Shrove Monday is the Diablada.
The religious festivities start on carnival saturday and last for three days.
At Diablada, also known as Dance of the devils, the performers dress up as devils, dragons, snake and bird creatures from prehistoric times. An impressive spectacle of colorful costumes that harkens back to pre-Columbian ritual dances.
In 2001, the Carnival of Oruro was included in the list of the UNESCO Cultural heritage recorded.
Aufgrund der abgeschiedenen Lage bietet Oruro kaum Unterkünfte. Das Virgen del Sovacón sticht in der kleinen Auswahl des beschaulichen Bergdorfes hervor, die Zimmer sind im Vergleich zu anderen örtlichen Hotels durchaus wohnlich. Wirklich glamourös wird es hier sicherlich nicht – eine entspannte Nacht nach den langen Festivitäten der Diablada lässt sich im Sovacón dennoch zubringen.
Virgen del Sovacón
Junín 1179, Ouro, Bolivia
Tel.: +591 2 5282 184
Web: hotel-virgen-del-socavon.ratedhotels.co
Price: from € 260/night, 2 persons
At the end of February, in the immediate vicinity of Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago is ruled by the caribbean carnival. In the Port of Spain on Trinidad, lavish celebrations take place, huge, fancy costumes and colorful masks bob to the beat of rousing rhythms. The Caribbean island nation dubs its carnival "biggest show in the worldin London.
Here, participants find themselves under showers of cocoa and color, among swirls of drums and people barely covered by glittering sequins and feathers.
From February 28, the Rose Monday, to including March 01 the Port of Spain in Trinidad is the place to be. But also in the days before the Caribbeanisland already lures with countless parties and events.
From Shrove Friday to Ash Wednesday, Trinidad celebrates non-stop. After that you relax on Tobago with its white sandy beaches and palm groves.
The rousing music heard during the raucous festivities is called "Soca". The music style combines calypso with soul, funk and Indian rhythms and originated in the early 1970s.
The 5 star hotel BRIX at the Port of Spain captivates with elegant, Caribbean-contemporary charm. The bright, spacious suites and rooms offer a retreat for those who want to leave the wild fooling season at the door for a few hours.
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