TRAVEL SPECIAL ............... CARNIVALS AND FESTS WORLD SPECIAL

CARNIVALS AND FESTS WORLD SPECIAL  JOIN THE CARNIVAL PARADE      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 king is bur Nice celebr spring. You 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-y, you can enjoy the very best of Nice, its Carnival and famous s, well within your luxury. Nice is a city immersed in Mediterturned towards childhood and offers a variety of activities for r places with the ‘Famille Plus’ label. Enjoy!   TOP  10 POPULAR CARNIVALS IN THE WORLD 01 CARNIVAL – RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL 02 MARDI GRAS – NEW ORLEANS, USA 03 CARNEVALE DI VENEZIA – VENICE 04 CARNIVAL – PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 05 QUEBEC WINTER CARNIVAL – CANADA 06 COLOGNE FESTIVAL, GERMANY 07 CARNAVAL DE NICE – NICE, FRANCE 08 LAS LLAMADAS IN URUGUAY 09 SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE CARNAVAL, SPAIN 10 NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL, UNITED KINGDOM      Compiled by Nimisha Tiwari ETTR140227