(A Belayed) Friday's Five - 5 Carnival Destinations in Europe

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There's not doubt about Brazil holding the number one Carnival in the World. Carnival in Rio started yesterday and has a full program until Tuesday 8th - which includes street parades, masque balls, street bands and a lot of samba. Good. But taking out Rio de Janeiro - What else has the World to offer? There are a lot less known, but still awesome Carnival Celebrations you should consider as an alternative, and these are my favorite ones:

1. Cologne Carnival. This is the largest and most famous Carnival in Germany (and probably in continental Europe). Although historically the celebration starts on November 11th at 11:11am, the actual Carnival began last Thursday, "The Women's Day", and lasts all the way over to Wednesday 9th, "Ash Wednesday". What's Women's Day you may ask? It's a day that has been celebrated for ages, that thanks all women for the good influence and hard work they have done (and do). During that they, women storm city halls, cut men's ties and are allowed to kiss any man that passes their way!
2. Carnival of Venice. The Carnival of Venice was first recorded in 1268, but was stopped for many years when the city fell under Austrian control (in 1798). It was again revived in the late 20th Century and now is one of the top Carnival destinations Worldwide. The Venetian tradition is most distinctive for the use of artful masks, which were used in the celebration to remove social differences. Anyone participating, could mingle easily with people of different classes or sex.
3. Carnival of Cadiz. Andalusians are probably (together with the Canarios) the spanish folk with highest number of festivities over the year. Cadiz is nationally recognized for it's Carnival, which is relatively different from the rest of Europe. In Cadiz, the costumes worn are often related to recent news (such as the bird flu in 2006, during which many dressed up as chickens!). What's fun about it is it's sharp criticism and original costumes. Another highlight are the groups of chirigotas - satiric popular groups who sing about politics, new times and household matters often using clever world play.  
4. Carnival of Croatia. The most famous Croatian carnival takes place in the costal city of Rijeka, in the Kvarner region. What makes their Carnival unique is the incorporation of local traditions and customs. Just before the end of Carnival, each town in the region burns up a man-like doll called "mesopust" who is blamed for all the conflicts of the previous year. But the most iconic symbol of Croatia's Carnival are the bell ringers, who dress up in lamb-wool costumes and wear big animal masks and walk from one village to another ringing the bells they wear around their waists.
5. Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. To close, what would be a post about Carnival celebrations without including the major one - the one of my home town? Carnival in Tenerife lasts for several weeks, during which you have the murgas competition (a similar group to the chirigotas), queen elections and culminate in a week of street parties and parades. One of the best days for celebration is "Ash Wednesday", which is called the "Entierro de la Sardina" (The sardine's funeral). This night, locals dress up as widows. Each coastal city builds a huge sardine, which is carried along the streets to the water. It's then placed on a fisher boat and burned, while letting it dragged into the ocean. Everyone "fake cries"! During these days, Tenerife receives massive visits from all over Europe - only the Carnival of Santa Cruz (capital of Tenerife) attracts more than a million visitors! The Carnival aspires to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site this year!

I'm missing Tenerife's Carnival this year, and it's not easy when watching my friends add their pictures on Facebook. I hope next year I will make it again, even if it's only for a weekend!

Me dressed up as Catwoman in Carnival 2006

Which is your favorite Carnival destination? Have you been to any of these? What would you dress up as? 

Photo Essay: A Walk through Venice

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Walking through a lonely alley in Venice

Venice is this magical place where you'd immediately fall in love with - but you are not the only one. When spring arrives, mass of tourists invades the city searching for the charm of its canals, its food and its people. But this invasion, in turn, takes away part of the charm. If you want to take a picture of the Rialto Bridge, there's always going to be someone else on the picture with you. I wonder how many people at once this bridge can resist, as I felt like in a rock concert on it! 

So what can be done to avoid to falling into a tourist trap in Venice? My personal recommendation is to avoid its attractions. The charm of Venice can still be found, but it's not going to be in any of the main streets. Last year, I spent 24 hours in the city and soon noticed that getting lost in its street isn't bad at all. When I gave up on my map reading skills, I found some nice restaurants (in Fondamenta della Sensa and Sestiere Cannaregio) offering thin italian style pizzas without you feeling robbed when the bill arrives, walked through rustic alleys and passages where we barely met other people and  had the chance to chat with kind locals who gave me some tips on where to go. 

I loved the fact that there were groups of artists representing this view on their paintings

One of the not-so-known bridges worth discovering

Although this is one of the main alleys, I loved the way the afternoon light played with the colors of the buildings

 So... I know that many people rule Venice out of their travel plans because they expect some kind of big tourist trap; but knowing what to avoid, I really liked it, and I would return again (I have to, to visit the Guggenheim Museum in Venice and rule it off my bucket list!). 

5 Things you may not know about Venice...

1. Venice is built on 117 islands, features 160 canals and 409 bridges 
2. The venetian buildings were constructed on closely spaced wood piles. Some of the big palaces are said to be standing over more that 75.000 piles!
3. Venice is sinking. The city has sunk about 7cm a century for the past 1,000 years
4. Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia was the first woman in the world to get a university degree (1678) - She was born in Venice. 
5. The Tiramisù, which means "pick-me-up" in italian - one of my favorite deserts, ever - is thought to have its origins in Venice (by Giuseppe Maffioli)

Now this last made me feel hungry - Have a nice Sunday!

Want to see more pictures of Venice? Visit my Flickr Gallery!