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The capital of the North East. Recife has great beaches with easy access to the beautiful Olinda (a world heritage site). During carnival Recife is by far the most authentic destination. Less commercial than Rio, Recife also is a short hop from Porto Da Galinhas, Brazil's most stunning beach resort.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recife
www.recifeguide.com/
is just 7 hours from Lisbon direct. Air Portugal have daily flights.
Recife airport is a hub for virtually every city in Brazil and Argentina.
It's great fun, with a Caribbean feel, and the locals are really friendly. There's lots of music, dancing, and the people are always happy.
Well, you've missed it for 2007, but it'll surely be back in early August 2008. It's a gay pride carnival and then some, the outrageous floats quite literally that - decorated boats floating along the Prinsengracht canal and Amstel river all afternoon in a riot of noise, colour and campness.
In fact, Canal Pride is a three-day festival to rival The Netherlands' other big weekends during Karnaval in February and Queensday in April - but with more chance of good weather.
It's impossible to describe with words. It was one huge event that everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime. Loads of singing and dancing with amazing songs and costumes - a must see!
Carnival Wednesday (after Shrove Tuesday) in Pipa is a hoot!
Usually all the tourists from nearby Recife have gone home and it's party time for the locals. For the last six years the local men have all dressed up in drag and partied up and down the main street from the early afternoon into the night. It is hilarious and really good fun.
It may not have the glamour of Rio or the music and dance of the carnivals in Recife and Salvador but it is solid good fun.
The annual carnival celebration in Basel is unlike any other: held after Lent begins, filled with traditions, images and rituals dating back to the Middle Ages, a truly (Protestant) Swiss celebration. Fasnacht is for the locals, although visitors are welcome to watch the parades and displays. This year's Fasnacht kicks off at 4:00am on Monday, February 26th.
For a description, visit
www.basel.ch/en/culture/fasnacht/fasnacht_carnival
The Swiss version of Carnival. The weather isn't as good as Rio - so costumes are not as revealing. But the atmosphere, costumes and music are completely the opposite of the reserved, staid Swiss stereotype. Check out the web page of the Gugge band I play with, www.figorowa.ch for some pictures.
This happens in several regions in Switzerland mostly in the German speaking region. Luzern or Zug, starting 3 am on 15th February (Schmutziger Donnerstag) through to 21st February this year.
Huge sound systems, Jamaican patties, jerk chicken and curried goat. Much loved colossal street party held over the first Saturday of July every year. A celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture and the community of St Paul's.
The entire neigbourhood of St. Paul's on the first Saturday of July.
Several thousand children, dressed as fish, pirates or spacerockets, cram the streets at the start of the Brighton Festival on the first Saturday of May. Mad, loud and brilliant; the city grinds to a halt.
The best time to enjoy a whole lot of caipirinhas and mojitos on the bar-lined hills of the Bairro Alto is when Lisbon turns out on June 13 (or the nearest weekend) for the Feast of Saint Anthony of Lisbon - the patron saint of Portugal who was born in the capital.
Every bar and club in the district shuts its doors and moves its drinks to the windows, or on to tables outside and the streets become one huge party. A bit like the Notting Hill carnival should be: drink- and music-filled and unbelievably friendly.
The colour, costumes and party atmosphere make this a must-see for any visitor who's there at the right time of year.
Sydney...Oxford Street
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