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5 Famous & Exciting Carnivals Around the World

Travel Supermarket — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:21:15 +0000

There are few spectacles across the globe that bring together greater displays of music, color, tradition and community than street carnivals. From the famous Rio Carnival, to other less known examples, you can be sure that time spent at a carnival will be a good time. To help you pick one that is right for you, here are five of the world’s best carnivals.

Notting Hill Carnival

Notting Hill Carnival
The largest street festival in Europe, Notting Hill Carnival takes place each year in the West London borough of Notting Hill (as the name suggests!), and brings thousands of revellers to the streets over the August bank holiday weekend.

The real fun begins on Monday, when the procession takes to the streets to dance towards its final destination of Ladbroke Grove. The carnival is traditionally a celebration of the area’s rich Caribbean heritage, with calypso and R&B music streaming from various sound systems and participants decked out in their finest and most colorful carnival costumes.

Over the years the carnival’s popularity has been sufficient to attract big name performers from the music world, with artists such as Katy B, Wyclef Jean and Jamiroquai – giving you all the more reason to turn up.

Another great draw of the carnival is the many food stalls that pepper the procession route with delicious Caribbean cuisine, such as jerk chicken, fried plantain and incredible goat curries. After the inevitable few glasses of rum punch you may need a place to lay your head for the night and there are loads of great cheap hotels in London to choose from in the area.

Barbados Crop Over
For the true Caribbean Carnival experience, there is no substitute for the Crop Over festival that takes place on the Caribbean island of Barbados. The origin of the festival can be easily deduced from the name – ‘Crop Over’. The carnival was started to mark the end of each year’s successful sugar cane harvest, a celebration which dates back to colonial times, when Barbados was the largest producer of sugar on the planet.

To celebrate the end of the harvest the sugar plantation workers would hold grand feasts and indulge in some light drinking, a tradition that has grown over the years into the country’s largest and most vibrant festival. The culmination of the two month event held in June, is a spectacular fireworks display that can be seen for many miles.

Quebec Winter Carnival
In an altogether more arctic environment than the Crop Over festival, you can still enjoy a carnival that retains the feeling of celebration and festivities of its warmer relatives. The Quebec Winter Carnival takes place in the Canada’s Quebec City.

The first official Quebec Winter Carnival took place in 1955, but winter themed festivities have been happening in the city since 1894, usually consisting of eating, drinking and merriment to coincide with the start of Lent.

The modern day carnival includes a range of unsurprisingly chilly activities, including dog sled racing and snow sculpture competitions, which make up just a small part of the 300+ shows and activities on offer. The 17 day festival period plays host to around 750,000 people each year, but as the carnival is held through the end of January and early February it is certainly advisable to wrap up warm for your visit.

Carnival in Rio de Janeiro

Rio Carnival
Fantastic carnival action can be found in Rio de Janeiro and like the Quebec Winter event this is held just before Lent, although it tends to start slightly later in the year, either in mid to late February or early March. This four-day celebration kicks off 40 days before the beginning of Easter, commencing on Saturday and finishing on Shrove Tuesday.

With two million people taking to the Brazilian city’s streets every day of the event, this is the world’s biggest carnival so you’ll definitely be in good company if you choose to be part of it. Hundreds of groups of performers, called bandas and blocos, dress up in extravagant themed costumes and dance to the sound of samba music. While the festival is mainly about fun, there is a competitive element to it with each team out to win the prestigious accolade of having the best float.

New Orleans Mardi Gras
Taking place around the same period of time as the Rio Carnival are the Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans. Although Mardi Gras events have been held throughout the state of Louisiana since the 1830s, it is the New Orleans spectacle that is the biggest and most celebrated version.

Designed as a final celebration before the start of Lent, here parades are held on a daily basis for about two weeks up until the event’s close on Shrove Tuesday. Many of these start in the Uptown and Mid-City districts of the city before heading along St Charles Avenue and Canal Street, with float riders often tossing colorful beads into the crowds. You’ll also find lots of parties and celebrations taking place in Bourbon Street and the French Quarter, with marching jazz bands putting on great performances.

Another traditional element of the celebrations are king cakes, which are made from cinnamon-filled dough that is shaped into a hollow circle and finished with a glazed topping and coloured sugar, so make sure that you try one of these tasty treats while watching the fun.

With so many wonderful carnivals happening all over the world, you’re sure to find a fabulous street party wherever you are.

This article was written by the team at Travel Supermarket. Visit their site to compare thousands of holiday and travel deals from the leading travel sites.

What is your favorite carnival or street party? Please share in the comments below!

Omni Hotels & Resorts Giveaway Winner

Colleen Lanin, The Travel Mama — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 18:46:49 +0000

The Omni Hotels & Resorts Giveaway to celebrate the second anniversary of TravelMamas.com was a lot of fun! I got a kick out of reading which Omni properties you are dreaming of visiting. With 43 stunning options, it’s hard to choose! Popular contest destination choices included Tucson, San Francisco, New York, Orlando, Montreal, and Cancun.

Omni Berkshire Place is located in the heart of midtown Manhattan (Photo courtesy of Omni Hotels & Resorts)

Personally, I am dreaming of a stay at the Omni Royal Orleans in the historic French Quarter. I’ve never been to New Orleans and this looks like such a luxurious spot for a romantic getaway. Plus, it has an outdoor rooftop pool with a view and boasts award-winning fine-dining at its famous Rib Room restaurant!

Rooftop pool at Omni Royal Orleans (Photo courtesty of Omni Hotels & Resorts)

I would also love to check into my hometown’s Omni San Diego Hotel, which is connected to PETCO Park. Baseball lovers can take advantage of Omni’s current All-American Baseball package, which includes two tickets to a Padres game and apple pie delivered to your room. Play ball!

Omni San Diego Hotel is connected to PETCO Park by skybridge (Photo courtesy of Omni Hotels & Resorts)

It was so fun to read contest comments on the Travel Mamas Facebook page about what you like best about this site! I am sure this feedback will help me to post content that is useful to readers. Some of you shared your favorite story of the year or said you like the Travel Tips, Travel Resources, or the always popular Packing Lists best. Lindsay White cracked me up with her comment:
“‎1. I like lists
2. You make lists
3. I like your blog because of your lists.”

Sure, some entrants seemed to have made up something solely for purposes of the contest and probably had never even visited Travel Mamas before (although I hope they’ll return)! Other respondents made my day with praise for the site. Bridget Hay Vigue said, “LOVE, love, love this site! Travel is so important, for so many reasons and this blog helps me to share it with my children. From options for families beyond the obvious, to how to deal with kid-stress on vacay, your blog is indispensable! Thanks for all you do; you are an inspiration!” Well, Wow. Thank YOU, Bridget!

Omni Royal Orleans in the French Quarter (Photo courtesy of Omni Hotels & Resorts)

I know, I know…what you REALLY want to know is…WHO WON?! The winner of a two-night stay at the Omni Hotels & Resorts property of her choice is Erika Marie. Her comment was chosen at random using Random.org. If the winner does not claim the prize within 48 hours of notification, another winner will be selected. She said, “It would be a dream come true to stay at the Omni Royal Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana.” Truly, I had already picked the Omni Royal Orleans as a favorite before I realized the winner had too. Good choice, Erika! Maybe I’ll see you there?!

Well, this is a Travel Mamas first. I am sorry for Erika’s sake to say that despite two email notifications, a couple of tweets on Twitter, and a few posts on the Travel Mamas Facebook page…it has been over 48 hours and I have therefore drawn another winner for this giveaway. The winner is now Debbie, who said, “A 12th anniversary/first family vacation (terrible, I know, not to have taken the kids anywhere yet…I will….someday!) trip to Montreal or Denver look wonderful to me! They look like places where I want to go…places with no allergies!” If this isn’t a sign to finally take that family vacation, I don’t know what is! Enjoy!

Thank you to everyone who entered the Omni Hotels & Resorts Giveaway! If you would like to be notified of future giveaways and happenings on TravelMamas.com, sign up now for the Travel Mamas e-newsletter. Mailings are sent out approximately once per month.

Family-Friendly New Orleans on a Budget

Jennifer Close, Travel Mamas Blogger — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:13:40 +0000

When my family gets itchy travel feet but our budget keeps us close to home, we head over to New Orleans, Louisiana for a weekend. The drive is a short scenic three hours away so it is perfect for a mini family vacation. When we travel to New Orleans, we love to just wander around and relax. We have been making this trip with our two children (ages three and five) for several years now and have found many ways to keep a family of four entertained in New Orleans without breaking the bank.

Jennifer’s daughter, Sera, eating a beignet along the Mississippi River in New Orleans in 2009

Hotel
When we travel, hotels are one of our biggest expenses. Finding an inexpensive hotel in New Orleans is not impossible. We have booked hotel rooms as low as $59 a night and the hotel reservation even came with a free parking coupon! Staying outside or on the outskirts of the French Quarter but still within safe walking distance can help cut hotel costs. The Queen and Crescent on Camp Street is just a short 10-minute walk from many of the famous attractions in the French Quarter. The Ambassador Hotel is just a few blocks away and although the Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans Convention Center is a little further in distance the price for both of these hotels is usually reasonable and parking is often included!

Activities
Our favorite free activities include walking along the Mississippi River, watching the street performers in the French Quarter, listening to the street performers sing or perform acrobatics, and wandering through the French Market Community Flea Market. The Community Flea Market is full of booths selling everything from New Orleans souvenirs to plumeria plants. You can walk along the river to hear the calliope on the Steamboat Natchez. My children listened for about 20 minutes before we could drag them away! Spend some time in Spanish Plaza at the Riverwalk Marketplace looking at the fountain and the boats on the river.

New Orleans is full of inexpensive family-friendly activities available for less than $10 per person. Visit the Louisiana Children’s Museum where children are encouraged to explore the exhibits and participate in imaginary play. Take a ride on the St. Charles Streetcar and see Tulane and Loyola University as well as beautiful homes. Wander the paths at the New Orleans Botanical Gardens or visit the Dreams Come True art exhibition with over 600 works of art from the Disney movies including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and several others, at the New Orleans Museum of Art.

If your kids are fascinated with animals and sea life like mine, you could splurge on an Audubon Experience package, which includes tickets to the Audubon Zoo, Aquarium, and Insectarium. You can purchase the tickets individually but if you plan to visit all three, you save money by buying the bundled ticket.

Eating
To save money for activities, my family makes sure that we cut costs in other areas, like dining out. We carry hearty snacks like homemade granola and snack mixes with us while we are exploring. We bring sandwich fixings to make our own lunches back at the hotel room. Also, my two little ones share a meal at dinnertime. When I think of New Orleans with my family I automatically think Decatur Street, which has lots of different restaurants and shops but is more family-oriented than Bourbon Street. We head to the Crescent City Brewhouse because we can enjoy a fancier fare than a fast food restaurant and our kids have always been welcomed. Although it is a chain restaurant, we like to eat at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company because it is loud so we don’t have to worry about our kids bothering our neighbors and it is the one place where both of my children will eat!

While wandering down Decatur Street, be sure to stop by Aunt Sally’s for a praline sample. Aunt Sally’s are the best pralines I have had. They are the only pralines my daughter will eat and I have yet to duplicate the recipe at home, even though I bought a cookbook with the actual recipe!

For a scrumptious snack or breakfast, walk to Café du Monde for beignets and chocolate milk. If it is crowded, skip the wait for a table and get in the take-out line. Often, an employee will take your order before you even get to the window. When you have picked up your beignets, walk to the Mississippi River to enjoy your treat with a view.

Why New Orleans?
When most people think of New Orleans, they picture beads tossed to a rowdy crowd drinking Hurricanes. I picture my kids covered in powdered sugar from their beignets, the smiles on their faces as they dance to the calliope, and the many adventures we have exploring the town as a family. For me, New Orleans is the perfect destination for a fun, affordable getaway with the kids!

Jennifer Close loves to explore and take new adventures with her family down the street, across the country and around the world. She writes about her adventures on her family travel blog, Two Kids and a Map, and writes about exploring Pensacola at Pensacola with Kids.

What is your favorite New Orleans attraction or activity? Please leave a comment below!