Festivals in February

Here it is ladies and gentlemen, in all it's drum bangin', booty shakin' finery - the party to end all parties - Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. For four days prior to Ash Wednesday each year Rio lights up and literally no-one is spared!

The commercial aspects of Carnival at the Sambadrome we've all seen on the box - the Parade of Schools where multi-million dollar floats and scantily clad locals (and tourists) compete to the rhythm of their baterias but Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is much, much more than what goes on in the Sambadrome.

Follow the bloco scene and party all night long to live music, local processions and Brazilian samba fuelled by plenty of the local poison, caipirihna - available from just about anyone, anywhere, anytime. For recuperation during those hazy daylight hours relax on some of the most magnificent beaches that grace God's given earth (Copabobana, Ipanema), then, prepare to do it all again. Carnival in Rio is in the streets, it's in the people, it's rhythmic and it's incessant. If you're body can handle it, you've just got to experience one Rio Carnival before your time is up!

Welcome to the pandemonium that is Mardi Gras in New Orleans! Envision the French Quarter, Bourbon Street and beads by the bucketful, king cake parties, masquerade balls and vibrant, animated parades all washed over by a wave of down south hospitality. Now go away, do your finances, book your ticket and get ready to revel in the hoopla at one of the world's must-see celebrations!