Join the parade this carnival season
In the days leading up to Ash Wednesday, cities come alive with decorations, music, dancing and feasting as carnival-goers indulge their every pleasure before the abstinence of lent.
Grab a mask and lose yourself in the vibrant haze of some of the world's wildest celebrations this February with Cheapflights.co.uk.
Get raucous in Rio
Rio de Janeiro is the carnival capital of the world, luring an estimated two million people onto Rio’s streets each day between 8-13 February 2013.
The Carnival, which takes place in the peak of Rio’s summer, involves four days of samba parades, carnival balls, street bands and parties. Let your hair down and join the circus for a party you'll never forget.
Cheapflights.co.uk is offering return flights from London Heathrow to Rio de Janeiro from £514 per person. This offer is valid for travel between 5 February – 30 June 2013.
Experience the fairy-tale of the Carnival de Nice
The Nice Carnival, 15 February - 6 March, is the main winter event on the Riviera. Huge, colourful parades take place day and night and musicians and dancers gather from across the world.
The theme of this year’s carnival is ‘King of the Five continents’ - uniting revellers from across the globe. Flower battles are the highlight of the carnival as extravagantly dressed characters throw 100,000 mimosas, gerberas and lilies to the public.
Cheapflights.co.uk is offering return flights from London Gatwick to Nice from £250 per person. This offer is valid for travel between 6-13 February 2013.
Catch beads at New Orleans’ Mardi Gras
New Orleans Carnival season is a blur of parades, masked balls and king cake parties with Mardi Gras falling on the last day of the carnival season.
New Orleans provides events for everyone. Neighbouring Jefferson Parish holds an event called Family Gras for those looking for a family friendly party. The city becomes awash with the traditional colours of purple, green and gold as thousands of coloured beads are thrown to the eagerly awaiting crowds gathered around the extravagant floats.
Cheapflights.co.uk is offering return flights from London Heathrow to New Orleans from £518 per person. This offer is valid for travel until 20 July 2013.
Mask up for Carnevale di Venezia
At Venice carnival, the world’s best baroque fancy-dress party taking place until 12 February, masks and costumes are compulsory. Extravagance and luxury are everywhere to be seen as the city celebrates the approach of spring.
Visitors are likely to stumble across jousts and mock-military tournaments or musical and theatrical performances in Piazza San Marco whilst beautiful processions of decorated boats and gondolas float along the Grand Canal.
Cheapflights.co.uk is offering return flights from London Gatwick to Venice from £378 per person.
Grab your sleigh ready for the Quebec Winter Carnival
During the Quebec Winter Carnival, which takes place until 17 February, the city turns into a winter amusement park with skiing, snow rafting, ice sculptures, snow sled slides and outdoor shows.
The highlight of the festival is the parades led by the Quebec Winter Carnival mascot, the seven foot snowman Bonhomme Carnaval, which wind through the upper city decorated with lights and ice sculptures.
Cheapflights.co.uk is offering return flights from London Heathrow to Montreal from £561 per person. This offer is valid for travel until 24 March 2013.