Carnival in Europe comes in many flavors.
Whether folkloric and rustic, or opulent and elegant.
Every festival has its own traditions.
Yet, at the end of the day, they all attract both locals and tourists.
Here are some of Europe's carnival hotspots.
Let's start in Cologne, one of Germany's carnival strongholds.
Here, the whole city celebrates!
Anyone celebrating carnival here is called a "Jeck."
Cologne also has it's own carnival chant: "Cologne, alive"
The street carnival lasts 6 days and begins with the so-called "Weiber"-Fastnacht –
a day where women run the show. It's customary for women to cut off men's ties
and receive a peck on the cheek in return.
The undeniable highlight of the Cologne carnival is the Rose Monday parade.
It started back in 1823 and is the largest procession of its kind in Germany.
It attracts several hundred thousand spectators.
Parade-goers are also given sweets called "Kamelle."
Don't be afraid to join in and mingle with the revellers in Cologne.
You can't help but have fun!
Elegant and stylish are adjectives that describe the carnival celebrations in Venice.
The festival's opulent masks and costumes were first mentioned in texts
written as early as 1286.
A historic boat parade opens the festivities. About 120 boats and gondolas glide from the
Grand Canal to the Rio di Cannaregio.
Thousands of visitors from around the world come every year to be part of the festivities.
The Carnivale di Venezia lasts 2 weeks.
Many people spare no expense when it comes to their masks and costumes.
The best outfits are chosen every year in a competition in St. Mark's Square.
They are so cool! It's amazing! Like superstars!
With the right outfit, you can also attend one of the costume balls
in the hotels and palazzi but the tickets are highly sought after and expensive.
The evening's boat parades, on the other hand, are cost-free to attend.
Whatever you choose to do, there's always something to marvel
at during the Venice Carnival!
You have to get up early for Shrovetide in Basel: At 4 o'clock the so-called "Morgenstreich"
or "morning prank" begins.
That's when groups of masked carnival goers parade with lanterns
while playing drums and piccolos the only musical instruments allowed.
There are no rules about what kinds of costumes can be worn during the morning procession
anything goes. But all participants must wear so-called "Laval masks" which cover their faces.
A few hours after the morning prank, people meet again for the afternoon procession.
Here, different rules apply:
The participating groups, known as cliques, now wear matching costumes and play brass music.
Around 2,000 people in 70 groups spend 3 days celebrating the Basel Fastnacht.
The carnival celebrations in the town of Lerwick on Scottland's Shetland Islands are eerily beautiful.
The festival is called "Up Helly Aa" and is reminiscent of a Viking carnival.
1,000 men transform into fierce warriors, equipped with axes and armor.
They march through the city brandishing weapons, cheered on by the crowds.
Their leader is the Viking King.
After sunset, a torchlight procession marches through the town.
The mood is magical. At the end, a Viking longship is ceremoniously burned.
Although it took 6 months to be built, within minutes it's engulfed in flames.
Afterwards, the celebration continues until the early hours of the morning.
These Vikings know how to party!
The carnival in the southern Hungarian town of Mohács is steeped in legend.
Here, shaggy figures called "buschos" are on the move.
Their task? To drive away winter and make way for spring!
But they need the right equipment.
A scary wooden mask is a must.
Each unique mask costs up to several hundred euros.
The Buschos also need a thick sheepskin to stay warm.
Another necessity is homemade Palinka schnapps!
Although there are many different varieties,
the alcohol content is consistently high.
Now fully equipped, the Buschos begin the procession.
As legend goes, the tradition began in the 17th century, when the inhabitants
of Mohács drove out the Ottomans wearing scary masks and shouting wildly.
After sunset comes the day's highlight:
A giant bonfire on the main square in the city center.
Bushos dance around it wildly.
And with fire, fur and scary masks, it's clear that the carnival in Mohács is a devilish affair!
A breath of spring awaits you at the carnival in Nice in the south of France.
For two weeks, parades are held in the city day and night.
The flower parade is a highlight.
Each float is decorated with around 50,000 flowers including the mimosa flower.
Thousands of bouquets are given away to visitors, too.
In the evening, a big carnival parade begins.
It's a feast for the senses.
The floats are both elaborate and illuminated,
and stand as tall as 17 meters. Every year there's a new theme, but one thing always
stays the same: The amazing atmosphere. Very fun, so much color!
We come every year for carnival. Yeah!
This is the best festival in the world.
So we come from Taiwan. Join! Be happy!