Rick Steves Recommends Visiting Europe During This Time Of Year To Explore Your Wild Side

With spring swiftly approaching, it is that time of year again for everyone's favorite thing: allergies! Just kidding (kinda). Not only does springtime bring about beautiful flowers, longer days, and lots of spring cleaning, but according to Rick Steves, it's also the prime time to put on your party hats and get ready for a festival! "To see Europe at its craziest, join the wild party that kicks off the reverent Easter season," Steves writes on his blog. While most Americans are probably familiar with a pre-Easter celebration held in the U.S. known as Mardi Gras — especially in New Orleans, Carnival is a festivity held from February through March that is widely celebrated across many countries throughout Europe. 

The true origin of Carnival is as mysterious as the masks worn during the festivities. Some say it began as pagan rituals, where people gathered to celebrate the god of the harvest. Others conclude it is based on Greek Dionysian festivals and Roman Saturnalia — its name deriving from carnem levare, which means "to remove meat." This in turn points to the celebrations held on the days leading up to Lent, where those who participate do not eat meat on Fridays. Some even say that Carnival was a time when social standings didn't exist and the classes were able to coexist as equals (if only for a little while). Mardi Gras marks the last day of Carnival, and in regard to religion, the last day people can enjoy their indulgences before Lent begins. Whatever the actual origins of Carnival, today it is a time when friends and family gather to enjoy elaborate costumes, food, floats, and more.

Carnival is celebrated throughout numerous parts of Europe. In any city, big or small, visitors will find elaborate costumes, balls, floats, parades, delicious food, singing, and nights of debauchery. In Venice, Italy, for instance, thousands flock to St. Marks Square adorned in elaborate dress — complete with intricate masks and capes. People wander the streets looking for a party (though some are invitation only) — while others just embrace the wildness in the streets. On the island of Tenerife in Spain, it is more like the celebrations you see in Brazil, with people parading about wearing huge (and heavy) costumes featuring lots of colors, feathers, jewels, and elaborate headdresses. In Cologne, Germany, visitors come from around the world to see the Rosenmontag parade, which features bands, creative floats, acrobats, and dance groups. 

Even smaller countries such as Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania, and Poland join in on the fun, though their celebrations seem to be steeped more in folklore than fashion. "Some of Europe's oldest Easter traditions are found in tiny Slovenia, where Carnival is called Kurentovanje," Steves writes. While the celebration comes with parades, balls, concerts, live music, and more, "the star of the show is a big shaggy creature called Kurent, with a long red tongue, horns, snout, whiskers, and two red-ringed eyes," Steves says. "He's a fun-loving pagan Slavic god of hedonism — a Slovenian Bacchus — whose role is to scare off winter." In Lithuania, the Carnival celebration is called Užgavėnės, and is also meant to scare away the winter blues. Lithuanians do this by adorning colorful garments and scary masks — while stuffing their faces with delicious local delicacies.

Before planning your trip around Carnival, there are a few things to take into consideration. First, it is one of the busiest times of year in these locations, as people from around the globe come to join the festivities. Therefore, if you have your heart set on visiting one of the many places that celebrate, look into booking accommodations far in advance. Secondly, the dates Carnival is celebrated can vary depending on the city, so be sure to do your research before planning around a specific date in February or March. Like any trip, know what the weather will be like depending on which celebration you want to partake in. In parts of Spain, you might be able to get away with a T-shirt, while in Poland you'll want a heavy coat.

Be prepared for crowds. This means not only being aware of your surroundings but also of your belongings. Unfortunately, pickpocketing is a large concern in many major cities, especially when crowded events are occurring. Keep your items safe with a money belt, or even a bag with a locking mechanism. Lastly, if you really want to get in on the fun, consider a costume! There are many places throughout these cities where you can purchase items for as cheap or as expensive as you'd like. In most places, visitors just go for silly outfits or hats. As Steves says, "If you're lucky enough to be in a European town during Carnival, let your hair down and experience some local customs while you celebrate these rites of spring."