5 Hot Carnival and Mardi Gras Destinations for 2016
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Winter can sometimes summon seasonal blues. To help lift spirits – and, of course, ring in Lent and the eventual spring thaw – a slew of cities around the world kick the doldrums to the curb with their biggest parties of the year. Here are 5 Carnival and Mardi Gras celebrations from TPG Contributor Kelsy Chauvin that heat up the frosty season.
"Mardi Gras" translates to "Fat Tuesday" to mark the wild abandon of eating and drinking the day before fasting on Ash Wednesday. No American city honors that tradition better than the Big Easy, where indulgence is a way of life. With 2016 Mardi Gras falling early this year on February 9, revelers are already prepping to celebrate with rowdy parades like Bacchus and Endymion the weekend of February 5-7 (along with many smaller parades happening all over the city and around Louisiana).
Since New Orleans thrives on tourism all year round, there are loads of hotels to choose from; many of them part of rewards programs. Mardi Gras marks peak travel season in the Crescent City, so it's wise to reserve as far in advance as possible and take advantage of points-based upgrades and other special deals upon booking. Check out Eric Rosen's Destination of the Week: New Orleans for more hot tips of where to stay and how to get there.
Carnival in Brazil's most exciting beachside metropolis started in the 18th century. Today, the celebration welcomes around one million spectators to join five full days (minimum) of dancing and music starting the Friday before Ash Wednesday. Although there are regular street parades for more than a week prior to Fat Tuesday, in Rio you'll want to buy an advance ticket to the Sambadrome. There, you'll join countless other partygoers from near and far in tiered viewing stands and overlook the annual march of Rio's samba schools. The "Sambadrome Parades" are held every night of Carnival.
Along with New Orleans, Rio is home to one of the world's biggest, most flamboyant pre-Lenten festivals. Plan well ahead for accommodations and flights. A card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is especially beneficial with no foreign transaction fees and 2x points on travel and dining at restaurants. Catch more local travel advice with TPG's Destination of the Week: Rio de Janeiro.
Southern France's Cote d'Azur may not have the raucous reputation of NOLA or Rio, but for two weeks in February, Nice flies its most festive carnaval colors – this year February 13-28. Each year's theme – this year's is the "King of Media" – inspires participants to build 18 amazing floats, which proceed parade-style through town along with legions of papier-mache figures and more than 1,000 musicians and performers. Nice carnavalers chase away the winter gloom with flower showers tossed from the annual "Flower Parade" floats, plus the illuminated floats that light up the city in the "Parade of Lights."
Book travel a couple months out, as well as your reserved seating access pass in the grandstands of Place Massena, the hub of Nice's carnaval parade routes and events. For transportation tips to, from and around Nice, read TPG Contributor Lane Nieset's handy Tips for Train Travel & Transportation in France.
As one might expect from one of the world's most beautiful cities, carnevale in Venice is considered one of the most visually striking affairs. Elaborate masks are the main attraction, with the more impressive ones ornamented in gold leaf, leather, porcelain, feathers and even real gemstones and are usually part of equally extravagant full-body costumes. Masquerading merrymakers roam the city's winding walkways during the nearly three-week-long celebration (in 2016, from January 23-February 9). Its famous canals and piazzas are magically transformed into colorscapes with music and performance day and night.
Venice is a marvelous UNESCO World Heritage City that every traveler should experience, and Carnevale is a dreamy time to visit. Plan your trip and maximize points with wisdom from TPG's Destination of the Week: Venice.
Most of the world's annual carnivals are firmly rooted in religious traditions. Head north for something different in the snow and winter sun, Canadian style. The annual Carnaval de Quebec runs this year from January 29-February 14, marking one of the world's biggest winter festivals. More than 200 events span from the nutty to the competitive: canoe races across the icy St. Lawrence River, horse-drawn sleigh races through the Plains of Abraham, giant snow slides, late-night dance parties inside the Ice Palace and the annual "snow bath," featuring wild Canucks cavorting outdoors in bathing suits in sub-freezing temperatures. Don't miss a photo with Carnival mascot Bonhomme, a giant grinning snowman who speaks; or a glass of "caribou," the traditional drink made of red wine, sugar and any type of hard liquor (to keep the wine from freezing solid).
Quebec City is home to Fairmont, Hilton, Marriott and other rewards hotels, but if you're curious about something authentically chill, consider earning points for a night spent in the Hotel de Glace (Ice Hotel). Make sure to bring a sweater.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.