Where to celebrate Mardi Gras around the world

Brazil's third largest 'carnaval' is less commercial than those of Rio and Salvador, and probaly its most authentic, fun and friendliest. In Olinda's historic old town bands meander through the cobbled streets playing frevo and maracatu day and night as revellers mingle with the famous giant dolls. ebookers have flights to Recife via Sao Paulo with TAM Linhas Aéreas from £784.25rtn over carnival time Photograph: Ormuzd Alves/Stringer/Corbis

Some 30,000 dancers and 150 marching bands descend on the Bolivian mining town of Oruru for Carnival, 3,700m up in the mountains. Dates 20-23 Feb 2009. Flights from Heathrow to La Paz via Miami with Virgin and American Airlines, booked through Journey Latin America, cost from £678rtn inc tax. Bus from La Paz to Oruru takes around four hours. More information Photograph: David Mercado/Reuters

Practically everyone on the island turns out for the biggest carnaval in the Caribbean, which is the inspiration for London's Notting Hill. Follow a 'big truck' blasting out soca for the party, but don't miss the steel band competition – it's an unforgettable musical experience. BA has flights for Port of Spain departing 22 Feb, returning 1 March for £772.60 Photograph: Jorge Silva/Reuters

In Patras they take partying to heart for Greece's largest carnival. Celebrations here vary, being tied to the Greek Orthodox calendar - Burnt Thursday, dedicated to feasting on meat, replaces Fat Tuesday before the festivities really kick off on the Sunday. Dates: 27 Feb-1 March. EasyJet flies from Gatwick to Athens from £80rtn. It's a four-hour train journey from Athens to Patras Photograph: Rachel Royse/Corbis

Goa's carnival tradition dates back to the area's Portuguese heritage. A king of chaos - King Momo - is elected to preside over the three-day festivities. Dates: 21-23 Feb. First Choice has 10 nights' B&B accommodation in Goa departing Fri 20 Feb from £575pp Photograph: PR

Unesco-listed Barranquilla carnival in Colombia kicks off with a Battle of the Flowers, followed by street parties with music of every genre from cumbia and merengue to salsa. Dates: 21-24 Feb. Opodo have flights with Continental Airlines from Heathrow to Bogotá from £512.60rtn. From Bogotá you can catch an internal flight to Barranquilla with Copa air or Avencia Photograph: Daniel Munoz/Reuters/Corbis

Every year New Orleans shuts down for its world-famous Mardi Gras holiday, when everyone wears the carnival colours of purple, green and gold and elaborate parade floats bring the party to the streets. Return flights from £354.40 with KLM through Opodo departing 18 Feb returing 25 Feb. More information Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian

Venice's carnival takes the theme of six senses this year and will be celebrated with a dizzying array of masquerade balls, concerts, parties and lavishly costumed revellers on every street corner. Lastminute.com has a three-night deal at the Hotel Le Boulevard – Lido inc return flights for £154.13 (based on two people sharing). Departing 23 Feb, returning 26 Feb Photograph: Andera Merola/EPA

Veracruz carnival is one of the largest in Mexico. This port city on the east coast brings its rich musical traditions to the carnival parade. Continental flies to Mexico City from £501.60 departing 20 Feb, returning 27 Feb, book through Opodo. Veracruz is 263 miles east of Mexico City Photograph: Lindsay Hebberd/Corbis

Catch some winter sun and join the street party at Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife. While the bigger celebrations take place in the capital, Santa Cruz, here you can hit the beach after the parade. Thomas Cook have seven nights from £350 per person (based on three adults sharing), including a three-star, self-catering stay at Casablanca Apartments in Puerto de la Cruz and Gatwick to Tenerife flights departing 20 Feb. 0844 412 5970, thomascook.com Photograph: PR