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MARDI GRAS NEW ORLEANS , USA
Larger-than-life floats , elaborate costumes , marching bands , dancing troupes , some nudity – and plenty of drinking . Welcome to Mardi Gras , New Orleans style . Rated amongst the best festivals in the world , Mardis Gras has its roots in Medieval Christianity and came to North America via French colonialists . Mardi Gras means “ Fat Tuesday ” in French , referring to a final day of feasting and celebration before the start of the 40-day Lent observance . Now synonymous with New Orleans , the festival was first celebrated in the city in the 1730s . Many traditions remain , including the role of krewes ( social clubs ) and secret societies in organising and funding the parades , and , of course , the masked float riders throwing trinkets to the crowds . Over one million people cram the city streets on Fat Tuesday , but celebrations begin well beforehand , with parades starting at least two weeks ahead of the finale . These earlier parades are more family friendly , or you can catch the neighbourhood walking krewes , which offer a more intimate experience . Mardi Gras usually falls between February and March , but New Orleans remains a year-round destination . With its soulful jazz history , incredible Cajun cuisine and world-famous attractions like Bourbon Street , there ’ s always a reason to celebrate .
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Airways flies four times weekly to New Orleans via London , and Sure Travel offers excellent packages taking in the sights and sounds of this grand city . Ask your Sure Travel consultant for details , or visit www . suretravel . co . za / call 0861 47 48 49 .
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