Jared Salter is a European festival fanatic and founder of Joobili.com, Europe’s best source for timely travel inspiration. In this guest post he tells us about some of the Carnivals that take place in Italy in February.

Carnival is extravagant parades, colorful costumes and gyrating hips, but did you know carnival is also Catholic? The word carnival comes from the Late Latin expression carne vale, meaning “farewell to meat”, referring to the Catholic tradition of Lent when believers give up meat for 40 days preceding Easter. And what a farewell party it has become. You can find bigger parties and bigger parades, but nothing matches the variety and authenticity of carnival in the cradle of Catholicism. Here are 7 amazing reasons why you need to celebrate Carnival in Italy.

Ivrea Carnival aka Orange Carnival
Feb 21-24 2009

by raffaelbrustia

Celebrate carnival by hurling oranges at complete strangers in a frenzy of flying fruit. It all started in the middle ages when feudal lords gave a pot of beans to the poor families who, out of disrespect, threw them into the streets. Eventually the beans were replaced by oranges (good decision) thrown from balconies by adoring girls at the boys riding in the parade of carnival carriages below. The boys naturally returned fire and the parade turned into Italy’s biggest annual food fight.

Putignano Carnival
Feb 8-24 2009

by loioieg

The Putignano Carnival is famous for its parade of giant papier-mache caricatures. The carnival has a medieval pedigree, but you’d never guess it by the 21st century political and social themes of the floats. During carnival, nobody in Putignano is safe from a good practical joke, and that includes priests.

Oristano Carnival aka La Sartiglia
Feb 22-24 2009

by ezioman

At Oristano, carnival involves a medieval tournament where you can see ring jousts and other feats of equestrian and military skill. At night there is medieval singing and dancing in traditional costume on the squares of the town.

Viareggio Carnival
Feb 8-24 2009

by cidibee

Viareggio Carnival attracts an estimated 800,000 revelers who come to experience the colorful paper maché floats and puppets parading along the famous “viali a mare” seaside promenade. Children scoop up armfuls of candy tossed from the floats and parents enjoy the rhythms of local folk bands and international performers. Save your energy for the masquerades and discos. After all this partying the abstinence of Lent is a welcome relief.

Sciacca Carnival
Feb 19-24 2009

by photostar58

Head to Sciacca for a glimpse at what Putignano and Viareggio carnivals were like before the tourists arrived. This sleepy Sicilian port city comes alive at carnival. Don’t miss the handcrafted floats and puppets mocking local politicians and international stars.

Venice Carnival
Feb 13-24 2009

by cicciostoky

Since 1296, the Carnival of Venice has been an intoxicating cocktail of tradition, spectacle, history and transgression. Ornately painted masks and matching masquerade gowns give the city an irresistibly mystical vibe. There’s something going on 24-hours a day during carnival, including acrobats, magicians and ballroom dancing. Must-see events are on Giovedi Grasso (Fat Thursday) and Martedi Grazzo (Shrove Tuesday), the latter transforms Piazza San Marco into an unforgettable dance floor. With a feathered mask and a little gusto, you’ll slip into the theatrics of Carnevale Di Venezia with the all the ease of Casanova.

Milan Carnival
Feb 22-28 2009

by gatolopez

When carnival ends in the rest of Italy, the celebrations are just heating up in Milan. You can thank Saint Ambrose, a 4th century bishop of the Milan, for the extra days of partying. He instituted the Ambrosian Rite, which places Lent four days later than in the Roman Rite observed in the rest of Italy.