50 Experiences to Enjoy in Spain

50 EXPERIENCES TO ENJOY IN SPAIN

CARNIVAL IN TENERIFE

Rhythm, colour, abandon and –of course– breathtaking spectacle. Come and enjoy the fun and high spirits in the Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife : the most “Brazilian” of all those held in Spain and one of the most popular in the world. For a whole fortnight you can experience the high spirits, gay aban don and imagination that invades the streets of this city in the Canary Islands, as it welcomes hundreds and thousands of people coming from every corner of the planet. One event not to be missed is the gala for the election of the Carnival Queen , where the glamorous candidates form a procession wearing spectacularly extravagant costumes that can weigh more than 100 kilos. Another event not to be missed is the parade announcing the carnival , and which marks the start of the street festivities. Dance to the rhythm of the musical bands and mingle with the thousands of people teeming through the streets for hours forming a multicoloured chain of merrymaking and devil-may-care joie de vivre. For over one week, the city is swept up in a whirlwind of music and festive high spirits, which culminates on the Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, with “el Coso”, a spectac ular parade that thrills everyone who sees it. The next day the Burial of the Sardine marks the end of the festivities: the spirit of Carnival, symbolised by the sardine, is carried through the streets on a funeral bier, and then set on fire.

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