source: forbes traveler

But, Mardi Gras is only one of many festive Carnivals taking place all of the world this week. Street parties, parades, and people donned in vibrant colors, feathers and beads are a part of Carnival celebrations from Aruba to Trinidad and Tobago to Rio de Janiero.

It seems like every year I’m wishing I was celebrating Carnival, but because the dates vary year-to-year, it always sneaks up on me and I miss it. However, I’ve discovered that Carnival isn’t just celebrated in February, but its held throughout the year around the world.

For instance, Carnival is being celebrated February 23-24 in Aruba, Trinidad/Tobago, Rio de Janiero, New Orleans, Dominica, and Guyana. But, I can still catch Carnival celebrations in Jamaica, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and the Cayman Islands during the month of April. St. Lucia in June; Barbados in August; and St. Kitts, St. Croix and the Bahamas in December and January. Go here for a listing of more 2009 Carnival dates.

Carnival and Rio go hand-in-hand. If this is the spot where you want to celebrate Carnival next time, you can get your trip planning started early. We’ve got you covered, with a a list of Rio Carnival Dates from 2009 to 2030. Talk about pre-planning!

Carnival isn’t just a Caribbean or South American celebration, Carnivals take place in Venice, Germany, Canada, and the U.S (hey, even ATL celebrates Carnival!). Forbes Traveler has some great photos of how various countries celebrate Carnival. Check it out.

Trinidad

But now I have no excuse to experience the mother of all parties. I’m grabbing my beads and going to shake my “tailfeather”….somewhere…somehow…sometime soon. Question…where should I go for the most ‘unique’ Carnival experience? I know this question will be open for debate…but we welcome it!

JetSetters, have you experienced Carnival? If so, tell us where and your best experience. If you’re like me and you haven’t, where you’d like to celebrate Carnival if given the opportunity?

Share your thoughts.

Norwegian Cruise Lines has $99 inside cabin staterooms available on their November 3rd and November 10th cruises only!

$99 – Inside Cabins
$159 – Outside Cabins
$429 – Balcony
$1129 – Suites

Cruises sail from Miami – Nassau – Great Stirrup Cay – Grand Bahama Island.

I’d like to take this time to say that, if I lived in Florida as opposed to the middle of the country I’d travel much more frequently. Who couldn’t use a $99 vacation?!!

I looked near and far – read all the email newsletters – checked out all the event sites – looked at EVERY ning community site we belong to – “Googled” my fingers off and I am now ready to present to you the Hottest List (self-proclaimed) of Summer and Fall 2008 Festivals.

Bahamas Junkanoo Summer Festival
Date: June 12th – August 19th
Place: Grand Bahama Island, Nassau, Bahamas

Reggae Sumfest 2008
Date: July 17th – 19th
Place: Montego Bay, Jamaica
Performers: Lil’ Wayne, Keisha Cole, T-Pain, Elephant Man, Beenie Man and more…

Party in Palm Springs
Date: July 25th – 27th
Place: Palm Springs, California (Palm Springs Wyndham Resort)

Adamari Caribbean Summer Festival 2008
Date: July 27th
Place: Long Island Queen Mary Park – Long Beach, California
Price: $50 in Advance, $60 at the gate, $100 VIP, 9 & under Free
Performers: Shabba Ranks, Lady Saw, Junior Reid, Cham, Felisa Marisol, Richie Kupone and more…

The 5th Annual Turks And Caicos Music and Cultural Festival
Date: July 28th – August 4th
Place: Turks and Caicos
Performers: Lionel Richie, LL Cool J, Anita Baker, Ne-Yo, Rickey Smiley and more…

Barbados Crop Over
Date: July 28th – August 4th
Place: Barbados

Caribana
Date: July 31st – August 4th
Place: Toronto, Canada

A.T.I – R.T.I Weekend (A.K.A Jamaica Independence Weekend)
Date: July 31st – August 4th
Place: Negril, Jamaica

Lollapalooza
When: Aug. 1-3
Where: Chicago, IL
It will cost you: $190-$205/three-day pass
Headliners: Kanye West, Gnarls Barkley, Radiohead, Lupe Fiasco, Rage Against the Machine and more…

Anguilla Summer Festival 2008
Date: August 2nd – 12th
Place: Northern Leeward Islands – Anguilla, BWI
11 days of carnival and boatracing activities

The London Notting Hill Carnival
Date: August 22-25, 2008
Place: London, England (Notting Hill)

Labor Day Getaway Weekend
Date: August 29 – Sept 1, 2008
Place: San Juan, Puerto Rico

BumberShoot
Seattle’s Music & Art Festival
Date: August 30 – September 1, 2008
Place: Seattle, WA – Seattle Center
Featuring: Keyshia Cole, T.I., Stone Temple Pilots, Neko, Estelle, Adele, Jakob Dylan, !!! and much much more….too much to list!

Mr. Caribbean International 2008
Date: October 6 -13, 2008
Place: Hedonism III

Bermuda Music Festival
Date: October 1-4, 2008
Place: Bermuda
Performers: Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Steve Harvey, Bill Bellamy, Aaron Nevile and more…

That’s all I got! If you venture out let us know about. Upload your pictures to the Jet Set Community www.TwoJetSetDivas.ning.com

Contributing Source: Black Beach Week.com
They know about every happening event! Sign up for their newsletter here…make your life easier!

It’s almost here…Spring. A time of renewal, spring cleaning, and the pre-summer get-a-ways! So renew your travel vows, spring clean that suitcase, and get outta here! Here’s some ideas to get you there.

Expedia Spring Sale
Deals including 4 nights + air:
Bahamas – from $734
Cancun – from $764
Jamaica – from $487
Las Vegas – from $442
Los Cabos – from $579
Miami – from $484
Puerto Rico – from $529
Riviera Maya – from $737

Want to make sure you avoid any wet t-shirts this spring? Forbes Traveler features great places for grown-ups to break such as:
Zihuatanejo, Mexico
Costa Rica
Barbados
Turks & Caicos Islands
Kauai, Hawaii
Lisbon, Portugal






According to the NY Times spring travel, especially this month should be carefully planned and timed in order to catch the best deals. Easter falls earlier this year and spring vacations for school-aged children and college students may also fall earlier as well. Thus, causing a crunch in vacation time and increases in prices at some destinations.

I don’t know about you, but I’m so over winter…and ready to spring off to somewhere sunny and relaxing. So check out these deals and start planning your spring-time getaway. Don’t forget to send us a postcard!!

For an inside look at the Springtime sakura zensen (the cherry blossom front) in Japan, check out our discussion board.