Dancing at the Viareggio Carnival with Catia

Having a glance at my festival calendar, without a doubt, I booked my ticket to Bologna on Fat Tuesday. This is definitely one of the best decision I have ever made for my weekend getaway. As usual, I went on couchsurfing.com to look for a host and that's how I found my host and got an incredible festival experience.

I arrived Viareggio on a Friday as I thought I should give myself some time to explore the town before the parade kick off on Sunday. Well, it's the rainy season and to be honest, there isn't much to explore. Thus, Catia and her daughter brought me to the Ciutadella to have a sneak peak of the giant puppet which had definitely brightened my day in such miserable weather.

Ciutadella is a complex of paint-shop and factories where parade floats and puppets were born. From sketch to constructions, it might take even more than 6 months to build a float that carries over 100 performers.

Yay, it's Sunday - can't wait to get to the promenade at 3pm for the parade. The good thing about staying with a local throughout the festival is that she clearly know where and when to get to various carnival events. That's saved lots of hassle google translating the official website and indeed, I saved Eur20 for the entrance ticket too.

OMG. I LOVE IT and for sure no regret of coming here for a weekend getaway. All the floats got live DJ, singers, acrobats, dancers and of course, technical crews who operate the floats. What I really like about Viareggio is that you can literally party with the performers on the street. Unlike Venice, which you can't really involve in it unless you got a SUP to ride along the canal.

Where is Viareggio?

On the south coast of Italy, 30 mins train ride from Pisa, Tuscany

What's on?

Parades of giant papier-night parties, fireworks, masked balls and theater. Just like a marathon race, the parade kick off with a triple cannon signal at the promenade.

How's it begin?

Back in the days, the parade was started as a politics strike against government taxation. Locals use their craft skills and big paper-mache puppet to express their views and tell stories about their life.

February 1st

MASKED PARADE + Great Fireworks

Sunday 14th February

2nd MASKED PARADE + Great Fireworks

Sunday 21st February

3rd MASKED PARADE

Sunday 28nd February

4th MASKED PARADE

Saturday 12th March

5th MASKED PARADE

(At the end of the parade reading of verdicts of juries) + Great Ending Fireworks

**2016 Program**

I am so glad to have Catia showing me around and trying her best to explaining the floats to me in English. She told me that the budget has been reduced due to the financial crisis. If not, I might be able to witness something more theatrical like the winner from last year.

No jokes. I will definitely make a comeback as a real participant. Catia said some of her friends performed on the float this year, so I guess I am pretty much sorted for next year.

Among the 7 out of 500 world celebrations that I have made to, Viareggio is surely a top notch. By the way, this city probably worth visiting for a summer vacation to kiss the sun and try some kite-surfing.

Grazie Mille, Catia. I had such a quality time with her who treated me as part of her family. The moment when she starts sharing her travel stories in Peru, I knew that we are going to be good friends. Seriously, Amazon is such a genius invention. I literally got my secondhand Lonely Planet in a minute after with 'internet-travel' to Macchu Picchu with Google Earth.

See you soon in Italy or maybe in South America xx