Mardi Gras isn't just a single day — Fat Tuesday, the last day before Lent — but a nearly entire month of festivities. It all starts on Twelfth Night, January 6, when the city becomes obsessed with eating, costuming, bead-tossing and parading, which all increase in intensity as Ash Wednesday nears. All weekends leading up to Fat Tuesday see parades roll all over town. Bands, marching groups, boats, and costumed riders toss beads and other accessories to the crowds. The celebration is also child-friendly: the Uptown parade route and suburban parades are entirely family oriented.

Visit authentic Greek vineyards and discover where wine comes from. The three must-visit wine productions on the island are Hatziemmanouil, Mores and Triantafyllopoulos.

El Retiro, an iconic park in Madrid, was once reserved exclusively for Spanish royalty, but it became accessible to the public in the late 19th century. Covering 350 acres, it is one of the largest parks in the city and is often referred to as "the lungs of Madrid" due to its vast green spaces. It's a popular spot for leisure, sports, and outdoor activities, with wide avenues and flat terrain perfect for running, cycling, and skating. Visitors can also rent rowboats to paddle around the Estanque or enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride. The park is home to several architectural and historical features, including the Velázquez Palace and the Crystal Palace, as well as remarkable sculptures and fountains, such as the statue of the Fallen Angel, the only sculpture in the world to represent the devil (Lucifer). The park also boasts a Puppet Theater, which offers a unique program every weekend and is one of a kind in Europe.

Nisyros is a famous tourist island located in the Aegean Sea. According to mythology, during the War of the Giants, Poseidon (the god of the sea) plucked a rock from Kos and hurled it at the giant Polyvotis. The crushed giant became Nisyros, a giant sea rock which shakes the earth every now and then with his groans -awakening the volcano.