Safetrip Internal Site
MSID:
Partner List Clear Purchase Session Log out
Skip navigation
  • For Partners
  • For more information:
  • call Toll free +1.800.732.5309
  • call International +1.410.453.6380
UnitedHealthcare Global Safetrip
UHG
menu close
  • Insurance
  • Why SafeTrip?
  • Travel tips & information
  • Contact us
  • Make a claim
  • Get your quote
  • Insurance
  • Why SafeTrip?
  • Travel tips & information
  • Contact us
Make a claim
Get your quote
  • For Partners
  • For more information:
  • Toll free +1.800.732.5309
  • International +1.410.453.6380
⁠⁠ Insurance

What travel insurance do I need?

  • Vacation travel

    Learn more
  • Student travel

    Learn more
  • Individual business travel

    Learn more
  • Global volunteering

    Learn more

What insurance plans do you provide?

  • International Travel Medical Plus

    Learn more
  • International Travel Medical

    Learn more
  • Travel Protection

    Learn more

Need help?

If you have any question, give us a quick call or just send an email.

call Toll free +1.800.732.5309
call International +1.410.453.6380
email [email protected]
⁠⁠ Why SafeTrip?
  • Benefits of travel insurance

    Learn more
  • FAQ

    Learn more

Who we are?

  • About UnitedHealthcare Global

    Learn more

Need help?

If you have any question, give us a quick call or just send an email.

call Toll free +1.800.732.5309
call International +1.410.453.6380
email [email protected]
Get a quote
Travel Tips & Information Destinations Carnival 2023: Mardi Gras around the world
Share
twitter facebook linkedin whatsapp mail_outline

Carnival 2023: Mardi Gras around the world

February 09, 2023

For those who love a good time, no celebration compares to Carnival. And since this annual blow-out is integrated into so many cultural traditions around the world, you could check multiple travel goals off your bucket list simply by exploring different Mardi Gras events every year. Whether it’s Carnival 2023 in Brazil or someplace closer to home, here are a few points on the map that have particularly distinctive festivals.

History of Carnival

In the Christian tradition, Mardi Gras (French for “Fat Tuesday”) marks the last chance for people to indulge themselves before the beginning of pre-Easter Lent weeks, when many practice reflection and sacrifice, giving up favorite foods or fasting. Some cultures make the most of Fat Tuesday on the day itself, while others stretch the decadence and celebration for days and weeks before. In those cases, Fat Tuesday becomes a celebration that extends to many beyond the Christian religion, in the form of the ultimate all-out party: Carnival.

Top places to celebrate Carnival

From city to city and country to country, the Carnival festival is celebrated in different ways. While the celebration has its roots in pagan festivals welcoming spring, the evolution into a pre-Easter bacchanal also means you’ll discover local flavor in each celebration of Carnival around the world.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Brazilians throw a Mardi Gras that tops all others, with Rio de Janeiro attracting millions of people every year to join in the spectacle. Spectacular floats, samba dancers, drummers and many more performers put on enormous parades and other over-the-top events.

New Orleans, Louisiana

The most well-known Carnival celebration in the United States draws tourists from around the world for its parades, balls, live music, and rowdy parties. Costumed social groups called Krewes work all year to plan the events, and the entire city joins in the fun.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

Flamboyant and extravagant, the Mardi Gras celebrations on the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands draw from a variety of traditions. The completely unique experience includes street parties as well as official celebrations, the election of a Queen, and a piñata weekend.

Venice, Italy

In addition to its canals, Venice is known for its artisan-crafted masks, which have their roots in the local history of Mardi Gras. Parties during the first Carnival celebrations blended upper and lower classes, with attendees wearing ornamental masks to blur the lines between the two groups. Today, famed fashion designers participate in designing masks for the annual masquerade parties, while floating parades take place throughout the city.

Cologne, Germany

What started as a winter solstice celebration to drive out evil demons and pay homage to the gods is now a joyous tradition, with approximately 160 different carnival societies hosting events, electing a Carnival Hero, and throwing hundreds of balls and parades.

Travel wisely with SafeTrip

Wherever you choose to celebrate Mardi Gras this year, the theme will undoubtedly be one of unbridled fun. However, if you’re traveling to experience Carnival, it’s important to explore different types of insurance coverage to protect your trip—and your health.

Should you experience challenges such as flight cancellations or hotel snafus, U.S. domestic travel insurance such as UnitedHealthcare Global’s SafeTrip Travel Protection Plan will help manage any complications, and you can even add on rental car damage* as extra protection.

Considering international travel? Depending on your destination, medical coverage that travels with you may be a wise choice, as you can find a plan that covers health care needs as well as access to 24/7 support and other just-in-case coverage. Check out SafeTrip International Travel Medical plans,or choose insurance with trip cancellation/interruption coverage with the International Travel Medical Plus plan.

Whichever plan you choose, you’ll be prepared and can travel confidently knowing you can be connected to support.

 

*Policy availability varies.

Sources:

https://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/a38821104/what-is-carnival/

https://www.spain.info/en/calendar/fiestas-carnival-santa-cruz-tenerife/

https://www.cologne-tourism.com/see-experience/carnival/history/

https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-travel-picks-carnival-idUSLNE81G01I20120217 

 

This website contains highlights of the plans, which include travel insurance coverages underwritten by Centurion Casualty Company or H&W Indemnity SPC Ltd. for and on behalf of Global Solutions SP. The plans also contain non-insurance Travel Assistance Services provided by United Healthcare Services Inc., or its applicable affiliate operating as United Healthcare Global. Claims Administration is provided by Co Ordinated Benefit Plans, Inc.. Coverages may vary under applicable law and not all coverage is available in all jurisdictions. Insurance coverages are subject to the terms, limitations and exclusions in the plan, including an exclusion for pre-existing conditions. UnitedHealthcare Global does not guarantee clinical outcomes. UnitedHealthcare Global does is not responsible for the content of third-party websites and links to such websites do not imply recommendation, approval or endorsement of that website.

Get a quote

Your itinerary is fully planned and all you need is your travel insurance? Get started with your quote here.

* indicates a required field

* Required fields

Period of coverage

expand_more
expand_more
Clear
Note: Policy must be purchased one or more days prior to your originally scheduled travel start date. The travel dates must cover the full duration of your trip. The policy will be void, refunded and claims denied if incorrect travel dates are provided.
Clear

Location of coverage

Where do you need coverage?

Primary location of coverage
Where do you need coverage?
expand_more
Note: Please enter your primary destination. You'll have the option of adding more countries later in the process. This will not impact cost or service.


Number of travelers

Who needs coverage?

Number of travelers
Who needs coverage?
expand_more

Booking for a large group?

We can help you enroll groups of 6 or more.

Toll free +1.800.732.5309

International +1.410.453.6380

Go back
Traveler 1
help
$
Note: Plans are unavailable for residents of CO, NY and WA.
help Booking for group of 6+?

Need help?

If you have any question, give us a quick call or just send an email.

call Toll free +1.800.732.5309
call International +1.410.453.6380
email [email protected]
Get your quote

Protect your trip with travel protection plans.

Get a quote

You might also like

Destinations | June 16, 2025

Travel to the Amalfi Coast: A guide to Italy's most picturesque coastline

Read more
Destinations | May 20, 2025

Experiential travel: What it is and must-visit places

Read more
Destinations | February 06, 2025

Top travel destinations of 2025: Inspiring wanderlust for your next adventure

Read more
UnitedHealthcare Global
UHC Logo
  • call Toll free +1.800.732.5309
  • call International +1.410.453.6380
  • email [email protected]

Legal
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Health Data Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Policy Documents
Legal non-U.S.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Notice
  • Terms of use
Partners
  • Partner - Contact us

© 2025 United HealthCare Services, Inc.

This website contains highlights of the plans, which include travel insurance coverages underwritten by Centurion Casualty Company or H&W Indemnity SPC for and on behalf of Global Solutions SP. The plans also contain non-insurance Travel Assistance Services provided by United Healthcare Services Inc., or its applicable affiliate operating as UnitedHealthcare Global. Claims administration services are provided by Co-Ordinated Benefit Plans, Inc. Coverages may vary under applicable law and not all coverage is available in all jurisdictions. Insurance coverages are subject to the terms, limitations and exclusions in the plan, including an exclusion for pre-existing conditions. UnitedHealthcare Global does not guarantee clinical outcomes. The cost of your plan is for the entire plan, which consists of both insurance and non-insurance components. Individuals looking to obtain additional information regarding the features and pricing of each travel plan component, please contact the UnitedHealthcare Global SafeTrip Team via email at [email protected] or via phone at +410.453.6380 or +1.800.732.5309.

UnitedHealthcare Global does not guarantee clinical outcomes. UnitedHealthcare Global is not responsible for the content of third-party websites and links to such websites do not imply recommendation, approval or endorsement of that website.