photograph courtesy of borya

Austria is entering the end of Carnival and, beginning today, will be in fasting mode. In Austria, Carnival is called Fasching.

Vienna has survived this year’s Fasching more or less intact. The Vienna Opera Ball, the extensive media coverage courtesy of Paris Hilton (construction magnate Richard Lugner’s special guest this year), and the numerous balls leading up to the start of the Lenten season have all come and gone.

As far as we’re concerned, the most important element of Fasching is Krapfen.

Krapfen is the equivalent of the American doughnut or the British/Australian pancake traditionally eaten during Shrove Tuesday. It is called Berliner Pfannkuchen in Germany. In Italy, it’s called Krafen.

Krapfen is a pastry of yeast dough fried in either fat or oil. Krapfen are dusted with sugar or iced. They are usually injected with a jam filling after being cooked. They are so tasty they’ll make even staid adults want to scarf a dozen in one sitting.

Krapfen are good and cheap, too. They cost between €.70 and €.90 apiece.

Popularity: 6% [?]

 
Photo courtesy of Ayuntamiento de Cadiz

Spain’s southern coast is awakening from its rainy winter slumber just in time for Carnival season. The show may not be as prim and proper as the spectacle in Venice, but the participants in Andalusia know how to throw a party.

Your best bet is to head west to the Costa del Luz and leave the over-crowded likes of Marbella behind for a more authentic experience.

Tarifa, Spain’s own windy city, offers a low-key celebration with a local feel, complete with wandering bands of troubadours (chirgotas) who trek from bar to bar, decked out in matching outfits according to a yearly theme, belting out tunes that could make the shyer spectators blush.

Further down the coast, Cadiz turns into one big costume party. One of Europe’s oldest cities, Cadiz’s old town shifts into gear this weekend and continues jamming until the end of the month.

Important: Be sure to try the fried fish and Barbadillo white wine while you’re there.

Popularity: 3% [?]