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6 Reasons Why Antigua's Carnival Is The Best Carnival

Brace yourselves - amazingness is coming.

For most people, kicking off your holiday in the wee hours of the morningcan be an exhausting, curmudgeon-inducing thing.

But then we'd surmise that most people haven't enjoyed the bewildering life experience of what it's like to walk straightinto the 3am hubbub of Antigua's hyper-colourful,wonderfully chaotic and overwhelmingly inviting 12-day Carnival.

Between world-class beaches, threadbare bikinis, booty-tastic dancing, droolsome cuisine, delicious drinks and a non-stop laughter track, MTV is happy to report that Antigua's Carnival is one of the best (if not the best) in the world. And here's why...

You’re going to drink rum

So much rum. As celebrations start early most mornings, you'll find that there's always an ample thimble of rum to accompany the kick-off. Antiguan's definitely know how to party bigger and better than you - and the quicker you realise that, the better. The first day of the Parade starts at 3am with a kaleidoscopic blast of live music, dancing and drinking in a vast field overlooking the picturesque city of St. John's.

Sipping on a rum punch, eating salt fish fritters fresh out of the pot and purveying the surrounding rolling mountains and beaches is a life highlight. Absorbing the fact you're experiencing all this barely an hour into the Carnival is a sign of things to come.

The dancing, laughing and rum-ming lasts 12 days

All good things come in twelves (the Disciples, the Days of Christmas, we're guessing the Fast & Furious franchise), and so it's fitting that the Antigua Carnival lasts a whopping 12 days, culminating in Juvet - the most colourful, vibrant, musical street party you'll ever see, with costumes so eye-poppingly elaborate that it makes Lady Gaga's wardrobe look as staid as David Cameron's.

The sassy costumery is on point

A heady warning for those of a rather PG disposition - head to Antigua Carnival and you're going to see a lot of skin in not a lot of clothes - barely-there bikinis made entirely of diamantes, feathers and a whole heap of imagination is the vibe.

You may think you've seen embellished and outlandish costumes before, but you'll only realise how inclusive and accepting the Carnival is when you see a 90-year-old local lady wearing all the above. Along with the pet dog she's holding, who's'also'wearing a mathcing outfit. YAAAAAHS QUEEN.

Antiguan cuisine is the Caribbean's finest

Antiguans take eating seriously, so know this in advance - you're going to eat. A lot.

On every corner, in every alleyway, you'll see someone'sGrandma crying out to feed you freshly cooked spicy rotis or sweet and satisfying ramarind Balls. Here's our own MTV NOM tip -try EVERYTHING. It’s cheap, packed full of flavour, heaped with deliciously unnecessary calories and guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Get your twerk on

No matter how old or able you are, you’re going to dance. There are no rules, there’s no routine, there’s no inhibition. It’s bliss. You’re also going to download 30 new artists on Spotify a day;the local music is infectious.

It's a unique, life-affirming moment to let your inhibitions go, surrounded bytens of thousands of partygoers -singing the same lyricsto the beat of a steel drum bandplaying from thetop of a lorry -through a maze ofgloriously sun-drenched colourful Antiguan streets.

There's a reason for all the booty-shaking

Every carnival around the world has its reason for being. Some are the pure celebration of everything that makes life great - dancing, food and good times.

The Antigua Carnival has all the above, but it's a party layered with genuinely affecting historical feels - a celebration of the emancipation of slavery in the country (2016 was the quite literally all-singing, all-dancing 60th anniversary).

Did we mention Antigua's the best?

In summary, you’re not going to feel super-proud when you take your first post-holiday step on the scales – but by jeebus, it’ll be worth it. Every smile, wave, dance, kiss and taste of the Caribbean you receive from the Antiguan locals will last with you long after. Best carnival ever? Quite possibly.

'MTV Travelled With...7 nights in Hawksbill by Rex Resorts, Antigua withTropical Sky is priced from£1059pp, based on accommodation at aGarden Bungalow and travel in November. The price includes shared transfers & scheduled flights. Find out more about Antigua and Barbuda here.'

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