FAT TUESDAY KLAXON. Er yeah, we know it's not Tuesday, but 'Fat Tuesday' is the translation for 'Mardi Gras' – the annual carnival festivities in February. Where better to eat and celebrate than New Orleans, Louisiana.
MARDIS GRAS, 17 FEBRUARY
The Mardi Gras events start on 6 February, but if you want to see the main parade shebang, head down for 17 February, when the city's celebrations culminate. It's processions galore – the different 'Krewes' (the parade creators) ride the floats, tossing beads and trinkets at revellers. Look around you and, as they say in New Orleans, "laissez les bon temps rouler" – let the good times roll. mardigrasneworleans.com
BEIGNETS, CAFE DU MONDE
Fritters, fried dough, doughnuts. Call them what you like, as long as you use the right name – beignets – in New Orleans. These crispy, sweet little balls of doughy heaven are a New Orleans staple – doused in powdered sugar, it's your rich, calorific Fat Tuesday indulgence right there. Avoid the thronging tourists and hype at Café Beignet; head instead to Café du Monde, dunking your dough ball in a milky café au lait. cafedumonde.com
W HOTEL NEW ORLEANS
Hotter than Mardis Gras, because it's happening all year round. That's the W New Orleans for you. Unbutton your jeans (because you've eaten too much, not THAT) and spend the festival period in the city's coolest hotel. Fancy a jazz-inspired room? Or a tarot-inspired room? They're all good, so spread out and relax. Once you've recovered, the hippest bars of the French Quarter are just a cobbled street away, and Bourbon Street is our favourite – it's one of the only places you can drink on the street in the US. starwoodhotels.com
