in a city as enthusiastic about carnival as rio de janeiro, it comes as no surprise that a variety of ways to celebrate exist - all walks of life can find something fitting, from the spectacular parades, which serve as the hallmark of festivities to the jubilant street parties that seem to pop up everywhere, dancing through the hills, on the beaches and through the parks.

there are also lavish balls held for revelers with more discerning tastes - these carnival galas are not a new phenomenon, in fact they emulate many of the traditions that lend to the carnival of today: the nobility masquerades popular during medieval and renaissance times.