CARNIVAL TIME IN PORTUGAL One of the most lively times to visit Portugal is late winter/early spring when communities explode into a frenzy partying as the annual carnival season starts . Carnaval has Catholic roots, and it’s a time of celebration and indulgence. It’s the last opportunity to go wild before Lent, a time of fasting and sacrifice. During Lent, Catholics would abstain from eating meat. This is where the word Carnevale comes from, which means as much as putting away the meat. Carnaval was a time for renewal and awakening. The Portuguese name at the time was Entrudo , which means to enter. You’ll still see this word used today. although things have changed over the years, we can still enjoy a colourful festival with masks, music, and allegorical floats (the cars or trucks with a platform used during the parade). After the wild party, the 40-day-long f...