Bagolino is a village in the province of Brescia in the Lombardy region of northern Italy and this village is really famous for its cheese called Bagoss, which is salty and very satisfying.
Forget the big events and choreographed parades in Venice, Verona and other world-famous centres of modern carnival excess. Forget the crowds of tourists desperately clutching their selfie sticks, trying to take thousands of photos to share on social media. Carnival in Bagolino has no glitter, no superficial glamour and no masquerade balls that cost hundreds and thousands of euros to attend.
Instead, imagine a medieval village made up of tall stone houses clinging to steep cliffs where :
* the inhabitants celebrate Carnevale by dressing up in folkloric costumes adorned with shiny ribbons and elaborate accessories; where.
* two groups called Balarì and Mascher recreate centuries-old traditions; and where
* the locals are so unconcerned with attracting tourists that they forget to update their website with the year's events.
And where, above all, groups of old witch-like ladies mingle all over town, their hoarse laughter matched only by their double entendres and very mischievous behaviour.
If you want to have a good time, visit Bagolino!