There are a million reasons that you’d like to travel. From food to culture or weather, there are reasons personal to you that make you want to get up and take a vacation.

One of the most prevalent reasons for travel though, is to party. What is a vacation if not an excuse to drink like a fish, forget about ones lives and get lost outside of the normalcy of their lives. But where are the best places to go party? Here’s a list of 5 of the most “party friendly” locales for your next party-cation!

1. NEW ORLEANS
This one seems like a no brainer, but if you’ve never been to the spectacle that is Mardi Gras then you’ve never experienced the single greatest party that America has to offer. Mardi Gras is a 12 day party of excess and sin ending on “Fat Tuesday” or the last day before “Ash Wednesday,” the start of Lent (The Catholic period of atonement of sin.) I suppose that it makes sense that if you’re going to give up sin for a period of 40 days and nights, a nice little 12 day party before hand is a good idea.

Be aware that this party is not for children. Travelers of the female persuasion are often asked to “show us your t**s” in exchange for practically worthless beads. The bigger and more elaborate the series of beads the better the prize.

The quintessential drink of Mardi Gras (and New Orleans) is the Hurricane. A lethal concoction of various Rums, Pineapple and Orange juices typically frozen and served in 3 foot yards.

2. RIO DE JANERIO
In Rio, the Carnival season is the counterpart to New Orleans’ Mardi Gras. Taken from the term “carnelevare” which literally means to “raise meat”, it is again a celebration taken before the Catholic Lent season (which historically has had Catholics eliminate meat from diets).

Also, like its sister party, Carnival is a feast of flesh. Brazilians, who do not share the same topless female taboos of the United States, celebrate the female form with ridiculously complex and reveling outfits.

Carnival is divided into a number of block parties, centralized in a number of neighborhoods. Called ‘blocos’, some of the most famous of these are in Copacabana, Jardim Botânico, as well as in downtown Rio.

3. AMSTERDAM
With its famous “Red Light District” and “Coffee Shops”, Amsterdam ranks among the best party cities in all of Europe. What makes Amsterdam stand out is the legality of some of its party features.

While most may enjoy alcohol as the preeminent social lubricant, those wishing to partake in something more herbal can do so in Amsterdam without risk of breaking the law. Going to a coffee shop one can find a plethoria of legal marijuana and hasish products to choose from.

And if you’d like to take the guess work out of hooking up on vacation, and you’re ok with paying for sex… well then Amsterdam is your top choice. Prostitution is legal there and you can take your pick of any shape, size and ethnicity. IF that’s your thing.

4. LAS VEGAS
Nicknamed “the City of Sin”, Las Vegas offers a smorgus borg of party pleasures. Of course there is the world class gambling with some of the largest and most elaborate casinos on the planet. Here are some fun facts as to why Las Vegas is a TOP party city.

Number of Places to Gamble – 1701
Number of Hotel Rooms – 124, 270
Average Weddings PER DAY – 315
Percentage of People who say them come to gamble – 5
Percentage of People who actually do – 87

In addition to the Casinos, world class accommodations and shows, Vegas boasts some of the most interesting and popular night spots in the world. From Rain, to JET to Light, there are themed night clubs to satisfy any taste or pleasure.

Oh, and prostitution is legal just outside the city limits. Just ask any one of the thousands of people flicking their hadnouts along the strip. So I guess it’s good that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

5. BEIRUT
Ok, I was surprised about this one too. When I think of Beirut a series of gutwrenching and violent images come to mind. But apparently that is somewhat outdated. Don’t believe me? CNN recently profiled the Middle East Capital and recognized it as a cultural and party Mecca. Check out the video below.

I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t saw it either, but man that looks like they’re having a good time. As with any web video, the proof is in the pudding…. or rather the comments. Check out some of the comments that accompany the video:

“I came back from Lebanon 2 weeks ago… it was amazing there… the partys are the best partys… the people are friendly… the beaches are amazing… it was a hot summer… i love it”