Life is a Celebration! Travel Guide for Events and Festivals Around the World
If you think positively, sound becomes music, movement becomes dance, smile becomes laughter, mind becomes meditation, and life becomes a celebration!
Editorial Travelling is more than visiting breathtaking places and escaping the stress of everyday life. We travel to experience other cultures and traditions and to broaden our horizon. Whilst discovering the world, we make new friends and we find our inner peace. Essentially, we stroll around collecting sensual experiences and special memories to share with our loved ones when we return home. The best way to become one with the rhythm and heartbeat of a country – a culture and its lifestyle – is to join a traditional festivity or celebration uniting with the local crowd. Lufthansa City Center, your global network of 650 travel agencies in more than 80 countries, shares your passion for travel and has collected a series of festivals which take you off the beaten track and show you the most authentic ways of life. Our travel specialists share their local insider tips for the best festivals around the globe such as Carnival in Panama, Midsummer‘s Eve in Sweden, Hermanus Whale Festival in South Africa or Diwali Festival of Lights in India. You will be astonished by the variety of events you can consider when choosing your next travel destination. Your local Lufthansa City Center will be pleased to organize a real authentic and enriching travel experience for you. Start creating your individual memories and join us in celebrating life!
6
Content
January Cartagena Music Festival Colombia 8 Parachicos Mexico 9
February Busójárás Hungary 10 Carnival in Las Tablas Panama 11 Chinese New Year China 12 Mardi Gras Festival Australia 13 Sun Festival at Abu Simbel Egypt 14
March Festival de Diablos y Congos Panama 15 Holi Festival India 16 International Jazz Festival South Africa 17 Las Fallas Spain 18
April Budapest Spring Festival Hungary 19 Easter in Florence Italy 22 Ludwig van Beethoven Easter Festival Poland 23
May Hafengeburtstag Hamburg Germany 24 Vivid Light, Music & Ideas Festival Australia 25
4
20 June Dragon Boat Festival China 26 Gyumri Arts & Crafts Festival Armenia 27 Jewish Culture Festival Poland 28 Midsummer’s Eve Sweden 29 Niballo Palio di Faenza Italy 30 Riga Opera Festival Latvia 31 São João Portugal 32
July Balaton Sound Hungary 33 Bregenzer Festspiele Austria 36 Knysna Oyster Festival South Africa 37 Kölner Lichter Germany 38 Sea Festival Lithuania 39
34 August La Tomatina Spain 40 Medellin Flower Fair Colombia 41 Museumsuferfest Frankfurt Germany 42 Music Festival ‘Chopin and his Europe’ Poland 43 Rhein in Flammen Germany 44 Sziget Festival Hungary 45
48
September Barbeque Festival Armenia 46 Cannstatter Volksfest Germany 47 Oktoberfest Germany 50 Tanjazz Festival Morocco 51
October Areni Wine Festival Armenia 52 Diwali India 53 Hermanus Whale Festival South Africa 54 Masskara Festival The Philippines 55
November Dia de los Muertos Mexico 56 International Sefika Kutluer Festival Turkey 57 La Diablada Peru 58
December Dresdner Striezelmarkt Germany 59 New Year’s Eve Australia 60 Réveillon Brazil 61
5
Australia China Colombia Egypt Hungary India Mexico Panama South Africa Spain
6
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the culture of others. Culture widens our mind and our spirit. 7
January
Colombia
Cartagena Music Festival
Mildred Alexa Aristizabal LCC Aviatur, Colombia
My recommendations Stay here
Charleston Santa Teresa Cartagena Cl. 31 #31-23 Cartagena Eat here
La Vitrola Calle Baloco no. 33-201 Cartagena Don’t miss Cartagena Music Festival is different from other music festivals as it pursues to effect social changes in Colombia by bringing renowned international musicians to South America. The festival includes pianists, soloists, ensembles, premium chamber orchestras and recital concerts performed throughout the city of Cartagena in its historically significant venues such as the breathtaking monument Teatro Adolfo Mejía. Each year, the event has a specific theme such as Italian Style or Music of the Mediterranean that reoccurs throughout the festival and can be identified in the different performances. Moreover, the event includes educational activities. Free master classes are provided for both budding and professional Colombian musicians and guitar making and repair workshops are held for children and young adults. A pipe and drum building workshop is one of the big highlights as it represents our region’s culture. A young talent
8
competition offers young professional musicians the opportunity to present their instrumental skills. Visit the Cartagena Music Festival to experience the magical atmosphere and the artistic talent of the brightest local and international musicians!
You should not miss a boat ride to Islas del Rosario, an archipelago consisting of 27 small coral islands, surrounded by coral reefs, where the colour of the sea ranges from purple to turquoise. An overnight stay at the Hotel Majagua is also recommended. Without a doubt you should stroll around Cartagena’s old city, the principal attraction, particularly the inner walled town. It is a real gem packed with colonial churches, monasteries, museums, plazas, palaces and mansions with their overhanging balconies and patios.
Aviatur
Your travel agency. World-wide.
January
Mexico
Parachicos
Thelma Acosta LCC Travesias Mundiales, Mexico
My recommendations Stay here
Fiesta Inn Tuxtla Gutierrez Av. Prolongación Anillo Circunvalación Sur #248 Col. Santa Elena 29060 Tuxtla Gutiérrez Eat here
Las Pichanchas Av. Central Oriente 837 Centro 29000 Tuxtla Gutierrez
The traditional and colourful festivity Parachicos in Chiapa de Corzo, Mexico, was first celebrated in 1711. Originally, the festival was born to honour the memory of a Spanish woman named Maria de Angulo. Various stories are told about her from the people in town.
Don’t miss
Visit the most beautiful sights of Chiapas: Sumidero Canyon, Agua Azul Waterfalls, Montebello Lakes, Bonampak and Palenque ruins.
Travesias Mundiales
Your travel agency. World-wide.
One story tells that in the 18th century, she came from Guatemala to Chiapa de Corzo to find a healer for her ailing son. Her son was cured and Maria returned home. Years later, there was a famine in the region and Maria de Angulo returned to Chiapa de Corzo and gave food and money to the children and people in gratitude for her son’s recovery. Nowadays, the people in Chiapa celebrate the feast of their patron St. Sebastian.
Heritage” by UNESCO in 2009. The traditional dancers called parachicos (in English: “for the children”) dress up in light-skinned masks and straw hair that resemble the pale skinned Spaniards. The festival is an experience that everyone should discover once in their life as it is about the most fascinating culture in the world: the Mayan culture. You will enjoy an amazing festival that is a one-of-a-kind celebration in this world.
There are many parades, festivities, feasts, and fireworks during that time of the year and the parade on the very last day was declared “Intangible Cultural
9
February
Hungary
Busójárás
Busójárás, known as the “Walk of the Busó“, is an annual six-day celebration of the Šokci (Croats) living in the town of Mohács, Hungary. This is held at the end of the Carnival season ending the day before Ash Wednesday. According to the legend, the Busós people arrive from the Island of Mohács to Kóló Square, and proceed through the town. They daunt the curious audience who become part of the
show. The crowd moves together with the flapper rattling, the cattle bells ringing, the feet stamping and cannon shots accompanying the crowd. The Busós are always tricking and scaring the gatherers. The crowd walks up to the town hall, where the mayor offers them bread, wine and busópálinka. Afterwards, the carnival time starts. Besides the spectacle of Busós, the event includes folk music, masquerading, parades and dancing.
However, the most interesting part of the event for everyone is that we will never know who is under the masks, since a real busó would never show his face. Their jokes and teasing will stay a secret forever. This traditional festival has been inscribed on the “Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO in 2009.
My recommendations Stay here
Hotel Palatinus City Center Király u. 5 Pécs Eat here Korinna Sugár LCC OTP Travel, Hungary
10
Fülemüle Csárda - traditional Hungarian Cuisine Baranya 0141 Villánykövesd http://www.fulemulecsarda.hu/de/
Don’t miss
Visit the famous Hungarian wine cellars in the Region of Villány (Bock, Sauska, Gere, Günzer)
OTP Travel
Your travel agency. World-wide.
February
Panama
Carnival in Las Tablas This religious festivity full of entertainment is celebrated for four days before Ash Wednesday. The day begins in the city square, where people splash each other with water, water balloons and water guns. People listen to popular music and have fun. Later at night, there are parades with queens that wear characteristic carnival costumes and these girls ride the allegoric cars in the company of people in carnival masquerades. Parallel to these activities, there are dances in the plazas and in the streets. You, as a tourist, will get sprayed with water from a hose and before you realize it, your body will be wet
and someone will stain you with dye. Unknown hands will push you to a multi-colour fantasy truck on which you can watch a happy, smiling, and waving crown girl, the queen of the carnival. When this happens, you have entered what is called a culeco. Do not try to analyze this sensation, just be part of it, dance with the wet people around you and jump and sing just like the others do. This is how one lives the Las Tablas Carnival. There is a tradition that people play folklore music such as el tamborito (typical music of Panama) and dress up in their typical dresses such as la pollera and el montuno. You will not regret this wonderful sensation and experience of being part of a Panamanian carnival.
My recommendations Stay here
Posada del Mar Las Tablas Panama
Ulla Carbón LCC Pan Alliance, Panama
Villa Pelicano Hotel Boutique Playa Uverito Las Tablas Panama Eat here
Pan Alliance
To be able to live and taste the essence of the real typical and traditional Panamanian food one must visit the inns, boarding houses, and small restaurants. Don’t miss
Your travel agency. World-wide.
The beaches in Pedasí to see one of the best sunsets. 11
February
China
Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year Festival is the most important family celebration in China and people are particularly thankful for having safely reached the end of another prosperous year. The festivity takes place on the first day of the first month of the Lunar Calendar and is often called Spring Festival as it always takes place in January or February.
Many cities in China provide several fabulous days of night parades with dozens of floats, giant fireworks and horse racing competitions. The cities’ streets are turned into a giant outdoor street party with beating music, festive markets and traditional food. Dazzling performers, groups of dancers, jugglers, marching bands, children, skaters and bikers of various nationalities and associations enchant the night parade’s audience. The participants usually wear magnificent, colourful traditional costumes or dresses embodying the current Chinese Zodiac.
Liqun Zhao LCC China Comfort, China
My recommendations Stay here
Fairmont Peace Hotel 20 Nanjing Road East, Pudong, Shanghai Eat here
Whampoa Club, Three on the Bund 3 Zhongshan East 1st Rd., Huangpu, Shanghai Don’t miss
The event has recently been listed as one of the world’s 10 best festival extravaganzas, but do not worry if you cannot make it to China. You can also join one of the different festivities in various cities across Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, North America and Europe.
12
Yu Garden - a classic Chinese garden oasis
China Comfort
Your travel agency. World-wide.
February
Australia
Mardi Gras Festival
Nik Young LCC Anywhere Travel, Australia
My recommendations Stay here
QT Sydney Hotel, 49 Market St, Sydney Eat here
360 Bar and Dining, 4, Sydney Westfield Centre, 100 Market St, Sydney Don’t miss
Enjoy a day at my favourite harbour Beach Camp Cove which is a short walk from Watsons Bay.
Anywhere Travel
Your travel agency. World-wide.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a one-of-a-kind festival which you should have experienced once in your lifetime. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning and Intersex (LGBTQI) community takes over the city for several weeks to showcase the world’s beautiful diversity. Whereas the event started in the seventies as a riot against mainstream communities fighting for creative and political self-expression and acceptance, the festival has turned into a great festival spreading a positive atmosphere in the whole city and provides various side events such as sports, theatre performances, visual arts, talks and forums, spectacular pool parties and a massive picnic. The festival culminates in a world-famous bright and colourful parade which I watch every year from my balcony. Mardi Gras Festival is obviously the wildest event ever and although we are playing catch-up to Europe on Gay Marriage we still know how to celebrate with a worldwide crowd and show off our amazing city!
13
February
Egypt
Sun Festival at Abu Simbel
Azza Zaghloul LCC Travel Lounge, Egypt
My recommendations Stay here Twice a year, just after sunrise, the rays of the sun illuminate the statues of Ramses, Ra and Amun in the central chamber at the temple in Abu Simbel in Aswan, Egypt. The likeness of Ptah, the god of darkness, remains in the shade. Ramses II built his temple at Abu Simbel so that the internal Chamber
would light up two times a year: once on the anniversary of his ascension of the throne in late February, and once on his birthday in October. On each of these two days, when the sun enters the temple at dawn, the rays only illuminate the statues at the back wall. The only one not illuminated is Path, the god of the underworld. It is quite a feat that this was achieved in ancient Egypt, considering the technology and knowledge of astronomy that was available. Every year, the Ministry of Tourism teams up with the local people of Aswan to organize the sun festival which starts right before sunrise. Musicians and local dancers gather to perform traditional dances to entertain visitors and celebrate the unique solar phenomenon. Moreover, crowds gather before sunrise to observe the stream of light gradually sneaking through the stone and enlightening the statuettes of Ramses, Ra and Amun in the central Chamber.
14
Nefertari Hotel Abu Simble Antonio Ayouyo Street Abu Simbel Eat here
Al Saraya Saraya El Gezirah St. Zamalek Cairo www.alsaraya-egypt.com Don’t miss
The 1902 Fine Dining Restaurant which is the Old Cataract’s signature restaurant, famous for its Qualaun crypt, 37 meter fascinating Arabian dome and décor worthy of the Thousand and One Nights.
Travel Lounge
Your travel agency. World-wide.
March
Panama
Festival de Diablos y Congos
The most intriguing local tradition is the Festival de Diablos y Congos, a festival of rebellion and ridicule that mocks the colonial Spaniards. During the festivity, people assume the role of escaped slaves and take others captive. It is held two weeks after Carnival.
The tradition of Los Congos, named for its participants, dates back to the slave-trading days, when people escaped into the jungle and formed communities of exiles. In satire, a prisoner is taken and a huge ransom is demanded, though the prisoner is freed upon paying a token ransom
My recommendations Stay here
Coco Plum Portobelo, Panama
Luciana Kramer LCC Viajes Modernos, Panama
Casa Verde Boscas del Toro Province Panama
where just US $1 will suffice. The Congos perform before audiences dressed in outlandish outfi ts that include tattered clothes and hats that resemble crowns and wooden swords. The dance has very old African roots full of strong dance routines, rhythmic drum beats, music, and colourful, outrageous costumes, lavish masks, chants, magic, myths and songs. It has been passed on from generation to generation, preserved to the present time in the province of Colon, where the Afro-Panamanian legacy lives on as part of its identity. It is a dance spectacle full of enchantment and spell that evokes fear and curiosity, in which men and women perform the whole time. Dances, songs and sonorous drums bring to life the ancestral drama of the fight between good and evil.
Eat here
Viajes Modernos
Your travel agency. World-wide.
Restaurant Los Cañones Portobelo, Panama Don’t miss
The “Feria de Colon” where you can also see the famous traditional dancers and experience the folklore.
During this festival, participants can see local dances, enjoy magic, seafood dishes and typical drinks. You can also hear the local people speak Creole, the local language that the slaves used in order to not be understood by their masters.
15
March
India
Holi Festival When you hear about the Holi Festival in India, you probably think about colourful festivals where crowds throw powder in various colours at each other while live music is played on stage. This is exactly how we celebrate Holi in India: with much coloured powder and fanfare – though the older generation now into their 70’s and the royal family use rose petals for the celebrations. In spite of being such a colourful and cheerful festival, there are various aspects of Holi which makes the festival so significant for our culture. Essentially, Holi brings us close to our religion and mythology where we celebrate the numerous legends associated with the festival. One of the legends, Radha & Krishna, describes Krishna’s extreme delight in applying colour on Radha and other gopis. Krishna’s prank later became a trend and a part of the Holi festivities. All of these legends help people follow good conduct in their lives and believe in the virtue of truth. Also, the tradition of Holi is that even enemies turn into friends during these days and forget any feeling of hardship that may be present.
On this day, people do not distinguish between rich and poor. Everybody celebrates the festival together with a spirit of bonhomie and brotherhood. Holi is celebrated at a time of the year when the fields are in full bloom and people are expecting a good harvest. This gives us good reason to rejoice, make merry and submerge ourselves in the spirit of Holi. When you are visiting India for Holi, please do not hold yourself back and enjoy the festival to the fullest by participating in every small tradition related to the festival!
Seemaa P. Makhija LCC Travel Voyages, India
”With its positive and indulgent spirit the celebrations feel like rejuvenation for our mind and soul. When joining us in the festivities, you will heartily experience strong emotional bond to the locals.“
Travel Voyages
Your travel agency. World-wide. 16
March
South Africa
International Jazz Festival
Kristen Seeley LCC Reynolds Travel, South Africa
My recommendations Stay here
Pepper Club Hotel & Spa - A new level of sophistication and unparalleled luxury living has arrived in the heart of cosmopolitan Cape Town. Innovative design, personalised amenities and unsurpassed service are all part of the five-star experience you can expect as a guest of Pepperclub.
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival is a multi-stage event boasting more than 40 artists over two days on five stages! Top jazz performers grace Cape Town each year for the great musical festival.
Eat here
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival is ranked within the top ten best jazz festivals in the world and attracts jazz lovers from far and wide. Jazz music itself is a broad genre encompassing everything from acid jazz to the Brazilian bossa nova style and smooth soul jazz – all of which share their roots in blues.
Gold, a unique African restaurant in the heart of Cape Town. The set 14 course Cape Malay and African menu is a taste safari that will transport you from Table Mountain to Timbuktu. This culinary experience is accompanied by unique interactive traditional entertainment. Don’t miss
The pre-festival Free Community concert is a permanent feature of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. Held annually in the heart of the city at Green Market Square, this concert is the festival’s way of showing appreciation to the people of Cape Town.
Reynolds Travel
Your travel agency. World-wide.
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival is a music festival that goes above and beyond and is highly popular, selling out almost every year. So if you would like to attend, book early! While you are here, check out the ample accommodation we can offer in Cape Town during the Jazz Fest!
However, it is more than a music festival. The Cape Town International Jazz Festival continues to focus on training and development works which are fundamental to growing artists and professionals for the future and to sustaining the growth of the entertainment industry as a whole. Outreach programmes draw students from arts and culture schools, as well as professional journalists and photographers looking for career inspiration.
17
March
Spain
Las Fallas
Maria Santoro LCC Europa Travel, Spain
My recommendations Stay here
Hotel Vincci Palace Carrer de la Pau, 42 46003 Valencia Hotel Vincci Lys Carrer de Martínez Cubells, 5 46002 Valencia Eat here Las Fallas is the most popular fiesta in Valencia, Spain. It takes place in March and it is a tribute to St. Joseph, the Patron Saint of Carpenters, who is rumored to have started this tradition. The hearts of the fiesta are the Fallas monuments, which are exhibited in the streets during “Fallas Week”, between March 15 – 19 every year. On the last day at midnight, they are set on fire and burned in immense, spectacularly pyres.
event. They hold fundraising parties and dinners, usually featuring the famous Spanish specialty paella. Each casal faller produces a construction known as a falla which is eventually burned. A casal faller is also known as a comissió fallera.
Puerta de la Mar C/ Transits, 4 46002 Valencia www.restaurantepuertadelmar.com Don’t miss
Mascletà (English : firework show) everyday at 2 p.m. in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (English : Town Hall square). 17th March Flower Offering to Virgen de los Desamparados. 18th March “Nit de foc” (English : Night of Fire) in the Paseo Alameda. 19th March Cremà (English : Burning) of all Fallas.
The Fallas and Ninots are ornamental symbols placed in the streets of the city as a humorous social or political satire. They may have a human, animal or vegetable form, meant as a critique of a local, national or international incident, personality or character. There is great irony involved and the ceremonial of burning is an act of purification that takes place at midnight on St Joseph‘s Day.
Europa Travel
Each neighborhood of the city has an organized group of people – the casal faller – that works all year long for this
Your travel agency. World-wide.
18
April
Hungary
Budapest Spring Festival
Korinna Sugár LCC OTP Travel, Hungary
My recommendations Stay here
Hotel NH Budapest City Vígszínház u. 3 Budapest Eat here
Gerbeaud Coffeehouse Vörösmarty tér 7-8 Budapest www.gerbeaud.hu Check out the fantastic dessert Don’t miss
Spend an evening at “Gozsdu udvar”, a modern residential and entertainment complex with great restaurants, pubs and also popular street food!
OTP Travel
Your travel agency. World-wide.
Budapest‘s cultural milieu owes much to the way its artistic institutions coordinate their event offerings, and it is with reliance on these synergies that the Budapest Spring Festival has planned its program which includes performances in the genres of classical, pop and contemporary music, jazz, dance and opera, theatre and contemporary circus, altogether with evenings of literature and exhibits of visual art and design. The Budapest Spring Festival in April presents a premium mainstream cultural festival being open to various visitor groups, Hungarians and foreigners, families, youngsters and adults alike. The festival inhabits the entire city with musicians, dancers and performances appearing in the most unexpected places – perhaps even involving their audience along the way. If you cannot make it to the Budapest Spring Festival in April, you may check out the Contemporary Art Festival taking place in October!
19
Armenia Australia China Germany Hungary Italy Latvia Poland Portugal Sweden
20
Art can transform our lives. It gives us the power to question, to confront, to explore and to challenge how we think about the world.
21
April
Italy
Easter in Florence
Every year on Easter Sunday, Florence celebrates this worldwide known religious public holiday in a very special way. The Scoppio del Carro, or the “Explosion of the Cart“, dates back more than 350 years. You can do a time travel to medieval times! Two decorated oxen pull an elaborate built wagon through the streets of the city to the square between the Baptistry and Cathedral. This tradition finds its origin in a story of a young family member of the noble
Pazzi family, called Pazzino. Today, the ceremony still bears a strong resemblance to the way in which it was celebrated for centuries. At 10 o’clock in the morning, a priest lights the Easter candle in the church. This candle, in turn, is used to light some coals which are on the wagon and the procession delivers this “Holy Fire” to the Archbishop of Florence before Santa Maria del Fiore, better known as the Duomo. The whole spectacle is accompanied by drummers, flag throwers and figures dressed in historical costumes.
From the cathedral‘s altar, at around 11 am, when the „Gloria“ is sung inside the church, the Archbishop uses the fire to light the Colombina, a rocket-filled plastic pigeon which symbolizes the Holy Spirit. This flies to the outside of the church and lights the cart, located on the square. A spectacular firework is set off, displayed to the cheers of all, the Scoppio del Carro! Families come to the square to visit this unique, medieval and religious festival and it would be a pleasure to us to welcome you on this exceptional day.
My recommendations Stay here
Gallery Hotel Art Vicolo Dell ’Oro, 5 50123 Florence Eat here Luciano Loi LCC Intertravel Viaggi, Italy
22
Giannino in San Lorenzo Ristorante Borgo S. Lorenzo, 33/37r 50122 Firenze http://www.gianninoinflorence.com/
Don’t miss
A visit to La Rinascente Store Roof Bar terrace for your favourite drink overlooking Florence and its beautiful view.
Intertravel Viaggi
Your travel agency. World-wide.
April
Poland
Ludwig van Beethoven Easter Festival The festival presents classical music – pieces of the great composer Ludwig van Beethoven. The first edition of the festival took place in 1997 (on the 170th anniversary of the death of this great composer). The Festival takes place every year in Warsaw during easter time. This momentous event has validated the importance of the festival not only as the musical emblem of Poland, but also as a cultural phenomenon which gathers a humanistic audience around Beethoven‘s Enlightenment idea of uniting the community around a common set of values. The programme of each year’s edition of the festival is different, showing interesting and diverse variations of world and European music.
My recommendations Stay here
Hotel Metropol Marszalkowska 99A Warsaw Eat here Bogdan Wieczorek LCC Supertour, Poland
Pod Samsonem Freta 3 Warsaw www.podsamsonem.pl
Since its first edition Ludwig van Beethoven Easter Festival has been famous not only for the music, but also for an exhibition of musicale that are one of the treasures of the world‘s cultural heritage. During the exhibition which takes place at Jagiellonian Library each year the audience can see priceless autographs of Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann and Brahms. The festival is rounded off by an international musicological symposium giving a musical, scientific and humanistic view of Beethoven‘s music and its influence on the art of other composers. As the festival takes place during Easter, it is also a great opportunity to try some beautiful Polish easter tradition (like święconka or Easter incrusted eggs).
Don’t miss
Supertour
Your travel agency. World-wide.
Old Town with Royal Castle, Palace of Culture and Science - from its 30th floor you have a beautiful panoramic view on Warsaw, Lazienki summer residence of the last Polish king, beautiful park with historical buildings.
23
May
Germany
Hafengeburtstag Hamburg
Yvonne Brüggenthies LCC Reisebüro Wüst, Germany
My recommendations Stay here
4* Steigenberger 3* Novum Hotel Hamburg The Port of Hamburg is by far Germany’s most important port and one of the leading cargo handling centers anywhere in the world. Thus, we love to celebrate the anniversary of the harbour like Emperor Frederick Barbarossa back in 1189 with 4 days of maritime festivities on the river Elbe and on shore.
Eat here
Restaurant Au Quai http://www.au-quai.hhgastro.de/ Skyline Bar 20up Don’t miss
Every year, more than 300 vessels, including tall ships, traditional sailing boats and museum ships, naval vessels, cruise ships, powerboats and sailing yachts as well as boats of the fire services, fisheries protection, waterways police, federal police and customs gather on the Elbe around the Landing Stage (Landungsbrücken), the Oevelgönne Heritage Harbour and the Hafen City district. A diverse cultural and culinary program with live acts, concerts and special museum displays lures visitors on shore around the Fish Auction Hall and various other venues. The festival traditionally opens with an international ecumenical
24
Germanys oldest waxworks cabinet http://www.panoptikum.de/de/ service at St. Michael’s Church. The program also includes Grand Arrival and Departure Parades of certain vessels, the unique Tugboat Ballet and dozens of opportunities to explore a ship from the inside. The highlight of the festival is definitely the spectacular fireworks displayed by AIDA cruises on Saturday evening. It transforms the night sky over the Elbe into a dazzling sea of colours. There are plenty of good reasons to celebrate the anniversary of Hamburg’s heart and you should become part of the celebrations at least once in your life!
reisebuero-wuest.de
Ihr Reisebüro. Weltweit.
May
Australia
Vivid Light, Music & Ideas Festival
Nik Young LCC Anywhere Travel, Australia
My recommendations Stay here
Fraser Suites Sydney, 488 Kent St, Sydney Eat here
Push the boat out and head to Rose Bay and the awesome Catalina Restaurant, Lyne Park, New South Head Rd, Rose Bay. Don’t miss
Head to Bradley’s Head for fantastic views back over the city and close to the Zoo.
Anywhere Travel
Your travel agency. World-wide.
Vivid Sydney is relatively new to the scene but already has over 2 million visitors turning to Sydney each time – it is truly spectacular and an event for the whole family. The festival is all about light, music and ideas, which are displayed in three distinctive activities.
Vivid Sydney is a canvas of creative outdoor expression. Living in the heart of the city, I am very lucky to have the world’s largest outdoor art gallery in front of my eyes every day during the 18-day festival. How can you beat this view?
With extraordinary light installations and bright projections, the first part – Vivid Light – turns our landmark buildings into vividly shining works of art right in the city centre around Circular Quay and Central Business District. Buildings turn into waterfalls and multi-coloured Terracotta warriors from China. The experience is diverse and very immersive! The second part – Vivid Music – provides a wide program of contemporary music and transforms Sydney into an even more culturally vibrant place. The final part – Vivid Ideas – entails speeches and workshops celebrating innovation, delivering inspiration and offering professional development for creative industries.
25
June
China
Dragon Boat Festival There are many legends about the origin of the Dragon Boat Festival. The most popular version tells about a group of people that looked for a famous Chinese poet – Qu Yuan, who drowned in the Miluo River. Locals paddled out on boats to seek his body and according to legend, the dragon boat races began. Nowadays, the festivity has developed into a major sporting event – not only for competitive reasons but also because the winning team is said to have good luck and a happy life in the following year. The event, which is also named Duanwu Festival, is a major traditional celebration
in China. It was added to the UNESCO “World Intangible Cultural Heritage List” in 2009. This folk festival includes many traditions and superstitions. People practice various customs that are said to dispel disease and invoke good health. Apart from watching the dragon boat races, people are eating the magical zongzi, sticky rice dumplings wrapped in reed or bamboo leaves. Others are drinking wine wearing a perfume pouch to protect children from evil. Some people tie five-colour silk threads on their hands and clothing, which are thought to contain magical and healing properties. These traditions are all a great part of the festival.
My recommendations Stay here
Hyatt Regency Suzhou 88 Huachi Street Suzhou Industrial Park Suzhou Eat here Liqun Zhao LCC China Comfort, China
26
The Songhelou Suzhou Cuisine 198 Shantang St Jin Chang Qu Suzhou
Don’t miss
The Dragon Boat Race on the Jinji Lake nearby Hyatt Regency Hotel
China Comfort
Your travel agency. World-wide.
June
Armenia
Gyumri Arts & Crafts Festival Every year, the city of Gyumri opens its doors to visitors from all over the world to celebrate the Arts & Crafts Festival. Gyumri’s historical values and cultural traditions lie at the heart of the moment. The city is known for its unique style of architecture and the Gyumretsis, the inhabitants of Gyumri, are admired for their keen sense of humour, local delicacies and well-established tradition of arts and crafts.
city. Old churches, natural picturesque sights and historical monuments welcome every visitor. The local people are friendly and make Gyumri a wonderful place to visit.
So, what can one expect at the festival? Local artisans such as blacksmiths, jewelers, carpenters, ceramists and carpet weavers showcase their works. You can also see paintings, needlework and handmade crafts made by local children. There is a grand opening ceremony, followed by traditional and humorous theatrical performances, national music and dances, all of which will brighten your stay in Gyumri. With its unique location and architecture, one cannot help but be amazed by the
My recommendations Stay here
Nane Hotel Garegin Njdeh Ave. 1/5 Gyumri Eat here Marianna Zakiyan LCC Visa Concord, Armenia
Visa Concord
Your travel agency. World-wide.
“Cherkezi Dzor” Restaurant Cherkezi Dzor, Karmir Berd 1 Gyumri www.gyumrifish.am Don’t miss
“Megerian” Carpet Factory 9 Madoyan st. Yerevan www.megerianrugs.com 27
June
Poland
Jewish Culture Festival
Bogdan Wieczorek LCC Supertour, Poland
My recommendations Stay here
Farmona Hotel Business & Spa Jugowicka 10c Cracow The Jewish Culture Festival is an annual event held in late June and early July to represent the modern Jewish Culture – from Israel and Jewish Diaspora all over the world. The main objective of the festival is to educate people about Jewish history, culture and traditions. During the festival, more than 200 events such as concerts, lectures, movies or performances take place in the city centre. Every year, the highlight of the festival is the open-air concert „Szalom on Szeroka Street“ which is one of the biggest concerts in Cracow. Moreover, workshops are conducted to learn about traditional Jewish cuisine, dance, music, calligraphy and other cultural aspects. In addition, there are exhibitions of Jewish art. You can feel the great ambience while sitting in one of the restaurants or cafes in the former Jewish district of Kazimierz watching the people dancing and singing in the streets until very late at night. If you are keen enough, you should join the
28
almost 30,000 visitors in dancing to experience the real atmosphere. The Jewish Culture Festival is an excellent opportunity not only to observe, but also to experience and discover the Jewish Culture, so please join us for the next festival!
Eat here
Klezmer Hojs ul. Szeroka 6 Kazimierz Cracow http://www.klezmer.pl/about_klezmer_hois Don’t miss
1. Kazimierz : ex -Jewish district 2. St. Mary’s church and Sukiennice : situated at the Main Square, in the heart of Cracow 3. Wawel Hill: ancient residence of Polish kings 4. Wieliczka: UNESCO National Heritage listed salt mine
Supertour
Your travel agency. World-wide.
June
Sweden
Midsummer’s Eve
Midsummer is an ancient practice, dating back to pre-Christian times. It was originally a fertility festival with many customs and rituals associated with nature in hopes for a good harvest. Nowadays, it is a public holiday in Sweden where families and friends meet to celebrate the arrival of the summer during the longest, brightest day of the year.
Midsummer’s Eve is usually celebrated with friends and family in the countryside or on the many islands of Sweden. We decorate a maypole that we dance around while listening to traditional Swedish folk songs. For many Swedes, this is considered the most important festival of the year. A successful Midsummer lunch party has many parts: flowers in your hair, dancing around a pole, singing songs while drinking unsweetened, flavored schnapps and enjoying a whole load of pickled herring, served with delightful new potatoes, chives and sour cream as it has been for ages. For me, Midsummer lets me spend time with my family and friends. We dance, eat and drink and spend the entire day celebrating the summer. Midsummer is celebrated in similar ways all over Sweden. Each town organizes its own celebration and everyone is invited.
My recommendations Stay here
Nordic Choice Hotels Choose a hotel and book online . Eat here Jannis Norén Karas LCC Scanworld, Sweden
Scanworld
Your travel agency. World-wide.
GRILL Drottninggatan 89 113 60 Stockholm http://grill.se/en Don’t miss
For tourists, I would recommend to visit Skansen in Stockholm. It is the place where families get together to dance around the Midsommarstång while musicians perform in traditional clothing. 29
June
Italy
Niballo Palio di Faenza The event takes place in Faenza, a city in the Emilia-Romagna region, about 50 km from Bologna and 30 km from Ravenna, located in a fine and evocative country landscape close to the first Apennine slopes with vineyards in the hills and cultivated fields in the fertile plain. The festivity Niballo Palio di Faenza starts with a large traditional parade with over 400 participants in historical costumes. The peak of prosperity, magnificence and glory reached by Faenza during the Middle Ages under the Manfredi Lordship is commemorated by the Palio del Niballo, one of the oldest and most spectacular Italian jousts entailing a spectacular challenge in turns among five horsemen, one from each of the ancient town districts. Galloping from the same starting point but in opposite directions along a 200m horseshoe track, the knights meet in the middle of the pitch where the target is a puppet representing a Saracen warrior. The puppet’s name, Niballo, derives from the vulgarization of Hannibal, the famous Carthaginian general whose brother, Hasdrubal, caused the
Monica Rossi LCC Viaggi Erbacci, Italy
devastation of the city in the year 208 B.C. The knight who strikes the plate with his spear (called „bigorda“) first, triggers a mechanism that lifts the hit arm blocking the opposite one. The joust is a truly unique and unknown experience that lets you discover Italian history from the inside. I love our Palio because it is the expression of our local community. I took part in the great historical parade for three years as the main female character of Rione Giallo (one of the 5 districts of the city). For me, it has been a wonderful experience and I would like to share it with everyone in the world!
My recommendations Stay here
Hotel Vittoria Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi, 23 48018 Faenza Eat here
Fm di Fabrizio Mantovani Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi, 23 48018 Faenza Don’t miss
Visit the nearby town called Brisighella and enjoy the view from the wonderful hills. Stroll around our main square ‘ Piazza del Popolo’ and see the International Museum of Ceramics that has been included in the “Monument testifying a culture of peace” following the UNESCO programme of 2000 devoted to the Peace Culture.
Viaggi Erbacci
Your travel agency. World-wide. 30
June
Latvia
Riga Opera Festival
Anita Lindenberga LCC Ansbergs Travel, Latvia
My recommendations Stay here
Mercure Hotel Elizabetes Str. 101, Riga Eat here
Steiku Haoss Meistaru Str. 25, Riga www.steikuhaoss.lv Don’t miss
Visit the resort town Jurmala www.tourism.jurmala.lv
Ansbergs Travel
Your travel agency. World-wide.
The Riga Opera Festival is a popular event among music and opera enthusiasts alike. Outstanding singers from places like Latvia, Sweden, USA, Turkey, Poland and Japan perform every year at the festival.
moments of the previous year. Visit the Riga Opera Festival and have a walk in the beautiful old town of the former hanseatic city of Riga!
The program includes excellent operas and arias from great composers such as Giacomo Puccini and well-known performances like Madame Butterfl y or Tosca. Since its foundation in 1998, the Riga Opera Festival has hosted many of the world famous Latvian opera singers. They started their careers in the Riga Opera and later became successful on the greatest stages in the world. Every summer, the festival marks the end of the Latvian National Opera’s performance season. They take a short moment to summarize the best
31
June
Portugal
São João The Festival São João is an annual tribute for Saint John the Baptist, with over six centuries of history. The festivity is held in June during the summer solstice as a result of the mixture of Catholic and pagan cultures. The festivities take place in the town of Porto in Portugal. The party begins in the afternoon on June 23, and lasts throughout the night, ending early in the morning on June 24. It’s a festival open to all and everyone celebrates together in the streets. Outdoor braziers are placed everywhere around the city. By evening, the city smells of grilled sardines, meat and peppers. Everyone receives a whistle and a plastic hammer to softly hit everyone else on the head. Expect to get hit in return! Locals and visitors dance all across the city towards the seaside and stop at the countless food stalls to try some of the local dishes. At midnight, the Dom Luís Bridge and the whole Ribeira area are illuminated by a spectacular fireworks show. The locals set off hundreds of small, paper hot-air balloons. The night sky is brightened by hundreds of flickering lights, giving the city a magical feeling.
My personal insider tip: If you are staying a few more nights, just follow these hints: Foz do Douro, where the river meets the ocean, is the perfect setting to enjoy sunset and have a drink at a local beach bar, like Praia da Luz. And for dinner, you do not want to miss the chance to have a Francesinha – a local, spicy French croque-monsieur inspired delicacy that will enchant your sense of taste.
My recommendations Stay here
Hotel Carris Porto Ribeira Rua do Infante D. Henrique 1 4050-296 Porto Eat here Mariana Cardoso LCC Sirius Travel, Portugal
32
Restaurant Bufete Fase Rua Santa Catarina 1147 4000-456 Porto
Don’t miss
Take your time to go to the left margin of Douro and have a Port wine tasting or to visit Museu de Serralves and its amazing gardens.
Sirius Travel
Your travel agency. World-wide.
July
Hungary
Balaton Sound
Korinna Sugár LCC OTP Travel, Hungary
My recommendations Stay here
Hotel Flamingo Wellness & Conference Hotel Széchenyi u.16. 8230 Balatonfüred Eat here
Kistücsök Bajcsy Zs. u. 25. 8636 Balatonszemes www.kistucsok.hu Don’t miss
Stopping by at Tihany, Lake Balaton on Saturdays to visit The Market for a wonderful, traditional breakfast and some shopping! Stroll around the Liliomkert (Lilly Garden) of Káptalantóti, Lake Balaton.
OTP Travel
Your travel agency. World-wide.
The Balaton Sound is the most awaited event during the summer festival season for many reasons. Zamárdi, gives home to the music festival, which turns into a massive party arena for 5 days! The festival’s venue is a picturesque beach resort at the biggest lake of Central Europe, also regarded as a touristic centre of the region. The event attracts approximately 100,000 visitors both foreigners and Hungarians. Since its beginning, the festival has been a sustained success as the organisers not only change the program structure and list of entertainers, but also the whole theme of the festival which gives the event a new face and a unique atmosphere from year to year.
catering facilities and the programs that the event offers. The festival‘s unique characteristic is the intimate sunrise and sunset views turning the festival into ”the one and only“ place to be!
World-class performers and international all-star-line-up DJs entertain the audience including electronic and live acts, hip-hop artists and bands. Just to mention a few: Hardwell – one of the best known DJs in the world, The Faithless or Jason Derulo. Having said that, everybody who visits the festival will surely find what they are looking for! The desires of the visitors are fulfilled by various stages, beach shore lounges,
33
Armenia Austria Colombia Germany Hungary Lithuania Poland South Africa Spain
34
Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul.
35
July
Austria
Bregenzer Festspiele
Barbara Scheier LCC Loacker Business Travel, Austria
My recommendations Stay here
Hotel Messmer is located very close to the Kornmarkttheater where the Bregenz Festival takes place. Eat here
Only 10 minutes away from Bregenz, you should enjoy a delicious dinner at the restaurant “Fritsch am Berg” viewing the sunset over Lake Constance from the terrace: http://www.fritschamberg.at/de/sonnenterasse-mit-panoramablick Don’t miss
In the middle of an enchanting landscape in the westernmost Austrian province of Vorarlberg, the Bregenz Festival (in German: “Bregenzer Festspiele”) presents a top-class performing arts festival on the shore of Lake Constance. The open-air amphitheatre offers great views of spectacular scenery. Here, remarkable opera is performed on the largest floating stage of its kind worldwide. Besides the popular operatic repertoire, cross-cultural performances and extravagant productions are presented in the festival theatre (“Festspielhaus”).
36
Each year, the festival holds more than 80 performances and brings more than 200,000 visitors with its opera premieres and concert varieties at the border triangle between the Alps and Lake Constance. The festival offers a unique combination of nature and culture, entertainment and relaxation. We warmly welcome you to the summer highlight of Bregenz.
Bregenz offers great opportunities for shopping: the popular concept store “4D Outfitters” for clothes and textiles, “Kröner/Scholz” for decoration and accessories, “Valentini” for shoe lovers and the “AllesGut Handwerk” with an interestingly and lovingly compiled range of products. A must-do while being in Bregenz is to watch the sunset at the so-called “sunset stairs“ at the harbour of Bregenz.
Loacker Business Travel
Your travel agency. World-wide.
April July
South Africa
Knysna Oyster Festival
Lynda Bernwieser LCC Park Travel, South Africa
My recommendations Stay here
The Turbine Boutique Hotel and Spa 36 Sawtooth Lane, Thesen Island, Knysna 6570 Protea Hotel Knysna Quays Waterfront Drive, Knysna 6571 Eat here
Tapas and Oysters - be part of the vibe at one of the five Tabasco marked hot spot restaurants The Senza Grill - divine pizza and cocktails 34° South - a popular trendy restaurant with a scenic waterfront view Chatters - a quaint yet cosy pizza restaurant Ile de Pain - don’ t hesitate to pop in for some delicious baked goods at this famous bakery Don’t miss
The Festival was founded 33 years ago in 1983 by the late Dick Ginsburg and has become one of the most popular annual events in the Western Cape, South Africa. People from all over the world and with a diversity of cultural backgrounds flock to Knysna during the winter month July to join the celebration of sport, music and good lifestyle. Vast amounts of the proceeds from this event create an economic boost for the community within the area.
Park Travel
Celebrations occur throughout Knysna creating an overwhelming “vibe” that takes over the town. Certain restaurants demarcated with the Tabasco logo on the outside are known as the popular hot spots where at least 200,000 oysters are consumed. Oysters can be served raw or cooked – with garnishing such as Tabasco sauce, lemon juice, salt and pepper. This has become one of South Africa’s most popular festivals with huge appeal for sports lovers, families and those in search of one great party!
Your travel agency. World-wide.
Oyster-tasting, oyster-braaing (South African term for barbecue), oyster-eating
Treat yourself to the most spectacular, unimaginable sunsets at The Senza Grill situated at ‘ The Heads’ where two dramatic sea cliffs guard the entrance to the lagoon from the surging Knysna Ocean. Bread and cake lovers - don’ t leave Knysna without stopping at the popular Ile de Pain for delicious baked goods.
competitions as well as wine tasting take place. The festival boasts over 100 events including the “big five” sports such as: 1. The Momentum Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna Mountain Bike Cycle Tour; 2. Salomon Featherbed 14 km Trail Run; 3. Totalsports Xterra Trail Run and Mountain Biking; 4. A choice of one: Momentum Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna Road CycleTour, Knysna Lagoon Challenge Paddle Race, Knysna Dragons Lagoon Mile Swim; 5. Momentum Cape Times Knysna Forest half/full Marathon. There are also other soft sports such as paddling, golf, bowls, soccer, night biking and angling which can be enjoyed by the entire family. A popular event to observe at the festival is the South African Navy display as they skillfully sail through the infamously treacherous Knysna Heads whilst a band entertains festival participants along the street parade as well as at the Knysna Waterfront. This festival is an experience not to be missed.
37
July
Germany
Kölner Lichter As the name already suggests, the Cologne Festival of Lights is Germany’s biggest high-altitude fireworks display. The city of Cologne is transformed into a breathtaking blaze of lights and colours. With its unique atmosphere, the event attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Organised on a Saturday in July, the river cruise convoy starts heading to the Old Town Centre in the afternoon accompanied by welcoming fireworks and colourful Bengal fires. Aboard, visitors can indulge themselves in culinary delights. The different cruises offer a wide range of entertainment such as live acts, theatre or cabaret performances. Those who do not want to jump on a cruise can wait on the banks of river Rhine for the long convoy with brightly coloured lanterns and lights to arrive. Join the crowd on shore cheering the passing boats and waving with candles and sparklers as soon as the first ship appears around the corner. The evening culminates with a fireworks display with synchronized music launched from a pontoon in the middle of the Rhine in front of the Old Town scenery.
The stunning view of the romantic old town of Cologne shining brilliantly in thousands lights is a special and unforgettable experience.
My recommendations Stay here
4* Steigenberger Cologne Rudolfplatz
Don’t miss
Visit the famous Fragrance Museum 4711 http://farina.org/visit-the-fragrance-museum/
3* City Class am Dom
Yvonne Brüggenthies LCC Reisebüro Wüst, Germany
38
Eat here
Früh - famous brewery in Cologne - www.frueh.de Bierhaus am Rhein - http://bierhaus-am-rhein.de/
reisebuero-wuest.de
Ihr Reisebüro. Weltweit.
July
Lithuania
Sea Festival
Andrius Kolesnikovas LCC Baltic Travel Service, Lithuania
My recommendations Stay here
Amberton Klaipeda Hotel Naujojo Sodo gatve 1C, Klaipeda Eat here
Friedricho pasažas Tilty str. 26 A, Klaipeda http://www.pasazas.lt/en/ Don’t miss
Bring your friends, a typical marine style shirt and a sailor‘s cap!
Baltic Travel Service
Your travel agency. World-wide.
The Klaipeda Sea Festival is the most popular city festival in Lithuania. It is the time when people (nearly half a million in total) from all over Lithuania as well as from foreign countries come and enjoy a few days of non-stop celebration. The main purpose of the festival was to strengthen the image of the city and of whole Lithuania as a marine country. It has taken place every year since 1934 always in mid-July.
One of my personal memories is when we suddenly got to the colourful carnivallike spectacle which brought together nearly seven thousand local people. Dressed in a variety of sea characters and marine organizational clothing, everyone marched from the square to Lietuvninkų cruise ship terminal.
There are many other attractions: parades of ships on the sea, folk, nonstop jazz and rock music concerts, folk-art and culinary affairs and a regatta of sailing boats. You have an astonishing view of docks crowded with sailing boats, ships and yachts and you will experience the smell of the sea and wind, the various attractions, delicious seafood and the dancing fountains show – this is the most accurate description for the Sea Festival in Klaipeda.
39
August
Spain
La Tomatina La Tomatina is a summer event for those who love to have fun and fool around. The entertaining ‘tomato bloodbath’ is all about throwing tomatoes at each other and has been a strong tradition in Buñol, a town located in the province of Valencia, since the 1940s. The festival is organised every year on the last Wednesday in August, but the parties already start earlier in the week. What can you expect? It all starts with trucks delivering one hundred metric tons of over-ripe tomatoes to the centre of the town, the Plaza del Pueblo. The festival begins as soon as the first courageous person has climbed to the top of a twostory high wooden pole and reached the coveted ham at the top. Then, firing water cannons signals the beginning of the fight and participants have only one hour time to throw as many squashed tomatoes as they can. The town provides a special edition for children as it can get quite chaotic during the fun fight. The event has become so famous that visitors have to buy tickets to be able to join the fun, so do not wait too
Álex Fuentes LCC Bestours Viajes, Spain
My recommendations long if you would like to be one of the 20,000 lucky people to participate in the annual tomato fight. When you have survived the battle, you should consider some serious after-partying nearby Valencia. If this event sounds too questionable for you, you might be interested in another summer festival in Buñol such as La Tomatina Gastronomic and Cultural Fair which is dedicated to local cuisine and products and La Tomatina Sound Festival which is a two day music festival.
Stay here
As Valencia is located less than 30 minutes from Buñol, you should consider staying here: Las Arenas Carrer d’Eugènia Viñes, 22-24 46011 València Hospes Palau de la Mar Avinguda de Navarro Reverter, 14 46004 Valencia Eat here
Check out : La Comisaría, Lolitas & Sibaritas, La Cigrona, Ca Duart, Casel·la or Alma de Temple - they all provide really tasty food! Don’t miss
Have some paella and drink horchata!
Bestours Viajes
Your travel agency. World-wide. 40
August
Colombia
Medellin Flower Fair This flower parade represents the end of slavery when instead of flowers slaves carried men and women on their backs up steep hills. In May 1957, the first exhibition of Silleteros with flowers took place at Bolivar Square as one among other events during the Flower Fair that year, whose celebration was at the peak moment when the military regime mostly was toppled (the famous 10th May). Due to this incident the celebration was cancelled prematurely. Three years later the event was resumed under the new name “Party of Liberty and Flowers”. This was the second time the Silleteros showed up as one of the most outstanding shows. In 1964, it was renamed the “Flower and Textile Fair”. It includes a beauty contest and the great flower contest, as well as an exhibit of the industrial and commercial power of the city.
With more than 140 events during the fair, the citizens are on the streets to experience 10 days of festivities filled with culture, music, culinary delights and tradition.
paisa (name of the people who live in the area of Antioquia) and shows the variety of flowers. Medellin gets ready for this cultural event and invites you to join their party.
Its central event is, as always, the Flower Carriers Parade, in which more than 500 peasants walk through the downtown streets, carrying their bags, like their ancestors did, with monumental flower arrangements made with chrysanthemums, birches, roses and other native flowers. The flower carriers have become Medellin‘s symbol reflecting the humbleness in the past, tenacity and happiness of the peasants of this Columbian region and making it possible to build a versatile and thriving culture. The Medellin Flower Fair is the largest outdoor flower show in the world. The parade, recognized as Cultural Patrimony of Colombia, celebrates the tenacity of the
My recommendations Stay here
Hotel Dann Carlton Ave el Poblado Cra 43 A No 7-50 Medellin 6100 Mildred Alexa Aristizabal LCC Aviatur, Colombia
Aviatur
Your travel agency. World-wide.
Eat here
Hato Viejo Calle 16 No. 28-60 Medellin Don’t miss
The best dish : Bandeja Paisa The best club : La Ruana de Juana The best beach : the beaches are in other cities such as Cartagena, Santa Marta or San Andrés in the Caribbean Guatapé 41
August
Germany
Museumsuferfest Frankfurt
Yvonne Brüggenthies LCC Reisebüro Wüst, Germany
My recommendations Stay here
5* Westin Grand Hotel 4* NH Collection Frankfurt City 3* Intercity Hotel Frankfurt Eat here
Apfelweinwirtschaft Wagner - Sachsenhausen http://www.apfelwein-wagner.com/en.html Frankfurt has a variety of museums located on the banks of the Main River in the heart of the city. With the city’s impressive skyline in the background, the Museum Embankment Festival always held on the last weekend of August provides a great venue for one of the biggest and most spectacular arts and culture events in Europe.
Main Tower Restaurant http://www.maintower.de/en/observation-deck/ restaurant-lounge/
The 23 participating museums keep their doors open well into the night to ensure visitors have enough time to immerse themselves in arts, culture, literature, architecture and much more. Superb museum programs, countless stage productions and colourful live performances invite revelers to sing and dance, to wine and dine along the riverside under the starry sky. The festival’s many stages are filled with a broad variety of live acts, dance ensembles and performing artists. Aside from myriads of international culinary delights available on the banks of the River Main, you will also
Germany’s longest Sushi Treadmill http://www.my-sushi.com/restaurant
42
Don’t miss
Long Island Summer Lounge http://www.longislandsummerlounge.de/
find countless artisans displaying their latest creations. The Museum Embankment Festival surprises with additional varied entertainment such as dragon boat racing, second-hand markets, fireworks and concerts in the Old Church of St. Nicholas celebrating the international flair of the city. Come along and discover the magnificent museum embankment with us!
reisebuero-wuest.de
Ihr Reisebüro. Weltweit.
August
Poland
Music Festival ‘Chopin and his Europe’
Bogdan Wieczorek LCC Supertour, Poland
My recommendations Stay here
Hotel Sofitel Victoria Krolewska 11, Warsaw Eat here
Restaurant Folk Gospoda Ul. Waliców 1 3, Warsaw http://www.folkgospoda.pl/en/menu.html Don’t miss
1. Fryderyk Chopin Museum 2. Zelazowa Wola - birthplace of Fryderyk Chopin 3. Holly Cross Church - Chopin’s heart is buried in this church 4. Lazienki - summer residence of the last Polish king where open air concerts of Chopin’s music are held every Sunday during Summer
Supertour
Your travel agency. World-wide.
As the name already suggests this classical music festival mainly presents music of the great Polish composer Fryderyk Chopin and other European musicians from the 19th century. Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Liszt, Rachmaninov or Czaikowski – their pieces are a major part of the program. Additionally, the winners and laureates of the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition have the opportunity to perform on stage which is a wonderful experience for all visitors.
No matter which great classical composer is your favourite one, you will discover many appealing performances in the program. You are cordially invited to the next edition of ‘Chopin and his Europe’ in August!
Although the festival is focused on recitals, chamber and symphonic concerts, it also surprises with jazz concerts and other great performers and well-known and lesser-known masterpieces. Furthermore, the festival is accompanied by movies shown in local cinemas and in the Fryderyk Chopin’s Museum, a very modern and interactive museum opened in 2010 to honour Chopin.
43
August
Germany
Rhein in Flammen Rhine in Flames is a series of events taking place each year between May and September in different cities along the most beautiful sections of the Rhine River. Fireworks and Bengal fires dip the waterfronts and sights between Rüdesheim and Bonn in magical colours when the festively illuminated river boat convoy passes along the stream. The biggest festivity at the Rhine in Flames in Koblenz is held on the second Saturday in August. Europe’s largest boat parade with about 70 river boats carrying up to 25,000 people on board passes the 17 km distance from Spay to Koblenz. Passengers are rewarded with a view of enlightened romantic half-timbered houses, castles and palaces as well as mountainous landscapes all bathed in the colourful light of Bengal fires.
program while the boat parades mirror themselves in the water and on the landscapes of the Rhine River.
On shore, around 100,000 visitors mingle to welcome the passing boats and enjoy the accompanying threeday summer festival of the city of Koblenz with its great entertainment
Combine the festival with a wine tasting in one of the numerous vineyards and experience a romantic and unforgettable weekend full of magic moments in the Middle Rhine Valley!
Yvonne Brüggenthies LCC Reisebüro Wüst, Germany
My recommendations Stay here
3* Ghotel hotel&living Koblenz 4* Mercure Koblenz Eat here
Gerhards Genussgesellschaft http://www.gerhards-genussgesellschaft.de/ Wirtshaus Alt Coblenz http://www.alt-coblenz.de/ansichten.html Don’t miss
Romanticum Koblenz - discover the history of the Middle Rhine Valley http://www.romanticum.de/index.php?id=2&L=1
reisebuero-wuest.de
Ihr Reisebüro. Weltweit. 44
August
Hungary
Sziget Festival
Barbara Konta LCC Morea Travel, Hungary
My recommendations Stay here
Holiday Beach Budapest Wellness & Conference Hotel Piroska 3-5, Budapest Eat here
DiVino Borbár Szent István tér 3, Budapest Menza Liszt Ferenc tér 2, Budapest http://www.menzaetterem.hu/english.php Don’t miss
Do not miss the typical Hungarian ruin pubs once the festival ends. The best dishes and party atmosphere that you can find there!
Morea Travel
Your travel agency. World-wide.
The Sziget Festival is one of the largest music and cultural festivals in Europe. It is held every August in northern Budapest, Hungary, on Óbudai-sziget (”Old Buda Island“), a leafy 100-hectare island on the Danube river.
almost-boutique Opera-Garden Hotels & Apartments in the city center. We would like to welcome you to our amazing festival where you can enjoy all kinds of music and the spirit of freedom.
The week-long festival has grown from a relatively low-profile student event in 1993 to become one of the most prominent European rock festivals, with about half of all visitors coming from outside Hungary, especially from Western Europe. More than 1,000 performances take place each year in every music genre! The unique Hungarian festival-feeling with plenty of cultural inspirations makes you feel the international environment and the universal feeling of freedom! To experience the real festival feeling you should bring your own tent and set it up on the festival grounds! If you are not that adventurous, there are lovely
45
September
Armenia
Barbeque Festival Khorovats Festival in Akhtala is the event for all food lovers as it features both professional chefs and amateur cooks from different regions in Armenia representing more than 40 varieties of barbeque. You will have a chance to see in how many different ways Armenians love to have a barbeque: ‘Barbeque in the fireplace’, ‘Barbeque on the horizontal bar’, ‘Barbeque in the hole’ (shepherd barbeque), ‘Barbeque in ground oven’ and so on. The aim of the Barbeque Festival is to show and tell about Armenian traditional cuisine and to contribute to the development of tourism of rural areas of Armenia. The process of making a barbeque and tasting the different barbeques from professional cooks and chefs of the best restaurants of Armenia is a great experience. The participating chefs can join a competition for the following nominations: Best Taste, Best Idea, Best Look, Best Pavilion as well as the People‘s Choice Award and the Grand Prize. Guests can also enjoy theatrical performances and folk songs.
During this festival, I have met cooks from different areas of Armenia and each of them made a barbeque like I have never tasted before such as fruit barbeques. Is your mouth watering already? Then visit Khorovats Festival in September – we are sure you will enjoy Armenian’s exceptional hospitality and delicacies no matter where you come from.
My recommendations Stay here
Diamond House Hotel Arami St., 86 Building, Yerevan Eat here Marianna Zakiyan LCC Visa Concord, Armenia
“Tavern Yerevan” Tavern-restaurant Teryan St., 91/1 Building, Yerevan www.pandokyerevan.am
Don’t miss
Ararat National Show Hanrapetutyan Sq., Government house 2, Yerevan www.armenianshow.am
Visa Concord
Your travel agency. World-wide. 46
September
Germany
Cannstatter Volksfest
Yvonne Brüggenthies LCC Reisebüro Wüst, Germany
My recommendations Stay here
4* Mercure Hotel Stuttgart City Center Eat here
Alte Kanzlei http://www.alte-kanzlei-stuttgart.de/cms/ startseite/ Carls Brauhaus http://www.carls-brauhaus.de Don’t miss
Porsche Museum http://www.porsche.com/museum/en/
reisebuero-wuest.de
Ihr Reisebüro. Weltweit.
For almost 200 years, the annual three-week Canstatter Volksfest enjoys enormous popularity and attracts each year about four million visitors from near and far to the state capital of Baden Württemberg. Although it resembles the well-known Oktoberfest in Munich taking place at the same time of the year, the Canstatter Volksfest has its very own unique flair! One of the major highlights is the amusement park with many attractions such as carousels, white-water rides, roller-coasters and a Ferris wheel. The Volksfest parade is a spectacular tradition taking place on the first Sunday of the festival.
the Canstatter Volksfest, you will experience one of the real German stereotypes of wearing dirndl and lederhosen, singing to brass music and drinking beer in one-liter tankards.
Food takes a great part of the festivity: amongst other delicacies, German bratwurst and sauerkraut, potato pancakes, grilled ham stock, veal sausages and pretzels are offered in the tents and around the fairground. Various food stalls sell sweets such as cotton candy, roasted almonds, chocolate fruits and heartshaped gingerbread. No matter if you decide to go to the Oktoberfest in Munich or to
47
Armenia Australia Brazil Germany India Mexico Morocco Peru South Africa The Philippines Turkey
48
A great introduction to foreign cultures is their cuisine. It not only reflects their evolution, but also their beliefs and traditions. 49
September
Germany
Oktoberfest
Walter Schneider LCC Starnberger Reise AG, Germany
My recommendations Stay here
LOUIS Hotel located near the market place Tryp Hotel Munich City Center located close to the Oktoberfest The Oktoberfest dates back to 1810. The original feast was the celebration of a Bavarian royal wedding. Princess Teresa of Bavaria had married Crown Prince Ludwig I on the evening of October 12, 1810. The next day, the city began celebrating the wedding with various activities, including concerts, parties, balls, and even a horse race. It all went so well that the Bavarian royal family decided to hold another race a year later – the beginning of the Oktoberfest tradition.
Nowadays, the Oktoberfest attracts up to six million visitors every year, many of them from abroad. Although it is called Oktoberfest, the 16-day event always begins in September and ends on the first Sunday in October. The festival is Germany’s most famous event and the world’s largest fair. From a large Ferris wheel to carousels, roller-coasters and thrill rides to fun houses, crossbow competitions and other attractions, the Oktoberfest offers excitement for all ages. Whether you visit with your friends or family, the fairground has much to offer and you can easily spend two days there! The event starts with a grand opening including tapping the first barrel of beer. The crowds then spread out to the various beer tents and beer gardens and you can see hundreds of locals and internationals singing, dancing and laughing together. No matter if you are from Australia, Asia, America or Europe, you should at least learn the following German toast: ‘Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit!’. In English, ‘Cheers to all!’, as you will hear it quite often during your stay at the beer fest! Breze, Dirndl, Hendl – if this is your first time at the Oktoberfest in Munich, you will encounter a whole range of bizzare words. But don‘t panic! We can help you with our guide, the special “Oktoberfest-Dictionary”.
50
Eat here
The restaurant “Beim Sedlmayr“ offers great typical Bavarian specialities http://www.beim-sedlmayr.de/welcome?0 Don’t miss
The Traditional costume parade through Munich on the first Sunday of the Oktoberfest
Starnberger Reise AG
Ihr Reisebüro. Weltweit.
September & September October
Morocco
Tanjazz Festival Africa is a continent with more than one billion inhabitants coming from different cultures and living standards from simple farms to high tech buildings in the big cities. The people with their tastes, customs and rituals differ from city to city. It is thus no surprise to find a lot of jazz festivals in the music enthusiastic cities.
Mohammed Bit-el-mal LCC Lehyan Travel, Morocco
My recommendations Stay here
El Minzah Hotel 85, Rue de la Liberté, Tanger Eat here
Villa Josephine 231, Rue Sidi Mesmoudi’, Tanger www.villajosephine-tanger.com Le Relais de Paris Complexe Dawliz 42, Rue de Hollande, Tanger http://www.relaisdeparis.com/en/
tunes (Buika, Cecile McLorin). As a tourist, it is a wonderful opportunity to explore the city while following its best music event.
One of them is as close to Europe as no other African jazz festival, the Tanjazz in Tanger, in the North of Morocco only a few kilometers from Spain. Every year in late summer the organiser brings together a top-class program that already gained international fame outside of Morocco. Accordingly jazz lovers and experts from all over the world come together for this unique event in Tanger. Jazz, Blues and spiritual rhythms are played by different bands from all over the world. You can enjoy indoor and outdoor venues where bands play yesterdays’ hits (the Beatles, Duke Ellington, Nina Simone) and tomorrow
Don’t miss
My personal insider tip in the city : The best sunset spot is at Cap Spartel, the intersection of Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. Also, visit Asilah which is a small town 40 km from Tanger and taste the special handmade white cheese produced locally.
Lehyan Travel
Your travel agency. World-wide. 51
October
Armenia
Areni Wine Festival Taking place in the villages of Rind and Areni, Vayots Dzor, the Wine Festival offers a bright, colourful and spectacular parade of the best Armenian wine producers accompanied by traditional dances and songs. During the event you can taste the best of the best Armenian wines that are highly appreciated by international consumers. Hence, visiting Areni Wine Festival is a great opportunity to discover Armenian culture and tastes. The event program includes a breathtaking opening ceremony, a wine
producer fair, public and professional wine tastings, an exhibition of traditional dishes made by the best Armenian restaurants, national music, dances, games, theatrical performances, arts programs and contests. Our LCC team loves to go to the festival together to enjoy some exquisite food and wine and we invite all wine producers, wine connoisseurs and those who are interested in getting to know Armenian culture to be part of this exceptional festival.
My recommendations Stay here
Opera Suite Hotel Marshal Baghramyan Ave. 1st Blind Alley, Lane 1-3, Yerevan Eat here Marianna Zakiyan LCC Visa Concord, Armenia
52
Salon Restaurant 8th Abovyan Str., Yerevan www.salonarmenian.com
Don’t miss
“Ararat” Brandy Factory Tsovakal Isakovi Ave., 2 Building, Yerevan www.araratbrandy.com
Visa Concord
Your travel agency. World-wide.
October
India
Diwali My favourite Indian festival is Diwali – the Festival of Lights – as this is the time we believe good prevails over evil. Diwali is an annual ancient Hindu festivity to celebrate the end of the summer harvest. The five-day festival coincides with the Hindu New Year and is definitely the biggest, brightest and most glamorous festivity in India. Millions of people celebrate the beginning of a new year, the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. Symbolically, locals light up candles and oil lamps around their houses, in supermarkets and public places. They do this not only to make their environment look beautiful but also to express the
obeisance to the heaven for attaining health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity. The event is a festival of sounds, sights and folk arts and the skies are enlightened with colourful fireworks. Literally, the whole country is illuminated to signify that it is time to be happy, grateful and enthusiastic and to unite and forgive. It is also a time of giving: people exchange sweets and donate food to the poor. With a whole country shining brightly, your heart and soul will be enlightened; you will find inner peace and new hope at the joyful and magical Diwali – the Festival of Lights!
Seemaa P. Makhija LCC Travel Voyages, India
”Diwali is of great spiritual importance to our beliefs as we welcome Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, to our homes and invite her to stay with us forever. The joyful atmosphere in the city when every house is illuminated should definitely not be missed out.“
Travel Voyages
Your travel agency. World-wide. 53
October
South Africa
Hermanus Whale Festival Kristy Hutchinson LCC Reynolds Travel, South Africa
My recommendations Stay here
The Marine, Hermanus - The Marine Hermanus is one of the southern hemisphere’ s most spectacular seaside properties. Perched on the cliffs of Hermanus’ Walker Bay, it overlooks one of South Africa’ s finest whale sanctuaries and offers the unique opportunity to experience the finest whale watching from the comfort of your sea view room Eat here
As home to the best land-based whale watching in the world, Hermanus is just the right place to pay homage to the magnificent Southern Rights, and there is no better time to recognise their miraculous survival than during October – the peak whale-watching season in the coastal village. The family-friendly festival aims to put the massive mammals in the spotlight for entertainment as well as education purposes, allowing people to revel in the unbelievable sightseeing
opportunities while getting clued up on the plight of the endangered creatures. The marine giants will definitely remain the star of the show, but on land, visitors to the small seaside town can expect to be equally dazzled by great entertainment and activities, gut-busting eats, quality crafts and kiddies fun. Expect to linger for hours at the Two Oceans Wine and Food Music Marquee where 30 local artists will be performing over the five days of the festival. Not to mention, festival-goers of all ages stand to learn a thing or two at the Marine Endangered Species Marquee. A Whale Filmfest will be on show with topics about the beautiful aquatic creatures in our midst. Plus, the fit and sporty can participate in Adventure Week with the Total Whale Half Run (21-km) and the Fun Walk (6-km); the Hermanus Whale Festival Night Run; the Hermanus Whale Festival Mountain Bike Classic (18-km, 30-km or 50-km routes); and the festival trail run (10-km, 20-km routes).
54
Creation Wines - No visit to Hermanus would be complete without a visit to the beautiful vineyards of the nearby Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Creation Wines is one of these. Not only are its wines superb and its food delicious, you can also choose from a number of unusual wine and food pairings. For early risers there is a 10am brunch pairing, or you can opt for the canapé and wine pairing, a wine and chocolate pairing, or even a non-alcoholic tea and food pairing. There’s even a Creation “Secret” pairing of “magical entrée-sized surprises” paired with four great wines Don’t miss
Whale, Wine and Wors Tour - As the first ‘W ’ suggests, guests will get to do some land-based whale watching in Hermanus, which is facilitated by a fun-loving, experienced and amiable tour guide. Beforehand though, tour- goers will tackle the remaining ‘Ws’: Wine tastings at the Middelvlei Wine Estate in Stellenbosch and a boerewors and cider pairing in Grabouw also form part of the experience.
Reynolds Travel
Your travel agency. World-wide.
October August
The Philippines
Masskara Festival The Masskara (a combination of the English word “mass” and the Spanish “kara,” meaning “face”) is a festival that started in the early 1980s, when world prices for sugar plummeted; and Bacolod City, the country’s sugar capital, was hit by a major crisis. The city’s government and artists banded together to find ways to lift the people’s spirits, so they decided to throw a party. Held every third weekend of October or on the closest weekend to 19th October, it dramatizes the steadfast character of the Negrenses (natives of the Filipino island of Negros) and symbolizes what the people of the City of Smiles do best: putting on a happy face when confronted with challenges. Masskara Festival is undoubtedly one of the most-awaited festivals in the Philippines, attracting thousands of tourists every year to come to the
City of Smiles. The “happiest festival in the Philippines” is almost a monthlong celebration with activities such as concerts, food fairs, street parties and more. The highlight of the festival is the street dancing competition where participants wear colourful costumes, elaborate masks and headdresses, and dance to Latin music. When you go to the Masskara Festival, the fun pageantry will give you several days of visual overload. With the beating drums and the festival songs reverberating in the air, you would have to fight the urge to dance. One of the major highlights is the street dance competition where performers from different towns dance through a battle of performance and creativity. After the battle, the street is again transformed into a huge dance floor, and everyone is a competitor.
My recommendations Stay here
L’ Fisher Hotel 14th Lacson St. Bacolod City Negros Occidental Cynthia Limjap, LCC Philippine World Travel, The Philippines
Philippine World Travel
Eat here
21 Restaurant 21st Lacson St. Bacolod City www.21restaurant.com Don’t miss
Your travel agency. World-wide.
The street dance competition!
55
November
Mexico
Dia de los Muertos El Dia de los Muertos (in English: Day of the Dead) is Mexico’s joyful remembrance of dead friends and family. According to Aztecs’ beliefs, Mexicans hope that their dead relatives are lurking in the so-called ‘Mictlan’, a kind of spiritual waiting room, and that they can return to their homes at this time of the year. Therefore, families prepare everything to help the souls find their way home by cooking their favourite meals, inviting friends and decorating the grave. An altar is erected and piled high with offerings such as flowers, ribbons, candles, fruit and corn and decorated with papier-mâché skeletons and candy skulls. The festivity ends with a visit to the cemetery where you will rather find people raving beyond graves instead of mourning for their dead relatives.
selling crucifix waffles and cooked cactus snacks is often part of the celebration.
In preparation for the event, supermarkets stock their shelves with miniature coffins, skulls and skeletons made of chocolate, marzipan, paper, cardboard or clay. A funfair with neon-lit rides and stands
Although the festival might sound strange to you at first sight, it is a great experience to see how Mexicans cope with the loss of their beloved ones and it might even change your attitude towards the death.
Emi Wortman LCC Signum Travel, Mexico
” The Dia de los Muertos is a very special and important day for all Mexicans where we think of all the good times we had with our deceased relatives.“
Signum Travel
Your travel agency. World-wide. 56
November August
Turkey
International Sefika Kutluer Festival
Refik Kutluer LCC Alabanda, Turkey
My recommendations Stay here
Rixos Grand Ankara Hotel Atatürk Blv. 183 Kavaklidere Ankara Eat here
Trilye Restaurant Hafta Sok. 11/B Ankara www.trilye.com.tr Don’t miss
You should definitely visit the Rahmi M. Koç Museum which is not only a major museum in Turkey but also includes a restaurant and hotel.
The concept behind the festival, which is organised every year since 2010 in autumn in Ankara, aims to develop intercultural dialogue through art. The festival has been initiated by Sefika Kutluer, a flute soloist of the Ismir State Symphony Orchestra. The best musicians, orchestras and artists from Eastern countries such as China, Korea, Japan and Kazakhstan and from Western countries such as UK, Germany, France, Switzerland, Spain, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo and Slovenia come to Ankara to perform unique classical or traditional concerts with international soloists.
55,000 years ago the oldest ancestors of the human being, the Neanderthals were playing a flute made of cave bear’s bone and making music! When this flute was discovered and the age was understood by radiometric tests our understanding of antique culture has changed. The replica of the Neanderthal flute found in Divje babe cave in northwestern Slovenia is called „Tidldibabu“. The fact that Neanderthals evidently played musical instruments tells us that they were capable of abstract thinking, the concept which some scientist attribute only to modern humans.
Alabanda
Your travel agency. World-wide. 57
November
Peru
La Diablada La Diablada celebrates Puno’s liberation from the devilish Spanish conquistadors in the late 19th century and honours the ancient spirits of Lake Titicaca in Puno. For some tourists it might look like a strange devil worshiping carnival but it is very important for the locals to express their indigenous beliefs and traditions during this event. An extravagant parade led by the Peruvian version of the devil winds through the town’s streets towards the lakeside in the afternoon. Everybody dresses up in elaborate demonic costumes and follows the devil’s procession while performing a traditional masked dance, also called ‘La Diablada’ (in English: the Dance of Devils). The dance gives the impression that all participants have been possessed by the devil. Originally, the dance tells a tale of trapped miners who battled an army of demons. Do you feel like dancing wild and crazy? Then, come to Puno to dance with the devil himself and experience the demonic and mysterious tradition of La Diablada.
My recommendations Stay here
Titilaka Boutique Hotel Lago Titilaka, Puno Eat here
Mojsa Restaurant Jr. Lima, Puno Paola Cerbatt LCC Hansaperu Travel, Peru
58
Hansaperu Travel
Don’t miss
The sunset at the Titicaca Lake
Your travel agency. World-wide.
December
Germany
Dresdner Striezelmarkt
Walter Schneider LCC Starnberger Reise AG, Germany
My recommendations Stay here
Kempinski Hotel Taschenbergpalais Taschenberg 3, 01067 Dresden Swissotel Dresden Am Schloss Schlossstraße 16, 01067 Dresden Eat here
Altmarktkeller & Altmarktcafé http://www.altmarktkeller.de/welcome/ Sophienkeller http://www.sophienkeller-dresden.de/?p= start&lang=en Don’t miss
The Grünes Gewölbe (Green Vault) which is one of the richest treasure collections in Europe.
Starnberger Reise AG
Ihr Reisebüro. Weltweit.
In Dresden, the most famous Christmas market is called the Striezelmarkt, a place full of atmosphere and characterized by its old and traditional crafts. Popular among visitors is the Erzgebirge folk art, with its Räuchermännchen incense smokers, nutcrackers, pyramids, Schwibbogen candle arches, candle holders and angels. Carved out of wood, the figures attest to craftsmanship which has remained unchanged for generations.
or a glass of Feuerzangenbowle, an alcoholic drink for which a rum-soaked sugarloaf is set on fire and dripped into hot mulled wine.
The numerous food stands attract hungry visitors. Sweet aromas of hot waffles, curd cheese balls, stuffed baked apples, chestnuts, roasted almonds, and special varieties of marzipan and nougat fill the air. The original Dresdner Christstollen is a popular and world-famous Christmas cake which only bakers from Dresden are permitted to produce. Well, they do have over 500 years of experience making it here. Those who feel a bit cold should warm up with some hot mulled wine, punch
59
December
Australia
New Year’s Eve
Not only is Sydney among the first few cities to celebrate New Year’s Eve, it also hosts one of the most spectacular and impressive fireworks shows in the world. The best spot to watch the fireworks is definitely close to the Opera House with a view to the Harbour Bridge, where all vessels are illuminated and decorated with millions of lights. I celebrated my first New Year’s Eve in Sydney in 1998 during my first visit staying with friends who had already made the jump to Australia. Rewinding to the excitement
of the millennium, I managed to find myself on a yacht on the harbour, just off Kirribilli House and experienced the best fireworks and New Year’s celebration ever! This was followed by all of us having a champagne breakfast in almost silence welcoming the first sunrise of the new millennium over Bronte Beach. The ultimate way to forget New Year’s Blues is to stay for Sydney Festival, a three-week celebration transforming the Central Business District and surrounding areas into a culturally vibrant city. January is Sydney’s month of art and the city offers theatre, music, contemporary dance and circus performances, family entertainment, traditional Indigenous arts and late-night fun. From the famous “Sculptures by the Sea” to free Jazz or Opera in the Domain, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Celebrating New Year’s followed by enjoying the Sydney Festival in summer gives you a real sense of Sydney’s lifestyle, diversity and vitality!
60
Nik Young LCC Anywhere Travel, Australia
My recommendations Stay here
Shangri La Hotel, 176 Cumberland St, Sydney Eat here
Go to the best Waterfront Southeast Asian Restaurant : The Malaya, 39 Lime St, Sydney Don’t miss
Experience a performance at the Opera House followed by a drink or two at the Opera Bar on a summers evening - the harbour at its best!
Anywhere Travel
Your travel agency. World-wide.
December
Brazil
Réveillon
Emi Wortman LCC Signum Travel, Mexico
” To us it’s most important to dance the night away and think of all the good times we had during the last year. Can you think of anything better to start the upcoming year?“
Signum Travel
Your travel agency. World-wide.
How could you spend your New Year’s Eve better than on one of the most beautiful beaches of the world? Free festivities, baskets of fruits and stands with drinks and snacks are placed along the beaches, bottles of champagne are uncorked and shared with complete strangers and spectacular fireworks are displayed at midnight around the city – feel welcome at Réveillon in Brazil!
While Copacabana Beach in Rio celebrates in a more traditional way with top local and international bands performing on stage and people dancing samba, the beaches of Ipanema feature international electronic DJ’s with a beat-heavy dance party that lasts until the wee hours of the next year – so come and join the party!
Be careful when packing your suitcase as Brazilians dress in white from head to toe before making their way to the beach where they decorate their outfits with colourful and eye-catching garlands of flowers. Wearing white symbolizes purity, peace, renewal and great hopes for the New Year. Locals make offerings such as vases of white flowers, fruits and enlightened candles to the goddess that protects the sea by placing them on small boats in the sea and if they are carried away on the current, it is a sign that the goddess is pleased and will bring luck for the New Year.
61
Festival Calendar January
February
April
May
July
September
November
62
March
June
August
October
December
63
Imprint Picture Credits Cover © wundervisuals – istockphoto.com S. 06 © Nikada – istockphoto.com S. 09 © Juan Barrios – flickr.com © DaNka Valle León – flickr.com © jrsnchzhrs – flickr.com S. 12 © IQRemix – flickr.com S. 13 © Christopher Crouzet – flickr.com © Eva Rinaldi – flickr.com S. 14 © Dan Lundberg – flickr.com © Emanuele Mazzoni – fotolia.com S. 16 © Roberto A Sanchez – istockphoto.com © Nikada – istockphoto.com © davidevison – istockphoto.com S. 18 © boschoalex – fotolia.com © Lisa Risager – flickr.com S. 19 © ecarql – istockphoto.com S. 20 © Jan Alonzo – flickr.com S. 22 © Monica Kelly – flickr.com © crifaga – istockphoto.com S. 25 © Kevin Wong – flickr.com © Nasya Bahfen – flickr.com S. 26 © BWBImages – istockphoto.com © EasyBuy4u – istockphoto.com © See-ming Lee – flickr.com S. 29 © Peter Salanki – flickr.com © Robin – flickr.com S. 30 Photos given by Faenza Municipality and owned by CRAL Banzola S. 31 © Jevgenijs Slihto – flickr.com S. 32 © Henrique NDR Martins – istockphoto.com S. 33 © Sándor Csudai / Szigetfestival.com © Szigetfestival.com S. 34 © JDUBOiS – flickr.com S. 37 © South African Tourism – flickr.com S. 38 © Fabian Vervelde – flickr.com © Maui01 – istockphoto.com S. 39 © katkov – istockphoto.com © Olga355 – istockphoto.com S. 40 © MrT HK – flickr.com © Łukasz Lech – flickr.com S. 41 © zpics – flickr.com © John Jairo Estrada – flickr.com S. 42 © Volker Kannacher – flickr.com S. 44 © mLu-fotos – flickr.com S. 45 © Szigetfestival.com © Bőr Benedek photo – flickr.com
64
S. 47 S. 48 S. 50 S. 51 S. 53 S. 54 S. 55 S. 56 S. 59 S. 60 S. 61
© die.tine – flickr.com © MaximShebeko – istockphoto.com © JasonParis – flickr.com © Hotel La Tangerina – flickr.com © GeoffGoldswain – istockphoto.com © byheaven – istockphoto.com © slalit – flickr.com © siddarth varanasi – flickr.com © Jon Mountjoy – flickr.com © Jundy Tiu – flickr.com © hbrizard – istockphoto.com © Mooshuu – flickr.com © Joel Carillet – istockphoto.com © Francisco Rojas – flickr.com © Bodie Strain – flickr.com © Marco Klapper – flickr.com © zetter – istockphoto.com © Rune_Landale – istockphoto.com © re06179e – istockphoto.com © BeteMarques – istockphoto.com
Publisher Lufthansa City Center International GmbH Lyoner Straße 36 60528 Frankfurt Layout SoDesign (Veronika Lang, Josefine Seifert, Babett Huwald) Choriner Straße 39 10435 Berlin Production Warlich Druck Meckenheim GmbH Am Hambruch 5 53340 Meckenheim
The contributing companies are responsible for the content of the published texts and pictures. Published March 2016
Travel is more than seeing sights. It is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living. Miriam Beard
Join us on our cultural journey and discover the great diversity of festivals around the world. Each culture has its own unique way of celebrating life! With this book, you can explore truly special festivities and see how they create amazing memories. Encountering local celebrations and experiencing different lifestyles will enrich your personal culture and enhance your ideas of living. Our Lufthansa City Center travel ambassadors will create once-in-alifetime journeys permitting you to become part of the most unique traditions worldwide! Visit us at www.lufthansa-city-center.com and discover the worldwide network of 650 Lufthansa City Center agencies in more than 80 countries – we promise to make truly memorable travel experiences come true!