Summer’s here, and so is festival season, and from SONAR in sunny Barcelona to the rain-drenched fields of Glastonbury in the UK, Europe is home to some of the best music festivals in the world.
But if you’re planning on hitting the festivals this summer, getting your hands on tickets is tricky, with many top events sold out far in advance, and the cost of flights and accommodation already sky-high. Factor in overcrowded dance stages, overpriced souvenirs, and extortionate food (£10 for a greasy burger?!) and some festivals aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.
But if you look beyond the average music-and-mud-fest, Europe is home to some great alternative festivals, from Viking Rituals in Denmark to Highland Flings in Scotland. Pick an alternative festival and you can escape the usual crowds, discover a new destination and score some cheap accommodation in the bargain…with not a soggy tent in sight.
Here’s a guide to our favourite festivals in Europe- perfect for an alternative summer holiday.
Sighisoria Medieval Festival, Romania, 25-27th July
Discover the old-world traditions of Eastern Europe in one of the best-preserved medieval citadels in Europe. 20,000 revelers descend on this UNESCO World Heritage Site every year (and the home of Dracula) for an old medieval fair, with costumed parades, troubadour bands and displays of medieval handicrafts, with body painting thrown in for good measure. Enjoy the gothic chills of wandering through Dracula’s old house and castle, and then retreat to a cosy Sighsoara hostel.
European Balloon Festival, Spain, 8-12th July
The sleepy Catalonian town of Igualada comes alive with a colourful display of hot-air balloons from around the world. Watch the balloons take to the skies, take a ride up and away, or keep your feet firmly on the ground and enjoy the market stalls and local cuisine down below. Igualada is easy to reach from a Barcelona hostel.
Ollesummer, Estonia, 8-12th July
If you can’t wait until Oktoberfest, escape the pint-swilling crowds in Munich and check out the biggest beer festival in the Baltics. In a scenic park in the historic capital Tallinn, beer is the main attraction here, but it’s hard not to be distracted by the skate park, jazz and wine garden, ‘mini-festival’ for kids and huge range of live music, from Estonian National Bands to rock and reggae. If you ‘sample’ one too many of the national brews, it’s easy to find a hostel in Tallinn within stumbling distance.
Ghent Festival, Belgium, 18-27th July
More like a super-festival than one big event, the Ghent Festival is the largest open-air festival in Europe, and has been running for 166 years. Combining a Jazz, Street Theatre, Dance and ‘Puppet-Busker’ festival, Ghent is an eclectic mix of comedy, theatre, music, exhibitions, boat trips on the river Lys and stalls of fine Belgian food and wine. Choose a picturesque hostel in Ghent and you’ll be in the heart of all the action.
La Pourcailhade, France, Mid-August
Indulge your inner porker in the Midee Pyrénées, in the town of Trie-sur-Baise. The ‘festival of the pig’ celebrates all things swine-related with sausage and black-pudding eating contests, pig outfit competitions, piglet races and squealing contests. Trie-sur-Baïse is one of the largest pig-raising areas in France and home to one of the last remaining traditional pig markets. Foodies will love tucking in to French hot dogs, sampling the charcuterie, with a soundtrack of live music and bands in the evening. Stay in a hostel in Tarbes, the nearest major town.
Please note – Event Dates can change! Please check dates online before you travel!
One of the world’s most exciting dates on the travel calendar, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, has released the full programme of events for 2009.
Highlights for this year will include lightning-speed sketch show Pappy’s Fun Club, acclaimed comedienne Jo Caufield and tv star Alistar McGowan, as well as a new, recession-friendly “Five Pound Fringe” section (still to be announced) which will, as the name suggests, be just £5 a ticket.
Taking place in August each year (2009 dates are 7 to 31 August), the Fringe’s thousands of performances and month of partying attract record crowds from around the world.
Looking to get in on the action? Accommodation tends to fill up fast, but there are still some hostels in Edinburgh with beds availble…
In this short film, Steve of Bus Station Backpackers shares his advice for backpackers heading to the Fringe in 2008:
Spring has sprung! To celebrate, we’ll all be scoffing chocolates on Easter weekend in honor of the Easter Bunny….
But don’t let the greedy lot at HB put you off – Easter in London is jam-packed with events around the capital celebrating all things springlike, from fluffy lambs and flowers in bloom to hot cross buns!
The humble easter egg is a symbol of new life in the celebrations of Easter across Europe, but no-one takes the chocolate side quite to heart like us Brits.
If you’re stuck for easter ideas, here’s our guide to the best Easter events across London, and tips for an ‘eggs-citing’ easter break. (Ed. – Blame the awful puns on the truckloads of creme eggs in the office!)
Food has become a big part of Easter traditions in the UK (as with most things), so on Easter Morning, start your day the British way with a leisurely breakfast or brunch in a cafe. Traditionally families sit around the table, tuck into a boiled egg and buttered toast ’soldiers’, and exchange the chocolate ones. Or just skip straight to the Easter eggs – what’s wrong with chocolate for breakfast?
Easter Egg Hunts
Who cares if you’re not a kid anymore – an Easter Egg Hunt is a hilarious day out, and a great way to see some of London’s top attractions out in the fresh air. The Imperial War Museum goes for retro cool with an old-fashioned trail through the museum’s historic exhibits, decorating easter eggs and a chocolate treat at the end.
Discover the Easter bunny amongst some beautiful blooms at Kew Gardens – the easter egg hunt is free with entry to the botanical gardens, and a petting zoo and crazy costumed animals (including a giant rabbit, of course) adding a dash of old English eccentricity. Kew’s grand grounds are only a short Tube Ride away from central London.
Hyde Park hosts a bumper crop of easter events, with the weekend-long Easter ‘Skate’ – great for burning off all those chocolates! The easter events range from beginner classes for those first wobbly rides around the park, to the ‘Long Good Friday Night’ Skate for experienced roller-skaters, which circles 18 miles past some of London’s top sites. For a really happy easter, join hundreds of other revelers who don fancy dress for the Easter Bunny Stroll.
The dress code is simple: EVERYONE is an Easter Rabbit, and the thousands of bunnies skating for 5 miles through the park is one of London’s most bizarre sights, but all abilities are welcome – so why not test your balancing skills?
A Great Good Friday
The East End wasn’t always Shoreditch-rave hip – head to The Widow’s Son pub in Bromley-by-Bow for a taste of Good Friday tradition. Hot Cross Buns are a traditional snack eaten on Good Friday, a tea cake sweetened with currents and delicious with butter and jam – stop for a pint at this pub for a bit of hot-cross bun history!
Back in the 19th century, a Widow that lived at the site of the pub put a hot-cross bun in her window to welcome her sailor son home. Her son never returned but every day she put another bun in the window, hoping for his return. The present day pub opened in 1848, but they have kept this tradition alive, with a tasty window display. St Bartholomew the Great Church in Smithfield has a much older history of handing out the buns to the first 21 widows after the Good Friday service – but only children get treated today!
Excuse the slightly seedy name, but one of our London hostels is throwing an Easter bash that will banish any thoughts of innocent lambs and fluffy bunnies. The Generator hostel in London hosts its infamous easter ‘warm up’ on the 9th April – the Rampant Rabbit party sponsored by Midori.
The fun starts early at 8pm, with competitions and free drinks – everyone dressed in green gets a free Midori cocktail, and there are prizes for the best moves on the dancefloor (including an i-pod…). There’s Karaoke and cheap drinks prices throughout the night, so release your inner Easter (playboy)bunny and you’re in for a great Easter night out.
For a little more innocent Easter fun, Clink Hostel are hosting ‘Love’, an Alice in Wonderland and Queen of Hearts themed rave. The ‘Cookie Crew’ and DJ Lovelockdown will be bringing a mix of Electro House, Club Hits, Commercial Hip-hop to the decks.
Chocoholic Heaven
It may have nothing to do with ‘traditional’ Easter celebrations, but we think Easter chocolate should be a staple of any Easter weekend. If you didn’t stock up on Easter Eggs and the shops have run out of Cadburys (sometimes this crisis does occur), then why not take a chocolate tour of London and scoff yourself silly?
The Chocolate Ecstasy Tour will take you on a walking and tasting tour of the finest chocolate shops in the city, where you can watch master chocolatiers hone their craft and stock up on free samples. A ‘Golden Ticket’ for the Mayfair Tour costs £35 per person (complete with goodie bag) and is a must for wannabe Willy Wonkas everywhere…
If that sounds too pricey, Journey’s London Eye Hostel are offering their guests a chocolatey treat. Book a room with them and you’ll get a free chocolate egg, with more Easter treats hidden around the hostel building.
An Ordinary Sunday?
But if you’ve can’t stomach any more Eggs and Easter Bunnies, the whole city isn’t Easter mad. Shops are still open on Easter Sunday for a quick browse, and for a springlike stroll, simply head to Columbia Road Flower Market in Hackney for stalls of fragrant blooms!
LS- Got an Easter event in London to share? Let us know!
When March arrives in North America, there’s only one thing on the youth population’s mind… Spring Break!
Universities in Canada and USA hand their students a week-long recess (although the exact dates vary from school to school and year to year) that inevitably turns into one great big MTV-sponsored party and a college rite of passage.
But where to head if you want don’t fancy hanging with the rabble in Florida and the underage kids across the border in Mexico?
And, more importantly, where can you enjoy Spring Break on a budget to avoid ringing your folks and desperately pleading for funds to see you through the trip?!
Here’s a few top spots away from the crowds and the prices of the big tour destinations…
Vegas, Baby!
With a recession in full swing, legendary ‘city of excess’ Las Vegas is suffering from tourist nonchalance. Book a Las Vegas hostel on The Strip and party all day and all night to the sound of the slots. If you stick to the huge value-for-money casino buffets and avoid the high-roller tables, a few creditable gambling skills could even see you making a few bucks on holiday.
Many of the city’s famous attractions are also free and budget-friendly – marvel at The Bellagio Fountains (immortalised in Clooney/Pitt flick Ocean’s 11), check out the art in The Venetian, white tigers at The Mirage, lions at The MGM, circus acts at Circus Circus… and a full-scale pirate ship battle outside Treasure Island.
Chillin’ inCosta Rica
Clubs, diving, white sand – it’s easy to see the attraction of Central America, and just why so many hordes of college students end up in Mexico every Spring Break!
But Costa Rica has all the benefits of this part of the continent – cheap beer and restaurants, beaches on the Caribbean Sea – without the crowds. It’s also known for outstanding natural beauty and a range of hostels geared towards eco-travel – all of which offers a more alternative Spring Break experience.
Stay Classy in San Diego
If you’re looking for a relaxing day at the beach and a busy club scene after sunset, San Diego is an excellent budget choice for Spring Break.
Away from the pricey East Coast and Florida, San Diego hostels provide a cheap place to crash, whilst award-winning brew pubs and the trendy bars of the Gaslamp District offer a varied and vibrant nightlife.
AW – Any great ideas for an alternative Spring Break during the credit crunch? Let us know where you’re headed!
Here’s the thing: St. Patrick’s Day has become a bit of an excuse for a piss-up.
“Say something controversial”, do we hear you say? Well it’s worth offering a reminder that St. Paddy’s Day isn’t just about wearing a silly hat and making jokes about potatoes while drinking Guinness that’s been dyed green specially.
In fact, it’s the feast day of St. Patrick, one of Ireland’s patron saints and the man credited with driving snakes out of the country (which either refers to the slithery reptilian species or Pagans, depending on how susceptible you are to myth or metaphor respectively).
While it was ole St. Pat who introduced the symbol of the Shamrock (representing the Holy Trinity) to Ireland, the history of St. Patrick’s Day has proven to be a little less pious than the saint it celebrates.
Lenten rules of moderation are officially alleviated for the day, meaning it is widely seen as a one-shot opportunity to merrily binge before seeing through a dry period until Easter Sunday.
Whether you’re at one of the top 10 St. Patrick’s Day destinations or just celebrating quietly close to home, it’s a fair bet that your St. Paddy’s Day celebrations will be defined by alcohol. So here’s 5 tips tips for both those who like a pint (or ten) and those who prefer to end the day still standing…
5 Things to Do if You’re Drinking on St. Patrick’s Day
1. Visit your local Irish Pub, eat Irish Stew and drink Guinness. What did God do on the 7th Day? He went down the Irish Pub, stupid. There’s nothing as wonderful as an Irish pub – its air thick with camaraderie, folk music and the smell of Guinness. Get yourself to an Irish Pub by noon on the 17th, start on the Irish coffee, move onto the Guinness, try a few Murphy’s, refresh yourself with another Irish coffee and end with half a bottle of Jameson’s. Quite simply, anything could happen.
2. Attend your local St. Patrick’s Day parade and dance a jig … St. Patrick’s Day parades take place across the world, and since you’re drinking/drunk, you can dance an Irish jig as the street performers parade past. For those who can’t get to a parade, you can always watch it online and dance away in the comfort of your bedroom…
3. Be stupid. Think of all those wonderful clichés about St. Patrick’s Day and then live them out! Wear green (and pinch anyone not doing so), paint Shamrocks on your face, grow a ginger leprechaun beard, shout ‘top of the morning to ya’ at anyone, and wear a T-Shirt that says ‘Kiss me I’m Irish’. (Ed: We take no responsibility for injuries incurred following such actions. If you want to find out what’s Irish and what’s not, take a look here).
4. Sing ‘Fairytale of New York’ over and over again. It doesn’t matter that it’s about a secular Christmas; Shane McGowan is an Irish hero… and a complete drunk. That’s excuse enough.
5. Drink dyed-green Guinness until your pee runs gangrenous. ‘Nuff said.
5 Things to Do if You’re Not Drinking on St. Patrick’s Day
1. Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin. Since you’re not drinking, you have money for a trip! And where better to enjoy Ireland Day than in the capital, Dublin? Book a stay in one of the affordable hostels in Dublin, wake up early on Parade Day and claim a roadside spot. Then sit back and enjoy the fun.
2. Cook yourself ‘Traditional Irish Food’. After all, it is a feast day, and St. Patrick’s Day recipes are plentiful. So make yourself loaves of soda bread, a plateful of corned beef and cabbage, and a big pot of traditional Irish stew(Ed: Guinness is a vital ingredient in this one, but the alcohol burns off when cooking, right?). Don’t at any cost cave in to the temptation of adding green coloring – it’s just not Irish.
3. Look for a Fairy Ring and get your kid brother to sit in it dressed as a small green bearded elfin. Record the event in dingy light and sell it to a tabloid.
4. Promote the ‘Make St. Paddy’s Day a National Holiday’ cause. There’s a growing online campaign to make Ireland Day into a national holiday. Join the St. Patrick’s Day petition here, or lobby for the cause on the Facebook group here.
5. Congratulate yourself on a sober St. Paddy’s Day. You’ve done well, my child.
Do you have a better idea for things to do on St. Patrick’s Day, whether on the wagon or off? Send it in! We’ll give half a potato to the winner, recession permitting. JC
Get ready to don a big green hat, paint Shamrocks on your cheeks, gorge yourself on Irish Stew and drink more than your body weight in Guinness…that’s right, St. Patrick’s Day is coming round again!
St. Paddy’s Day celebrations take place across the world, with fun, fermented fervor, and a fair slice of frolicking always high on the bill. This is, quite simply, one of the major events in the calendar for any party-happy backpackers.
Hold you pints aloft, then, and let us make a toast… to the top 10 St. Patrick’s Day parties and parades…
1. Dublin, Ireland Six days of music and performance culminate on the 17th of March with the legendary St. Patrick’s Day Parade through the streets of the Irish capital. Expect crowds, merriment and enough Guinness to drown a small colony of leprechauns. Where to Drink: Temple Bar is the headlining drinking spot here. For a slightly more studenty vibe, O’Donoghues on Merrion Square is a worthwhile call. Otherwise, head north of the river and enjoy St. Patrick’s Day jokes with inebriated old men in one of the many ‘locals’. Where to Stay: For central fun with hoards of backpackers, Kinlay House comes recommended. For something a little cozier, try Litton Lane.
For the lowdown on all the best Paddy’s Day parties, check out this great Dublin blog http://www.dublinblog.ie/tag/st-patricks-day/
Slightly less hectic than Dublin’s parade, Cork’s St. Paddy’s Day is nonetheless an impressive spectacle which feature puppets, street artists and dancers aplenty. Head to Merchant Quay for the early afternoon and enjoy the swing of this cultural city. Where to Drink: Try The Corner House or Sin E, both on Coburg Street Where to Stay: Kinlay House Cork is again a good bet, as is Shelia’s of Cork. http://www.corkstpatricksfestival.ie/ has the full events program and helpful info.
3. London, England St. Patrick’s Day is always jumped upon with heady abandon here in London, a city where any event (and especially one that centers around booze) is happily used as an excuse for a great big party. The Parade is on the 15th this year, but the drinking is guaranteed to go on all weekend. Where to Drink: Filthy McNasty’s in Clerkenwell, The Boogaloo in Highgate. Both are (albiet tenuously) connected to Shane McGowen.
Where to Stay:The Clink hostel will put you slap in the middle of town. For something smaller, try O’Callaghan’s, which is bound to be a source of drunken travelers. http://www.irishinbritain.com/iib_cms/ is the place to look for all things Irish-related in London (and beyond).
Given its rich Irish heritage, it’s no wonder that New York goes slightly loopy during the St. Patrick’s Day party. Get to 5th Avenue early (as in, before 9am) and see the parade begin it’s historic journey. Then get drunk. Where to Drink: Not on the streets. You’ll get arrested. Take a look here for the best Irish Pubs in the city. Where to Stay: The LOFTSTEL hostels, especially the LOFTSTEL NYC: reasonably priced, impressively furnished.
5. Boston, USA One of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the world is held in Boston every year, with around a million people hitting the streets. The Boston St. Paddy’s Day celebrations are also known to be the USA’s eldest, dating back as far as 1731. Where to Drink: To be honest, any of the pubs listed here will do nicely. Where to Stay: HI Boston Downtown
Stuff kicks off on March 15th this year, with the theme ‘peace and prosperity’. Where to Drink: The Dark Horse Pub between Pine Street and Lombard Street, or Fado on Locust Street. Where to Stay: Apple Hostel is well situated and affordable, or the LOFTSTEL guys also have a place in town.
All the gossip you’ll need to know from the city’s Irish community can be found at http://www.irishphiladelphia.com/
7. Toronto, Canada On 15th March, the Toronto parade begins at noon on St. George Street, finishing a few hours later on Queen Street. Where to Drink: The large Irish Pub scene predictably kicks into gear come St. Paddy’s Day. Try Fionn MacCool in Downtown, or Dora Keogh (Danforth Avenue). Where to Stay:Canadiana Backpackers Inn proves a hit with most. http://www.topatrick.com/ is dedicated purely to the ins and outs of the day.
The parade starts from the corner of George Street and Bathurst Street at noon. Where to Drink: There are tons of good spots to choose from. Where to Stay:Wake Up Hostel is a backpacker’s favorite; cheap and highly rated.
Check out http://www.stpatricksday.org.au/ for full details.
This year marks the 15th anniversary of Paddy’s Day celebrations in the city. Expect week-long festivities leading up to the big day itself on the 17th. Where to Drink: Enjoy a Guinness (or 10) in any one of these. Where to Stay: City Lodge is one of the top rated hostels in Auckland. http://www.stpatrick.co.nz/ has good info on both 2009 and past festivals.
10. Birmingham, England A week of music performances and film screenings culminate with the parade, whose floats and participants will wind their way through Birmingham on the 15th. Where to Drink: As this is England you’ll find plenty of small-time pubs throwing themselves into hardy St. Patrick’s Day; knees-ups are around most corners you turn! Waxy O’Connor’s on Broad Street is probably the signature joint in town, though. Where to Stay: There are plenty of party-happy hostels in Birmingham. Take your pick, really. Just don’t expect a good night’s sleep!
You can find details of all the events, venues and parties at http://stpatricksbirmingham.blogspot.com/
Today, the Mardi Gras Carnival is considered a period of letting go – of your diet, your troubles, and occasionally your clothing – before the tortuous abstinence of Lent kicks in.
Yet there’s a convincing argument to suggest this apparently most Christian of occasions finds its roots in the feared dealings of Paganism.
Keen not to upset the applecart too substantially on their conversion to Christianity, the Romans – so the story goes – decided to leave a few tactical remnants of Paganism lying around. One such remnant was the celebration of ‘Lupercalia’; a circus-like event during the month of February that was characterized by typically Roman decadence and Pagan abandonment.
But whatever its origins, Mardi Gras is now celebrated the world over, from Carnaval in Brazil to the German Fasching.
2009 sees “Fat Tuesday” fall on 24th February, although festivities commence days – if not weeks – beforehand. And if you’ve yet to book a Mardi Gras holiday, never fear, there’s still time…
Three Top Mardi Gras Destinations
Brazil
The Brazil Carnival period is, quite frankly, spectacular, with the Rio Carnival often known as ‘one of the best shows on Earth’.
The New Orleans Mardi Gras Carnival is the big one here, with community ‘krewes’ parading through the streets and tossing beads to those who are deemed worthy. Mobile also boasts an impressive (and slightly less touristy) celebration.
There are two big carnivals in Italy: the Viareggio Carnival and the Venice Carnival. Traditionally, the first is known for its satirical floats, and the second for its Mardi Gras Masks.
Aside from ‘The Big Three’, there are actually many other Mardi Gras carnivals held around the world, including 1) Nice Carnival in France
2) Carnaval de Dunkerque in Belgium
3) Spain Carnival (particularly the festivities in Tenerife and Cadiz)
4) The Germany Carnivals of Dusseldorf and Cologne, known as Fasching
5) Carnival of Trinidad & Tobago in the Caribbean For more on these, take a look at our top 10 carnival destinations.
Mardi Gras Carnival Tips – How to make the most of the festivities!
Accommodation. Firstly, book early! Right across the world from Brazil hostels to hostels in Italy, good, cheap places to stay get booked up quickly. Secondly, choose carefully! The choice of where to stay can prove crucial: if you want easy access to the parades and performances, book somewhere close to the action; if sleep is necessary to you, pick somewhere further out!
Getting Around. Avoid taking a car if possible. In New Orleans, parking is difficult and towing is a favorite hobby of the police. Taxis in Rio, meanwhile, charge visitors extortionate premiums during the carnival. The best bet wherever you are is to forget four wheels and walk; that way you experience the streets in all their teeming glory.
Finding a Spot. The first rule here is to turn up early. As with New Year’s Eve, Mardi Gras attracts a staggering amount of people onto the streets whether you’re in Viareggio or Trinidad & Tobago. So, if you want to see the parade, pack a lunch, take something to sit on, and claim your spot early on. Also, pee before leaving – finding a toilet once there is no fun at all…
Buying Tickets. Generally speaking, tickets are not needed unless you want to don a Mardi Gras Mask and go to a gala ball, in which case you have to be invited to get in anyway. The big exception, however, is in Rio, where seats at the Sambadrome are sold to the general public in advance of the carnival. These Mardi Gras tickets start at US$50, though they often go for about five times that amount on the black market once the box-office has sold out.
Making the Most of Mardi Gras. To make the most of Mardi Gras (wherever it may be) the key is definitely dressing up! 1) This means you really get into the swing of things, and 2) it means you don’t stand out as a foreigner quite so much. To get your ideas flowing, photos of Mardi Gras costumes and carnival masks can be found here and you can buy costumes online from www.mardigrascostumes.com.
Mardi Gras for Singles. If you’re traveling alone and are in town for carnival, the best bet is to hit the bar at your hostel and make a few friends. Online forums are also a good way of arranging to meet with others in a similar situation.
Staying Safe. As ever, when in a big crowd, staying sensible is key. Don’t wear valuable things, don’t carry wads of money, and don’t get too drunk. Since Mardi Gras is both a religious and somewhat sexually charged occasion, learning how to say ‘shame on you’ in the local lingo is a good way of repelling unwanted attention. There’s nothing like a bit of religious rhetoric to dampen the libido.
Mardi Gras Recipes and Traditions
Can’t get to Rio or Venice? Then celebrate Mardi Gras where you are! Try cooking a traditional Mardi Gras recipe such as pancakes, King Cake, or gumbo and then drink as many Mardi Gras cocktails as you can.
Then once the merriment is flowing, try some of these Mardi Gras traditions… - Throw eggs and flour at each other.
- Throw water balloons at each other.
- Sing satirical songs.
- Flash your breasts in exchange for beads! (Check out http://www.beadwhore.com/mardi_gras.htm to find out more about this tradition in New Orleans. Don’t worry, the website is safe for work…)
- Bury a sardine in the ground. No joke; this is the custom of the Carnaval de Dunkerque, with the sardine representing the fat of Fat Tuesday. Its burial signifies the beginning of Ash Wednesday and therefore Lent.
Ed. – Have you been to Mardi Gras before? Tell us your best Mardi Gras memories, and send us your favorite photos! NB: Titillating ones will be appreciated but not necessarily reproduced…
And from wintry carnivals to famous carnivals… February also spells the approach of Mardi Gras and the biggest date on the global carnival calendar!
A joyous expression of life (and a handy excuse to get in some heavy partying before the abstinence of Lent), the color and vigor of Mardi Gras graces some of the top travel destinations across the world.
Which, all in all, makes it a pretty handy event to plan your next trip around….
Here’s a quick rundown of the top 10 Mardi Gras Carnival destinations…
1. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Probably the best carnival in the world, the Rio Carnaval began as far back as the 17th Century. Then a predominantly bourgeois activity, it revolved around balls and masquerades; today it’s a free-for-all partyfest featuring songs, satirical shows,and more samba than you can shake both your shoes at. Things to do at the Rio Carnival:
1) Get into the swing of things by dressing up and really making an effort.
2) Find a ticket to a Carnival Ball.
3) Go to the Samba School Parade in the Sambadrome (slightly pricey, but worth it – you won’t see this spectacle anywhere else in the world).
4) Find yourself a bed in one of the Rio de Janeiro hostels and carry on the revelry with fellow travelers even after the street parties die down!
2. New Orleans, USA
With 500,000 spectators, and nearly as many participants, the New Orleans Mardi Gras festival is quite rightly renowned the world over. Krewes from communities across the city parade through the streets during the two weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday, dancing, singing and tossing ‘throws’ (typically beads on a string) to the jubilant crowds. Things to do at the New Orleans Mardi Gras festival:
1) Eat King Cake and hopefully find that elusive bean.
2) Catch the Mardi Gras parade itself on Shrove Tuesday.
3) Flash your baps for beads. (Ed. – Apologies to females and feminists everywhere, but it’s true that nudity is an integral part of the fun…).
4) Head back to your New Orleans hostels for a few quiet hours before the wonderful music of New Orleans kicks in once again.
3. Venice and Viareggio, Italy
Visually, the Carnival of Venice is one of the most recognizable events in the world today. Locals and visitors don the signature leather or papier-mache masks and equally ornate gowns, and then head to a masquerades or gala ball.
For the average backpacker, however, the Viareggio Carnival is probably a safer bet in terms of money. And it’s no less impressive, with huge floats decorated to satirize popular figures paraded through the streets. In fact, the Viareggio Carnival has become so popular a small city has sprung up to the north of Viareggio, just for the float and mask makers! Things to do at the Venice and Viareggio Carnivals:
1) Don a mask.
2) Watch the parade.
3) Beg, borrow or steal your way to a Gala Ball ticket.
4) Book hostels in Venice to escape the city’s famously extortionate prices – and save enough to wheedle your way into one of those balls.
4. Trinidad & Tobago, Caribbean
A hedonistic month-long carnival season in Trinidad & Tobago culminates with three days of jubilant parading prior to Ash Wednesday in Port of Spain. Soca and calypso sounds run riot over the city during the Trinidad carnival, as does the local rum, which is strong to say the least…
5. Binche, Belgium
During the 3 ‘fatty’ days leading up to Ask Wednesday, the Carnival of Binche sees the town’s inhabitants grace the streets in heavy disguise while parade after parade passes by. Characters to watch out for include the ‘Gilles’, who throw blood oranges to lucky bystanders, and the ‘Blancs-Moussis’, who thwack less fortunate spectators around the head with a pig’s bladder!
6. Nice, France
On the face of things, the Nice Mardi Gras Carnival is a pleasant affair, with flower-covered floats gracing the streets by day, and light displays illuminating buildings by night. History tells another story, however; the Nice Carnival was once so rampantly indulgent that even the scorn of the almighty Church failed to quell its drive.
7. Dusseldorf and Cologne, Germany
Carnival season (or ‘Fasching’) in Germany actually begins on 11th November. Low key ceremonies rumble on henceforth for months, until they explode into action during the week before Ash Wednesday. A particular (and idiosyncratic) highlight is Women’s Carnival Night, where women are supposedly permitted to cut off men’s ties and kiss whoever they want…
8. Cadiz and Tenerife, Spain
Given its Catholic heritage and love for a fiesta, carnival in Spain is unsurprisingly a pretty awesome event. Ostensibly, the main draw of the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the themed costumes and music-led parades. Scratch at the surface, however, and you realize it’s all just a big excuse to meet your friends and drink on the streets!
The party spirit is just as strong in the Cadiz Carnival. Everyone dresses up in a costume that relates to the year’s main events, and revelers then take their cue from the groups of choirs who parade through Cadiz’s streets singing highly witty satirical songs.
9. Cowes, England
Shrovetide (the period before Lent) in England is generally a sober (and pretty dull compared to the rest of the world) affair, during which people are supposed to confess their sins and not commit any more. That’s not to say carnivals in England are non-existent, it’s just that, like the famous Notting Hill Carnival and the infinitely charming Cowes Carnival, they come later in the year – when English weather is more favorable.
10. A Central American Extravaganza…
If none of the above take your fancy, how about heading to Mexico, where effigies representing ill-humor are burnt on top of great pyres? Then, once your ill-humor has dissipated, make the short hop down to Ecuador and throw water balloons at all and sundry!
And there you have it – outrageous parties in every corner of the world. Whoever said that February was a dull month…? JC
The recent snowfall here in the UK might seem like a godsend to winter-lovers, but it’s nothing compared to the likes they see over in Quebec!
The Canadian province is currently holding the annual Winter Carnival, which is the largest in the world… Lasting 17 days in total – and running from 30th January - it’s a great way to embrace the freezing weather!
Dating back to the inhabitants of New France, the event has a rich history of winter celebration and is held at a series of locations throughout Old Quebec. Pop on your scarf and mittens and head out to cheer Bonhomme, a giant snowman (think Frosty minus the carrot) who acts as ambassador of the carnival festivities.
Top highlights include the Bonhomme Night Parade, which kicks off two weeks of concerts, competitions, snow baths, snow sculptures, ice skating and dog sledding through the cobblestone streets.
Featuring acrobats and fireworks against a fairytale-like winter backdrop, the opening ceremony is always particularly spectacular. Grab a poutine (a traditional Canadian mountain of French fries, topped with cheese curds and smothered in brown gravy) take away and enjoy the show. Even if you weren’t a fan of winter before, a day (or even a week) at Quebec’s Winter Carnival will certainly change your mind!
But if you’re still not enamored with the Canadian cold, take a stroll through the charming city streets for amazing views from the cliff tops over the St. Lawrence River. Quebec is certainly picturesque; the city walls and historic district were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985.
When the snow gets a bit too much, seek refuge (and a chance to warm up) browsing the souvenirs and novelty gifts (how about a Bonhomme t-shirt?) in the Carnival Boutique or head for a relaxed brunch of more traditional Canadian grub – this time pancakes and bacon.
Think this is snow in England? You ain’t seen nothing yet… TZ
Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is here to stay.
In today’s world, the occasion provokes as much cynicism as gushing emotion, but the 14th of February is actually a day of weighty historical substance that includes Christian martyrs, a lady named Ester Howland and the Al Capone-driven Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre.
There are two Christian martyrs who apparently ‘gave birth’ to Valentine’s Day: Valentine of Rome (martyred February 14th, AD 269) and Valentine of Terni (martyred February 14th, AD 197), although it’s a matter of debate as to precisely whom (if indeed either) supplied the day with its romantic connotations.
Romantic connections probably came later courtesy of legend, which has it that Valentine (an amalgamation of the two) was a Priest imprisoned for illegally officiating wedding services. On the day of his execution, he wrote a final love letter to his sweetheart (possibly the jailors daughter), signing it ‘Your Valentine’.
Nowadays, though, such thoughts are generally forgotten in the Hallmark fluff of chocolate hearts and giant musical cards. But how to survive worshipping the Vday (or, equally, painfully extracting its existence from your mind) in these times of economic gloom? Here’s our credit-crunch guide to get you through the day…
One for the Lovers
The Couples…
Increasingly, Valentine’s Day has become a national (if not international) holiday, with a long Valentine weekend comprising of romantic getaways in an idyllic city. Let’s say you want to enjoy snow in Reykjavik, or Shakespeare in Verona (or, for that matter, hit any of the 10 classic romantic destinations) but arent’s quite up for selling one of your kidneys to pay for it.
With your bank balance in mind, such romantic weekends can still be on the cards – as long as you plan accordingly. First off, book a double room in a hostel (much cheaper than hotels, and with flashpacking and the like taking hold, often cozier too) and then try one or more of the following…
- Make your own romantic dinner. Jamie Oliver (yes, we know he’s headbuttingly annoying) has a good line in five pound meals.
- Deck your room out with candles and flowers. If you’re feeling really budget-minded, you could always pick the flowers yourselves.
- Rent a movie and watch it in the TV room instead of heading out (or on your laptop, if you’re that way inclined). (Ed. – Note to men: there are times when you have to bite your lip and sit through ‘You’ve Got Mail.’ This is one of them. Sorry.)
- Get raunchy between the sheets. It’s not for us to say too much on this one, but remember: you’ll probably never see the hostel workers again.
- Use protection. Children are much more expensive than a weekend away.For more cheap but passionate ideas, take a look at these sites: 10 ways to have an unforgettable evening Myvalentinesblog.com Valentinesdayworldwide.blogspot.com
And the Singles…
As long as you’re up for the fun, there are few better days to be backpacking as a singleton than Valentine’s Day. Just think: all those likeminded travelers miles away from home, looking for love just because it’s the 14th of February… And as you’ve never met them before, you can even save a few quid on Valentine’s gifts!
Here’s a few tips on how to pull in a hostel on the ’special day’:
- Try to look good. We know traveling takes its toll, but a mere ten minutes spent with some water and a sponge will make all the difference. Trust us on this one. - Pick a hostel with a large kitchen, and cook a meal for everyone (you could even use heart-shaped pasta if you’re so-inclined). You know the old saying; there’s no better way to someone’s heart than through their stomach. - Use the chat-up line “how do you say ‘I love you’ in your language”. Priceless. (And be sure to keep us posted on the results of this one – Ed.) - Don’t get dribblingly drunk. It’s just not romantic. - Be prepared for the difficult ‘canoodling moment’. You’ve met someone you like, but you’re both staying in dorms. What do you do? We’ll leave this one up to you…
The Couples… Want a reason to avoid celebrating with your current squeeze? Here’s three ready-made excuses that don’t dare mention anything as blindingly obvious as the credit-crunch: 1. Due to your sensitive nature (read: artsy, intriguing and principled) you simply can’t endorse a celebration that condones the destruction of our planet. 2. Due to the same sensitive nature, you find it hard to celebrate on a day that has seen so much blood-shed and turmoil. Then talk about how, in 1929, the Valentine’s Day myth took on an altogether sinister air, with Al Capone orchestrating the assassination of seven rival gang members in prohibition-era Chicago. 3. Quite simply, you have better plans.
The Singles…
For all you anti-Valentine singles (you certainly won’t be alone in that sense, at least), there are a few pretty juicy options available. So disown Valentine’s Day without missing out on the fun… - Go to an Anti-Valentine’s party. You don’t have to be nice to people, you don’t have to look good, and you can get blabberingly drunk. Awesome. Strictly no canoodling, though… - Celebrate St. Skeletor’s day. Held on the 15th of Feb, this is the absolute antithesis of the day before, with the main aims including ‘the destruction of all lurrve’ and ‘the destruction of people with boyfriend or girlfriends.’ - If you want to pursue the idea of destroying those with boyfriends or girlfriends, travel to India. Conservative social factions have been known to take to the streets on the 14th and attack anyone seen to be openly enjoying the physicality of their loved one. - Stay at your hostel, watch a movie that isn’t You’ve Got Mail, and read all the Valentine’s Day disaster stories you can find.
Enjoy! JC
Surviving Valentine’s Day can be a bit of a fine art, for lovers and haters alike. Do you have any dating disasters from the big day? Or perhaps a heart-warming story to convert the cynics? Either way, let us know!
Who cares if you’re not a kid anymore – 
Hyde Park hosts a bumper crop of easter events, with the weekend-long Easter ‘Skate’ – great for burning off all those chocolates! The easter events range from beginner classes for those first wobbly rides around the park, to the ‘Long Good Friday Night’ Skate for experienced roller-skaters, which circles 18 miles past some of London’s top sites. For a really happy easter, join hundreds of other revelers who don fancy dress for the Easter Bunny Stroll. 
The East End wasn’t always Shoreditch-rave hip – head to The Widow’s Son pub in Bromley-by-Bow for a taste of Good Friday tradition. Hot Cross Buns are a traditional snack eaten on Good Friday, a tea cake sweetened with currents and delicious with butter and jam – stop for a pint at this pub for a bit of hot-cross bun history! 
Excuse the slightly seedy name, but one of our 
But if you’ve can’t stomach any more Eggs and Easter Bunnies, the whole city isn’t Easter mad. Shops are still open on Easter Sunday for a quick browse, and for a springlike stroll, simply head to Columbia Road Flower Market in Hackney for stalls of fragrant blooms!
Six days of music and performance culminate on the 17th of March with the legendary St. Patrick’s Day Parade through the streets of the Irish capital. Expect crowds, merriment and enough Guinness to drown a small colony of leprechauns.
St. Patrick’s Day is always jumped upon with heady abandon here in London, a city where any event (and especially one that centers around booze) is happily used as an excuse for a great big party. The Parade is on the 15th this year, but the drinking is guaranteed to go on all weekend.
One of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the world is held in Boston every year, with around a million people hitting the streets. The Boston St. Paddy’s Day celebrations are also known to be the USA’s eldest, dating back as far as 1731.
On 15th March, the Toronto parade begins at noon on St. George Street, finishing a few hours later on Queen Street.
A week of music performances and film screenings culminate with the parade, whose floats and participants will wind their way through Birmingham on the 15th.
Keen not to upset the applecart too substantially on their conversion to Christianity, the Romans – so the story goes – decided to leave a few tactical remnants of Paganism lying around. One such remnant was the celebration of ‘Lupercalia’; a circus-like event during the month of February that was characterized by typically Roman decadence and Pagan abandonment.
The New Orleans Mardi Gras Carnival is the big one here, with community ‘krewes’ parading through the streets and tossing beads to those who are deemed worthy. Mobile also boasts an impressive (and slightly less touristy) celebration.
1) Nice Carnival in France
Carnival season (or ‘Fasching’) in Germany actually begins on 11th November. Low key ceremonies rumble on henceforth for months, until they explode into action during the week before Ash Wednesday. A particular (and idiosyncratic) highlight is Women’s Carnival Night, where women are supposedly permitted to cut off men’s ties and kiss whoever they want…
