Lonely Planet

Lonely Planethttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/about/contributors/lonely-planetLonely Planethttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/eastern-asia/china/january-chun-jie-spring-festival-chinese-new-year-chinaFilled with fireworks and colorful decorations, this festival is the high point of the Chinese year. Find out where, when and how to experience it in China.2011-12-06T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/eastern-asia/china/january-chun-jie-spring-festival-chinese-new-year-chinahttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#location"> Location </a></li> <li><a href="#dates"> Dates </a></li> <li><a href="#description"> Description </a></li> <li><a href="#participation"> Level of Participation </a></li> <li><a href="#essentials"> Essentials </a></li> <li><a href="#attractions"> Other Local Attractions </a></li> <li><a href="#safety"> Travel Safety Advice </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="location">Location</h2> <p>Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.</p> <h2 id="dates">Dates</h2> <p>Lunar New Year (between 19 January and 20 February)</p> <h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>Chinese New Year is celebrated around much of the world – where there’s a Chinatown there’s invariably a Chinese New Year party – but there’s something special (if logistically frustrating) about being in one of China’s major cities for the festivities. The high point of the Chinese year, you can expect colourful decorations but not a whole lot of public merrymaking; for the most part, this is a family festival.</p> <p>Throughout the country, the weeks in the build-up to the festival are an explosion of colour, with chūnlián (spring couplets) pasted on door posts, door gods brightening up alleys and streets, and shops glistening with red and gold decorations. Work colleagues and relatives present each other with red envelopes (hóngbāo) of money and the streets ring with cries of ‘gōngxǐ fācái’ (‘congratulations, make money’).</p> <p>In Beijing, the White Cloud Temple, the Lama Temple and other temples stage entertaining miàohuì (temple fairs). Celebrations are also held in parks such as Ditan Park. At night the city echoes to the sound of continuous fireworks.</p> <p>In Shanghai there’s an explosion of fireworks at midnight to welcome in the New Year and ward off bad spirits, and special services are held at Longhua Temple and Jing’an Temple. Top restaurants are booked out well in advance for niányèfàn (New Year’s Eve dinner). Another explosion of firecrackers on the fifth day of the New Year heralds the arrival of the God of Wealth.</p> <p>In Hong Kong there’s a parade on the first day of the New Year, a fantastic fireworks display over Victoria Harbour on the second evening, and one of the year’s largest horse races is held at Sha Tin on day three.</p> <p>In mainland China the New Year holiday extends for seven days, and legions of Chinese use it to head to the provinces to visit relatives – this can be a very difficult time to try to travel around China. In Hong Kong it’s a three-day holiday.</p> <h2 id="participation">Level of Participation</h2> <p>3 – there’s a host of activities relating to Chinese New Year, and your level of involvement is up to you.</p> <h2 id="essentials">Essentials</h2> <p>This is China’s biggest holiday and all transport and hotels are booked solid. Demand for accommodation skyrockets and prices rise steeply. Many businesses shut up shop for a week.</p> <h2 id="attractions">Other Local Attractions</h2> <p>Beijing’s major sights are clustered around the huge concrete block of Tiananmen Sq, while sections of the Great Wall of China are within day-trip range of the city. Cosmopolitan Shanghai has fast become an eastern Milan, and shoppers will feel right at home on 5km-long Nanjing Rd. Take in the best Hong Kong vista from atop 552m Victoria Peak, with views across Kowloon, the business district and Victoria Harbour.</p> <h2 id="safety">Travel Safety Advice</h2> <p>Chinese New Year is a very safe and very family oriented event. The only real advice we can give here is dont get too overzealous with firecrackers. Different laws relating to fireworks apply in different countries, ranging from outright prohibition down to "whatever you can afford to buy". But remember, if you are going to get cracking, you are putting your life at serious risk. Fireworks are exceptionally dangerous, and if you aren't an expert, then you are literally gambling with your limbs. Leave it to the experts, your fingers will thank you.</p> <p>More Info: <a href="http://en.cnta.gov.cn/" target="_blank">China National Tourism Administration</a>, <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/au/index.jsp" target="_blank">Hong Kong Tourism Board</a></p>iStock/Tahoo_gok 0470477977 iStock Young Chinese parade in traditional costume during the celebration of Chinese New Year

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/caribbean/cuba/december-procession-of-st-lazarus-cubaWill you be in Cuba on December 16? Head to El Rincón on the outskirts of Havana to watch 50,000 people walk towards the shrine of Lazarus.2011-11-20T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/caribbean/cuba/december-procession-of-st-lazarus-cubahttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#location"> Location </a></li> <li><a href="#dates"> Dates </a></li> <li><a href="#description"> Description </a></li> <li><a href="#participation"> Level of Participation </a></li> <li><a href="#safety"> Travel Safety Tips </a></li> <li><a href="#essentials"> Essentials </a></li> <li><a href="#attractions"> Other Local Attractions </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="location">Location</h2> <p>Santuario de San Lázaro, El Rincón, Cuba</p> <h2 id="dates">Dates</h2> <p>16 December</p> <h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>For a pilgrimage worth bloodying your knees to see, head for El Rincón on the outskirts of Havana to watch (or join) up to 50,000 faithful descend en masse on the venerated shrine of Lazarus, a saint known for his ministrations to lepers and the poor.</p> <p>Once banned under Castro’s Cuba, the pilgrimage was given government approval again in 1961, and the more difficult the approach to the shrine, the greater the supposed rewards. People crawl on bloodied knees to get here, or walk barefoot for kilometres through the night. Some drag themselves prostrate along the roads, both on their stomachs and backs…all in the name of exorcising evil spirits and paying off debts for miracles granted. Along the winding route, offerings of candles, flowers and coins are made to the impoverished figure of San Lázaro, who is depicted on crutches, with his sores being licked by dogs.</p> <h2 id="participation">Level of Participation</h2> <p>5 – walk, crawl or prostrate yourself if you really must.</p> <h2 id="safety">Travel Safety Tips</h2> <p>Recent accounts indicate that violent crime in Cuba, although still relatively rare, is on the rise. It’s most often related to lesser, petty crimes like theft, when a victim resists or fights back and the incident ends in an assault or worse.</p> <p>Many criminals carry weapons such as knives or machetes, and frequently work in teams. This means that if you are targeted, you are probably outnumbered and you may be harmed. Don’t be a hero – if you’re confronted in a robbery don’t resist, hand over whatever the thug is looking for and get away as quickly as possible to someplace safe.</p> <p>Incidents of sexual assault also occur from time to time against women, particularly at night and in areas that aren’t frequented by a lot of tourists. Much of the catcalling and whistling that goes on can be considered relatively harmless; however female travelers should be aware of their surroundings and try to avoid walking around alone.</p> <p>Some career criminals commonly referred to as “<em>jineteros</em>”, spend the majority of their time on the streets trying to swindle tourists. They typically speak very good English and appear to be friendly and welcoming.</p> <p>They may offer to help tourists by playing tour guide, or offering to get them deals on merchandise like cigars. What they end up doing is robbing you, so be cautious of anyone who seems overly friendly and eager.</p> <h2 id="essentials">Essentials</h2> <p>You’ll need to stay in Havana and catch a train out to El Rincón – on 16 December trains run all night from Train Station 19 de Noviembre.</p> <h2 id="attractions">Other Local Attractions</h2> <p>On a nearby hilltop at El Cacahual is the open-air mausoleum of General Antonio Maceo, the hero of Cuban independence.</p> <p class="FlushLeft"><strong>More Info</strong>: <a href="http://www.cubatravel.cu" target="_blank">Cuban Tourism Promotion website</a></p>iStock/Sisoje 0503133518 iStock Havana, Cuba - November 6, 2015. Tourist road train driving along Malecon in Old Havana, Cuba. Diver looking ahead. Tourists looking at the scenery. Old City architecture of Malecon in the background. People on the street. One of the best ways to get around sightseeing the city of Havana is to board one of these trains that stop on major intersections and hotels around the downtown.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-asia/nepal/september-dasain-nepalNepal’s biggest annual festival takes place during the Himalayan kingdom’s post-monsoon period, when the sky is clearest, the air is cleanest and the rice is ready for harvesting.2011-08-16T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-asia/nepal/september-dasain-nepalhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#location"> Location </a></li> <li><a href="#dates"> Dates </a></li> <li><a href="#description"> Description </a></li> <li><a href="#participation"> Level of Participation </a></li> <li><a href="#safety"> Travel Safety Tips </a></li> <li><a href="#attractions"> Other Local Attractions </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="location">Location</h2> <p><span>Kathmandu, Nepal</span></p> <h2 id="dates">Dates</h2> <p><span>Fifteen days ending on the full moon in late September/early October.</span></p> <h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>Against this breezy background, followers of the goddess Durga carry out the year’s largest-scale animal sacrifices, to satiate the bloodthirsty Hindu deity. Also known as Durga Puja, the festival celebrates Durga’s victory over the forces of evil, personified by the buffalo demon Mahisasura.</p> <p>The fortnight begins calmly enough. Residents plant barley seeds in carefully furrowed soil; getting the seeds to sprout a few centimetres during Dashain ensures a good harvest.</p> <p>On Fulpati (‘Sacred Flowers’), the first really important day, a jar of flowers is carried from Gorkha to the Tundikhel parade ground in Kathmandu, where it is presented to the king. The flowers, which symbolise Taleju, the goddess of the royal family, are transported on a palanquin to Hanuman Dhoka (the old Royal Palace) and inspected again by the monarch and his entourage.</p> <p>The next day, Maha Astami (‘Great Eighth Day’), ends with Kala Ratri (‘Black Night’), when the sacrifices and offerings to Durga begin. The hundreds of goats contentedly grazing in Kathmandu’s Tundikhel parkland are living on borrowed time. At midnight, in a temple courtyard near <strong>Durbar Sq</strong>, eight buffaloes and 108 goats are beheaded, each with a single stroke of the sword or knife.</p> <p>More sacrifices take place the following day (Navami)<span><span><strong> </strong></span></span>at Kot Sq, also the scene of a massacre of noblemen in 1846. Visitors can witness the bloodshed, but you’ll need to arrive early to secure a place. Blood is sprinkled on car wheels to ensure a safe year on the road. At the airport, each Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation aircraft has a goat sacrificed to it. At dinner, almost everybody in the country will find that goat is on the menu.</p> <p>Thankfully, the bloodletting is now over and the 10th day, Vijaya Dashami, is a family occasion. Cards and greetings are exchanged and parents place a <span><em>tika </em></span>on their children’s foreheads. In the evening, processions and masked dances take place throughout the Kathmandu Valley to herald the end of Dasain. For the Kharga Jatra (sword procession), priests dress up as Hindu gods and carry wooden swords, symbolising the weapon Durga slew Mahisasura with. Like India’s Dussehra festival, the day also celebrates Lord Rama’s victory over the 10-headed demon-king Ravana. The barley sprouts that were planted on the first day are picked and worn as small bouquets in the hair.</p> <p>Kartika Purnima, the full-moon day marking the end of the festival, is celebrated with gambling in many households. Even the children get involved, putting down a few rupees on games of chance.</p> <h2 id="participation">Level of Participation</h2> <p><span>2 – steel yourself for mass sacrifices and a procession of swords.</span></p> <h2 id="attractions">Other Local Attractions</h2> <p><span>Bodhnath in Kathmandu is Nepal’s most revered Buddhist monument, a white stupa crowned with a golden spire and the eyes of Buddha.</span></p> <h2 id="safety">Travel Safety Tips</h2> <p>The Dashain festival is generally considered pretty safe for humans - if you are a goat however...</p> <p>All jokes aside, if you are squeamish or have a problem with animal cruelty it's best to give the eighth day (Maha Astami) of celebrations a miss. It's out in the open, it's bloody, and there is a lot of it.</p> <p>Also, at this festival there is a great mass of human traffic that you will need to deal with. It's an important festival for the Nepalese people - probably the most important festival of the year - so expect there to be large crowds and lots of chaos.</p> <p><span><span><strong>More Info:</strong></span></span><span> <a href="http://www.welcomenepal.com" target="_blank">Nepal Tourism Board</a></span></p>iStock/Jules2013 0494608562 iStock Kathmandu, Nepal - October 21, 2015: Nepalese holy woman and man with their blessings for the festival of Dashain on the back streets of Kathmandu, Nepal

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/south-america/bolivia/february-oruro-carnival-boliviaFind out where, when and how to join in on the Oruro Carnival celebrations, held for 10 days around Ash Wednesday each year in Bolivia.2011-01-29T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/south-america/bolivia/february-oruro-carnival-boliviahttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#location"> Location </a></li> <li><a href="#dates"> Dates </a></li> <li><a href="#description"> Description </a></li> <li><a href="#participation"> Level of Participation </a></li> <li><a href="#safety"> Travel Safety Tips </a></li> <li><a href="#attractions"> Other Local Attractions </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="location">Location</h2> <p>Oruro, Bolivia.</p> <h2 id="dates">Dates</h2> <p>10 days around Ash Wednesday.</p> <h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>Listed by Unesco as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, Bolivia’s largest annual celebration is a massive event said to draw in around 400,000 people. Its centrepiece is La Daiblada, the ‘Dance of the Devils’, an extraordinary parade that showcases demonic dancers in extravagant costumes.</p> <p>The 4km-long entrada (entrance procession) takes place on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday and features 20,000 dancers and 10,000 musicians – so many people that the parade lasts up to 20 hours. It’s led by a brightly costumed San Miguel character. Behind him, dancing and marching, come the famous devils and a host of bears and condors. The chief devil, Lucifer, wears the most extravagant costume, complete with a velvet cape and an ornate mask. Faithfully at his side are two other devils, including Supay, an Andean god of evil who inhabits the hills and mineshafts. The procession is followed by other dance groups, vehicles adorned with jewels, coins and silverware, and miners who offer the year’s highest-quality mineral to El Tío, the demonic character who is owner of all underground minerals and precious metals. Behind them follow Inca characters and a group of conquistadores, including Francisco Pizarro and Diego de Almagro.</p> <p>When the archangel and the devils arrive at the city’s soccer stadium, they engage in a series of dances that tell the story of the ultimate battle between good and evil. After it becomes apparent that good has triumphed over evil (hurrah!) the dancers retire to the Santuario de la Virgen del Socavón at dawn on the Sunday, and a mass is held in honour of the Virgin, who pronounces that good has prevailed.</p> <p>Though it is today a Christian celebration, La Diablada’s origins are pre-Colombian. When Uru rituals were banned by the Spanish it morphed into something acceptable to Christendom, with Andean gods blurring into Christian images.</p> <p>Events continue through the week and include cha’lla libations in which alcohol is sprinkled over worldly goods (and four nearby rock formations) to invoke a blessing. The carnival ends on the Monday after Ash Wednesday with the Dia del Agua – the Day of Water – a huge water-bomb fight in which you as a visitor are likely to be a major target.</p> <h2 id="participation">Level of Participation</h2> <p>3 – you won’t be a devil but you might be singled out for the water bombs.</p> <h2 id="safety">Travel Safety Tips</h2> <p>Keep your valuables at home - if you are a foreigner, expect to get wet at this festival. You're a prime target for water bombs, and any expensive cameras and watches will not be spared mercy by the angry devils!</p> <p>Also, altitude acclimatisation can be a big problem for many travellers to Bolivia, so if you are going to get energetic at this festival, you should arrive in Oruro a few days early to allow your body to acclimatise. With 400,000 people in town it’ll pay to book a room well ahead. Carnival is a boon for petty thieves so keep everything under tight surveillance.</p> <h2 id="attractions">Other Local Attractions</h2> <p>Derided by some tourists, the unfashionable mining city has a few decent attractions: the Museo Sacro, Folklórico, Arqueológico y Minero delves into Oruro’s mining roots (as well as displaying some La Diablada costumes). On Av La Paz, between León and Villarroel, you’ll find small workshops offering devil masks, headdresses, costumes and other devilish things.</p> <p><b>More Info:</b> Oruro tourist information can be found <a href="http://www.boliviatravelweb.com/oruro.php" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p><b></b></p>iStock/Andrey_Gontarev 0525610899 iStock Unidentified people participate in Oruro costume carnival

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southeast-asia/malaysia/february-thaipusam-malaysiaWatch Malaysia's most spectacular Hindu festival, Thaipusam, in Kuala Lumpur's Batu Caves.2011-01-29T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southeast-asia/malaysia/february-thaipusam-malaysiahttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#location"> Location </a></li> <li><a href="#dates"> Dates </a></li> <li><a href="#description"> Description </a></li> <li><a href="#participation"> Level of Participation </a></li> <li><a href="#essentials"> Essentials </a></li> <li><a href="#attractions"> Other Local Attractions </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="location">Location</h2> <p>Batu Caves, outside of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia</p> <h2 id="dates">Dates</h2> <p>Full moon day in the 10th Tamil month of Thai (mid-January to mid-February)</p> <h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>Thaipusam marks the day when Lord Shiva’s son, Murugan, was given a lance to vanquish three demons. The greatest sight is the <em>kavadi</em> carriers, the devotees who subject themselves to seemingly masochistic acts as fulfilment for answered prayers. Many of the faithful carry offerings of milk in <em>paal kudam</em> (milk pots) often connected to their skin by hooks. Even more striking are the <em>vel kavadi</em> – great cages of spikes that pierce the skin of the carrier and are decorated with peacock feathers, pictures of deities, and flowers. Some penitents go as far as piercing their tongues and cheeks with hooks, skewers and tridents. While it looks excruciating, a trance-like state stops participants from feeling pain; later the wounds are treated with lemon juice and holy ash to prevent scarring.</p> <h2 id="participation">Level of Participation</h2> <p>1 – watch the pain from the sidelines.</p> <h2 id="essentials">Essentials</h2> <p>Only the truly faithful should attempt the ritual – insufficiently prepared devotees keep doctors especially busy over the festival period with skin lacerations.</p> <h2 id="attractions">Other Local Attractions</h2> <p>At the Batu Caves you’ll find monkeys scaling the towering limestone outcrop, and you can climb the 272 steps into Temple Cave, the vast main cavern, where there’s an enormous golden statue of Murugan.</p> <p><strong>More Info</strong>: <a href="http://www.tourism.gov.my" target="_blank">Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board</a></p>iStock/lim_jessica 0482519983 iStock Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - January 17, 2014: Pierced devotees with Vel Kavadi, preparing to perform Kavadi Attam on the street at Kuala Lumpur. Other locals are helping devotees along the way while enjoying the Indian festival.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/caribbean/the-bahamas/january-junkanoo-bahamasHeld on 26th December and 1st January each year. Bahamas’ national festival is a mass of energy, color and partying. Here's what to expect.2010-12-17T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/caribbean/the-bahamas/january-junkanoo-bahamashttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#location"> Location </a></li> <li><a href="#dates"> Dates </a></li> <li><a href="#description"> Description </a></li> <li><a href="#participation"> Level of Participation </a></li> <li><a href="#essentials"> Essentials </a></li> <li><a href="#attractions"> Other Local Attractions </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="location">Location</h2> <p>The parade circuits around Bay and Shirley Sts in Nassau, Bahamas.</p> <h2 id="dates">Dates</h2> <p>1 January and 26 December.</p> <h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>More funk than junk, Bahamas’ national festival is a mass of energy, colour and partying that roars through two nights of the year. Celebrated throughout the country, Junkanoo is at its wildest best in the capital city, Nassau, where the first ‘rush’ (as the parade is known) takes place on Boxing Day and the second on New Year’s Day. The latter parade attracts the largest crowds, with up to 50,000 people lining the streets.</p> <p>The parades begin at 2am and usually finish up around 8am. Standing amid the crowds on Bay or Shirley Sts, you’ll feel the music before you see its source…a frenzied barrage of whistles and horns overrides the jangle of cowbells, the rumble of drums and the blast of conch shells. Then the costumed revellers stream into view, whirling and gyrating like a kaleidoscope in rhythm with the cacophony.</p> <p>The most elaborate performers are the human parade floats, with costumes made from aluminium rods, cardboard, wire, crepe paper and contact cement that can weigh more than 90kg. The costumes depict exotic scenes and are adorned with myriad glittering beads, foils and rhinestones. Many marchers spend all year planning their costumes, keeping their designs a carefully guarded secret.</p> <p>Junkanoo is fiercely competitive and many marchers belong to ‘shacks’, groups that vie to produce the best performance, costume, dancing and music. Amid the many shacks, four major groups – the Valley Boys, Saxons Superstars, Roots and One Family – compete for the grand prize.</p> <p>The festival’s origins probably date back to the early 18th century in Ghana, and it evolved on the plantations of the British Caribbean among slaves who were forbidden to observe their sacred rites. The all-male casts hid their identities, following West African mask-wearing traditions. At first, Junkanoo was suppressed by the colonial governments, which feared it might get out of hand and lead to slave uprisings. On Jamaica and other islands, Junkanoo was suppressed to extinction, but in the Bahamas it became an integral part of the culture.</p> <p>There are several possible origins of the name Junkanoo, though most contend that the festival is named for John Canoe. He was either a tribal leader who demanded that his enslaved people be allowed to enjoy a festivity, or a Ghanaian chief actually involved in the slave trade.</p> <h2 id="participation">Level of Participation</h2> <p>3 – for the greatest involvement, skip the grandstands and join the throngs clambering for viewing positions along the streets.</p> <h2 id="essentials">Essentials</h2> <p>Grandstands line the parade route and tickets for seats go on sale a few weeks beforehand.</p> <h2 id="attractions">Other Local Attractions</h2> <p>Continue the Junkanoo experience by visiting the Junkanoo Expo on Prince George Wharf. Bask in the sun on Cable Beach, or on the famously white sands of Cabbage Beach on Paradise Island, home to the world’s most expensive hotel room (around US$25,000 a night) in the Atlantis Resort.</p> <p><strong>More Info:</strong> <a href="https://www.bahamas.com/junkanoo" target="_blank">The Junkanoo website</a> has festival and ticketing information.</p> 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/south-america/brazil/december-reveillon-new-years-eve-brazilWhat's the best way to ring in the New Year? To join the party on Rio’s mighty Copacabana beach! Find out where, when and how to celebrate with the locals.2010-11-25T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/south-america/brazil/december-reveillon-new-years-eve-brazilhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#location"> Location </a></li> <li><a href="#dates"> Dates </a></li> <li><a href="#description"> Description </a></li> <li><a href="#participation"> Level of participation </a></li> <li><a href="#essentials"> Essentials </a></li> <li><a href="#safety"> Safety </a></li> <li><a href="#attractions"> Other local attractions </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="location">Location</h2> <p>Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.</p> <h2 id="dates">Dates</h2> <p>31 December.</p> <h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>Rio’s biggest holiday after its spectacular and rowdy Carnaval sees around two million people pack the sands to welcome in the New Year – you won’t be laying out a towel and throwing a Frisbee on Copacabana beach this night. From about 8pm, top bands perform on stages strung out along the 4km-long beach, pumping out a variety of Brazilian and international music. At midnight, a spectacular fireworks display lights up the night sky for up to 20 minutes. The hardiest of revellers keep things going all night long, then watch the sun rise the next morning.</p> <p>Within this huge party there’s the subplot of the Festa de Iemanjá. This <a href="/explore/south-america/brazil/candomble-festival-guide">Candomblé</a> (a religion originating in Africa) festival celebrates the feast day of Iemanjá, the goddess of the sea. Participants dress in white and place their petitions on small boats, sending them out to sea. If they’re carried away on the current it’s a sign that the goddess is pleased. If the petitions return, the prayers will not be answered. Along with the petitions, celebrants send candles, perfumes and talcum powder to appease the blue-cloaked<em> orixá</em> (spirits or deities).</p> <p>So big has the New Year’s Eve party on Copacabana grown, however, that many Candomblé devotees have begun to seek more tranquil spots, such as Barra da Tijuca or Recreio dos Bandeirantes, to make their offerings. The essence of the Festa de Iemanjá remains, however, with New Year’s revellers on Copacabana customarily wearing white, and many throwing flowers and other simple offerings into the sea hoping for a little of Iemanjá’s largesse.</p> <p>A couple of other ways to view the Reveillon party are from a boat off the beach, or from one of the parties that are held in the hotels lining the beach. These are top-dollar affairs but, if you’re uncomfortable in crowds, it does at least mean you won’t have to share the moment with two million other people.</p> <h2 id="participation">Level of participation</h2> <p>5 – party with the beautiful people.</p> <h2 id="essentials">Essentials</h2> <p>Go easy on the valuables – Reveillon is a boon for petty thieves. After Carnaval, New Year’s Eve is the second-biggest season for Rio hotels, so expect silly prices, especially in the hotel strip along Copacabana beach. Hotels may also demand minimum stays of up to four nights.</p> <h2 id="safety">Safety</h2> <p>Aside from the thieves, the Reveillon is a generally peaceful event. Large police reinforcements patrol the party, and Candomblé devouts pray close by – all creating a safe environment of festivity.<br /><br />However, crowd safety should be observed. Party with a group of friends if possible, and if you become lost, organize a meet up point. Try to avoid the throng of human traffic at the end of the event – before the last show, either leave a little earlier or stay a little later – this will minimize any safety problems associated with large crowds.<br /><br />Traffic will be blocked around the beach – you will encounter a fair bit of congestion – but hey, it’s New Years Eve!</p> <h2 id="attractions">Other local attractions</h2> <p>See Rio’s full beauty from atop Sugarloaf Mountain, or from Corcovado and its famed Christo Redentor statue. You can see the city’s underbelly on a favela tour.</p> <p><strong>More Info</strong>: <a href="https://www.riodejaneiro.com/" target="_blank">Rio De Janeiro Tourism</a> website.</p>iStock/Rune_Landale 0506199364 iStock New Year's fireworks on Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/north-america/mexico/november-dia-de-los-muertos-day-of-the-dead-mexicoFind out where, when and how to experience Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, Mexico, with these tips from Lonely Planet.2010-10-28T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/north-america/mexico/november-dia-de-los-muertos-day-of-the-dead-mexicohttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#location"> Location </a></li> <li><a href="#dates"> Dates </a></li> <li><a href="#description"> Description </a></li> <li><a href="#participation"> Level of Participation </a></li> <li><a href="#essentials"> Essentials </a></li> <li><a href="#attractions"> Other Local Attractions </a></li> <li><a href="#safety"> Travel Safety Tips </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="location">Location</h2> <p><span>Oaxaca, Mexico</span></p> <h2 id="dates">Dates</h2> <p><span>1st and 2nd of November</span></p> <h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>Its papier-mâché skeletons and candy skulls are as recognisable as the jack-o’-lanterns at Halloween. Westerners find the Latino rave from beyond the grave, with its upbeat treatment of immortality, both fascinating and confronting.</p> <p>In anticipation of the gloriously grisly event, stores and markets fill with miniature coffins, skulls and skeletons made of chocolate, marzipan, paper, cardboard or clay. Many of them are engaged in highly un-skeletonlike activities such as riding bicycles, playing music or getting married.</p> <p>In a belief system inherited from the Aztecs, Mexicans believe their dead are lurking in <span><em>Mictlan</em></span>, a kind of spiritual waiting room, and they can return to their homes at this time of year. Families thus begin preparations to help the spirits find their way home and to make them welcome, starting with an arch made of bright yellow marigolds – a symbolic doorway from the underworld. An altar is erected and piled high with offerings to the invisible visitors: flowers, ribbons, coloured candles, tamales (steam-cooked corn-meal dough), fruit and corn. Two important additions are a container of water, because the spirits arrive thirsty after their journey, and <span><em>pan de muertos</em></span> (bread of the dead). The loaf is made with egg yolks, fruits and tequila or mezcal, and is adorned with, or shaped as, a symbol of death.</p> <p>The first day, Día de Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels), is dedicated to dead children, and the toys they once loved are placed on the altar.</p> <p>The rituals are particularly important if the household has suffered a bereavement in the previous year. Women will spend all day cooking the favourite food of the dead relative for the customary feast, in which friends and family gather to toast the ghostly visitors.</p> <p>The event climaxes with a visit to the cemetery. There might be a funfair en route, with neon-lit rides and stands selling crucifix waffles and cooked cactus snacks. Families will devote a day to cleaning the graves, decorating them with candles and <span><em>flores del muerto</em></span> (flowers of the dead), having picnics and dancing to mariachi bands. By now, the streets are full of papier-mâché skeletons, which are life-size but could never pass for the real thing in their dresses, jewellery, flowery boas and hats. A cigarette dangles jauntily from a white hand, a hoop earring hangs against a bare jawbone.</p> <p>Again, such apparitions can be traced back to Aztec lore. The death god, Mictlantecutli, is often depicted with a skull-like face in pre-Hispanic artefacts. The skeletal street urchins became a major fixture in the late 19th century, when the great engraver José Guadalupe Posada used the occasion to satirise society and explore the theme of death as the ultimate leveller. In his famous <span><em>calaveras</em></span>, skeletal figures cheerfully engage in everyday life, working, dancing, courting, drinking and riding horses into battle. One of his most enduring characters is La Calavera Catrina, a female skeleton in an elaborate low-cut dress and flamboyant flower-covered hat, suggestively revealing a bony leg and an ample bust that is all ribs and no cleavage.</p> <p>The event is, like many aspects of post-colonial Mexico, a melange of influences. Its origins stretch back to the Aztec month of Miccailhuitontli, which was dedicated to deathly Mictlantecutli’s equally scary wife, Mictecacihuat. It originally fell around August, but the Christian conquistadors, hoping to assimilate the heathen holiday through their favoured tactic of cultural <span><em>mestizaje</em></span> (mixing), moved it to the day after All Saint’s Day.</p> <h2 id="participation">Level of Participation</h2> <p><span>3 – everyone’s invited to the party, even the dead.</span></p> <h2 id="essentials">Essentials</h2> <p><span>Celebrations take place all over the country, but their heartland is southern Mexico, where indigenous culture is strongest. <strong>Mixquic</strong>, southeast of Mexico City, is known as ‘City of the Dead’ for its procession that calls at shrines to the deceased. A popular location is <strong>Oaxaca</strong>, where there are graveyard tours and a ‘best altar’ competition.</span></p> <p>If you do find yourself in the north, head to <strong>Guanajuato</strong>, where salesmen dole out mummy candies outside the gruesome <em>Museo de las Momias</em> (Museum of Mummies). On <strong>Janitzio Island</strong>, <strong>Lake Pátzcuaro</strong>, the arrival of flower-covered, candle-lit canoes begins a nightlong vigil-come-party.</p> <p>Although you have to work hard to reach small villages and organise accommodation there, it’s worth getting out of the main towns and cities to catch more traditional festivities.</p> <h2 id="attractions">Other Local Attractions</h2> <p><span>Situated in rugged countryside, Oaxaca is a Spanish-built city of narrow streets.</span></p> <h2 id="safety">Travel Safety Tips</h2> <p>In most cases, the celebrations for Dia De Los Muertos are large, jubilant and a lot of fun – but you should take precautions, especially when it comes to pick pockets and scamsters. There are a lot of attractions – dancing skeletons, puppeteers, musicians, market stalls and food vendors, and with such an array of goings-on, there will be the inevitable bunch who look to capitalize on those looking the other way. So keep your money secure, preferably in a body-belt, and keep a cautious eye out for scamsters.</p> <p>It is also typical for food offerings to be placed in shrines revering the souls of lost loved ones and friends, and in many cases when the reverence is complete, the food is consumed. While it may be tempting to grab a free bite, some of the food sits there for days, so its best to stick with food you have purchased and have some level of quality control over. It’s also simple politeness.</p> <p><span><span><strong>More Info:</strong></span></span><span> <a href="http://www.visitmexico.com/" target="_blank">Visit Mexico</a></span></p>iStock/diegograndi 0619064674 iStock Mexico City, Mexico - October 29, 2016: Actors performing dressed as Catrinas (Mexican Skeletons) during 2016 Day of the Dead Parade (Desfile de dia de los muertos) in Mexico City

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/western-africa/mali/december-dewgal-crossing-of-the-cattle-maliAll across central Mali from November, visitors will see Fula herders and their vast herds closing in on the Niger River, readying themselves for one of West Africa’s most picturesque annual rituals.2009-11-15T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/western-africa/mali/december-dewgal-crossing-of-the-cattle-malihttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#location"> Location </a></li> <li><a href="#dates"> Dates </a></li> <li><a href="#description"> Description </a></li> <li><a href="#participation"> Level of Participation </a></li> <li><a href="#essentials"> Essentials </a></li> <li><a href="#attractions"> Other Local Attractions </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="location">Location</h2> <p><span>Diafarabé, Mali</span></p> <h2 id="dates">Dates</h2> <p><span>Late December or early January; dates aren’t set until November.</span></p> <h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>When the river levels are just right, the town of <strong>Diafarabé</strong> is transformed into a hive of activity, as hundreds of thousands of cows are driven southwards and across the Niger River to greener pastures. The crossing is a time of relief for the Fula herders, who have been on the fringes of the Sahara for many months. The crossing reunites the herders with their families and is a time to celebrate with music and dance.</p> <p>Fula women adorn themselves with all their ritual gold and amber finery, working tirelessly on tizzing their hair. The men paint and decorate their favourite animal to see who will win the prize for the finest and fattest beast.</p> <h2 id="participation">Level of Participation</h2> <p><span>1 – watch a cattle drive like no other.</span></p> <h2 id="essentials">Essentials</h2> <p><span>The exact timing of the crossing depends on water levels, so check around in <strong>Djenné</strong> or at the Mopti tourist office to try to ascertain dates.</span></p> <h2 id="attractions">Other Local Attractions</h2> <p><span>Nearby Djenné is one of the premier tourist attractions in West Africa, with a great market set to a backdrop of the town’s mosque, which is the largest mud-built structure in the world.</span></p> 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/south-america/argentina/november-da-de-la-tradicin-argentinaFind out where, when and how to take part and enjoy the best of Tradition Day, celebrated in mid-November in San Antonio de Areco, Argentina.2009-10-19T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/south-america/argentina/november-da-de-la-tradicin-argentinahttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#location"> Location </a></li> <li><a href="#dates"> Dates </a></li> <li><a href="#description"> Description </a></li> <li><a href="#participation"> Level of Participation </a></li> <li><a href="#essentials"> Essentials </a></li> <li><a href="#attractions"> Other Local Attractions </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="location">Location</h2> <p>San Antonio de Areco, Argentina.</p> <h2 id="dates">Dates</h2> <p>The weekend of November 10th.</p> <h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p><strong></strong>Día de la Tradición (Tradition Day) celebrates all that Argentineans are fiercely proud of: gaucho history and culture, <i>asado</i> and equestrian showmanship. This festival is held in honor of Jose Hernandez, an Argentinean poet who wrote famously about the daily life of the gauchos. While the holiday is celebrated around the country, San Antonio de Areco is considered the quintessential gaucho town, making it the star of the show and the place to be to celebrate the day of Argentinean tradition.  </p> <p>Kicking off the festival weekend is a stream of hundreds of men and boys from around the country, clad in their gaucho finest, parading expertly-groomed horses through the town square of San Antonio de Areco. Following the exhibition are the solo riders, each masterfully controlling a group of wild horses, while elaborate chariots filled with full-skirted girls, and a classic marching band trail round out the procession. After the parade, the rest of weekend is filled with horse races, shows, games, and folkloric dances - in a true spectacle of the <i>pampas</i> lifestyle and Argentinean pride.</p> <p>However, not to be overshadowed by the pomp and circumstance of the parade and exhibition is the other main element of the festival – the food. The <i>asado</i>, or huge feast of mouth-watering barbequed beef, grilled chorizo and other traditional Argentine treats, caters to both the national customs and international palettes. In the evenings, along with the famous <i>asado</i>, the Parque Criollo serves up lively music, dancing and red wine – only reaching full force well past the midnight hour. At this indulgent fiesta, a healthy appetite for gaucho culture as well as Argentinean cuisine will go a long way.</p> <h2 id="participation">Level of Participation</h2> <p>3 – show up for the carnival scene ready to eat, dance, and join in the gaucho culture.</p> <h2 id="essentials">Essentials</h2> <p>Book early as accommodation in San Antonio de Areco is a bit scarce; however, the local tourism office can set you up a homestay with a local Argentinean family if you’re looking for a more authentic experience.</p> <h2 id="attractions">Other Local Attractions</h2> <p>The charm of San Antonio de Areco is its calm contrast to the bustle of nearby Buenos Aires. Wander the cobblestone streets, sip mate and dip into the silversmiths and leather craft workshops to see the gaucho arts in progress.</p> <p><strong>More Info:</strong> Visit <a href="http://www.welcomeargentina.com/" target="_blank">Welcome Argentina</a> for more event details. </p> <p><span><a href="http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/Primary/Product/General_Travel/Reference/PRD_PRD_2634/A+Year+of+Festivals.jsp"><span></span></a></span></p> <div></div> <div></div> <div></div>iStock/cristianl 0157672863 iStock Gauchos stock photo

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/north-africa/egypt/october-moulid-of-sayyed-ahmed-al-badawi-egyptFind out how to navigate the chaos of two million pilgrims at Tanta, in Egypt's Nile Delta, at the end of the cotton harvest in late October.2009-09-17T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/north-africa/egypt/october-moulid-of-sayyed-ahmed-al-badawi-egypthttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#location"> Location </a></li> <li><a href="#dates"> Dates </a></li> <li><a href="#description"> Description </a></li> <li><a href="#participation"> Level of Participation </a></li> <li><a href="#essentials"> Essentials </a></li> <li><a href="#attractions"> Other Local Attractions </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="location">Location</h2> <p>Tanta, Egypt</p> <h2 id="dates">Dates</h2> <p>At the end of the cotton harvest in late October.</p> <h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>One of Egypt’s most important <em>moulids</em> (religious festivals), held at Tanta in the Nile Delta, honours a Moroccan Sufi who fought the Crusaders in the 13th century. Some two million pilgrims arrive from across the Arab world to pay their respects at the main mosque, which holds al-Badawi’s tomb.</p> <p>In the resulting chaos, snake charmers induce cobras out of baskets, barbers perform mass circumcisions and hawkers flog <em>Tartours</em> (cone-shaped hats) and <em>fanous</em> (lanterns). Children are presented at the shrine to be blessed and the sick to be cured. It’s like a funfare with religious intensity thrown in.</p> <p>While munching some of the popular sugar-coated nuts called ‘<em>hubb el Azziz</em>’ (‘seeds of the Beloved Prophet’), you might pass a hypnotic Sufi <em>zikr</em> ceremony taking place in a colourful tent. Hoping to achieve oneness with god by chanting and clapping their way into a trance, participants stand in swaying lines with their rhythmic hand-claps gradually increasing in intensity. As the ceremony climaxes, they suddenly come to, sweating and blinking.</p> <h2 id="participation">Level of Participation</h2> <p>2 – wander among snake charmers and entranced Sufis.</p> <h2 id="essentials">Essentials</h2> <p>Women should be escorted by men and valuables kept in a safe place. If you don’t fancy bedding down in the Sufi tent city, do a day-trip from Cairo, 90km south.</p> <h2 id="attractions">Other Local Attractions</h2> <p>Egypt’s largest camel market is held at Birqash, 35km northwest of Cairo.</p> <p><strong>More Info</strong>: <a href="http://www.egypt.travel/" target="_blank">Visit Egypt.Travel for more information.</a></p>iStock/Mekhamer 0589955622 iStock Khan al-Khalili Bazaar

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/germany/october-entenrennen-duck-race-germanyMake the most of Germany's annual rubber duck race with these tips from Lonely Planet.2019-07-03T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/germany/october-entenrennen-duck-race-germanyhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#location"> Location </a></li> <li><a href="#dates"> Dates </a></li> <li><a href="#description"> Description </a></li> <li><a href="#participation"> Level of Participation </a></li> <li><a href="#essentials"> Essentials </a></li> <li><a href="#attractions"> Other Local Attractions </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="location">Location</h2> <p>Alleenbrücke, Tübingen, Germany</p> <h2 id="dates">Dates</h2> <p>Early October.</p> <h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>It’s not exactly Running of the Bulls. Indeed, the ducks involved in this bridge-to-bridge race aren’t even alive: they’re the yellow, rubber species whose usual habitat is the bathtub. Nonetheless, Tübingen’s annual contest is spectacular, if inexplicable. In a random, Germanic version of the ‘Poohsticks’ game enjoyed by Piglet et al in <em>Winnie-the-Pooh</em>, a truck dumps some 7000 duckies into the Neckar River from Alleenbrücke.</p> <p>The sunflower-colored shower is accompanied by cheers from crowds lining the river banks. Many of the spectators are clutching a ticket with a number corresponding to one of the speeding water demons. The first synthetic contender past the finishing line at Neckarbrücke wins its patron a €1000 holiday voucher, with plenty of other prizes for runners-up.</p> <p>Although the dazzling idea of the duck race is thought to come from Canada, it’s big business in Germany, where there are corporate duck-racing specialists. The season begins in March, with more than 150 competitions taking place in towns such as Erfurt, Bielefeld <g class="gr_ gr_38 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="38" data-gr-id="38">and</g> Göttingen, as well as smaller villages.</p> <h2 id="participation">Level of Participation</h2> <p>4 – try your luck in the bobbing derby.</p> <h2 id="essentials">Essentials</h2> <p>Get there before the race starts to buy a ticket.</p> <h2 id="attractions">Other Local Attractions</h2> <p>Come down from the duck-related adrenaline with a stroll around late-medieval Tübingen. A hilltop fortress, cobbled alleys <g class="gr_ gr_40 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="40" data-gr-id="40">and</g> half-timbered houses are the <g class="gr_ gr_39 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="39" data-gr-id="39">background</g> for a lively University scene.</p>Getty Images/no_limit_pictures 1972587766 Getty Images An old town and Neckar River in Tübingen

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/south-america/brazil/october-cirio-de-nazare-brazilFind out where, when and how to experience Cirio de Nazare, in Brazil.2019-07-08T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/south-america/brazil/october-cirio-de-nazare-brazilhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#location"> Location </a></li> <li><a href="#dates"> Dates </a></li> <li><a href="#description"> Description </a></li> <li><a href="#participation"> Level of Participation </a></li> <li><a href="#attractions"> Other Local Attractions </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="location">Location</h2> <p>Praça Justo Chermont, Belém, Brazil.</p> <h2 id="dates">Dates</h2> <p>Second weekend in October.</p> <h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>The largest festival on the River Amazon, not to mention Brazil’s biggest hoedown after the Rio Carnival, Círio de Nazaré revolves around a small statue of <em>Nossa Senhora de Nazaré </em>(Our Lady of Nazareth). </p> <p>Supposedly sculpted in Nazareth (Galilee), the image of is believed to have performed miracles in medieval Portugal before getting lost in Brazil. A humble cattleman rediscovered it in 1700 on the site of Belém’s Basílica de NS de Nazaré.</p> <p>Since 1793, pilgrims have come from all over Brazil to honour the Virgin and work up an Amazonian sweat. Having been taken from Belém to Icoaraci, the statue is carried back to the city in a river procession of hundreds of boats. The following morning, millions of people fill the streets, along with the sounds of hymns, bells and fireworks, to accompany the image from Catedral da Sé to the basilica. The statue, placed on a flower-bedecked carriage, is surrounded by thousands of barefoot supplicants. They squirm and grope to get a hand on the rope pulling the vehicle, thought to represent the link between the Saint and her followers.</p> <p>Five hours and 3.5km later, the Virgin reaches the basilica, where she remains until she is carried back to the cathedral two weeks later.</p> <h2 id="participation">Level of Participation</h2> <p>3 – join the human surge to the basilica.</p> <h2 id="attractions">Other Local Attractions</h2> <p>You can wander deserted beaches on the islands of Algodoal and Marajó, both an overnight trip away.</p>iStock/luoman 0613313450 iStock Belem city, in the Amazon

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/north-africa/libya/october-ghadames-date-festival-libyaAt the end of the date harvest in Ghadames, Libyans head to the city’s World Heritage-listed old quarter to eat dates and celebrate.2009-09-16T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/north-africa/libya/october-ghadames-date-festival-libyahttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#location"> Location </a></li> <li><a href="#dates"> Dates </a></li> <li><a href="#description"> Description </a></li> <li><a href="#participation"> Level of Participation </a></li> <li><a href="#attractions"> Other Local Attractions </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="location">Location</h2> <p><span>Old city, Ghadames, Libya</span></p> <h2 id="dates">Dates</h2> <p><span>Three days in October.</span></p> <h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p><span>Residents of the modern town return to their family homes in the old city, officially uninhabited since the mid-1980s, and throw open their doors for singing, dancing and public festivities. The shadowy old city has a network of covered walkways, designed to provide shelter from the Saharan sun.</span></p> <p>Following some events in the modern town on the first day of the festival, the focus shifts to the old city on the second morning. You can see weddings and ceremonies to celebrate the rite of passage of young men to adulthood. Up to 30 of the 1250 houses are used; where some events would once have lasted seven days, seven buildings are used instead. It’s a great chance to see re-enactments of ancient celebrations in their traditional environment.</p> <p>On the third day, the festival moves to the area inhabited by Tuaregs, the Saharan nomads known as ‘blue men’. The final stop is the desert, where there is an evening of dancing at a <strong>Tuareg camp</strong> in the dunes.</p> <h2 id="participation">Level of Participation</h2> <p><span>4 – dates and dancing in the desert.</span></p> <h2 id="attractions">Other Local Attractions</h2> <p><span>About 10km northwest of Ghadames is the lonely desert castle of Ras al-Ghoul (Mountain of Ghosts).</span></p> <p><span><span><strong>More Info:</strong></span></span><span> There is no tourist office in Ghadames, but trustworthy guides are available.</span></p> 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/germany/october-oktoberfest-germanyFind out where, when and how to join in the Oktoberfest festivities in Munich, Germany.2009-09-11T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/germany/october-oktoberfest-germanyhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#location"> Location </a></li> <li><a href="#dates"> Dates </a></li> <li><a href="#description"> Description </a></li> <li><a href="#participation"> Level of Participation </a></li> <li><a href="#essentials"> Essentials </a></li> <li><a href="#attractions"> Other Local Attractions </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="location">Location</h2> <p>Theresienwiese, Munich, Germany</p> <h2 id="dates">Dates</h2> <p>16 days - From late September to early October.</p> <h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>In 1810, a horse race was held to celebrate Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig’s wedding. The jamboree was such a rip-roaring success that it became an annual event and morphed into today’s famously large and ribald party. The horse race was dropped in 1938 because everyone was only interested in one thing: beer. The amber nectar is enthusiastically quaffed by more than six million Lowenbrau-lovers, from local, lederhosen-clad gents to antipodean gangs. Sitting at long trestle tables with thousands of other beer monsters in huge, multifloored tents, the international inebriants work their way through more than 6.5 million golden liters. The festival’s healthy diet also includes some 500,000 chicken, 104 oxen, and more than 50,000 pork knuckle servings.</p> <p>The merriment begins with the Brewer’s Parade, which proceeds through the city center from <strong>Sonnenstrasse</strong> to the festival meadow at <strong><g class="gr_ gr_63 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="63" data-gr-id="63">Thereisienwiessse</g></strong>, <g class="gr_ gr_127 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="127" data-gr-id="127">nicknamed ‘d</g>’Wiesn’ (dee-<g class="gr_ gr_128 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="128" data-gr-id="128">veezen</g>). The lord mayor stands before the thirsty masses and, with due pomp, ceremony, and a <g class="gr_ gr_129 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="129" data-gr-id="129">mallet,</g> opens the virgin barrel by slamming home a wooden tap. He exclaims O’zapft ist!’ (It’s tapped!) and the crowd cheers, though they are probably less impressed by the mayor than the buxom waitresses in laced bodices. Soon the waitresses will be doling out the Bavarian brew, drunk by the 1L Mass (tankard).</p> <p>To make matters simple for those who have just consumed one pretzel and three steins, only one type of beer is available. In the paraphernalia-decorated marquees run by Munich’s major breweries, Lowerbrau et al serve specially brewed ‘Oktoberfest-Bier’. More challengingly, you pay using special tokens sold by the tents and generally must be seated to get served. Negotiating such rules could prove tricky for drinkers on their way to becoming a Bierlichen (beer corpse), but such casualties will probably be busy with <g class="gr_ gr_62 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="62" data-gr-id="62">wildes</g> Bieseln (wild peeing).</p> <p>At the weekends, and after the first ceremony, it can be tricky finding a seat. But there’s plenty of entertainment that doesn’t involve glugging frothy tankards until oom-pah bands sound appealing. Just check out the sheer scale of the world’s largest drinking competition. It employs more than 10,000 people and has <g class="gr_ gr_75 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="75" data-gr-id="75">it’s</g> own police force, lost and found office, childcare center, fire brigade, consumer protection unit, baggage checkroom, post office and a first-aid station. It installs its own sewage system, power stations, U-Bahn terminal and, of course, 1000-plus Portacabins.</p> <p>At night, drunks blink confusedly at the dazzling carnival with its roller coaster and Ferris wheel. Amid the high-tech rides, a few nostalgic favorites have survived. There’s Germany’s last remaining flea circus, a fixture since the 19th-century, and the Schicht’l Tent, where sleight-of-hand beheadings are a specialty. There’s one way to become a beer corpse…</p> <h2 id="participation">Level of Participation</h2> <p>5 - messier than a stag night.</p> <h2 id="essentials">Essentials</h2> <p>Tuesday is Family Day, with reduced prices for sideshows and rides. Book accommodation months in advance.</p> <h2 id="attractions">Other Local Attractions</h2> <p>Alte Pinakothek houses one of the world’s finest collections of Renaissance art. Oktoberfest participants rarely see it.</p> <p><strong>More Info</strong>: <a href="http://www.oktoberfest.de/de/" target="_blank">Oktoberfest website</a></p> <p></p> <p><b>Want to know more about Germany? Check out our </b><a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/europe/germany/the-world-nomads-podcast-episode-8-germany"><span class="s1"><b>podcast</b></span></a><b>. We have an insider's guide to the coolest spots in Berlin and find out how to Eurail around Germany.</b></p>iStock/Nikada 0157505356 iStock Beer at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/northern-europe/ireland/september-galway-oyster-festival-irelandHead to Nimmo's Pier in Galway City, Ireland to taste juicy oysters at the Galway Oyster Festival.2009-08-16T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/northern-europe/ireland/september-galway-oyster-festival-irelandhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#location"> Location </a></li> <li><a href="#dates"> Dates </a></li> <li><a href="#description"> Description </a></li> <li><a href="#participation"> Level of Participation </a></li> <li><a href="#essentials"> Essentials </a></li> <li><a href="#attractions"> Other Local Attractions </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="location">Location</h2> <p><span>Nimmo’s Pier, Galway City, County Galway, Ireland</span></p> <h2 id="dates">Dates</h2> <p><span>Last full weekend in September.</span></p> <h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>The Galway Oyster Festival is dedicated to <span><em>Ostrea edulis,</em></span> the European flat oyster. The local molluscs are left to grow for three years in the clean waters of Brandon Bay and Clarenbridge, blooming into a plump and juicy delicacy. Tens of thousands of the slippery critters are consumed on the Guinness Oyster Trail, on which the 30 pubs give out free trays of the seafood with pints of the dark stuff. Each establishment has a dedicated opener, and there’s more nimble-fingered action on display at the World Oyster Opening Championship.</p> <p>International contestants vie to break the world record, set here in 1977, for prising open 30 of the tight-lipped urchins – one minute 31 seconds. If, at the end of the man-versus-mollusc showdown, they present the judges with a tray resembling a battleground, they lose points.</p> <p>The city fills with <span><em>craic</em></span> such as the opening ceremony, where the Oyster Pearl (festival queen) presents the season’s first oyster to the mayor. Tickets for the more-exclusive Mardi Gras, gala ball and Saturday afternoon at the marquee, including the opening championship, cost up to €170.</p> <h2 id="participation">Level of Participation</h2> <p><span>4 – you’ll never want to see an oyster again.</span></p> <h2 id="essentials">Essentials</h2> <p><span>Deep pockets and a big appetite will come in handy.</span></p> <h2 id="attractions">Other Local Attractions</h2> <p><span>Have a pint in Paddy Burke’s in the nearby village of Clarenbridge, where the festival began in 1954.</span></p> <p><span><span><strong>More Info:</strong></span></span><span> <a href="http://www.galwayoysterfest.com/" target="_blank">www.galwayoysterfest.com</a></span></p>iStock/lucafabbian 0149296991 iStock Boat In Galway Bay, Ireland

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southern-asia/india/september-janmastami-indiaHead to Mathura, the birthplace of Krishna, during the Indian lunar month of Bhadra to see the mass pilgrimage take place.2009-08-16T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southern-asia/india/september-janmastami-indiahttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#location"> Location </a></li> <li><a href="#dates"> Dates </a></li> <li><a href="#description"> Description </a></li> <li><a href="#participation"> Level of Participation </a></li> <li><a href="#attractions"> Other Local Attractions </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="location">Location</h2> <p><span>Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India</span></p> <h2 id="dates">Dates</h2> <p>Indian lunar month of Bhadra (August/September)</p> <h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>Held on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight), when the moon is waning, this mass pilgrimage kicks off an intense season of festivities, even by Hindu standards. It’s a birthday party for Lord Krishna, the blue-skinned incarnation of Vishnu.</p> <p>The anniversary is celebrated throughout India, but nowhere more enthusiastically than in Mathura, Krishna’s birthplace. The pilgrims who come to the northern city, 85mi (140km) south of Delhi, fast all day and cram into temples at night. They chant Sanskrit hymns, ring bells, blow conch shells (a symbol of Vishnu) and read from the Bhagavad Gita, which is narrated by Krishna. Flames flicker during the Aarthi ritual, in which lighted wicks, soaked in camphor or <em>ghee</em> (golden butterfat), are offered to statues of the deity. Cradles and statues of Balgopal, the boy Krishna, decorate the temples. The ceremonies, intended to relive the famous birth, conclude around midnight, by which time the flute-playing god would have been born.</p> <p>In southern India, residents paint a trail of tiny footprints, using flour and water, leading from their front door to the inner meditation chamber. This creates a sense that Krishna has paid a visit.</p> <h2 id="participation">Level of Participation</h2> <p>3 – offer <em>puja</em> (prayer) with the pilgrims.</p> <h2 id="attractions">Other Local Attractions</h2> <p>See the slab of rock in Kesava Deo Temple where, Hindus believe, Krishna was born 3500 years ago.</p>Getty Images/Himanshu Khagta 1151142743 Getty Images A boat near bank of Mathura at Vishram Ghat

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/europe/croatia/july-august-dubrovnik-summer-festival-croatiaWhat are the top things for travelers to see at Dubrovnik's Summer Festival in Croatia? Find out when and where to go with this World Festivals Guide.2009-08-14T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/europe/croatia/july-august-dubrovnik-summer-festival-croatiahttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#location"> Location </a></li> <li><a href="#dates"> Dates </a></li> <li><a href="#description"> Description </a></li> <li><a href="#participation"> Level of Participation </a></li> <li><a href="#essentials"> Essentials </a></li> <li><a href="#attractions"> Other Local Attractions </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="location">Location</h2> <p>Dubrovnik, Croatia</p> <h2 id="dates">Dates</h2> <p>July 10 - August 31</p> <h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>Dubrovnik's Summer Festival is also known as the Dubrovnik Summer Games, the main events include theatre, dance and folklore, showcased in six weeks of culture and performance.</p> <p>Since 1950, the charming and whimsical city of Dubrovnik has set a beautiful backdrop to the numerous world-renowned exhibitions. An element in its own right, the city boasts performances in the streets, arenas and plazas for audiences to enjoy the festival in the evening summer air. This combination of setting and talent is precisely what makes the festival Croatia’s premier cultural event and attracts international attention and eager guests to the city.</p> <p>The festival season hosts a wide range of events from classical ballets and operas to film exhibitions and poetry readings for a lineup that is sure to satisfy every artistic craving. Spectators may be entertained at the theatre by the Festival Drama Ensemble of famous Croatian actors, or be captivated by the <i>Lindo</i> group performing traditional folk dances from Croatian villages.</p> <p>Also not to be missed are the classical music performances held in the Ducal Palace atrium, known for its acoustics and the world-famous composers and orchestras it attracts each season. Ensconced in ancient city walls, curious visitors and elite artists are together swept up in the inspiration and romanticism of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival and its featured exhibitions.</p> <h2 id="participation">Level of Participation</h2> <p>1 – Sit back, relax, and enjoy the shows, concerts, and performances.</p> <h2 id="essentials">Essentials</h2> <p>A love of European culture and an appreciation for the performing arts are all you need to bring.</p> <h2 id="attractions">Other Local Attractions</h2> <p>Take a walk atop the 2km circuit of the medieval city walls to get a bird’s eye view of the red roofs and beautiful vistas of the fortified city. Also, look for battle wounds along the walls, as Dubrovnik was hit in the Yugoslavian war in 1991.</p> <p><strong>More Info: </strong>Visit <a href="http://www.dubrovnik-festival.hr/en/node/34" target="_blank">this website</a>.</p>iStock/mura 0504539281 iStock Cres, Croatia - July 19, 2014: People gather every summer for traditional carnival in Cres, the major city of Cres Island. The performers march through the main street.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/africa/madagascar/august-famadihana-turning-of-the-bones-madagascarThe Merina people's Famadihana exhumation ceremony bears testament to respect for their ancestors. Find out what to expect in Madagascar during Famadihana.2009-07-16T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/africa/madagascar/august-famadihana-turning-of-the-bones-madagascarhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#location"> Location </a></li> <li><a href="#dates"> Dates </a></li> <li><a href="#description"> Description </a></li> <li><a href="#participation"> Level of Participation </a></li> <li><a href="#attractions"> Other Local Attractions </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="location">Location</h2> <p><span><span>Hauts plateaux</span> (highlands), Madagascar</span></p> <h2 id="dates">Dates</h2> <p><span>Throughout winter (June to September)</span></p> <h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>The living family members gather at the clan’s tomb, where stone and mud are prised open and straw-wrapped ancestors passed out above bobbing, dancing heads. The family lovingly re-wraps its dear departed in special <span><em>lambas</em></span> (scarves), ideally made of dark red silk but often woven from cheaper white cotton, and sprays them with perfume. Women who are having trouble conceiving take a fragment of the old shroud and slip it under their mattress.</p> <p>Having labelled the ancestral bundles with felt-tip pens, the family members sit in quiet contemplation with the bodies in their laps. Some might even line up for photos with their forefathers laid out neatly in the foreground. The ancestors are then danced around the tomb and returned to their resting place, along with offerings of money, alcohol and photos of the deceased.</p> <p>Unless there’s a time of crisis, the ritual won’t be repeated for another seven years. This is good news for the family, which has to pay for the huge party that builds up to the exhumation.</p> <h2 id="participation">Level of Participation</h2> <p><span>2 – watch the Merina’s unique ritual – and join the attendant party.</span></p> <h2 id="attractions">Other Local Attractions</h2> <p><span>Baobab-studded Madagascar and its tropical neighbour, Comoros, comprise the world’s only habitat of the dancing Lemur monkey.</span></p> <p><span><span><strong>More Info:</strong></span></span><span> <a href="http://www.madagascar-tourisme.com/en" target="_blank">Office National du Tourisme</a></span></p> 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/eastern-europe/czech-republic/august-international-bagpipe-festival-czech-republicAre you a fiend for festivals around the world? Why not visit Czech Republic and listen to the almighty bagpipes at the International Bagpipe Festival.2009-07-16T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/eastern-europe/czech-republic/august-international-bagpipe-festival-czech-republichttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#location"> Location </a></li> <li><a href="#dates"> Dates </a></li> <li><a href="#description"> Description </a></li> <li><a href="#participation"> Level of Participation </a></li> <li><a href="#essentials"> Essentials </a></li> <li><a href="#attractions"> Other Local Attractions </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="location">Location</h2> <p>Strakonice, Písecko, South Bohemia, Czech Republic</p> <h2 id="dates">Dates</h2> <p>Late August, held every two years.</p> <h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>As well as Turkish fez hats, handguns and CZ Motorcycles, the Czech town of Strakonice is known for its <em>dudy</em> (bagpipes). Oh, General Patton also based himself here when the US army liberated parts of Bohemia in 1945. But more recently, the town has held a four-day festival devoted to the many forms of bagpipe blowing. You can get a sense of this variety at the stop-start opening procession, in which the enthusiastic players regularly pause for a toot, and take hours to cover the 1km to the castle.</p> <p>Many of the musicians play in styles that might make one of Scotland’s famous pipers raise a surprised eyebrow. In 2006, when the biennial event last took place, the performers included a classical Austrian band with a singer and a Turkish ensemble accompanied by 25 high-speed traditional dancers.</p> <p>Most of the action takes place in the 16th-century castle, which has a museum with the inevitable <em>dudy</em> display. Started in 1967 as part of the town’s 600th birthday celebrations, the festival has since been recognised by Unesco. The accompanying entertainment includes bagpipe sellers and obscenely cheap beer.</p> <h2 id="participation">Level of Participation</h2> <p>2 – open your ears to the mighty pipe.</p> <h2 id="essentials">Essentials</h2> <p>Listen to <em>The World’s Greatest Pipers Vol 1</em> to get you in the mood.</p> <h2 id="attractions">Other Local Attractions</h2> <p>Also in South Bohemia, Český Krumlov is like stepping into a fairy tale with its baroque chateau.</p> <p><strong>More Info</strong>: <a href="http://www.dudackyfestival.cz/" target="_blank">Visit the International Bagpipe Festival website</a>.</p> 0