Today, Monday 23rd of January 2012, processions with Chinese drums, grand dragon and lion dances, colourful festive flags and firecrackers will welcome the Year of the Dragon all over the world. The traditional celebrations will last for 15 days, resulting in the lovely Lantern Festival. The Year of the Dragon reoccurs ever 12 years as part of the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. Chinese dragons are a symbol of power, strength, good luck and control over water, rainfall, hurricane, and floods. In 2012, the celebrations will be extra special for people who were born in another Year of the Dragon, such as:

Continue reading... Happy Chinese New Year... even in Cyprus!

It may have been over 1400 years ago, people throughout the Islamic world will be celebrating the birthday of Muhammad ibn Abdullah again soon. In countries such as Pakistan, India and Indonesia, homes and mosques are decorated and people take part in carnivalesque street processions. In other areas, it is a quiet, respectful event where children recite poetry and parents tell children stories about the Prophet's birth, youth and adult life.

Continue reading... The Prophet's birthday

This year the Islanders of Lanzarote are attempting to take their Christmas celebrations to record breaking lengths. The annual Father Christmas Parade, held on the 23rd of December, in Puerto Del Carmen is a tradition long observed and enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. The main attraction, Santa himself, is led down the promenade aboard his magically decorated, horse drawn sleigh, from 18.00-20.00, and throws gifts and sweets to all the children that come to join the parade. But children are not the only ones expected join in: this year, everyone has is asked to don a Santa suit and aid the Islanders in their attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most Father Christmas' holding hands. Shops all along the waterfront are set to sell costumes for reduced rates, so there is no excuse not to join in.

Continue reading... Festive Fun in Lanzarote - Christmas 2011

Can't face another last minute dash to the shops for Christmas presents? Does the thought of turkey and sprouts fill you with dread? Why not escape the usual Christmas routine this year and make the most of flights to Paphos for a Yule season to remember in Cyprus? Not only do you get to celebrate in style, but you'll also have the chance to laze on a sun-drenched beach after Christmas lunch too. (You couldn't do that in Margate...).

Continue reading... Christmas in Cyprus

Where will you be on New Year's Eve? In Parliament Square, squashed up against thousands of other revellers? Sat in front of the telly with a glass of cheap plonk and a leftover Christmas party hat? Or do you fancy dancing in the New Year under the desert skies of Egypt while some of Ibiza's top DJs spin some pumping tunes?

Continue reading... New Year's Eve in Sharm for Clubbers - Pure Pacha

If Christmas has come and gone in a blur of wrapping paper, cold turkey sandwiches and bad Christmas jumpers, revive yourself and your family with a New Year trip to Tenerife and rediscover the magic of the season. On this beautiful island, not only can you find sun-kissed beaches, family resorts and a host of activities, but on 5th January they celebrate one of the most important festivals in Spain - the Procession of the Three Kings.

Continue reading... Procession of the Three Kings

While in the UK we may occasionally hang out a St George flag on April 23rd, that's about as far as our Saint celebrations go in this country. However, in Spain the Saints' days are a chance for Spanish people, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, to celebrate in style with a fiesta, festival or street party. The 8th December is one of the most important of these feast days - the Day of the Immaculate Conception. Jet off for a winter break with flights to Gran Canaria around this time of year and you can become part of one of Spain's most important festivals.

Continue reading... Day of the Immaculate Conception in Spain

Instead of spending another raining weekend talking about how depressingly-soon Christmas is, why not transport yourself to some sun, beach and a fantastic little Spanish festival. On Sunday 13th November, the picturesque little village of Tao, in the centre of Lanzarote, hosts its annual fiesta. And flights to Lanzarote will have you enjoying its mid-20s weather in only four hours.

Continue reading... Fiesta in Tao, Lanzarote

Christmas in the UK can become more of a stress than a celebration, with crowded shops, checkout queues and motorway traffic, celebrating abroad often works out as a peaceful option as well as being a Christmas to remember. Though it may not be a traditional white yuletide, spending Christmas in the sunny Algarve is less commercial and, culturally, more family orientated, not to mention, a comfortable 15-16 degrees Celsius.

Continue reading... Father Christmas in Faro

The Greeks (despite their current financial worries) love a party. They'll take any opportunity to celebrate their identity and to finish it off with a firework display that lights up the entire Mediterranean. On November 17th, it's the kids' turn to party on Polytechneio Day - a celebration and a chance to remember the students who died during the Greek resistance to German occupation in the 1940s. Polytechneio day was founded in 1973 after a tank was driven in to the gates of the Polytechneio Polytechnic during the Greek military junta of 1967-1974. So although it does have a more sombre side, the Greek people hate being too serious about anything, so the day is now celebrated throughout the country as a public holiday.

Continue reading... Polytechneio Day in Greece

The main attractions for 2011 also include the Atayde Brothers Circus. This record-breaking circus, established over a century ago, has performed globally and boasts some of Central and South America's greatest acrobats and gymnasts as well as 7 Bengal tigers. More theatrical entertainment comes from the foremost Latin American magician and illusionist Eriko Trevensoli. Trevensoli's Extreme Magic Show promises mind boggling illusions, involving motorbikes and deadly animals, as well as a death-defying finale. There will also be a, more peaceful, aquatic show at the 'Dolphinarium' where dolphins, seals and a variety other marine animals perform to an arena of guests.

Continue reading... Feria Yucatan Xmatkuil 2011 - A Traditional Celebration of Contemporary Mexican Culture

On the 28th of October every year Greece celebrates the power of the negative. Military parades, coastal celebrations and special Greek Orthodox Services commemorate the day, in 1940, that Greek President Yanni Mextaxas declared 'Ochi!', 'No!' in Greek, and rejected Benito Mussolini's ultimatum that Greece be occupied by Axis forces or face war. Against all odds, and to their own amazement, the Greeks defeated advancing Italian troops, driving them back into Albania. Although Greece went on to be occupied by Germany, Greeks still celebrate Mextaxas' tenacity, their fierce resistance and unlikely victory with great pride.

Continue reading... Greeks Say 'No Way' on Ochi Day

People from all over the world will soon be able to admire the beautiful Perseid meteor shower again and make a wish for every shooting star they see. This meteor shower is annual and extremely regular in its timing. Depending on the weather and your location, it can be visible for weeks in the late summer sky. The meteor shower activity usually peaks around August 12th, when over 60 meteors per hour will streak across the Northeast sky. This year, the night of August 13th is predicted to be the most intense night.

Continue reading... Calling all Stargazers

The best way to make a holiday really memorable is to immerse yourself in the local culture. Faro is renowned for playing host to some of the most prominent festivals and fiestas in the whole of the Algarve - and the low cost and convenience of flights to Faro makes them easily accessible all year round. Whether you're interested in sporting events, religious festivals or cultural celebrations, Faro is the Portuguese HQ for a range of vibrant and spectacular parties.

Continue reading... Festivals in Faro

The town of Arrecife is home to a wide range of different fiestas and events. A lot of these fiestas and events are popular with people from all across the world and they tend to make use of the flights to Arrecife. One of the biggest events that are held in Arrecife is the fiesta of San Juan.

Continue reading... Fiesta of San Juan

Turkey celebrates a range of different festivals and events and most of these are Muslim events therefore a lot of these are celebrated in other parts of the world. There are other festivals and events that are held within Turkey and one of the biggest is the International Istanbul Film Festival. There are a lot of people that come from all across the world in order to enjoy the festivities that are part of this festival and these people find this easy to do due to the various flights to Turkey.

Continue reading... International Istanbul Film Festival in Turkey

There are a number of national festivals that take place all across Turkey and they are popular events for locals and tourists. There is really only a few of the festivals that take place, which includes an element of tradition and these festivals are known as Victory Festival, Republic Festival and also the Liberation Festival. It is common for people to come from all across the world to join in the festivities and they make use of the cheap flights to Turkey. These festivals are all celebrated enthusiastically across the various towns and cities within Turkey. One of the main reasons for these festivities is to celebrate the participation of seymens, which are the dancers and heroes from Central Anatolia.

Continue reading... National Festivals in Turkey

There are a lot of events that take place throughout the year on the island of Gran Canaria and these events are popular with a wide range of people. Most of the villages and towns on the island have their own celebrations that they use to reflect the culture and heritage of the area. Most of the events on the island take place on an annual basis and this includes the festival that is known as Las Palmas Opera. This festival is popular with people from all over the world and they have a tendency to make use of the flights to Gran Canaria.

Continue reading... Las Palmas Opera Festival in Gran Canaria

There are a lot of different festivities that take place on the island of Gran Canaria and these take place all over the island. It is true to say that there is no village or town on the island that does not celebrate at least one event. Due to the vast amount of festivals and events that take place on this island no one is left out, as there is a suitable event for everyone. During the festivals the friendliness and hospitality of the island shines through. A lot of tourists make use of the cheap flights to Gran Canaria in order to join in the celebrations of some of these events.

Continue reading... Gran Canaria Carnival

There are a lot of different festivals that take place on the island of Gran Canaria. These festivals take place at various times throughout the year and they all have their own trademark. These festivals are all designed to cater for a wide range of ages therefore there is something for everyone. These festivals allow the local people on the island of Gran Canaria to show their friendliness and hospitality. The regular flights to Gran Canaria enables tourists to take part in the various different festivals as they make the island easy to get to, from all across the world.

Continue reading... Las Palmas International Film Festival in Gran Canaria

During July the island of Lanzarote holds the festival that is known as Fiesta of the Virgin of Carmen. This festival is celebrated on an annual event and it usually takes part on the sixteenth of July. This festival is very popular with both locals and tourists alike and a lot of the tourists that take part in this event tend to make use of the regular flights to Lanzarote. This is a catholic festival that takes place in order to celebrate this patron saint and she was also the protector for sailors and fishermen. This is one of the largest festivals that have been set up to commemorate a patron saint. This festival takes place in the northern part of Tenerife in the resort that is known as Puerto de la Cruz. Every year there is thousands of people that gather on the sea front in order to celebrate this festival.

Continue reading... Fiesta of the Virgin of Carmen in Lanzarote

Our Lady of Sorrows Festival is a very popular event on the island of Lanzarote and this is annual event. This festival takes place during September and this event mainly focuses on the resort of Mancha Blanca however there are a lot of things that happen all across Lanzarote. This festival has been designed to play homage to the patron for the resort of Mancha Blanca. The patron was known as Virgin de los Dolores and this translates as the Lady of Sorrows, hence the name of the festival. This festival is a religious festival and it includes a church mass, massive craft fair, folkloric festivities and also a religious procession. A lot of the tourists that enjoy taking part in this festival tend to use the cheap flights to Lanzarote.

Continue reading... Our Lady of Sorrows Festival in Lanzarote

There is a wide range of different celebrations that take place within the resort of Antalya. A lot of these events are classed as major events and national festivals all across Turkey and some of these are even on the Islamic calendar. Some of the dates will vary from year to year. The city of Antalya also has a number of festivals and events that are celebrated within the city and these are seen as a good way to promote the city and to encourage people to make the most of the cheap flights to Antalya so that they can take part in these events. A lot of the festivals and events within this area are designed to show people the characteristics and culture of the city.

Continue reading... Festivals in Antalya

There is a vast amount of different festivals and events that take place within Lanzarote. One of the popular events within this area is Teguise Carnival and this event is popular with both locals and tourists alike. A lot of the tourists that enjoy taking part in this carnival use the regular flights to Lanzarote. This carnival normally takes place during February. This carnival usually starts with birth of the sardine and it finishes with either the burial or burning of the sardine. This carnival is actually very similar to the harvest festival. On the evening prior to the carnival parade there tends to be a band that are based on the back of an open lorry and they play to the crowds that gather to celebrate the start of the festivities. The start of these festivities is also marked by a torch light procession and this is normally held by German people although a wide range of people tend to take part in it.

Continue reading... Teguise Carnival in Lanzarote

During April the main festival that is celebrated in Tenerife is Easter and this festival is a weeklong event. Normally this festival is the start of the better weather on the island of Tenerife and this makes it a popular time with tourists. A lot of the tourists that come here to enjoy the sunshine make use of the regular flights to Tenerife. There are tourists that come to this area all year round however the numbers tend to increase when the weather is warmer and the schools have more holidays.

Continue reading... Festivals in Tenerife During April

There is a vast amount of different festivals and events that are held within Tenerife and a lot of these are held on an annual basis. One of the largest events that are held in this area is Santa Cruz Carnival and this is amongst the most spectacular events that are held anywhere in the world. This large event is popular with both locals and tourists and it is normally held during February. This carnival event can be classed as a historical event and it has the ability to attract millions of people every year and these people come from a wide range of places. This carnival is classed as the second most popular event on an international event. A lot of the tourists that want to experience this event also make the most of the regular cheap flights to Tenerife.

Continue reading... Santa Cruz Carnival in Tenerife

There is a vast amount of different festivals and events that are held within Tenerife and a lot of these are held on an annual basis. One of the largest events that are held in this area is Santa Cruz Carnival and this is amongst the most spectacular events that are held anywhere in the world. This large event is popular with both locals and tourists and it is normally held during February. This carnival event can be classed as a historical event and it has the ability to attract millions of people every year and these people come from a wide range of places. This carnival is classed as the second most popular event on an international event. A lot of the tourists that want to experience this event also make the most of the regular cheap flights to Tenerife.

Continue reading... Santa Cruz Carnival in Tenerife

The Puerto del Carmen Carnival is a time of revelry and riotous fun and this creates the perfect reason to escape the routine, which is normally followed on a daily basis. This is also a good time to get rid of the daily attire and enjoy some fun. There is a lot of tourists that make the most of the cheap flights to Lanzarote in order to take part in this carnival. This carnival normally starts on Shrove Tuesday. The things that happen as part of this festival varies depending on the individual municipalities, as the activities will vary based on their culture and heritage.

Continue reading... Puerto del Carmen Carnival in Lanzarote

Sant Jordi Festival is referred to locally as the Festa Sant Jordi and this festival takes place around the twenty third of April. This festival is to celebrate the feast day of the patron saints from various towns across the island therefore there is a lot of different areas that celebrate at the same time despite being slightly different. This event is popular with both locals and tourists alike. A lot of the tourists that enjoy this event also enjoy the frequent flights to Mallorca.

Continue reading... Sant Jordi Festival

The annual festival that is known as Semana Santa is held on the Thursday, which is known as Maundy Thursday. This festival takes place in the resort on Palma on the island of Mallorca. During this festival there is a procession that leaves the church that is known as La Sang and the procession carries a crucifix. There are a lot of tourists that make the most of the regular flights to Ibiza.

Continue reading... Semana Santa

The popular attraction of Orotava Botanic Gardens is located within the historic town, which is known as La Orotava and this is in the northern part of Tenerife. This town is located at the bottom of the mountains known as the Teides. This town is also about five kilometers from Puerto de la Cruz and this is the main resort within the northern part of the island. A lot of the tourists that enjoy this area make the most of the regular flights to Tenerife.

Continue reading... Orotava Botanic Gardens in Tenerife

Angel Sunday is an annual event, which takes place during March. Angel Sunday is a festival, which is celebrated at Bellver Castle and this takes place on the first Sunday after Easter. This is a popular festival that is celebrated by the locals and also a vast number of the tourists that come to this area and a lot of these people make the most of frequent flights to Mallorca. Angel Sunday is a traditional event and in previous years bread was blessed during this festivals and then given out to the poor people. Angel Sunday is known within the local area as Domingo del Angel and this is a big celebration within the local area.

Continue reading... Angel Sunday in Mallorca

The carnival celebrations do not only take place within clubs as it also happens on the surrounding streets. One of the biggest things that take place is the massive street parade and this is very popular attraction. These parades and festivities tend to involve a lot of people from the GLBT community. It is true to say that these events are a lot of fun and they are also very colourful. All of these qualities mix together to create a very good atmosphere for a street party.

Continue reading... Ibiza Carnival During February

With Valentines Day just around the corner, it's time to do something special for your loved one. Instead of just a card and a bunch of flowers or some aftershave or perfume this year, why not whisk them away for a romantic Valentine's break in the sun? Gran Canaria is only four and a half hours flying time away from the UK and offers sun, sea and romantic sunsets on the beach all year round. Flights to Gran Canaria are easy to catch from most airports.

Continue reading... Flying off to a romantic paradise

Faro is a great place to be in Portugal. Its foundations were started in Roman era and the town of Faro at the time was referred to as Ossonoba. In the 9th century Faro happened to be the capital of a princedom which could be retained as such for a very short time. This princedom was characterized by defensive walls and many decades later the name was changed to Santa Maria and then to Harune. Ultimately Faro was made a part of Portugal during the 13th century. Traveling to Faro for the purpose of tourism is an excellent idea as it is directly accessible by air. Flights to Faro from a number of European and other countries are also quite regular.

Continue reading... Faro Archaeological Museum in Faro

When taking a holiday at Sharm its always great to be involved with the local customs and feel as if you were a part of this town. Sharm is indeed a very popular holiday destination that is accessible by air. You can book your flights to Sharm if you want to attend the Islamic New Year here and explore how they celebrate it.

Continue reading... Al Hijra in Sharm

The people of Zante, Greece certainly know how to make any celebration lively. If you are planning a holiday then Zante is a place to be during Christmas, New Year and Epiphany. Zante is accessible by air and there are several flights to Zante from popular locations in the world. Although there are several opportunities spread across the whole year but the end and beginning of the year is somehow more special because of the joyous Christmas and the freshness of the New Year.

Continue reading... Christmas and the Epiphany in Zante

Its not too late to think about your Christmas vacation and if you are keen on spending it somewhere in Spain then Gran Canaria would be a great choice. It would be a good option not just because there are frequent flights to the Gran Canaria but also because of the variety of places to visit and festivities to enjoy especially from December to January. When Christmas is just around the corner, you should better book your tickets in advance.

Continue reading... Christmas in Gran Canaria

The culture of Paphos is embedded into its rich history and tradition of celebrating loads of festivities round the year. Being a part of Paphos festival can be great fun and a huge source of relaxation for people coming from various countries leaving their work away during holidays. If you intend to do the same then catch flights to Paphos in February to be a part of the Limassol carnival. Limassol is about 57 km from Paphos and reaching Limassol will never be an issue considering the availability of different modes of transport.

Continue reading... The Limassol Carnival

Arrecife is probably the only city in Spain that does not really follow any organized pattern of architecture. The same is true of the Spanish people living and working here. It is indeed different among all the other islands around Spain. Several people at Arrecife work or are related to the tourism industry in some way or the other. There are several significant tourist resorts towards both the south and the northern part of the city. Arrecife can be reached by air as there are a number of flights to Arrecife every day from all major locations in the world.

Continue reading... Iglesia de San Gines in Arrecife

Ancient Nikopolis is an incredibly impressive location to visit in Preveza. Apart from this, there are a number of places to see in Preveza. For your vacation, you can easily reach Preveza by air as there are numerous flights to Preveza from several locations.

Continue reading... Archaeological Site of Ancient and Early Christian Nikopolis

The Cyprus International 4 Day Challenge is an event that brings out the adventurous streak in participants. Those who want to participate or maybe witness the event can catch a flight to Paphos from any major international airport nearest to your city. The event mixes conventional road running and remarkable trail running through a National Park called Akamas National Park situated in Paphos. The participants take part in 4 events and the final winner is the person who achieves best scores in all four events.

Continue reading... Paphos Cyprus International 4 Day Challenge

Parga is a tiny town on the seaside with remarkable landscape and architecture, about 62 km from Preveza. Parga attracts several tourists from many European countries such as Italy. Because of its proximity to the surrounding countries it is a favorite weekend destination of Greece. Parga doesnt have an airstrip, thats why flights to Preveza or Athens can be boarded first and then Parga can be reached either by a car or a bus. Aktion and Ioannina, Preveza are the closest airports to Parga, which host internal flights starting from Athens. The town of Parga has great places to visit such as museums, churches completely influenced by the Venetian architecture because of its constant occupation by the Venetians in the past.

Continue reading... Preveza Kanaria Festival of Parga

The month of august in Kefalonia welcomes you to the unique Snake festival held at the Church of the Virgin in the village of Markopoulo. Dont miss out on this opportunity to witness this one of a kind festival as your flight to Kefalonia lands. The festival is held on 14th and 15th of August, so you can plan your trip around this time.

Continue reading... Snake Festival Kefalonia

Varkarola is a popular festival of Corfu that is held here in every summer season. The festival has got everything to do with Saint Spyridon. It is the belief of the locals of Kalami that Saint Spyridon saved the people of the Island from the persistent attacks of the Turks. The event celebrates this miracle that took place on 11th August 1716 in the most incredible manner. The festival is celebrated by performing nautical fights among sailors of the Island. It is a depiction of how the Turks were defeated and sent back from the Island.

Continue reading... The Varkarola Festival of Corfu

Larnacas residents welcome the procession of their patron, St Lazarus, with great cheer. The portrait of Saint Lazarus is brought from the St Lazarus Church for a while. It is then taken through the procession covering all the streets of Larnaca. The procession is led by the priest, who provides a service just before starting off from the church. The feast day of the St Lazarus is considered to be a significant event and the liveliness of Cypriots becomes quite evident during the procession. It is great experience and Larnaca is worth visiting at this time of the year.

Continue reading... Procession of St Lazarus

Fuerteventura is known to be the 2nd largest Island among the Spanish Canary Islands. The initial settlers are known to have landed on the Island from Northern parts of Africa. In fact, the term Maho or Mahorero is used even today to explain the people belonging to Fuerteventura. The term is actually derived from the ancient word mahos which means a kind of goatskin shoe. These types of shoes were used by the original residents of Fuerteventura.

Continue reading... FuerteVentura Christmas

Monastir is a city of rich history and varied tradition, and has become a popular destination for tourists coming from all over the world. From historic structures to unique festivals, Monastir is a great place to be at any time of year. If you are planning a trip to the city, there are several flights to Monastir available from Europes major airports.

Continue reading... Monastir Ilinden Days

The National Day celebrations of Malta were held on May 14 at the Shanghai World Expo. The celebration began at the Pavilion and continued with other events to display the rich heritage of the country. The evening was made special and extremely memorable by a concert from Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja held in the Expo Center.

Continue reading... Malta National Day Celebrations

The Zakynthian carnival is one of the most fun filled and zealous festivals of the world. The beginning of the celebration of Zakynthos Carnival dates back to the time when Venetians ruled the island. It is also said it is based on imitation of the Commedia dell Arte organized by Italians and the Venetian carnival. One of the Commedia dell Arte performances is proved to have occurred in Crete during 1611.

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Just like all other amazing locations in Greece, Kefalonia is no less and holds great importance in terms of many celebrations and religious festivals. Flights to Kefalonia can be planned according to the events you wish to attend, as the city offers numerous events all through the year and more so in the summer season. The festival, especially the Kefalonia Carnival, is organised with great amount of joy and excitement around the picturesque villages.

Continue reading... Kefalonia Carnival

The traditional dance festival of Larnaca is something to be cherished throughout life especially of you are a dance lover. The performances are so euphoric and full of enthusiasm that you will forget you belong to another place. It is a festival but has a competitive touch to it and groups from all over the continent participate in it.

Continue reading... Larnaca The Mediterranean Festival of Traditional Dance

Easter also known as Paska, is considered to be the most important day in Greece traditionally. While Easter is on, it spans almost a weeks time and that week is termed as the Great Week or Megali Evdomada. During the Greek celebration of Easter, you will witness deep devotion and rich pageantry. There are celebrations and the excitement is quite contagious. Prior to the arrival of the festival traditional Greek people keep a fast of 40 days called nisteia as Easter is welcomed with preparation of elaborate meat, milk products and pastries. They are all the more excited because of the restriction they undergo during the fasting period.

Continue reading... Easter in Santorini

Before 1928, the festival known as St Johns Bonfires was celebrated just as it was celebrated in any other part of Europe. The huge gathering of people coming together to burn things such as old furniture is quite a spectacle. But, during the same year, a man from Alicante called Jose Maraa Py improvised the idea of similar nature. In a short span of 3 months the first such Bonfire was planned and organized in Daa de San Juan.

Continue reading... Alicante-St John's Bonfires

Apokrias Carnival in Crete is celebrated to appease Dionysos, the God of Feast and Wine. Traditionally it is supposed to prepare the people for the 40 day fast or Lent, during which there is are no parties, weddings or celebrations of any kind. The carnival is held as a form of last time of celebration before Lent begins, when people are not allowed to have meat or drink wine. It is held over a period of three weeks filled with fun and festivities, more to compensate for the abstinence to be held during the 40 day fast.

Continue reading... Crete Apokrias Carnival

The yearly carnival is a much awaited event in Arrecife-Lanzarote. Every year the processions are held between 3rd February and 9th March in Arrecife. Arrecife, which also happens to be the capital of the island, is visited by tourists all over the world because of the various festivals celebrated with merriment and enthusiasm. The annual carnival is one of the most famous festivals of the Canary Islands. The festival has been in vogue for a very long time. It is not celebrated only by the residents of the Islands but several tourists across the globe joyfully participate in it.

Continue reading... Arrecife Lanzarote Carnival

With a festa being held almost every weekend, its hard not to bump into one of these during your holiday in Malta. No matter which time of year you visit Malta, you are sure to find at least one festa being organized in one of the villages. Its hard to believe that such a small island can have so many events in a single year. Its strategic location left it bare to several attacks, where the country ended up being ruled by Greek, Roman, French and British rulers. This is probably the reason for its unique culture and a whopping 60 festas held every year from May to September.

Continue reading... Malta Festa - The Village Feast

White sandy beaches dotted with tourists greet you as your flight to Monastir lands at the airport. Well, there is much to look forward to no matter what time of the year you plan your trip. Apart from getting the much needed sun, the city has a lot to offer in the form of shopping, restaurants, festivals and events.

Continue reading... The Manaki Brothers International Film Camera Festival

Continue reading... Easter in Skiathos

The rich history and culture of Kefalonia is marked by the numerous festivals and events held throughout the year. After a round of museums, castles, monasteries and other places of interest, attending the festivals at Kefalonia can be a great addition to your holiday package.

Continue reading... Union of the Ionian Islands

Kefalonia, Greece is one of several islands within the Ionian group of islands. It is the largest island of the group. There are many villages located throughout Kefalonia both in the mountainous terrain and on the coastline. The fine sand beaches with its turquoise waves lure tourists from all over the world to them during the summer months.

Continue reading... Ever thought of a holiday in kefalonia in Greece

If you are a big fan of carnivals, festivals and any forms of parties, then Lanzarote is the place to be. This island hosts a vast number of events for any one calendar year and of course, 2010 is no different. Some of their famous festivities have already occurred, but you can attend those next year if you missed them this year. They are the February carnivals, the festivities for Holy Week at Marchs end, the Day of the Cross celebrations in May, Junes Lanzarotes Corpus Christi celebrations and of course the Heineken Jazz festival which takes place every July.

Continue reading... year-round festivities in lanzarote

For the rest of this year, there are still many events to come and you can still make this island your number one vacation spot for this year. You have already missed the Heineken Jazz festival, but its annual so you can go next year, it takes place in July. You would have also liked the Easter celebrations, but as stated before, there is always next year. Lets take a look instead on the events that are coming up.

Continue reading... tenerife for the holidays

Hosh geldiniz or welcome in English terms is a popular statement most people say who live in Bodrum, Turkey. This magnificent place commonly known as Halicarnassus is the home of the world-renowned father of history Herodotus. Its composition is by a wide scope of historical locations consisting of architectural designs like the Amphitheatre and the Mausoleum, which is the most ancient building of Bodrum. That specific attribute of the place is one of the many reasons for people to flock to this adventurous location.

Continue reading... october at bodrum

After Cinema, in 2004, his music reached new audiences, in Portugal and elsewhere. The O Mundo compilation, released internationally in 2006, earned him appraised critics. Pedro Almodovar, for example, had no doubts in describing Rodrigo as one of the most inspired compositors in the world. Musicians like Ryuichi Sakamoto or Beth Gibbons from Portishead didnt hesitate when they got invited by Rodrigo to leave their mark on the records he was creating.

Continue reading... rodrigo leao in concert

Anatalya, Turkey actually celebrates every national festival and other important events, therefore if you plan to visit or spend your vacation there, you will get to enjoy all the festivities that Turkey has to offer. They even celebrate the events that are derived from the Islamic calendar. Antalya, however also have its own festivals that it celebrates that are meant for and celebrated to highlight the city and its own characteristics and culture.

Continue reading... Fun, Frolic and Food in Antalya

The Canary Islands are located in Spain and are known for their year round festivities. Gran Canaria as the name suggests, is one of the largest islands within the set and it lives up to the name by offering a calendar of events that makes the island worth visiting any time of the year. The vents are often kept in and around the area of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria which is also the capital of the island. Many of the big festivals took place earlier in the year, but there are still many more to come. You may have missed the Music festival in January; the Opera festival in February or even the Jazz Festival in July, but they will be here again next year and there are still many of the good ones that you can still experience this year.

Continue reading... Festivity Non stop on the Gran Canaria Island

On the island of Fuerteventura, there is no lack of festivities and celebrations. There calendar of events is extensive and even though most of the year has already passed, there are still many reasons for you to book flights to Fuerteventura today.

Continue reading... Enjoy the luxuries of eventful Fuerteventura

A Celebration of Sainthood in Menorca Among the many annual festivals celebrated in the Balearic Islands, the upcoming Processio de la Beata is considered one of the most important. It is a celebration in honor of Saint Catalina Tomas, the patron saint of the town of Santa Margalida.

Continue reading... Processio de la Beata

Kos is the biggest island of the Dodecanse archipelago, located in the Aegean. It is a very small island measuring about 25 miles in length and less than 5 widths, with a permanent population of about 30,000 people. flights to kos are easy to find and can be found at a good price

Continue reading... The beautiful island of Kos

For the purpose of relaxation and the getaway adventure that loads of people love, countless numbers and faces of places cover the pages of internet and travel guide magazines. If there is the island of Palawan for the Philippines and there are the beaches in Miami at Florida U.S.A., then there is the island of Skiathos, the pride of Greece.

Continue reading... Commemorations and Relaxations in Skiathos

In Rhodes, Greece there is a festival known as the "Medieval Rose Festival of Rhodes". You are given the opportunity to take part in the witches and fairy dance or watch the fire eater with his amazing tricks, there are jugglers and other street performers or you can just participate in eating the gorgeous foods on offer. This festival is now a tradition of the town and is put on by the Medieval Rose which is an organization that operates in a non profit way.

Continue reading... Celebrations in Rhodes Greece

The Virgen del Pino festival, also known as the 'Feast day of the Virgin of the Pine', will be taking place on the 8th of September in Terror, a beautiful village in Gran Canaria. During the time of this festival, a lot of flights to Gran Canaria bring thousands of pilgrims to this annual religious festival. If you really want to know more about the culture and history of the Island, then this is an ideal destination for your holiday.

Continue reading... Virgen del Pino Festival in Gran Canaria

September is the month of the Mare de Deu de la Salut festival in Palma de Mallorca. This major city in Spain has a reputation of entertaining a large number of visitors during this festival. If you are looking for a relaxing holiday as well as a party destination, you should consider a place like Mallorca. You can check online to see what flights to Mallorca are available during this time.

Continue reading... Mare de Deu de la Salut festival in Mallorca

Gourmets and gastronauts visiting Southern Portugal this week will surely not want to miss the Festival do Marisco or Shellfish Festival, which takes place in Olhao from the 10th to the 15th of August 2010. This is the 25th year the the town has played host to this celebration of the region's rich heritage of everything to do with seafood.

Continue reading... A feast on the Algarve

The 15th of August is a national holiday in Malta and on this day, Gozo and other villages will be bubbling with the Santa Marija festival. The majority of Maltese festivals are religiously inclined due to a strong Catholic presence in the country. But nevertheless, this festival (Santa Marija) is a remarkable attraction for tourists and a huge source of traditional pride for the people of Malta. Every year, families in Malta look forward to this ceremony as they would to Christmas or Easter because it offers that special opportunity for family bonding and that great sense of community in Malta. It works to such extent that family members who are away or abroad come home to take part in the festival.

Continue reading... Fireworks and Food at Santa Marija fiesta in Malta

Kefalonia is known as one of the more tranquil and un-touristy ones of the Ionian islands. It is also the largest and seems to absorb its visitors seamlessly. There are regular flights to Kefalonia International Airport throughout the year, yet it manages to retain its own essential character. But this beautiful island is not just about languid beaches, peaceful villages and panoramic scenery.

Continue reading... August in Kefalonia is festival month

Are you a 21st Century Hippy? Are you concerned with the environment and our planet? Are you into Goan trance techno music? Then the Boom Festival in Idanha a Nova Lake in Portugal is the place for you. Taking place between the 18th-26th August (during the full moon), the Boom festival is dedicated to all free spirits. The idea behind the Boom is to create a space in this time continuum where people from all over the world can live an alternative reality. "It's a celebration of intuition and telepathy as we watch how communication changes along these few days and how in the end there is no more need for words."

Continue reading... Set your holiday off with a Boom

The biggest of all the Greek islands, you could be forgiven for thinking that Crete was in fact a whole country. Steeped in ancient history and home to the infamous Minotaur, Crete retains a mythical quality that many other countries have since lost. Book flights to Crete and experience the timeless traditions of this island while you catch one of the intimate celebrations that take place over the summer and autumn months.

Continue reading... St. Minas Parade in Heraklion

An island which is very much the epitome of Greek history, Crete offers nothing short of a continual succession of seasonal festivals and things to do over the summer months. For those who want to sample these festivals, book your flights to Crete now to catch the highly anticipated annual Music Festival in Paleohora, which takes place over the first ten days of August.

Continue reading... The Paleohora Music Festival

Towards the end of August, Mallorca will be hosting several interesting festivals which are great if you want to make the most of your money and time during your holiday in Spain. In order to secure your summer holiday, it might be worth booking your flights to Mallorca around the dates of these festivals. What these festivals have in common, aside from having their roots embedded in religion and traditions, are entertaining dances and dainties which are way too tempting to resist.

Continue reading... Mallorca festivals in August

When it comes to putting on a show, the Spanish can always be counted on. To say otherwise is to understate the fact that they like all forms of entertainment. You can expect an extraordinary performance with an oriental flavour when Mallorca celebrates the Chinese Lantern festival. With so many festivals happening in the month of August, this traditional Chinese festival, also known as La Fiesta de les Llanternes, is one spectacular and unique celebration that every family and the Chinese communities in Mallorca look forward to. This colourful festival has also been a source of attraction to thousands of tourists on holiday in Mallorca. You can still be a part of this festival which takes place on the 24th of August, if you start the booking of your flights to Mallorca now.

Continue reading... Chinese Lantern Festival in Mallorca

The Algarve region of Southern Portugal is home to some of Portugal's best festivals and events. Book your flights to Faro in particular, and catch the mesmerizing celebration of Faros' favourite Saint at the annual Feira de Santa Iria this October.

Continue reading... The Feira Santa Iria Festival in Faro

Ria Formosa festival is a major celebration in Faro coming up at the end of July to last till the beginning of August. For lovers of seafood and all sorts of other exotic traditional menus, this is the best place to be this summer as there will be vast numbers of these foods from all over Portugal.

Continue reading... Algarve seafood and wine festival

When it comes to celebrations, the Spanish don't do things by halves. On the 5th of August, Alicante will be hosting the Virgen del Remedio festival, a cultural festival in honour of the matron saint. Among the floods of summer celebrations in Alicante, this festival manages to stand out. It is definitely worth visiting if you have booked flights to Alicante.

Continue reading... An open-air summer fiesta in Alicante

The Yakinthia festival is one festival you shouldn't miss if you are planning a holiday in Crete this summer. And in order to be a part of this year's festival, the best time to start booking your flights to Crete is now! This cultural and artistic festival will be held from the 21st to the 25th of July in Anogia, a small village in Crete.

Continue reading... Yakinthia Festival, the place to be this summer in Crete

Spain is famous for its all year round festivals. Though most of them are religiously inclined, they are nevertheless enjoyed by all kinds of people, which is why a great number of flights to Arrecife and other Spanish cities are sold every year. Arrecife is a city in the Canary Islands with unique and colourful festivals. If you are looking for a really great time, San Gines festival is well worth a visit.

Continue reading... San Gines festival in Arrecife

Rhodes is historically the oldest and largest tourist island of Greece. And up until today, Rhodes still sets that high standard when it comes to tourist attractions. Its airport, Diagoras International Airport, is one of the busiest in Greece and the number of flights to Rhodes is impressive.

Continue reading... Amazing holiday memories to cherish in Rhodes

A trip to the small Greek island of Skiathos will leave you with one thought in your mind: have I been here before? Well, you may not have been here in real life, but you will have certainly seen its blissful surroundings in the blockbuster film, Mamma Mia.

Continue reading... Skiathos Religious Festival

This year's Malta Military Tattoo will take place on Saturday 9th October and Sunday 10th October at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC) at Ta'Qali.

Continue reading... The Malta Military Tattoo

Alicante is a prestigious city in Spain, known for its long summers and mild winters. This city is famous for its love of life, music, fireworks, festivals and gourmet dining. Alicante takes pride in its traditions and cultural values which show through in their festivals. These festivals take place throughout the year, but the summer festivals are more popular with tourists due to the number of flights to Alicante during this season.

Continue reading... Alicante Festivals and Gourmet

From Faro to Lagos, the Algarve just doesn't seem to slow down in August. All along this holiday coastline, there are sporting events every week to keep competitors and spectators alike happy. If you want to be part of this, it's wise to book your flights to Faro now. The warm weather doesn't put people off either with everything from athletic races to high profile motorsport events on the calendar.

Continue reading... Algarve Sports Fest during August

The island of Menorca hosts several celebrations and festivals during the summer and, unusually, many include horses as part of the programme.

Continue reading... Horses and Events in Menorca

Madiera, known for holding a Guinness World Record for the largest firework display, looks set to hold yet another birthday celebration as judging by last years 502nd they would be mad not to repeat proceedings on the 21st August. As well as the main parade, with participants dressed in various costumes, there will be outdoor concerts, theatre performances and other celebrations.

Continue reading... Funchal set to celebrate its 502nd birthday!

Ibiza, this small Spanish island in the Mediterranean Sea, is a famous celebrity destination. If you enjoy a lot of clubbing, you are going to love every minute of your stay on this island. Ibiza is famous for its riotous nightlife, live gigs, tattoos and summer parties. Ibiza hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year which attract thousands of tourists from all over Europe. flights to Spain are very frequent and at a very good deal too.

Continue reading... The full Spanish experience

Everyone has heard of bull fighting, but how about camel wrestling? This rather unorthodox and much less gruesome sporting tradition derived from Anatolian semi-nomadic custom survives in the city of Selcuk in Turkey. Known for its proximity to the ruins of Ephesus, Selcuk is the capital of camel wrestling. The national Camel Wrestling Championship takes place in the outskirts of the Aegean coastal city in January - but do plan ahead if you want to catch a glimpse of something extraordinary!

Continue reading... Camel Wrestling in Anatolia

Every year, the biggest wine festival in Malta takes place at the beginning of August in Valletta.

Continue reading... Taste the Wine of Malta

A choice destination for those interested in the rich historical heritage and natural beauty of the region, Bodrum really does have something for everyone. One of its main attractions is the hotly anticipated Music Festival, which runs every year from late July to early August. If you haven't booked yet, it's worth checking out the last minute flights to Bodrum to make sure you don't miss it.

Continue reading... East Meets West at Bodrum's Music Festival

Are you looking for a last minute break with a difference? Are you bored with beach driven holidays? Would you like the chance to experience a traditional Catholic country festival? Then the Mediterranean island of Malta is the place for you.

Continue reading... Two day feasting in Malta: Imnarja-feast of St Peter and St Paul

The Balearic island of Mallorca is known for its hip and happening bars and clubs, its luxurious villas and yachts as well as for being the summer playground of the Spanish Royal family. While basking in the late summer sunshine, this iconic Spanish island deeply steeped in tradition also offers the discerning tourist a chance to experience medieval Spanish custom, and wine, at its best.

Continue reading... Celebrate Spanish wine with the locals: La Festa des Vermar

Greece is famous for its ancient history and warm climate. Usually, when people hear the word Greece, the first destination that comes to mind is Athens. But there are other places in Greece that boast beautiful historical sites: Corfu is one of them. Its treasures of Greek civilization make it hard for other interesting places in the world to compete against Corfu. The island is well known for both its history and amazing beaches.

Continue reading... Massive Vegetable Pies in Corfu

The Festival of San Juan on June 24th is a major event in the Spanish calendar as it is associated with the coming of summer. The Spanish never need an excuse for a party and the day is celebrated in both urban and rural areas with bonfires and festivities. These fires are particularly popular in the Catalonian and Valencian communities, and in some areas the date is also celebrated as Catalan nation day.

Continue reading... The Festival of San Juan

Istanbul has always been a cultural melting pot and is traditionally known as the gateway to Asia, where East meets West. Throughout June the city truly lives up to this reputation by playing host to one of the major events in the cultural calendar, the International Istanbul Music Festival. The festival is a summer extravaganza that straddles every genre from opera and ballet to classical and traditional Turkish music.

Continue reading... Istanbul International Music Festival

Gran Canaria is an island famed for its beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters. However, there is a hidden world of exotic festivities and colourful celebrations that most tourists remain unaware of. If you can drag yourself away from the idyllic coastline and head inland for a day or two then you can get in touch with a vibrant local culture that has stayed intact for hundreds of years.

Continue reading... Gran Canaria Fiestas

From July 12th to 27th the town of Rethymnon in Crete will come to life in celebration of a unique period of history. The Renaissance Festival was created in 1987 as a way for Cretans to reconnect with an era that rejuvenated the island both culturally and spiritually, and the event is still going strong over two decades later.

Continue reading... Crete Renaissance Festival

The Maldives are a group of atolls in the Indian Ocean to the south west of Sri Lanka. As flights to Male increase in popularity with holiday makers, many tour operators are offering package holidays to many of the better known resorts that are literally a boat ride from the airport. However, for those who want to experience the luxury and tranquillity of atolls that are unspoilt by comparison, the South Nilandhe Atoll has recently opened its luxurious doors.

Continue reading... South Nilandhe Atoll, the swankiest of them all

With its blue skies and balmy climate, Menorca is a hotspot all summer long. For a guaranteed scorcher of a holiday, though, the time to visit is during the midsummer festival of San Juan held from the 20th to the 24th of June this year, when the island is ablaze with bonfires and fireworks and every school kid is armed with a bagful of bangers!

Continue reading... More Bangers For Your Buck

From June 4th to 14th the historic Portuguese city of Santarem will hold the National Agricultural Fair. If the name puts you off, it is important to remember that the festival is a million miles away from the farmers markets you may have seen back home. The Portuguese never do things by halves, and the festival is a celebration of every aspect of their traditional rural culture. The event takes place two kilometres west of the city centre and is one of the largest agricultural fairs in Europe. Attractions include horse riding competitions, cattle herding and a nocturnal bull run. Dancing is also an important part of any celebration in Portugal and you can expect to see an array of local dances, including the fandango.

Continue reading... National Agricultural Fair in Santarem

If you happen to be in Spain on June 3rd then expect to get caught up in one of the major festivals of the Spanish calendar. Corpus Christi is a feast day that celebrates the Eucharist, which Catholics believe to be the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The Spanish never need an excuse for a celebration, and as a country with a strong Catholic heritage it is hardly surprising that there are major festivities across the country on this day. However, what makes the festival so exciting for an outsider is that each region celebrates the day in its own unique way.

Continue reading... Corpus Christi celebrations in Spain

Every year in June, music fans make a pilgrimage to Barcelona for the Sonar festival. Created in 1994, the festival has secured itself a reputation as one of the major events in the European music calendar. The organisation describes it as a festival of 'advanced music and multimedia art', and headline acts in recent years have ranged from Bjork to the Beastie Boys, and Grace Jones to Kraftwerk. As well as music, there are performances in every kind of media you could imagine, and probably a few that you couldn't. Expect to see audio projections, film presentations, technology demonstrations, conferences and debates as well as clothes and music fares.

Continue reading... Sonar festival, Barcelona

From June to August each year, the majestic Greek island of Corfu plays host to the International Festival. Created to demonstrate the rich local heritage of the island, its main events are known as the 'Ionian Concerts' and are a series of music productions designed to mix the traditional music of the islands with more contemporary sounds from Greece and further afield. Expect to see local choirs and philharmonic orchestras rubbing shoulders with modern jazz and swing musicians. The variety of music on offer means that, no matter what your musical tastes, you're guaranteed to find something you can enjoy.

Continue reading... International Festival of Corfu

When thinking of Sri Lanka, the first things that come to mind are aromatic coffee, images of palm-fringed beaches and, unfortunately, the tsunami of 26th December 2004 and the bitter civil war between the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority that lasted for 25 years before finally coming to an end in May last year.

Continue reading... Light of Hope for Sri Lanka

For those travelling to the Greek island Zakynthos early in May, a visit to the village Maherado is a must. Here, the celebration of Agia Mavra takes place annually on the 3rd of May. The day traditionally begins with a religious ceremony in the church of Maherado, which is calles Agia Mavra too. After the ceremony, the feast continues with banquets and traditional dances on the village's square.

Continue reading... Quieter Beaches on Zakynthos

Next Wednesday, most USA citizens will celebrate the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on the 5th of May, 1862. Cinco de Mayo, Spanish for "fifth of May", is celebrated all throughout the USA because the 4,000 Mexican soldiers defeated the much better-equipped French army of 8,000 that had not been defeated for half a century and, since the Battle of Puebla, no American country has been invaded by an army from another continent.

Continue reading... Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

By far the biggest occasion during April was the two day visit by Pope Benedict XVI to the island, an event that commemorated an unfortunate event that happened almost two thousand years ago. That was the time when St Paul's boat was shipwrecked on Malta while he was on a voyage to Rome. The Saint remained on Malta for 3 months and there are many locations around the island that exist due to this unfortunate accident. In Rabat there is St Paul's Grotto and Church that was built in the 17th Century. It is claimed that the grotto was also used by the Romans as a prison and it was also an air raid shelter during the 2nd World War.

Continue reading... Malta Spring Celebrations

We've already mentioned some of the sporting events planned to take place on the Algarve during April, with a round of the World Superbike Championship being one of the most high profile. This event represents a great opportunity for British bike fans who may struggle to get tickets for the home round of this series. Book some time off work, secure some cheap flights with flythomascook.com and spend a long weekend enjoying the Portuguese round of the series in the warm sunshine of the Algarve.

Continue reading... Algarve Arts in March

The capital of Mallorca has always taken pride in its ability to attract and showcase the best of art, culture and music and at any time of year there is always a great choice of concerts, performances and exhibitions to choose from.

Continue reading... Palma Exhibitions Open

For many holiday resorts the off season is often a period of complete downtime as far as events are concerned, but places like Malta always seem to have something going on to interest visitors.

Continue reading... Malta's April Offerings

The celebrations of Easter, or Paska, are some of the most important of the year in Greece and for anyone on the island of Crete for a break during early April, the events will add a dash of local colour to their stay.

Continue reading... Easter In Crete

Many of the larger carnivals like the famous one in Rio de Janeiro and the carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife were held on the official carnival weekend of 13th and 14th February. Santa Cruz claims to host one of the biggest carnivals after Rio and this year the capital city of Tenerife had four live stages, an 84,000 Watt sound system and lighting rigs totaling almost 140,000 of power.

Continue reading... Maspalomas Carnival Details

There are only a few days to Easter now and all over Europe villages, towns and cities will be making plans to celebrate the event in many different ways. Easter is also a time when the holiday season starts to take off and, for many, the two weeks that surround the Easter weekend are a perfect opportunity to fly off for a short family break. Places like the Canary Islands are popular as are the closer islands of Mallorca, Menorca and Corfu.

Continue reading... Easter on Corfu and Mallorca

Every spring, hundreds of writers, literary translators, journalists and publishers from all over the world gather for the world's greatest multilingual literary festival in Montreal. They come together in Montreal because this city is known for blending the widest diversity of ethnic backgrounds into one fantastic jazz medley. The Blue Metropolis International Literary Festival is an exciting celebration for everyone with an interest in literature from various cultures.

Continue reading... Multicultural Medley in Montreal

Friday 12th February was the date for two spectacular opening ceremonies. In Vancouver, Canada the 2010 Winter Olympics started on that day when the hosts set to stage a stunning event in the BC Place arena. The organisers went to great lengths to ensure everything went according to plan, even asking the audience to arrive early to take part in a rehearsal an hour before the official start.

Continue reading... Opening Parades on 12th February

During the winter period, flythomascook.com offers flights to Paphos in Cyprus from three UK airports, namely London Gatwick, Nottingham East Midlands and Manchester. Once we get to April, however, the schedule adds departures from a further seven airports and lots more flights. There are a number of ex-pats living in Cyprus, so flights from the UK are always popular, but Cyprus also makes a great destination for a winter or early spring break, particularly as the weather can be kind at that time of year.

Continue reading... Approaching Spring in Paphos

Here are some more details about this year's Carnival that was held in the town of Rethymnon between the end of January and 15th February. This Crete carnival is slightly unusual in that the event programme was made possible due to the participation of several "teams". These teams were made up of locals who either belong to a sporting or social club, or are perhaps a group of friends or family. In addition to the usual street parades and musical performances, there were also lots of "team" parties held in different venues across the town. The dates and locations of these parties were published and everyone was invited to come along.

Continue reading... Rethymnon Celebrations

After a string of big cultural events during early January, Mallorca switched to music for the remainder of the month with a varied mix of concerts in Palma and other towns across the island.

Continue reading... Mallorca Music

If you were lucky enough to be enjoying a holiday on Mallorca during February, then you might have liked to investigate some of the many carnival events taking place across the island.

Continue reading... Mallorca February Fiesta

Just when you think the carnival celebrations are over on Lanzarote and the streets of Arrecife have returned to normality, then things kick off again in another resort.

Continue reading... More February Celebrations on Lanzarote

If you happened to be spending a break on Malta during the second half of February then carnival tradition and sporting excellence awaited as two of the island's main annual events took place before the end of the month.

Continue reading... Malta in February

Forgive us for mentioning carnival events yet again, but for our travellers to Lanzarote, here is a review of the island's carnival events which kicked off on Saturday the 13th of February. There were also some events in the period leading up to this date including a children's fiesta and a series of plays.

Continue reading... Lanzarote Prepares To Celebrate

Beaches and nightclubs may grab most of the holiday headlines when Ibiza is mentioned but during January and March the island's Flower Power and Hippy era is centre stage at two of the island's festivals.

Continue reading... Flower Power On Ibiza

Colourful costumes, street parades, plenty of parties and of course great food and drink are the ingredients for most carnival events and things are not too different on Ibiza. For five days during February the main towns on the island seem to stop work and get down to the serious business of letting their hair down. If you can't quite imagine what goes on there, then think back to the best fancy dress party you ever went to and multiply it by a factor of ten. Everyone, whether part of an organised group in the parade or just watching from the pavements, is encouraged to dress as brightly, even as outrageously, as possible.

Continue reading... Ibiza Celebrations

We've already posted information about several of the big carnival events planned for the Canary Islands and the Balearics but Greece is another country that celebrates at this time of year.

Continue reading... Greek Carnival in Crete

The carnival season is an important time of the year in Gran Canaria and because the resort of Maspalomas and the capital Las Palmas are the two biggest towns on the island, it is not surprising that the most spectacular carnivals are held there. We will cover those events in more detail as they approach, but there are also other towns on the island that host their own programmes.

Continue reading... Gran Canaria Celebrations

For an alternative winter sun getaway why not consider Funchal on the island of Madeira. The typical winter sun locations like Malta, Egypt or the Canary Islands like Tenerife, Gran Canaria or Lanzarote are all popular destinations for those seeking to spend a week or two escaping from the UK winter weather, but the island of Madeira is also a great option.

Continue reading... Funchal For February

During the early part of the year, between January and April most of the towns, villages and cities on Fuerteventura put on some form of carnival celebration. The typical Fuerteventuran carnival includes a street parade, fair ground rides, plenty of food and drink and the endless beat of music from live bands. There are also Carnival Queens in many towns.

Continue reading... Fuerteventura Carnivals in 2010

When Malta puts on events, they are normally very ambitious. For such a small island you do wonder where they get all this desire to host big promotions. From music concerts and sporting events to international trade fairs and cultural celebrations, things are not done by halves in Malta.

Continue reading... Chess, Opera, Jazz and Pop on Malta

While many towns and cities across Spain are gearing up for their annual carnivals during February and March, the island of Mallorca steals a march on them with its Fiesta of San Sebastian during January.

Continue reading... Celebrate San Sebastian in Mallorca

We've been writing about the forthcoming carnival events in our various holiday destinations for quite a while now. The celebrations in the various resorts are spread over several weeks during February and March, with the majority of the larger events being held on the weekend of 13th and 14th of February.

Continue reading... Carnival - The Big One

When you fly to Lanzarote the aircraft will arrive at the island's main airport in Arrecife. The airport is conveniently situated midway along the east coast making transfers to most of the island's main tourist hotspots relatively short, in fact as the whole island is only around 35 miles long, transfer distances are rarely more than 20 miles.

Continue reading... Arrecife Carnival on Lanzarote

As well as many tourists from Britain, the Canary Islands are also popular with Scandinavian visitors, who probably also value the region's mild winter weather as means of escape from their naturally cold climate at home. Take the Swedish for example who have a shorter working week than anywhere else in Europe and, according to a 2008 study, take an average 33 days annual leave each year, much higher than the European average of 25.2 days. The Danes and Germans are both calculated to have 30 days annual leave, while in the UK, workers have to make do with a meagre 24.7 days, ranking them only 13th in Europe. Estonia and Cyprus come bottom with only 20 days per year.

Continue reading... St Lucia Day on Gran Canaria

The sun is already shining on Mallorca and the island hasn't even got to its main event of the year yet. Just like all Spanish towns, Palma's biggest festive event took place, not on 25th December, but on 6th January.

Continue reading... New Year Arts in Mallorca

If you travel to the island of Menorca during January for a quiet winter sun break and you may stumble across an unexpected national celebration.

Continue reading... Celebrate National Day On Menorca

The island of Mallorca and its capital Palma , like many places in Spain, prepare for a traditional Christmas and New Year that centres around four main events. Christmas Eve is important with concerts and Midnight Masses held in many churches, including the famous Seu Cathedral in Palma itself. Christmas Day is a time for relaxation and spending time with family. New Years Eve sees another excuse for celebration, with parties and fireworks displays illuminating the island's skies and then finally the celebration of the Epiphany on January 6th sees children receiving gifts in much the same way as UK children do on Christmas Day.

Continue reading... Mallorca Beyond New Year

One of the best ways to experience the true Gran Canaria is to take part in the annual carnival that started this year on the 26th January 2010.

Continue reading... Las Palmas Carnival

The 17th December, was the shortest day of the year in Funchal on the island of Madeira in 2009, dusk arrived at 4 minutes to five in the afternoon only 600 minutes after sunrise. Compare that to London whose shortest day came a day or two later and was only 470 minutes long. So a winter break on the island of Madeira will not only provide more sun and warmer temperatures, but the days will be over two hours longer too.

Continue reading... Funchal's Shortest Day

In Cyprus the towns of Larnaca and Paphos are favourites of both British tourists and ex-pats who have gone there to live and enjoy the milder climate. As you might expect the Christmas cultures of the towns are both a mix of Greek Cypriot traditions and those more modern derivatives that the mix of nationalities brings to the area.

Continue reading... December Culture in Larnaca and Paphos

Ibiza is one of those holiday islands that enjoys a bit of a break from September onwards. The busy summer crowds have subsided and the vast sandy beaches are more easily admired. The tourists who take their holidays in September, having waited until the school-age children have returned home, have been able to enjoy a more peaceful time on the island. Once October arrives everything eases back to a slower pace, the international nightclubs that Ibiza is famous for have had their end of season parties and the islands is given back to the locals for a few months.

Continue reading... Christmas on Ibiza

The Spanish islands of Mallorca, Menorca and the Canaries are not the only places to hold their carnivals in the early part of the year. The town of Rethymno in Crete also stages a spectacular carnival programme that runs throughout the whole of February.

Continue reading... February Carnival in Crete

During January Tenerife hosts the Festival de Musica de Canarias, a celebration of classical music that first started in 1985.

Continue reading... Music Festival in Tenerife

The famous Disney Parks near Orlando in Florida are a lure to children and their parents at all times of the year, but at Christmas they take on an added attraction as the magic of the festive season provides a reason for the parks to put on extra special events.

Continue reading... Christmas Spectaculars in Orlando

Sunny weather and a fresh breeze treated competitors and spectators to a spectacular start of the 2009 ARC Sailing event in Gran Canaria.

Continue reading... Fleet Departs Gran Canaria on Atlantic Voyage

The month of November on the island of Madeira is certainly one when food seems to take the centre stage.

Continue reading... Madeira Food Focus

If you are looking for a high energy New Year party followed by some peaceful relaxation in the sun away from the cold, wet weather that is currently shrouding the UK, then Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt may be just the ticket.

Continue reading... Plan your New Year Party in Sharm

As a holiday island that relies on tourism for much of its commercial activity, the authorities in Mallorca have a responsibility to their business community to provide a continuing stream of events and attractions that help bring visitors to the island all year round. Mallorca has slowly developed a tried and tested seasonal shift that sees the springtime favouring the activities of cyclists and athletes, who come to the island for warm weather training. Then the long summer panders to the millions of sun and beach lovers who enjoy the island's many perfect resorts. Autumn sees a switch to sailing and also culture that brings art and music festivals to the island. At the end of the year Christmas provides a perfect bridge to the golfing season that takes over in the New Year.

Continue reading... Mallorca's Seasonal Shift

For many the Christmas period presents the perfect opportunity to take a short break and get away for a little rest and relaxation. For some a cosy chalet in snow covered mountains is the ideal break while others yearn for some warm sunshine. Being only a short flight from the UK, Lanzarote offers the combination of convenience and value for British tourists seeking some warmer weather.

Continue reading... Lanzarote Christmas

The normally quiet town of Inca, lying 17 miles north east of Palma on the island of Mallorca, suddenly became the centre of attention during November. The Autumn fairs of Inca are traditional events that go back many years and attract huge crowds over the 4 weekends which started on 24th October.

Continue reading... Dijous Bo on Mallorca