The date of celebrating the festival is decided by the Coptic calendar. The festival celebrates the beginning of the harvesting season. Shemu stands for revival of life and onset of the harvesting season. The festival is marked by a great feast in which certain things have to be consumed. The offerings during the feast also hold great significance.

Continue reading... Sharm el Sheikh Sham el Nessim

The Algarve is famous for its excellent seafood cuisine. This remarkable attraction can be tied to the long stretches of seashore and harbours dotting the whole region, which contribute to the richness and beauty of Algarve. The area shows off its qualities during the Sardine festival in Faro. Every year, there is an influx of visitors and flights to Faro because of this summer festival, which takes place in the month of August on the Riverside zone in Portimao. Thousands of sardine enthusiasts return to Faro during this event to participate in the fun and challenging competitions which this festival offers.

Continue reading... Sardine festival in Faro

While most travellers book their flights to Preveza because of the beautiful sun drenched beaches, this destination hosts some unique and lively festivals during the summer months, including the Sardine and Choral festival. The most greatly anticipated of these events is the Nikopolia Festival, which takes place from late June to early September. Covering all art forms, the festival has been running for over 45 years, and is a cherished favourite of the locals.

Continue reading... The Nikopolia Festival in Preveza

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

Situated at the point where the river Tagus flows into the Atlantic Ocean, it is hardly surprising that Lisbon has always had a special relationship with the sea. This sentiment is celebrated in the Oceans Festival, which takes place in the city from 31st July to 14th August.

Continue reading... Ocean Festival Lisbon

As it is situated on the Atlantic, the Algarve region has a bounty of fresh fish on its doorstep. Portugal on a whole is among Europe's highest fish consuming nations. Cod is a hugely popular fish and it is reputed that the Portuguese have 365 different ways to prepare it - one dish for each day of the year! Also popular are grilled sardines, octopus, squid, crabs, shrimp, sea bass, lobster, and shellfish. Expect to see the fish and shellfish here prepared in a multitude of ways. Additional dishes to try are the rich bean stews and presunto, which is a wafer thin smoked ham and bread served with pate and olives. Speaking of bread, you may want to sample the acorda which is a thick bread-based casserole made with garlic, coriander and seafood. Potatoes and rice dishes are also mainstays of the menus here.

Continue reading... The Fantastic Food of Faro

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

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

Travel half an hour East from Faro on the Algarve and you will arrive at the old town of Tavira, a place that ranks alongside Lagos in architectural significance on this stretch of the Portuguese coast.

Continue reading... Festival in the Old Town of Tavira