DESTINATIONS FESTIVALS & EVENTS | ESCORTED TOURS BEST OF THE REST 5 harbin ice festival, china
The world’s largest celebration of all things ice descends on China’s northernmost city, Harbin, every December until February, turning this former Russian settlement into a glittering winter wonderland. Folklore-influenced ice sculptures, ice lanterns, ice bars and more take over the surreal-looking Sun Island Park – where the Ice and Snow World fuses rainbow-lit, palatial snow creations with adrenaline-pumping winter sports. Beyond the park there’s a whole host of activities to be witnessed, from winter swimming to dog-sledding and plenty more. Book it: Explore takes in the highlights and combines it with Chinese New Year in Hong Kong on an 11-day trip via Beijing, the Great Wall and Xi’an. Prices start at £2,999, including flights, for a departure on January 17, 2020.
explore.co.uk
E Sziget Festival, Budapest: Foo Fighters, Ed Sheeran and Florence + The Machine are among the stars descending on Budapest in 2020. Topdeck will be combining it with explorations in Dubrovnik, Sarajevo and Belgrade on a five-night trip priced from £1,239, departing July 31.
E Beethoven Festival, Germany: Bonn is celebrating 250 years since Beethoven’s birth in the city with a series of symphonies next March; Kirker Holidays offers a six-night trip from £2,246, including flights on March 14.
E Venice Carnival: It’s not only Rio that goes all out for Mardi Gras: live music, masquerade balls and boat parades make up Venice’s version. Shearings Holidays has a nine-day Lake Garda and Veneto’s Carnevales tour from £719, departing February 15.
E Diwali: Twinkling illuminations, fireworks and feasts transform India into a dazzling spectacle during the five-day festival of light. Trafalgar has a 13-night Colourful India – Celebrate Diwali trip taking it all in, featuring a Be My Guest dinner at a local family’s home (from £4,075, excluding flights).
6 holi festival, india
India’s most exuberant festival sees streets across the country turned into a giant rainbow as locals throw powdered colour bombs and water balloons as part of a Hindu tradition. These days, it signifies a time to come together while marking the start of spring with family festivities, dancing, folk music and Holi delicacies such as gujiya (sweet deep-fried dumplings), malpua (mini pancakes) and thandai (a drink made with cardamom, almonds, dried fruit and saffron). Book it: On The Go Tours has an eight-day trip combining the celebrations in the fort city of Bharatpur with time in frenetic Delhi, Unesco-listed ‘pink city’ Jaipur, the Taj Mahal and beyond, with a discounted price of £418 based on two sharing, excluding flights, departing Delhi on March 6.
onthegotours.com
travelweekly.co.uk
14 NOVEMBER 2019
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PICTURES: Shutterstock; Yuri Acurs/
Peopleimages.com; Explore
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