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Piazza del Campo, Siena, Italy, site of the Palios horse race. Credit: PhillipC.
We recently posed the following question to our Facebook friends: “If you could travel to any place in the world to experience one event or festival, what would it be?” Travelers (and aspiring travelers) around the world chimed in to share this bucket-list of international events and vacation destinations.
1. The Running of the Bulls: Pamplona, Spain
Without a doubt one of the most notorious and wildly popular events in all of Europe is the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, which was brought to international fame when Ernest Hemingway wrote about it in his book “The Sun Also Rises.” Good news to the bold: anyone can participate, so get your padded clothing on and hit the street running. It’s actually not the only Running of the Bulls event there is. There are others held throughout Spain, Portugal and Mexico throughout summer, but the high-profile version that everybody’s familiar with takes place during the Festival of San Fermin in Pamplona. The festival is a week-long celebration held every July that, aside from charging bulls, also has sporting events, fireworks, and a daily event called the Giants and Big-Heads Parade where 12-foot tall wooden effigies dance down the street to the beat of traditional music. The Festival of San Fermin usually attracts about a million people every year, so book your stay early. My favorite lodgings: the Zenit Pamplona Hotel, which offers free shuttle service to the festivities.
Book your Spain vacation now to see La Tomatina and get 15% off when you stay at the 4-star Melia Valencia.
2. The Tomato Festival: Bu?ol, Spain
Not many people would travel thousands of miles to get involved in a food fight, but if you’re one of those people, you’ll definitely be into this. La Tomatina (the Tomato Festival) happens every August in the town of Bu?ol, Spain. But there’s more to it than just an epic tomato fight. It’s also got what makes for truly great family vacations: parades, events, fireworks, music, dancing and the best paella in the world. The day begins with an event the locals call the “palo jabon” which directly translates to “soap stick;” it’s actually a lot more like a greasy pole event. In Bu?ol, a ham is attached to the top of the pole and participants are showered with hoses as they try to make the nearly impossible climb. Once the ham is dropped, La Tomatina is officially launched and the epic food fight ensues. If you’re interested in going, take note that while the city of Bu?ol is tiny, there are plenty of accommodations to be found at nearby Valencia hotels.
3. Oktoberfest: Munich, Germany
Mention the words “soundproof rooms” and I’m sold no matter the cost. Especially when spending time in Munich for Oktoberfest, where things can get a little raucous. A mere fifteen-minute walk from the epicenter of Oktoberfest, the InterCity Hotel Muenchen’s proximity to the city train station is what sold me. You’re sure to have heard about Oktoberfest before. You may even have seen pictures or been on the receiving end of glowing testimonials by past visitors, but there’s a huge difference between hearing about something and actually being there. When it comes to length of festivals, Oktoberfest is one of the longest running, typically lasting between 16 and 18 days from September to the first weekend of October. During that time, celebration reigns supreme as 5 million visitors walk the streets of Munich, partaking of beer, tons of delectable traditional dishes, beer, carnival rides, beer, and traditional and contemporary music. (Did I mention the beer?)
Take a break from Rio's raucous Carnaval action to lounge pool and beachside at Pestana Rio Atlantica Hotel.
4. The Festival of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Mexico City
Mexico City is a beautiful place to visit year round, but every year on December 12th, an influx of millions make the pilgrimage to the city’s Basilica in tribute to the country’s patron saint, the Virgin of Guadalupe. But this is no somber event — there’s enough dancing, singing and celebration to rival Oktoberfest. There are fireworks, performances by folk dancers parades, and street vendors selling everything from food to keepsakes. For an excellent place to lay your head once the festivities have ended, try the Melia Mexico Reforma hotel, which I found to be upscale, classy and a great value to boot.
5. Carnaval: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
You know it’s an event to get involved in when even the locals get excited for it. Such is the case with Brazil’s Carnaval, which has become one of the biggest festivals in the world, and is considered the biggest and most widely celebrated holiday in all of Brazil. Festivities are held all over the country in the 40 days leading up to Easter, but Rio de Janeiro sees some of the most lively attractions including street parties, parades and balls. This is one of the liveliest and most colorful festivals that I’ve ever witnessed. The streets are filed with people in costumes, traditional and contemporary music and performances can be found in every corner of the city, and a prevailing spirit of celebration permeates the air. These people know how to throw a party, and it shows.
6. Christmas in New York: New York City
One of the best family vacation ideas for the holidays is to gather up your kids and take them to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony, which happens the Wednesday following Thanksgiving. But the event isn’t just about lighting up a really tall tree and hearing the collective “oohs” and “ahhs” of those present (as well as those watching on TV across the nation). The day is also accentuated by numerous performances by world famous music acts, and has become a staple of the American Christmas Holiday experience that’s not quite the same unless you’re actually there. If you’re planning a trip for next year, consider The Hilton Garden Inn which puts you smack dab in the middle of the bustling heart of New York City, and close enough to the Rockefeller Center to be able to race back to the warmth of your hotel room when the ceremony and fanfare has wound down.
Celebrate the holidays NYC style at the Doubletree Guest Suites, Times Square.
7. Festival of Flowers: Medellin, Colombia
If you’re thinking the Festival of Flowers sounds a little, well, flowery, you’re right. But that’s not all you’ll find in Medellin every August. There’s a bit of everything: horse parades, fireworks, concerts, pageants, comedy performances and, of course, loads of flowers. My favorite event? The Silleteros Parade, which is a rich and incredibly colorful homage to the long tradition of native farmers who, to this day, walk their wares from their homes in the surrounding mountains into nearby towns and villages to sell their expertly cultivated goods. For one of the best hotel experiences in the area, check out the Estelar Milla de Oro, which has two great restaurants with colorful dishes that complement the rich color of this unique event.
8. The Palios: Siena and Ferrara, Italy
If you dig horse races, you’re in for a treat — but the Palio competitions held in both Siena and Ferrara, Italy, aren’t exactly the Kentucky Derby you may be used to. The Palio di Ferrara is held on the last Sunday of May each year in Ferrara; the Palio di Siena happens twice a year in July and again in August. In Siena, the race is preceded by the Corteo Storico, a parade rich with colorful costumes and — you guessed it — lots of horses. Ferrara also holds a historical procession that’s 1,100-people strong, all adorned with 15th century period costumes. As far as lodgings go, I found great package deals for family vacations to both cities. Best digs in each town? The architecture at the Grand Hotel Continental in Siena screams magnificence, and the Hotel Carlton in Ferrara puts you a stroll away from incredible castles and cathedrals.
9. Regatta Storica: Venice, Italy
I’ve never needed a good reason to go to Venice and I doubt many people do. But if you’re planning far enough ahead, shoot for the first week of September when you can catch the historic Regatta Storica, a series of water races whose opening ceremonial parade down the Grand Canal is one of those sights you should put on your short list of things to witness in this life. If you’ve never seen a parade on the water, this is your opportunity; an historical procession of elaborate 16th-century replica boats on the Grand Canal officially launches the week’s events. For an elegant hotel experience that situates you right on the canal, visit the Starhotels Splendid Venice.
Stay right on the Grand Canal at the elegant Starhotels Splendid Venice.
10. Gilroy Garlic Festival: Gilroy, California
Garlic ice cream, anyone? It’s definitely something you don’t find every day and there’s only one place you can get it. And probably the only time of year you’ll ever want to try it is during the annual Gilroy Garlic Festival in California. But the festival is much more than it sounds. Sure, there’s plenty of garlic on hand. Evidence can be found in the numerous cook offs and food stands that offer culinary delights as interesting as the aforementioned garlic ice cream, garlic pizza, garlic soup and garlic anything-else-you-can-think-of. In addition, the festival boasts an impressive roster of musicians, guest celebrities, workshops, arts and crafts, and even a Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival pageant. An estimated 100,000-plus visitors attend yearly, with attendance that’s been growing steadily since the festival’s 1979 start as a fundraiser for local charities. I grew up around Gilroy and can attest to the fact that you can smell the garlic from miles away, most often in the early morning. Best place to stay in town? The Hilton Garden Inn.
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Vince Font is a freelance writer born in Puerto Rico and currently escaped to Utah. When not dreaming of interstellar travel, he’s on the hunt for weird, wacky, and off-the-beaten-track vacation destinations. Next stop: The Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast.
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