Direct Travel Insurance recommends five unique festivals not to be missed
As spring approaches, and winter draws to an end, no doubt everyone will be starting to think about holidays and weekends away. If you are someone who prefers to discover new cultures and experiences, then there are plenty of events taking place around the world to choose from.
To help promote unique festivals and events you are unlikely to have heard of, Direct Travel Insurance, providers of travel insurance, have highlighted five festivals offering truly unique experiences in 2010.
Songkran Festival – Thailand – 13 to 15 April 2010
Songkran is the most important of all the Thai festivals, and falls on or around April 13, when the sun moves into Aries, and lasts for three days or longer. The Sanskrit meaning of the word Songkran is 'beginning of the solar year', which the festival celebrates. This is a water themed festival, and traditionally Thais visit temples and take part in bathing ceremonies and release small fish into rivers. These days, Songkran is a water-throwing free-for-all, in which anyone and everyone is liable to get thoroughly drenched!
The First Day of Summer - Iceland – 19 – 25 April
In years gone by the Icelandic population divided the year into only two seasons, winter and summer. As winter loosens its grip on Iceland the entire country celebrates the First Day of Summer and where better to take in all of these festivities (that include parades, sporting events and other forms of entertainment)
Cheung Chau’s Bun Festival - Hong Kong - 21 May
The Bun Festival is held to mark the Eighth day of the Fourth Moon, in the Chinese calendar - usually in early May - and it coincides with the local celebration of Buddha's birthday, which means all the more reason to have a party! The celebration has its roots in a traditional religious festival where fishing communities prayed for safety from pirates, but today it is mostly a showcase for traditional Chinese culture. The festival lasts for seven days, and for three of these days the entire community goes vegetarian: even the local McDonald's takes meat off the menu!
The Anastenaria - Northern Greece – 21 to 23 May
The Anastenaria, or the feast of Saint Constantine and Saint Helena, celebrates a traditional ritual which takes place every May in parts of Greece. The festival sees the locals dance barefoot around a fire pit, but when the saint moves them, they are known to run backwards and forwards across the burning coals, some carrying icons of the saints. Generally, the dancing continues until the ashes are cool, then everyone returns home and enjoys a communal meal, with music and singing.
Naadam Festival (The Three Games of Man) – Mongolia – 11 – 13 July
Each year Mongolia comes to a standstill because of the Nadaam festival, it is a great time of celebration and competition for the Mongolian citizens. It consists of a myriad of competitions in each city (at the same time) in which participants race horses, wrestle each other and see who is the best shot in the archery competition. It might not be the most conventional of festivals, but it’s colourful and celebrated in great spirits. If you prefer your festivals “off the beaten track” then this is the festival for you!
If you are tempted to visit one of these amazing countries, come to us for your holiday insurance – we have single and annual trip insurance options, as well as backpacker’s insurance policies going cheap. Visit www.direct-travel.co.uk for more information today.
Direct Travel Insurance has been providing travellers with excellent travel insurance since 1993. Having insured over 800,000 travellers in the last 12 months, there is no doubt that Direct Travel is a leading player in the holiday insurance market. Visit www.direct-travel.co.uk for a cheap travel insurance quote today.
