Published 28th Aug. 2023
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Every June, more than 200,000 revellers descend on a field in Somerset, flowers in hair, wellies on feet and tents in tow. There’s mud, there’s body paint, there’s tie-dye and, of course, some music too. You guessed it – Glastonbury Festival. Catching up on the post-festival footage got us thinking about festivals in general. They do, after all, take you straight to the heart of a place, be it through music, culture, history, food or myriad other forms. So after much debate (there's a lot of festivals out there), we've compiled a list of what we believe are the best festivals around the world. Revel away...
Sea worms, spear-wielding horsemen and ritual battles are all components of this festival on Indonesia's Sumba Island (needless to say, it's very much a spectator's sport). The timing is determined by the arrival of a certain type of seaworm in the ocean. What follows is a tournament of men galloping around on horses, while throwing spears at each other to draw blood as a sacrifice to the spirits, in return for a good harvest.
Valencia is a city that knows how to party, and the pièce de résistance is Las Fallas, a bonkers festival (even by Spanish standards). On the first day of spring in March, giant papier mâché effigies of politicians and celebrities are paraded through the streets before being set alight, with an impressive firework display concluding the pyromaniac proceedings. The party goes on all night, and as you pass through each barrio, you’ll find local street parties around every corner, each bigger and better than the last, and often with open invites to visitors.
Taking place in January, the Festival of Timkat in Ethiopia is a wonderfully vibrant and joyous festival typified by religious processions, music and dancing. The festival is held in the northern region of Gondar, famed for its medieval castles and palaces. Timkat is a fascinating insight into one of our planet's most culturally rich and diverse nations - not to be missed for any culture vultures out there.
Although the Day of the Dead is celebrated across Mexico, its epicentre is in the country's culinary capital, Oaxaca. Families honour their deceased ancestors with a blend of indigenous and European Catholic traditions, with images of skulls and bones prevalent. The Day of the Dead is seen as so culturally important that it's even been named on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Lake of Stars is a three-day music festival held on the shores of the beautiful Lake Malawi. Set up by a British student in 2003, the festival attracts revellers from across Europe and Africa and aims to generate exposure for Malawi as a destination. There are plenty of great spots for chilling out after, including Danforth Lodge and Kaya Mawa, or head out on safari in Liwonde National Park. Growing year on year, this could be the next Glastonbury...
In October, RIFF descends on Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur for four nights, and features an eclectic mix of singers, dancers, instrumentalists, storytellers and artisans, with performances by master musicians from local communities. The festival is timed to match the brightest full moon of the year, so you can enjoy the music and dance the night away under the moonlight.
Practical advice and inspiration for your next trip
Sumatra is one of the largest and most beautiful islands in Indonesia; it's three times the size of the UK and, unlike its neighbouring islands of Bali and Java, sees far fewer tourists. It's also one of the most biodiverse areas on earth, known for its extraordinarily rich flora, fauna and wildlife. Want the lowdown? Read on to discover our reasons why you should visit Sumatra. 1. Step into the unknown2.
7th June 2025 - Indonesia Adventure
Norway’s surreal scenery has to be seen to be believed. A land of majestic fjords, wild isles and imposing mountains, every inch of this country will take your breath away. It’s not difficult to see why it’s consistently voted as one of the world’s top travel destinations; visit Norway on holiday, and you’ll leave wanting to run away to the mountains and never return. So, why visit Norway? Read on for a list of reasons you won’t be able to argue with.
4th June 2025 - Norway Adventure
We're all for a relaxing holiday, but sometimes an active adventure is just what the doctor ordered. Whether you’re an avid hiker or a complete beginner, it’s no secret that immersing yourself in nature is a great way to unplug and destress, and a good long walk in a dreamy destination is certainly more appealing than a stroll around your local park. So, if you're sitting at your desk dreaming about your next trip, this roundup of the best hiking holidays is the perfect-pick-me-up to get you inspired.
17th January 2025 - Adventure
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