Feliz Primavera

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia is always high on the list for travellers looking for a citybreak. Not only is Spain's second city one of Europe's most cosmopolitan, it is also one of Europe's most unique destinations. In fact Barcelona is the top citybreak destination for Spain holiday deals, beating Madrid thanks to its relaxed atmosphere, good food and most famously its excellent city beaches. Throughout the course of the year Barcelona also has a number of popular festivals that attract holidaymakers of all ages. Primavera sound festival starts off the pick of the city's music events in May and is perfect for anyone looking for an early getaway.

The festival takes place just as Barcelona's weather really begins to heat up so the beaches will be well utilised along with the city's other sites. For holidaymakers wanting to take advantage of the weather it is best to attend the second half of primavera sound in the iconic coastal Parc del forum from the 26th to the 28th of May. Holidaymakers with a passion for everything cultural, and with a love of breathtaking sites should book the opening and closing days on the 25th and 29th of May in Montjuic. This year's event is closed by the Vaccines in one of Spain's highest and most beautiful city parks.

Before heading to join the other revellers in Poble Espanyol a visit to the Palau Nacional, the National Palace is in order. On display are some of Spain's most famous and important works of art including some 12th century frescoes. There is also an impressive collection of gothic art featuring Lluis Dalmau among others. The surroundings of Montjuic alone are enough to want to book late deals to Barcelona, and Poble Espanyol is a fitting place to hold the festival because the area epitomises the eclectic nature of one of the world's best cities.

The name Poble Espanyol translates as Spanish village. The area was built in 1929, at the same time as the Palau Nacional for the international exhibition and includes building styles from all over Spain. Poble Espanyol is a fine showcase of regional Spanish architecture and its main square is heaving during the opening and closing days of an event that has hosted the likes of the white stripes and Portishead in previous years. Castell de Montjuic is another one of the park's most popular sites. The 18th century fort on the summit of the 700ft hill has an interesting and at times bloody history, making it the perfect location for Barcelona's military museum.

The city's modernist architecture is easily among the best in the world with legendary Catalonian architect Gaudi heavily, and spectacularly represented throughout Barcelona. A trip to Eixample is the best place to go and see his more famous works, Casa Mila and La Sagrada Familia. Both buildings are must see sites for visitors taking advantage of cheap holidays to the Catalan capital and visiting from other parts of the affluent north east.

Oktoberfest

Beer reigns supreme at the annual Oktoberfest gala and this is one of the best times for people to join one of the Oktoberfest tours. This is a perfect way to discover Munich, Germany and explore the wonders of German beer and ale.

The celebration is a centuries old tradition that combines old world charm with modern day adventures, and never has there been a more reverently boisterous setting for Oktoberfest beer lovers to gather and explore the nuances of this fermented, aromatic beverage.

Each year Munich, Germany hosts the September celebration and welcomes visitors with Oktoberfest tours. Currently this famous beer festival attracts more than 5.5 million individuals for a gala 2 week event.

This celebration has been ongoing for 200 years and if you sign up for one of the Oktoberfest tours you have a wonderful opportunity to sample a wide variety of German beers, enjoy delicious foods and participate in games and other events.

You can become part of the enthusiastic crowd that fills the city of Munich to capacity each year. As a member of an Oktoberfest tours group you can experience firsthand the merriment, excitement and live entertainment that are all hallmarks of this autumn celebration. The two week festival begins in the middle of September and there are non-stop parties that last until the first of October.

The origins of this German beer festival date back to the early 19th century. This was when a major celebration was planned in honor of the wedding of Princess Therese and Prince Ludwig. The huge Oktoberfest celebration was intended as an event in which all of the townspeople could participate.

In the early years of the Munich Oktoberfest the major theme was a horse race but additional entertainments and attractions soon became part of the festivities. By 1818 there were a number of live entertainments in place and the beer tasting was introduced in 1896.

At first there were tents and hastily constructed booths that were used for Oktoberfest activities, but these were quickly outgrown within the span of a few years. By the time the 20th century had arrived the Oktoberfest landscape was dominated by large, colorful beer halls.

The end of the Oktoberfest celebration occurs on either the 1st of October or on the 3rd of the month. This date is dependent upon the day of the month when Germanys Unification Day is being celebrated. You can contact any of the Oktoberfest tours and find out additional information about the 2011 schedule.

Today Munich has seen their local Oktoberfest evolve into an international celebration involving music, entertainment, cultural events, and of course every conceivable brand of German ale and beer.

Each year the Oktoberfest celebration is held at Theresienwiese which is a park located in central Munich. The land was named in honor of Princess Therese (Theresien) and the German people are very proud of this famous connection that ties the present day celebrations to the original Oktoberfest event.

With more than 100,000 seats, two dozen main beer halls and a number of extra booths and temporary tents there is plenty of room for the enormous crowds that attend as part of their itenerary for Oktoberfest tours.

Every beer hall, tent or stand will offer a uniquely different experience for guests to enjoy. You may want to visit Kafers where many celebreties and officials will gather or perhaps you would prefer the vibrant, energy of the Hippodrom which is the preferred site for the younger guests.

At the Schottenhamel tent the very first keg of Oktoberfest beers will be tapped and only then is Oktoberfest declared open for business. During the daylight hours there is a more reserved atmosphere that is evident and this is when many families and seniors are in attendance. Beginning at about 6pm in the evening the music becomes loud and lively and the party atmosphere begins to heat up dramatically which is a major focus for many who are visiting with one of the Oktoberfest tours.

The beermakers of the Bavarian region are given their glorious moment in the sun and they make the most of it. You will have a chance to taste Oktoberfest beers made by Pauliner, Hofbrau, Augustine Brau and Hacker-Pschorr.

The varieties of beer will provide you with unique tastes and flavors. Among the beers that you may sample are Dunkels which are the darker ales made from carmelized malt; Helles which are pale, golden lagers and Dopplebock which is a beer that contains double the alcohol content of normal ales.

Trung Thu

Traveling to Vietnam for a holiday is a great idea. It is a country that has thrown off the shackles of its colonial past, arising as a land of friendly entrepreneurs. Intrepid travelers visiting Vietnam will find that is a land full of great food, beautiful scenery, and pleasant people. It is also a land where a little money will go a long way. It is easy to live like a king here for the cost of a meal back home. There are many things to do while visiting Vietnam. The following is a guide to the best events in Vietnam.

When looking at its events Vietnam has one occasion that sticks out far above the others. The Vietnamese, like many Asian cultures, give special reverence to their ancient lunar calendar. The Lunar New Year, called Tet in Vietnam, is the biggest of events in Vietnam.

Usually occurring at the end of January or beginning of February, Tet is the time of year when everyone receives visitors in their home. They get their home as clean as possible. They scrub it from floor to ceiling, filling it with beautiful flowers. At midnight on New Year's Eve, the country is filled with the sounds of firecrackers. The next morning begins a week of holidays for the Vietnamese, as they spend the time visiting friends and paying respects to ancestors. The country's stores are mostly closed for this week, so it is a good idea for visitors to stock up on anything they need before Tet begins.

Another big event that Vietnam celebrates is Hai Ba Trung Day. This is a very special day for women in Vietnam, who led a rebellion to defeat the Chinese way back in 41 A.D. This holiday is one of the great events Vietnam visitors must be sure to see. Many parades and festivals celebrate this very special day. Many women will be decked out in beautifully colorful outfits to celebrate their special day.

One of the beautiful events in Vietnam for visitors to see is the Mid-Autumn Festival, Trung Thu. This is a festival that is mainly for children, and it has a sight that is incredibly amazing to witness. Millions of colorful lanterns area created all over the country in the weeks leading up to the festival. On the festival night, the children have parades with their lit lanterns.

Flores Hermosas

The summer could come quicker than you think. This winter, for most areas of the United States, has been more on the warm side with a few spurts of cold weather, but for the most part, it's been bearable. If you're like me, you might already be mentally planning your next surf trip to one of the many exotic locations throughout the world. The most popular and rather obvious choices include Hawaii, Fiji, Bali Indonesia and Australia. However, with the high level of tourism in these areas, it may be difficult to feel good about an actual surf vacation to one of these locales.

Enter Central America. The beauty that resonates along the pacific coast of countries like Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama and Nicaragua should be reason enough to want to spend your next surf vacation in Central America However, there are more convincing reasons why Central America should receive heavy consideration for your next surf vacation.

Uncrowded waves are at the top of the list. There are so many breaks to decide from in Central America, many of which are accessible by boat only. Southern Nicaragua boasts some of the most popular surfing beaches like Playa Maderas. As you travel further North, you will find the lineups getting emptier. Freight Trains is an epic left that breaks on an off-shore sand bar. Known to have rides of up to 400 meters, this wave benefits from nearly 300 days of off-shore winds. Since you can only access this break via boat, you are sure to stay stoked for days to come...and then some.

Costa Rica, probably the more popular of the countries in Central America that offer surf vacation packages and surf camps has some excellent waves at Playa Hermosa and Playa Jaco. El Salvador's less-trodden east has a number of unspoiled breaks like Las Flores and Punta Mango. Although Panama is still a relatively new destination for surfing in Central America, there are some great reef breaks in the Bocas Del Toro islands.

Whether you're wanting to learn to surf at any one of the many surf camps in Central America, or you want to enjoy some superb conditions on a week long surf session with your best friends, Central America has great options that are simply perfect for a summer surf getaway. As a friendly reminder, be sure to find a surf camp that offers all inclusive accommodations. This will allow you to stay focused on surfing and nothing else. Many surf camps also carry an extensive quiver of surfboards for your convenience.

With summer around the corner it's no surprise that you'll find yourself looking for the right destination for your surf vacation. Where ever you choose to go, just remember to enjoy the ride.