Chinese New Year is a widely celebrated festival – celebrated either in the month of January or February, depending on the lunar calendar. All around the world, hundreds of communities celebrate this time by lighting beautiful lanterns, conducting parades and spending time as a community or family. The streets are lit up in beautiful lanterns, decorated with Chinese calligraphy. People adorn themselves with new clothes and give gifts to children. Shops offer special deals on all items. For nights on end, long dancing dragons fill the street in the traditional dragon parades, which also feature acrobats and dancers. Fireworks light up the night sky and the streets are filled with the colour red, which is said to be able to ward off beasts. The Chinese …

New Year’s Eve is a time for letting go, for releasing inhibitions and for having fun. It is a time for fresh beginnings for those who want to shed the old and begin the new, to live up to aspirations and make much needed changes. For those who want the year ahead to be filled with excitement and adventure, where better to greet the New Year than on an exotic holiday that is filled with fun and entertainment. An exciting place to be for the celebration is Singapore, a country fast becoming one of the most stylish and interesting places in the world, due to its ability to fuse its beautiful culture with modernity. There are many ways to spend the evening of the 31st …

Indonesia is undoubtedly a top-notch destination in terms of culture, outdoor activities and holiday retreats that one would always want to be a part of. The festivals and events play a major role in showcasing the country’s rich cultural influences of which some go back in time. If one is searching for luxury hotels, Indonesia affords plenty of opportunities to select one that will suit your budget. Starwood Indonesia which features amongst Indonesia 5 star hotels will entice you with a truly memorable experience that will give you the time and space to discover a host of all the upcoming festivals in the country. October sees the ever popular and engaging Kuta Karnival Bali Food Festival which sees foodies the world over commune in Bali for a true taste …

Kerala in India is a destination with a distinctive culture. A 3 Star hotel in Kerala such as Poovar Island Resort presents an ideal option for those in search of a Kerala resort at which to hold their wedding reception. Traditional weddings in Kerala incorporate some unique rituals to mark the unity of two people. Customarily, the bride pays a visit to a temple along with her close relatives on the very morning of her wedding day. Here she prays for a happy wedded life. Usually marriage ceremonies in Kerala are held at large halls which have the capacity for a large amount of guests, among which there are friends and relatives of both the bridegroom and bride. The responsibility of arranging this ceremony belongs …

The Maldives Islands is truly a paradise that lies within the sparking blue waters of the Indian Ocean. It is renowned as a world-famous tropical destination that lures tourists in droves each year. Boasting up to 1,190 islands that comprise its idyllic surrounds, a vacation in the Maldives partakes of the best aspects of ample fun in the sun, sand, and surf. With pristine beaches of fine white power, a vacation in the Maldives will be without doubt the best you will ever experience – a true feast for the senses. A trip to Maldives will never be complete without a dive into the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. The gorgeous underwater delights that lie beneath the curling waves are indeed a must-see feature …

‘Tis the season for merriment and joy, when families gather in the spirit of harmony and grace to pile presents under the tree and bask in the warmth of good company and great food. The city of Auckland herself is bedecked in her seasonal best, and the Auckland city hotel that you stay at will be featuring a stunning array of Auckland hotel specials guaranteed to make your stay here unforgettable, such as the Copthorne Hotel Auckland City. Certain neighbourhoods in the city of Auckland are adorned with magnificent displays of light and Christmas ornaments that capture the spirit of the season. Stroll through these delightful areas and allow your sense of goodwill and joy to soar, as many houses compete for the honour of …

Despite its reputation as one of the more straight-laced nations in Asia Singapore transforms itself in to a celebratory epicenter come 31st of December. Globally renowned for its late night New Years Eve parties and iconic fireworks displays the Lion City is a one stop party central like no other in the region. Catering to party-goers of all ages and origin the wide variety of events taking place across the island nation provides the perfect atmosphere to hark in the New Year in style. Whether one is stopping over for a holiday or especially dropping in to welcome the New Year in Asia’s festive heartland revelers from around the world can be guaranteed of a memorable New Years Eve celebration when in Singapore. The Marina …

As the rest of the world watches on enchanted, the colour, the glory and the rhythm of the celebrations of the Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival begin with the new moon, and continues in its charming glory for 15 festive days. Here the dearly departed are fondly remembered and honoured, family ties are strengthened, relationships renewed, household gods worshipped and all evil is swept away. Long long ago, as the folk lore describes, the horrifying monster of ‘Nian’ that held captive the villagers of China in its fearsome grip, was confronted by an old man, whose wise words drove the dreaded beast in to the deep dark jungle, freeing the people from their worst fear. So great was the gladness that the celebrations …

Just like other people around the globe, Indonesians welcome the New Year with great joy and festivity. The excitement naturally begins on December 31st, when Indonesians like their counterparts in other countries prepare to bid farewell to the year that is drawing to a close. It is a time for reflection on the twelve months that have passed by, and to celebrate the successes and milestones that have been achieved. In Indonesia many of the public festivities are centred on the urban areas, where families and friends get together to party the night away. Groups of people get together in car and motorcycle convoys in which they roam the streets of the big cities, notably the capital Jakarta. Since many Indonesians work on New Year’s …

If you are looking for a unique way to ring in the New Year, then consider heading to the Maldives where you can combine a fun holiday in the tropics with much celebration and festivities. An ideal option would be to stay at a Maldives island resort such as Kuramathi Island where you can herald in the New Year in an intimate getaway by the sea. This luxurious resort features charming Maldives villas that provide an ideal home away from home in this tropical paradise. Those wanting to witness the pomp and pageantry of locals during New Year can head to such destinations as the capital Male, where one can witness a variety of festivities. December 31st see the city streets come alive at night with dancers, drummers and …