Since 1996 Dubai has opened its doors to lovers of horse racing. The Dubai World Cup, which is held each year, is a sort of meeting ground for all the stars in horse racing. The venue for the World Cup is Meydan Racecourse, a course that lives up to international standards; for over a decade it has invited competitors from Europe, USA and Asia. The thoroughbred horse races are organized by the Emirates Racing Authority (ERA), and the chairman who presides over it is Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan who is currently the Minister of Presidential Affairs of the United Arab Emirates. The 2014 competition includes a purebred Arabian contest along with eleven races. The regular races commenced in November 2013 which will run …

A fascinating festival welcoming the New Year, the Water Splashing Festival is a much looked forward to event amongst the Chinese.  Anantara Xishuangbanna Resort & Spa is a preferred hotel in Yunnan among those who flock to the city in time to witness the festivities as this hotel Yunnan has to offer is placed ideally in the middle of all the happenings so as to not miss anything. The water-splashing Festival is considered to be the most important festival of all by the Dai ethnic community. Held during the sixth month of the Dai calendar, the festival falls mid-April and is also known as the Festuival for Bathing the Buddha. In the Dai language, the festival is also known as “Shanghan”, “Jingbimai” or “Hounan” and lasts for three days …

For all Sinhalese and Hindus, April is all about festivity. From the end of March even the environment seems to feel this heart-warming change. The trees look much greener with flowers blossoming covering up every inch making it look like Mother Nature’s decorations done specially for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. To add to this beautiful site, the sound of the cuckoo bird can be heard as the background music throughout this special time. While nature gets ready to celebrate this festival in its own way, the people in Sri Lanka too start adding their contribution to enhance the excitement. Everything is done according to an auspicious time, so when the time gets closer the astrologers in the country get together to give the …

The much anticipated Sinhala and Tamil New Year is one of the most vibrant festivals celebrated in the island nation of Sri Lanka. As its name suggests the festival is observed by both of the two largest communities in Sri Lanka. Falling on the 14th of April this festival is closely linked to the local astrological traditions which regulate the event. Overall the new year celebrations can be seen to be a complex blend of Buddhist, Hindu, astrological and other indigenous traditions. Many of the new year customs, rituals and festivities are thought to have originated as celebrations marking the completion of the harvest. After the arrival of Buddhism the existing customs were modified in the light of the new religion. Many interesting festivities are …

As the veils of powdery mists engulf the mighty mountain range, re-telling a love story that is as old as time, the air grows colder and the soft winds whisper the secrets so charming, to tree and turret. Flowers bloom bright and dance to spring time songs, while melodies echo of the gay singing birds. “Little England”, they called it, this little town where romance beams every step of the way, Nuwara Eliya. In a land that sees no winter snow, the dawn of spring is rarely celebrated. However in this little town of romance, when all the colours in the world burst out in jubilant song in flower and bud everywhere and the happy chorus of the birds singing spring time songs echo thorough …

Floating away like colorful dreams across the March skies of the paradise island, will be hot air balloons of many colors and shapes during a happy festive time. While those below view the spectacular sight enraptured, the ones on high will be speechless at the vista spread beneath their feet. The Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival in Sri Lanka, will come alive in its vibrant form in the month of March, when the weather is fine and the sun shines bright all day. The event, which is organized by Air Magic, which is a leading hot air ballooning company in Sri Lanka, will last for 10 fun-filled days in Colombo, and is visited by many enthusiasts from all across the world. Close to 40 participants …