After 2012 becoming known as Britain’s year – what with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the London Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Royal announcement that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were expecting – it is time to look at what the rest of the world has to offer holidaymakers in 2013.
There are several thousand festivals, carnivals and national events taking part all over the globe, so read on for our round-up of the best places to go for your 2013 holidays with Cosmos.
Pay your respects in Mexico
The Day of the Dead is an experience not to be missed. If you are in Mexico at the start of November, take part in your local Dia de los Muertos festivities, which are all about remembering loved ones who have passed away. This is a quasi-religious celebration that coincides with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, with the first day all about paying homage to the memories of lost children and the latter focusing on deceased adults.
- Dia de los Muertos festivities Mexicoandy castro / Foter.com / CC BY-NC
Private altars are constructed by festival-goers out of marigolds and sugar skulls, along with other food and drinks that the dead person liked.
Mexican families also take the opportunity to visit the graves of their loved ones and often dress up in their likeness. Although it sounds as though it should be a sad occasion, the Day of the Dead is actually all about celebrating the lives of those who have gone before.
Find yourself at the Feast of Saint Anthony in Portugal
The streets of Lisbon come alive on June 12th when the city celebrates the Festa de Sao Antonio in honour of its patron saint. Food and drink is shared between strangers and dancing takes place all around the capital, particularly in the Plaza del Sigh.
- Festa de Sao Antonio PortugalWaldson Dias / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
St Anthony was known for his helpful nature, especially towards the poor of the city, and is a helper in finding things that are lost. He is also celebrated for his counsel of married couples, and as such many masses are held on this day to join couples in matrimony, while single people carry out rituals to find love.
Buy a piece of St Anthony’s Bread as a souvenir of your time in Lisbon – the small rolls have an interesting history, as it was thought the saint would grant someone a favour if they promised to give a certain amount of bread to the poor in return.
Sample German beers at Oktoberfest
The world-renowned beer festival takes place in Munich each year between late September and early October, and draws millions of people keen to taste a range of ales. Revellers take to the streets for the many parties held in Oktoberfest’s honour and feast on traditional German dishes.
- Oktoberfest GermanyTraveller_40 / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
Oktoberfest is thought to have its origins in the wedding celebrations held by King Ludwig and Princess Therese in 1810, where residents of Munich were invited to a grand feast in front of the city’s gates. The festival has since spread to other countries, but there is nowhere quite like Munich in terms of the scale and sheer fun of Oktoberfest, so book your 2013 holiday to the German city today.
