October 28, 2004 -- Winter brings a multitude of international festivals and events, so we've selected a few of the more unique northern hemisphere celebrations to point you in the right direction. There's a little bit of something for everyone -- from Yule tide celebrations to fireworks, bizarre sports to high arts.
Christkindlmarkt: Munich, Germany, November 26-December 24, 2004The snow begins to fall and the ground is blanketed in white. German/Austrian Christmas markets abound -- an outdoor winter wonderland of shopping ideas and handicrafts. The Christkindlmarkt is a historic tradition in the villages, towns and cities of Austria and Germany and one of the most spectacular is in Munich. It is the Christkindl who brings gifts on Christmas Eve in Germany, not Santa.
Munich's market celebrating the Advent season is located in the city's famous Marienplatz and dates back to the 14th Century. A 100-foot high Christmas tree is the centerpiece of this massive market and the aroma of Gluehwein (warm spice wine) fills the air. Every evening, local musical
groups from the Alpine foothills perform Christmas carols from the balcony of the Town Hall. Bavarian delicacies abound with the dozens of cake stands, along with hundreds of stalls selling everything from Christmas decorations to furniture. They even have free child minding services in the Town Hall on Saturdays.
Gate1 Travel (tel. 800/682-3333; www.gate1travel.com) has a special Christmas Market package to Munich. It includes roundtrip airfare from New York, four-nights accommodation and daily breakfasts. Prices start at $539 plus taxes for departures on December 15, 2004 or $569 for a November 24, December 1 or 8, 2004 departure (these prices represent a cash payment discount). Other departure cities are available for additional cost. For those who'd prefer airfare only, Travelocity (www.travelocity.com) has a low-priced fare from New York on Air Canada for $317 plus $114 in taxes. This is valid for Monday to Thursday departures only until December 13, 2004, with a Sunday stay required.
Camel Racing Festival: Selcuk, Turkey, January 16, 2005My personal favorite during January is the Annual Camel Wrestling festival in Selcuk, Turkey. This ancient tradition isn't as barbaric as it sounds (unlike, say, bull-fighting). The camels wrestle, but they are not badly hurt -- only a little battered and bruised (like their human equivalents). Elaborately saddled camels are paraded through surrounding villages in the days and weeks leading up to the main event. The camels are all fully grown bulls specially fed to increase their bulk. The event is held near the ancient Roman city of Ephesus, and the festival is a day-long event with food, entertainment, music, dancers and, of course, hundreds of camels. For those with a strong stomach, camel meat dishes are plentiful. It is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in this rich Turkish tradition.
Selcuk can be reached easily by train, bus or taxi from Izmir, Turkey's third largest city; they're only 45 miles apart. Flights to Izmir in January start at $655 including taxes from New York on Turkish Airlines or $845 from Los Angeles on Lufthansa through Travelocity (www.travelocity.com). Or for less than the price of airfare alone, you can combine a trip to Izmir with a five-night stay in Istanbul including breakfasts and roundtrip airfare from Boston or New York for $449 plus taxes (a train, bus or flight to Izmir from Istanbul would be additional). This deal is available from Go-Today (tel. 425/487-9632; www.go-today.com) until November 4, 2004 for departures from January 5-March 25, 2005.
For further information about Selcuk, visit www.ephesusguide.com/selcuk.html.
Chinese New Year City Festival: Hong Kong, February 4-19, 2005"Kung Hei Fat Choi" (wishing you a prosperous New Year) -- that's all the Chinese you'll need when you come to celebrate and be overwhelmed by the myriad of festivities welcoming the year of the Rooster in Hong Kong. The festival continues for 15 days with a carnival atmosphere that includes fireworks, a fantastic night parade (February 9), special festive lighting, temples pilgrimages, flower markets, a soccer tournament, banquets and much more.
Go-Today (tel. 425/487- 9632; www.go-today.com) has a Chinese New Year package starting at $849 plus taxes. It includes roundtrip airfare on United or Asiana Airlines from Los Angeles, six-nights accommodation (including hotel taxes and service charges), airport transfers, half-day Hong Kong City Tour, and a New Year Parade ticket. Departure dates are February 4, 5 and 6, 2005 only.
E-Best of Asia (tel. 877/888-6522; www.e-bestofasia.com) has a slightly shorter package with a few extras and a lower price of $834 plus taxes. The package includes roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles or San Francisco on Asiana Airlines, five-nights accommodation at the Kimberly Hotel with daily buffet breakfast (hotel taxes included), airport transfers, half-day Hong Kong Island tour, Chinese New Year's Eve banquet (arranged by chef Chow K.C., winner of Japan's Iron Chef), and New Year Parade tickets in the VIP stands. Valid for departure on February 6, 2005 only. Bookings must be confirmed by November 30, 2004.
For more travel options for Chinese New Year vacation packages from the US, visit www.discoverhongkong.com/usa/plan/vacation/categories_4_2.jhtml.
Yukon Quest Int. Dog Sled Race: Whitehorse, Canada, February 13, 2005Covering 1000 miles between Whitehorse (Yukon Territory), Canada and Fairbanks, Alaska during the depths of the Arctic winter, the Yukon Quest (www.yukonquest.com) is the "Toughest Sled Dog Race in the World". This year the race starts in Whitehorse and ends in Fairbanks some 10-14 days later. The beginning of the race also coincides with the annual Frostbite Music Festival in Whitehorse, so you can combine you love of music, dogs and arctic conditions in one destination! For further information to help plan your Yukon adventure, visit www.touryukon.com.
Getting to Whitehorse is relatively easy on Air Canada (tel. 888/247-2262; www.aircanada.com), but quite costly depending on your departure point in the US. Most flights are via Vancouver with connecting flights to Whitehorse twice per day. Prices generally range between $600 (from Portland) and $900 (from New York) for an economy roundtrip fare in February. There are several bed and breakfasts in Whitehorse. Visit for listings.
Sapporo Snow Festival: Sapporo, Japan, February 7-13, 20052005 marks the 56th annual Snow Festival, featuring hundreds or ornate and intricate snow statues, exhibited in three sites in Sapporo City, in Hokkaido, Northern Japan. At night the ice statues are beautifully illuminated creating an awesome spectacle of light, color and artistry. Two million people flock to Sapporo each year to marvel at the unique icy creations.
JNA Travel Center (tel. 626/309-1000; www.jnatravel.com) has a Snow Festival Tour departing from Los Angeles on February 7, 2005. The $2250 price includes roundtrip airfare to Tokyo on Japan Airlines, five-nights accommodation including one night at the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo and four nights at various onsen (hot springs) hotels, access to scenic outdoor hot springs, sightseeing to Inu Village Shiraoi Porotokotan, a cruise on Lake Toya, visits to the Asahikawa Ice Festival and the Sapporo Snow Festival, professional English-speaking guides and all meals.
Flights to Sapporo in February start at a low $635 roundtrip from New York through Airfare Planet (888/204 8869; www.airfareplanet.com).
So pack your winter woolies and go outside to experience the best of winter 2004-2005 around the world.