Posts

Beer festivals around the world

/in /by

Beer festivals around the world

Beer festivals are exciting events for the millions of beer lovers around the world. Some would even travel around the world to sample the different types of beer and attend beer festivals! Besides festivals, plenty of beer goes around in pubs, bars, restaurants and even in grocery stores. Whether it is to celebrate a victory, birthday or any other special occasion, there is no denying that the love for beer is universal. 

If you are a beer-loving traveller, here are some beer festivals you may wish to attend some day!

1. Oktoberfest

Munich's Oktoberfest is undoubtedly the largest and most famous beer festival in the world. The festival was first celebrated in 1810 and has since been central to Bavarian culture. It runs for 16 days, beginning in mid-late September till early October. There will be an endless flow of beer and food during Oktoberfest so you will certainly leave happy and stuffed!

2. Brussels Beer Weekend

Belgium's beer festivals are admittedly less well-known as compared to major ones like Munich's Oktoberfest. But the beer-making tradition is firmly rooted in Belgian culture and some of the most famous brands of beer in the world come from Belgium! The Brussels Beer Weekend, held on the first weekend in September, is not only a chance for you to enjoy some of the best Belgian beers but also sample beers from other local breweries and there are over 250 different Belgian beers available so you will surely be spoilt for choice!

3. Great British Beer Festival

The Great British Beer Festival is the largest beer festival in the UK and is also known as the "biggest pub in the world". This annual festival, which takes place in August, is organised by Campaign for Real Ale and held in London Olympia. You can expect to find over 900 real ales, ciders and perrys from breweries in the UK as well as international beers. One day is definitely not going to be enough to sample all that is on offer!

4. Czech Beer Festival

There is no doubt that Czech Republic is renowned for beer and every year in May, the Czech Beer Festival is held in Prague over 17 days! This beer festival will give beer-lovers the chance to quench their thirst for Czech beer, with over 100 draft beers available for you to enjoy as well as beer from small and local breweries! Besides beer, there is also plenty of food to go around as well as concerts and performances to keep you full and entertained!

5. Great World Beer Festival

Beyond Europe, beer festivals are also held across the Atlantic. The Great World Beer Festival takes place in New York and is also known as the United Nations of Beer. It is held over 2 days in October and for a fixed entrace fee, you will get to enjoy unlimited servings of beer! And with over 100 brewer booths at this festival, beer lovers will certainly be delighted to enjoy all the beer they can get filled in their glasses! If you are planning a trip to the Big Apple, do buy tickets to this festival in advance as huge crowds are expected. 

Image Credits: 1|2|3|4|5|6

[icegram campaigns=”612″]

Our Guide to Chocolate Festivals in Europe

/in /by

Our Guide to Chocolate Festivals in Europe

Chocolate is one of world's best-loved treats. It is also incredibly versatile, as the numerous foods and beverages that incorporate chocolate show. There are even festivals around the world that celebrate this delightful treat – with plenty of the good stuff to go around to satisfy even the most hardcore chocolate lovers! 

Sweet-toothed ravellers will want to consider attending these chocolate festivals as they plan their next holiday!

1. The Chocolate Festival – UK

The Chocolate Festival takes place over 4 locations in the UK, namely London, Oxford, Brighton and Bristol. This festival will give all chocoholics out there the opportunity to savour a great variety of artisan chocolate from the finest chocolatiers all over the world! All things chocolate can be found at this festival, whether it is hot chocolate, chocolate cake and even chocolate cocktails! You can also learn how to create your own chocolate! 

2. Eurochocolate – Italy

Eurochocolate takes place in city of Perugia in October and is one of the biggest chocolate festivals in Europe. The creations of well-known local and international makers, such as Perugina and Lindt, feature at this festival. Besides an endless flow of chocolate and chocolate-flavoured foods, another highlight of this festival are the beautiful sculptures made of…chocolate! The sweet aroma of chocolatey goodness is indeed thick in the air in Perugia during the festival!

3. Choco-late – Belgium

When you visit a country renowned for its chocolates, buying and eating them will simply not be enough. Complete the experience by attending the Choco-late festival at Belfort Museum in the city of Bruges next time you visit Belgium! Held over the span of 4 days, this festival celebrates Belgian chocolate as well as its chocolatiers! You will get to see chocolate statues, see chocolate exhibits as well as broaden your knowledge about the history of chocolate and how it is made while indulging your sweet desires. There are even free samples to go around – chocolate-lovers may just suffer an overdose! (If that's even possible)

4. ChocolART – Germany

ChocolART is Germany's biggest and most important chocolate festival, held in the university town of Tubingen in December. This festival is a platform for leading chocolatiers and manufacturers from all over the world to showcase their finest creations while those who attend will have the pleasure of indulgence. The charm of Tubingen also contributes to the festive atmosphere and with exquisite chocolate to enjoy, there is so much to love about this charming festival!

5. Le Salon du Chocolat – France

Held in Paris over 5 days in October, Le Salon du Chocolat is a chocolate festival that combines chocolate and fashion (of course it does…It's Paris!) This festival features chocolate from both local and international artisans as well as renowned chocolate brands. Attendees will not only get to indulge in plenty of chocolate but also learn about the world of chocolate from the manufacturers' perspective. The chocolate fashion show is a highlight of this festival, featuring designs that not only celebrate chocolate but are even made of it! Only at Le Salon du Chocolat can fashion be this sweet!

Image Credits: 1|2|3|4|5|6

[icegram campaigns=”612″]

Cultural Festivals to Go Before You Die

/in /by

Cultural Festivals to Go Before You Die

Imagine yourself toasting a cup of beer to another stranger, or dancing along the streets with hundreds of others? There are so many festivals in the world that do not restrict to only the locals, foreigners are welcome too!

1. Bastille Day, Paris

Just like July 4th in the US, France is decked out in red, white and blue, but instead of beer and backyard barbecues, this more formal celebration features decorated military, lush banquets and red wine. Across the world freedom is celebrated with a bang at Bastille Day, and on this night, The City of Light shines brighter than any. It’s an honor to eat in a French home on Bastille Day; do your best to ingratiate yourself with a local. The meal is typically light with lots of fruits and vegetables, quiches, and salads. The largest celebrations take place in Paris, but other events occur throughout France.

2. Carnevale di Ivrea, Ivrea Italy 

This is a festival that celebrates the event when commoners rise up against an oppressive ruler. At the Carnevale di Ivrea , however, the battle isn’t waged with guns and swords—oranges are the weapon of choice. Every year, the tiny northern city of Ivrea in the Turin province stockpiles 500,000 kilograms of fresh oranges for a re-creation of a historic fight between townsfolk and a ruling tyrant. Teams wage a full-on fruit war, and not even a red-capped declaration of sovereignty can protect you from getting juiced Carnival of Venice.

3. Carnevale di Venezia, Venice 

The original Carnival of Venice took place in 1162 to honor one of Venice’s victorious battles when the city was known as the “Repubblica della Serenissima”. To best understand Carnival of Venice, you need to understand the importance of the maschera or masks. The mask allowed citizens to behave wildly and adopt alter egos without the fear of social consequence. This Carnival takes place for the period leading up to Ash Wednesday in watery Venice, Italy.

4. Infiorata di Genrazno, Rome

Many Italian towns hold an Infiorata, a festival of flowers that trace their beginnings in Italy to the 13th century but the one in Genzano is possibly Italy’s largest and and certainly the most renowned. The official year of origin of the Genzano festival is 1778, when it was started to celebrate Corpus Christi (Latin for ”body of Christ”). It’s a high holy day in the Catholic church celebrating the Eucharist, perceived by Catholics as the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

5. Paris Techno Parade

Meet street music turned up to eleven: DJs, subwoofers, and sound-mixers sit atop decked-out flat bed trucks, which ply through a heaving sea of 400,000 people—mostly young, cool, and determined to live out loud. Parade participants are quick to point out the unifying spirit of the music, which despite its futuristic electro-sound, draws inspiration from tribal rhythms. “The beats are so loud they hit you in the stomach; the only thing you can do is obey them, and dance,” says one participant. The organizers have been keen to promote diversity, erase class and racial lines, and bring everyone into the same heartbeat.

Image Credits: Walks of Italy, Carnevale Di Venezia, Paris Saint Honore, Travelever, Wikipedia

[icegram campaigns=”612″]