Auto Europe» Auto Europe Blog | Festivals and Events of Note Archive http://blog.autoeurope.com Travel related news, advice, and stories from the Auto Europe Travel Blog! Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:06:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Celebrate the Birth of Rome in Italy! http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/celebrate-the-birth-of-rome-in-italy http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/celebrate-the-birth-of-rome-in-italy#comments Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:06:16 +0000 Hans Ericsson http://blog.autoeurope.com/?p=1853 A few weeks ago, I wrote about how the birth of Rome. We felt it was deserving of it’s own video. Take a look!

Would you be interested in going to Rome for this celebration?

]]> http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/celebrate-the-birth-of-rome-in-italy/feed 0 Travel to Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/travel-to-ireland-for-st-patricks-day http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/travel-to-ireland-for-st-patricks-day#comments Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:48:14 +0000 Hans Ericsson http://blog.autoeurope.com/?p=1812 Do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? If you like to wear the green on March 17th, now is the time to visit Ireland!

]]> http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/travel-to-ireland-for-st-patricks-day/feed 1 Don’t Miss Venice Carnival http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/dont-miss-venice-carnival http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/dont-miss-venice-carnival#comments Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:15:18 +0000 Hans Ericsson http://blog.autoeurope.com/?p=1657 VeniceMasks1 Dont Miss Venice CarnivalFor hundreds of years, the Carnival of Venice has been entertaining people from all over the world. It’s estimated that close to a million visitors will come to the city this year for one of Italy’s most fun filled celebrations.

If you plan on going to Venice Carnival, make sure you pack your robes and mask! Masks have been a central theme to the carnival for hundreds of years. They generally cover the upper half or the entire face and are made of plastic or more traditional ceramic material. Colors and sparkles are commonly used to decorate them.

Don’t be surprised if you see large groups of people dressed in the same robes and masks. They are often performing troupes, or just groups of friends looking to have some fun. Feel free to take photos with everyone as generally no photo ops are denied.

If you’re lucky, you may get an invite to one of the formal parties that are held in some of the beautiful halls of the city. At these parties, you will dance the night away with hundreds of masked Venetians and tourists. This is the more traditional approach to the carnival that many feel is what makes it a special event.

It’s not just adults who get to have all the fun! Kids of all ages are often in full dress, and it’s not uncommon to see family themed events held all over the city. If you are in town for Venice Carnival, you will be entertained!

]]> http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/dont-miss-venice-carnival/feed 1 Unique New Years http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/unique-new-years http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/unique-new-years#comments Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:00:15 +0000 Hans Ericsson http://blog.autoeurope.com/?p=1576 Many people will soon be out celebrating and ringing in the new year with friends and family, while others will choose to head to huge parties in major cities. The giant ball of lights that drops in Times Square has become an iconic image to most Americans, so here are some New Years Eve traditions from around the world that you may not be aware of!

New Zealand
Auckland is the first major city to celebrate the new year. Of course the streets are filled with all kinds of people waiting for the fireworks at midnight.

Austria
In Austria, most people spend New Years with friends and family. At midnight, many television and radio stations traditionally play Johan Strauss’ “The Blue Danube” while people waltz in their homes, and in many cases, the city streets!

France
In Paris, aside from the incredible fireworks launched from the Eiffel Tower, many Parisians choose to eat intimate dinners with friends and family, consisting of special foods, deserts and drinks.

Ireland
In Ireland, fireworks are illegal, so the ringing in of the new year is done by the church bells all over the country.

Italy
Some of the Italian New Years traditions including wearing red undergarments for good luck (a tradition also followed in Spain), and getting rid of old unwanted items by dropping them out the window. I hope people don’t get rid of couches and pianos this way!

Germany
Beginning in 1972, many German television began to broadcast a short English play called Dinner for One. One of the comical punch lines from the play is “same procedure as every year,” and this has become a catch phrase in Germany.

Czech Republic
The city of Prague has a tradition that equates to one thing: fireworks! At midnight you will want to get a glimpse of the traditional fireworks, but what makes this celebration unique is the massive amount of hand held fireworks that are lit in the Old Town Square!

Spain
One of the more interesting traditions in Spain takes place at midnight. When the clock chimes at midnight, people eat an individual grape for each strike of the bell. This is to represent good luck for the coming year. Many coastal cities serve breakfast at dawn to those who stay awake through the night, and want to see the first sunrise of the new year.

Scotland
Whether you wear a kilt or not, Edinburgh is one of the best places to celebrate the coming of the new year in Scotland. The festival known as Hogmanay lasts for five days, ending on New Year’s Eve. Sipping a delicious Scotch Whisky, parades and fireworks are common, as the tradition of giving shortbread to the first person to enter your home on New Years Day.

Thailand
Bangkok celebrates the coming of the new year three times! Once on December 31st with a down town celebration that attracts around 200,000 people, once in the middle of January for Chinese New Year, and once to celebrate the Thai calendars final day in April. Sounds like a trifecta of fun!

Iceland
Reykjavik is the northern most capital city in the world, so they know a thing or two about celebrating long nights! Traditions include a mass that is broadcast for those who can’t attend, a comedy show that pokes fun at local personalities, bonfires and fireworks. Sounds like a good time!

South Africa
Some people think that New Year’s Eve in Cape Town is not only the best New Year’s celebration, but the best overall celebration period! The Waterfront area of the city is filled with many fine places to eat and drink, as well as many of the cities famous rooftop parties. You will find costumed dancers everywhere, followed by face painters, live music, street parades, and much more.

However you choose to celebrate New Years Eve, please be safe! Drink responsibly and make sure to use a designated driver. Best wishes from all of us here at Auto Europe.

]]> http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/unique-new-years/feed 0 Paris Photo http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/paris-photo http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/paris-photo#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:07:33 +0000 Hans Ericsson http://blog.autoeurope.com/?p=1361 photo thumbnail 345 Paris PhotoParis is a world class city when it comes to many things, but what it may be known best for is it’s love of art. In 1997, a Dutch publisher named Rik Gadella created Paris Photo, the world’s first photography fair. Since then, it has grown and turned into one of the largest most prestigious photo events in the world. From November 19th through the 22nd, visitors can head over to the Carousel du Louvre and check out some of the world’s best photos. 87 galleries from 12 different countries will be on display, which should keep you entertained. This year, the spotlight turns to Arab and Iranian photography, which should be impressive. Admission to the event is 15 € for adults, 7.50 € for students and free for children under 10. Don’t miss out on this fantastic photography extravaganza! Of course if you’re looking to see more of the country, a rental car in France is always a great way to get around!

]]> http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/paris-photo/feed 0 Some Unique Festivals http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/some-unique-festivals http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/some-unique-festivals#comments Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:06:41 +0000 Hans Ericsson http://blog.autoeurope.com/?p=1334 There are many reasons to love Europe. Free universal healthcare, six-hour dinners, siestas, bier gardens, quaint villages, and modern cities are some of the things to love about Europe. One aspect of life that separates our culture is Europe’s willingness to celebrate; and hold a festival for, pretty much anything. It’s such a part of the culture, you may not even realize it, but there are strange festivals that take place nearly every day of the year throughout Europe. From delicious deserts, to the downright bizarre, here are a couple of festivals that sound pretty neat.

Chocolate culture in Europe pretty much trumps anything we have here in America, with a few small exceptions. While most of America is okay consuming mass produced, prepackaged treats from corporations that also sell pharmaceutical products, Europeans have quite a different standard. Sure you can still buy gas station candy, but a walk into any of the many chocolate shops in France, Italy, or Germany will have you asking yourself how you ever lived without these hand crafted delights. Many shops are family owned and have secrets that are taught with patience and time, and not written down anywhere. One bite and you will be taken away to a world of chocolaty bliss. It remains a mystery how Europeans stay so fit with shops like these all over the place. It’s not like they don’t celebrate their love of the sweet treats. Take a look at the Eurochocolate Festival in Perugia, Italy. This year it runs from the 16-25th of October, and will feature conferences, exhibitions, hands on activities for adults and children, as well as a special chocolate show, which features more chocolate than most people can handle. It might be a good idea to skip Halloween this year and head go on the Italian vacation you have always wanted!

Generally, the wineries in La Rioja, Spain produce two kinds of wine. One is a distinct regional variety that is served on tables and with meals throughout the region. The other is essentially the “schwill” of wines, that serves one purpose: to be dumped onto as many people as it can at the annual Batalla del Vino, or Wine Battle! No one is really sure how the it started, but one thing is for sure, it has evolved into one of the most unique events in Europe. A week of celebration and festivities lead up to the main event, where a crowd of horsemen parade through the town and place a flag on top of a big hill. As the crowds ascend the slopes, some good natured chaos ensues, as the streets and spectators are covered with wine. This is of course followed by more eating, drinking and merriment. Sounds like an excellent Spanish vacation!

When searching for events online, remember that many festivals don’t give as much information on the internet as you would expect, simply because the purpose of their sites is only to inform dates, times and events, not necessarily to attract newcomers. Don’t let that stop you though, you wouldn’t want to miss out!

]]> http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/some-unique-festivals/feed 0 The NFL Returns to Wembley (Again) http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/the-nfl-returns-to-wembley-again http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/the-nfl-returns-to-wembley-again#comments Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:34:13 +0000 Hans Ericsson http://blog.autoeurope.com/?p=1330 In case you hadn’t noticed, the Fall is officially here! Here in Maine, the leaves are changing color, the air is getting colder, and football season has begun. This year our favorite team, the New England Patriots travel to London to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an official NFL football game. This marks the third time that the NFL has ventured into Wembley Stadium, and the reviews are still coming in. On one hand, it has to be a fascinating experience to play in one of the world’s most famous arenas, filled with such a rich history. On the other hand, jet lag is probably a factor, as is trying to stay organized in a different country. It’s comical to think about the hundred or so professional football players attempting to navigate the city in tiny cars. I would imagine that some players love the opportunity, while others are not so keen on it. I’m sure Tom Brady and Giselle have already spent some time in London, as they seemed to be everywhere while he was nursing his knee back in shape last season.

The game is scheduled for week 7 (October, 25th), and both teams have a bye week right after to ensure there is enough time to recover. The best part for us Pats fans is that for the first time, the game is going to be broadcast on local networks at the usual 1pm kickoff time. It should prove to be an exciting time! If you’re thinking about heading over for the game, you might want to get your ticket soon as it will probably sell out in the coming weeks. Also, be sure to book your car rental in London in advance as well, to make sure you get reservation confirmed in advance.

Our prediction will be posted the week before the game!

]]> http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/the-nfl-returns-to-wembley-again/feed 2 London Prepares http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/london-prepares http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/london-prepares#comments Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:16:30 +0000 Hans Ericsson http://blog.autoeurope.com/?p=1275 In case you haven’t noticed, London is very excited to be hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics. Certian upgrades have become standard for any city hosting the games, mostly relating to infrastructure and public transportation. If you’ve ever been to London, you may wonder how they will be able to handle the massive amount of tourists that would be coming to the city for the games. The people at the International Olympic Committee had similar concerns, so expect to see big improvements, like the expansion of the East London (above ground) Line, as well as upgrades to the Docklands Light Railway and the North London Line. There is even a brand new rail service, known as the “Javelin” which are going to be a series of high speed bullet trains set to be ready for 2012. Another way London plans on avoiding congestion is by having most of the athletes stay close to the locations where their events will be held.

For the 2012 Olympics, officials have said that there will be 7.7 million tickets available, and half of them are going to be priced under £20, making the events more accessible to more people! This has got to be a good thing for residents who may want to check out an event or two. I know if it were my city, I can’t say I would be too happy with high ticket prices, on top of a massive influx of visitors.

The venues where the events will be held are going to be a mix of the classic venues that London is known for, and new venues built specifically for the event. One location that travelers will probably have not seen before is the new tower that will be known as the Shard. It’s expected completion is in May of 2012, and once finished it will stand at 1017 feet tall, making it the highest skyscraper in the European Union! While the Shard will not be hosting any Olympic sporting events, you can bet it will be one of the more popular destinations for athletes and tourists alike.

]]> http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/london-prepares/feed 0 Art Walking in London http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/art-walking-in-london http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/art-walking-in-london#comments Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:50:31 +0000 Hans Ericsson http://blog.autoeurope.com/?p=1181 artwalk Art Walking in LondonHere in Portland, Maine, we have a monthly event known as First Friday. Taking place on the first Friday of every month, the art galleries and museums in town open up their doors and for no cost, hordes of art fans come out to enjoy the works on display. It’s a popular event, so needless to say I was excited when I heard about First Thursday in London!

On the first Thursday of every month the galleries and museums of East London do the same, and open their doors up to the public. They generally stay open till 9pm, and have special events featured around culture and art. Over 100 galleries and museums participate in this event, and it’s become one of the most popular events in London! You can bet that the restaurants and bars in East London are sure to be filled with like minded people as well. For more information check out http://www.firstthursdays.co.uk/

Of course don’t forget, if you need to get around with a car rental in London, Auto Europe is the only place you need to look.

]]> http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/art-walking-in-london/feed 0 World Cup Fever http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/world-cup-fever http://blog.autoeurope.com/festivals-and-events-of-note/world-cup-fever#comments Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:31:06 +0000 Hans Ericsson http://blog.autoeurope.com/?p=1170 Here’s a fever we don’t mind spreading around! As most Europeans are aware, the World Cup of Soccer will be held in South Africa in the Summer of 2010. In spite of a global recession, there are nearly a half million spectators expected to attend from all over the world. South Africa is quickly becoming a more popular destination for tourists, as they had over 9 million visitors last year alone.

Just because they haven’t experienced an influx of tourists like this, does not mean they won’t be prepared. There are currently plans for tent cities to be set up near the sites of the games in order to accommodate those looking for a more down to earth experience.

The World Cup is a massive event, which is always filled with drama and anticipation. The support comes from all over the world. Each fan hoping that their country makes it to the next round. Some countries have higher expectations than others, and it seems like there’s an underdog who takes out one of the world’s best teams. There are only seven countries that have ever won a title: Brazil (5), Italy (4), Germany (3), Argentina (2), Uruguay (2), France (1) and England (1).

Will we see an 8th champion in 2010? Who will be the underdog? Will we see a game with more than 16 yellow and 4 red cards? What are your predictions?

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