By Sheeba Muskaan

“When you feel the chills because your eye beholds nature, it is a place you chose right”

In Oregon lies the largest city called Portland, the eighth most popular state in America. It is one of the greenest cities of the world and prefers walks over drives while farms to dinner over stores to dinner. The city has a beautiful environment, scenic views, wonderful waterfalls and much more. Portland is loved for its snow-capped mountain Hood and eco-friendly nature. Portland sits between two marvellous rivers and is a city as serene as possible with their iconic Washington Park and as lit as possible with their creative festivals and events.

The Washington Park is a huge park that holds many tourist attractions like the zoo, children’s museum, Japanese gardens and much more. For a more relaxed experience, tourists can use the tennis courts, wild forests, playgrounds, picnic areas or just jog along that connect different cities close by. The time spent inside this park is just not enough as one feels refreshed and relaxed with the surrounding trees, birds and water. A perfect visit for families or wander off alone into the greens.  The place is beautiful all around the year and never disappoints the bear eyes.

Years ago a private collector of animals gave them all away to the city of Portland that led to the establishment of the Oregon Zoo. The zoo has a variety of endangered species; the authorities are using successful methods of breeding to make these rare yet stunning species survive. There are about 232 species in the zoo and the very famous ones being the park elephants that are popular with the tourists. The zoo has 1955 animals that never fail to entertain the park guests and the locals of the city. The zoo gives one a real experience of wild forests.

While you’re there, visit the Pittock’s Mansion that has beautiful rooms, experience a beautiful walk at the Lan Su Chinese Garden and have fun at the living room of Portland called the Pioneer Courthouse Square. Add more exciting spots like the Urban Forest Reserve, Cherry Blossom Bloom, Portland Art Museum, watch an event at the Portland Convection Centre, Admire the South Park Blocks, live a life on a submarine and stay luxuriously at the Benson Hotel, a historic landmark for Portland.

Portland never fails at fascinating its tourists, from nature to man-made attractions, all marvellous yet simple that keeps one at bliss throughout this wondering exploration.

By Sheeba Muskaan

Where music unites the Earth

The most flawlessly executed festival in India, is the world’s greenest music festival which all the efforts put in on making an eco-friendly festival yet the most exciting one. The festival presents multiple international and Indian musicians that perform for the Earth. It is a celebration of music, art, and culture and their deep policy is to sustain and preserve the Earth. The festival is built on three elements being reduce, recycle and reuse which has been implemented beautifully over the years. The festival is absolutely blissful yet natural for the country.

Never-before has the world seen such a concert dedicated solely to support the ecological lifestyles. The place is usually surrounded with DIY decors; the last concert was surrounded with a wooden heart, neon lights and much more that was put up on trees and around the stage. There are four stages uniquely set up and aptly lit. As people walk they get to witness multiples of such creative yet aesthetic décor to keep the place trendy.

Their production like lights, stages and so on are made of junked media and 80% of it is re-cycled or re-used which explains their uniqueness from the other music festivals and never fails to keep the crowd on their toes every year. Each year the festival aims at making the event greener and makes sure that the crowd takes back sustainable ways of living through the events efforts. Echoes has not only entertained the people but has also inspired other events to follow their sustainable methods.

The team makes sure that the waste is segregated well and makes sure that the festival grounds are clean. By these gestures the team ensures that they save energy, save trees and makes sure that festival causes no havoc for nature. From tiny pins to big wastes from the land, everything is cleaned and sent to compost farms and gets biomethanized. The team also aims at collaborating with various organisations to ensure awareness is created for living a greener life and value its significance.

Echoes of Earth is very keen on “no flex/no plastic zone” and ask their crowd to carry their own bottles as there is a very convenient water station for refill. All the festivals posters and so on are made with biodegradable paints and are re-used every year with little changes thus this avoids them from using flex. 

The highlights being their solar powered stages that are chargeable as well are installed at the festival hence creating a more sustainable environment and they are also looking at having the whole festival powered by it.

With music and art taking new forms every day, they aim to keep the culture alive by dedicating elements of the festival to ancient art forms. Over the years they have celebrated culture through performances, themed stages, museums, workshops and much more. The festival gives one all things creative while aiming at a better place.

Echoes of Earth is a festival never to miss!

“Disarray can bring joy too if performed in the right spirit”

By Sheeba Muskaan

In the small town of Bunol located 38kms from Valencia, Spain the most happening food festival or rather “the world’s biggest food fight festival” hits in where tons of thousands of people from all over the world come together to participate in this fun fight with more than 100 metric tons of over-ripe tomatoes thrown at each other to enjoy the tradition of this tangy festival. The last Wednesday of every August is popularly known for this most excitable festival.

Bunol accommodates around 20,000 lucky ones during this festival as it is a small town, getting to be a part of this festival must be considered fortunate. Most tourists prefer staying in Valencia and commute through buses and trains to the La Tomatina Festival which makes it a great road trip altogether and a fun-filled vacation during August. Shops situated here are usually covered with huge plastics to protect themselves from the mess the festival brings with it.

Plaza Del Pueblo is the centre of the city where truckloads of tomatoes are at haul before starting the festival. The trucks of tomatoes are only emptied on one traditional condition. One brave soul must climb up a two-story high, greasy wooden pole to reach the ham, only if this prize is possessed the festival begins, nevertheless the festival also begins when none can reach the prize. The squishy tomatoes come all the way from Extremadura, a place where it is extremely inexpensive. The festival begins with firing of water cannons followed by the mess.

The fight goes on for an hour after which tomatoes cannot be thrown anymore and fire engines make their way to fire water across the entire city, this water is provided by the Roman aqueduct. The authorities of the city are usually concerned about the cleanliness of the city streets than the people. Hence people usually clean themselves at the Bunol River after the festival or locals of the city host these participants with water. The whole process is just as exciting as the tomato fight. The ground is cleansed as tomato causes acidity on the streets of the city.

The town’s patron saints are honoured through this frolic festival, nevertheless there are multiple theories based on how the festival came into existence but continued as it was a joyous experience for the people of that place, hence proved with numerous travellers visiting the place just for the festival as it never fails to entertain the crowd.

By Sheeba Muskaan

“To explore is to discover the hidden gems of this terrain”

Adelaide is the capital state of South of Australia being the fifth most populous city. It is popularly known as the city of churches because of its variety in diversity which makes the place beauteous in its own way. Adelaide is a place of stunning festivals, sporting events and magnificent tourist destinations. The food and wine is a must-try when one visits this place, definitely a highlight in the to-do list. Defence and manufacturing sectors are significantly important at Adelaide.

The never-ending list of internationally acclaimed theatre productions, musicians have never failed to impress us. Nevertheless, Adelaide festival aims at making days and nights breath-taking and exciting for all its guests. Their river, designer shops and dining places have truly been mind-blowing. Absolutely a treat to the tourist’s eye! It is also known as South Australia’s vibrant hub and is a commercial hub too.

Adelaide festival has completed 59 years successfully and the next one would take place in 2020. The festival has conducted a wonderful blend of internationally acclaimed theatre productions, an electrifying array of world-class musicians, breathtaking dance pieces, renowned writers and striking visual arts displays. The festival held in 2020 will be one of its kinds and will be presented by Co-Artistic Directors Neil Armfield AO and Rachel Healy for the fourth time.

Adelaide established with an aim of bringing together world-class cultural festivals in South Australia and has been a marvellous success every March catering to over tons of people and generating over 1.5 million dollars. The festival is perfectly timed during autumn that makes it even more interesting.

The festival offers multiple festivals like the Adelaide Cabaret festival, Adelaide guitar festival, OzAsia festival and a few other amazing festivals. Adelaide executes and co-presents some of the world’s biggest touring musicals that would rarely take place in South Australia. Adelaide employees several people for different kinds of jobs which is economically beneficial for the people of South Australia.

Adelaide is just the perfect set of festivals or events for various groups of people that can keep one entertained thoroughly.

By Sheeba Muskaan

“Apprehending the cold might be the ultimate but it certainly defines the tourist’s profound chills while on the hills”

Harbin is located in China and experiences one of the world’s coldest weather, it is well known for the winter festivals where one gets to witness record-breaking massive ice sculptures. Tourists enjoy the unusual extremity in the weather and Travel from all parts of the world to participate and fancy the numerous winter festivals here. Harbin has a whole individualist culture during the different seasons and is popular for the summer concerts as well.

The winter ice festival is established because of thousands of sculptures and finely ice carved buildings of upto 45 to 50 meters tall that are detailed to perfection. The festival is attended by 10 to 15 million people. The setup is fascinating as there is a city divided into 25 blocks and the ice carved buildings are lit with lights for the tourists, these blocks are surrounded by multiple ice buildings that allows them reach the zenith.

Harbin is the world’s coldest big city and hosts their festival in three major festival venues. The Sun Island Scenic Area which is only open to tourists during daytime to see the snow sculptures. The Ice & Snow World displays gigantic ice sculptures and best during the night time because of the maverick lights around it. The Zhaolin Park show cases about 1000 smaller ice sculptures and ice lanterns and this is the area where the competition takes place, it is also best visited at night.

The Siberian Tiger Park is another crowd-pleaser at Harbin which houses over thousand Tigers and it falls under the Sun Island Area where the snow sculptures are displayed, it definitely is a view to cherish. This Park is open throughout winter and is a great place for visitors. There is a Ski Park which is China’s most idealistic skiing park and this way tourist can also participate in such adventurous activities.

Russian food is served everywhere and is easily available and is absolutely delicious. While travelling to Harbin tourists should keep in mind warm and dark clothes to absorb sunlight and waterproof shoes. Harbin is phenomenal as it entertains tourists with multiple activities. This winter, Harbin should be one’s choice if one is a fan of visiting cold destinations.

By Sheeba Muskaan

Travelling is about spreading love, exploring and experiencing.

Once again the city of colours brings light on the world’s biggest LGBTI event. Amsterdam celebrates this event starting from 27 July to 4 August 2019 which is filled with joy, bliss and colours that light up the place and make the city a rainbow by itself. Pride Amsterdam is celebration and devotion towards the LGBTQ communities across the city. This festival believes in bringing equality without any discrimination.

 If you’re one for events with a cause then this is the place you should land at and experience this enthusiastic yet wonderful event. Witness an entire Cultural fete during these days as a tourist. Pride Amsterdam attracts around 350,000 people from across the world. This event usually starts off at the last Saturday of July and goes on till the first Sunday of August. During these days’ exhibitions, plays, dance parties, film screenings and a lot more takes place keeping everyone entertained throughout the days and nights.

The most eye-catching moment of this event is the Canal Parade where people go around the city in the boat dressed in vibgyor spreading love and equality. The Pride Diary has over 170 events that take place during these days where everyone is welcome. People above the age of 50 and younger crowd do participate in Pride Amsterdam. ‘Pride Set To Beach’ is yet another exciting event where the parade goes to Zandvoort and moves in floats after which they enjoy in the parties that take place on the streets.

Homomonument organises competitions for these pep people where it is extremely important to dress fancily. Games like ‘Tug of Love’ and much more take place here that keeps one’s feet tapping all time long. Homomonument is a memorial in Amsterdam that identifies LGBT communities.

While you’re at this amazing event one can also go sight-seeing particularly the world-famous canals of Amsterdam. The canals show that the water networks are great there and are used as traditional and sporting event location that attracts a lot of tourists all year round. The well-known Ring Canal called Grachtengordel built 400 year ago is still standing strong and beautifully treating every tourist’s eye.

Amsterdam is the place you need be at during these coming months; this article definitely does no justice to Amsterdam’s stunning event!

By Sheeba Muskaan

“Cultures are revived while they are practiced and descried”

An elegant yet vibrant festival of the tooth of Lord Buddha is celebrated at Sri Lanka with grandeur. People dress up with costumes and heavy ornaments during this flamboyant festival. This is a Buddhist festival that is made more appealing with miscellany of adorning cultural dances. The Elephant plays a significant role during this festival; one must see the lavishly decorated Elephants that enhance the high-spiritedness of this splendid festival. This festival dates back to the 3rd century BC and it is said that the purpose of Perahera is to ask the Gods for rainfall.

This festival was celebrated after the Tooth Relic was brought to Sri lanka from India. The modern day Perahera performs a custom where a young sanctified jackfruit tree is cut and planted in the premises of four different Devales. Tourists find this extremely fascinating and effervescent. Further, for the next four to five days there is music and drumming that creates the vibe of a fete. From flags to canopy bearers, that burst into colours and brings back a surge of traditions.

While the Tooth Relic is taken on procession, people gather and wait to experience this part of the festival as it is very exciting and mind-blowing. The Tooth Relic is led by whip-crackers and fireball acrobats to clear the path followed by the Buddhist flag bearers. Further, it is led by the first Elephant and then the drummers and dancers who attract a lot of crowd and merriment. Other flag bearers, musicians, dancers and massive Elephants follow this crowd and in this lay the beauty of Perahera Festival.

The festival goes ahead with multiple traditional activities and another procession with rituals that are performed throughout the festival. But during the fifth procession women are allowed to dance and it is a pleasing sight! The Festival includes a proper five day festival ending with Randoli Perahera where Randoli refers to the palanquins that were used by Queens and Kings traditionally to travel and the festival ends with Diya Kepeema that is also called the water cutting ceremony at Mahaweli River. The Day Perahera (procession) marks the ceremony of that year. This festival truly defines culture and the magnitude of rituals that take place to maintain the rains for serenity in their endearing place.

By Sheeba Muskaan

“A stay at leisure and a surrounding with serenity is all that a traveller needs”

As a kid one would have definitely blown out bubbles in awe and wished to never burst it, here it is The 5 Million Star Hotel where childhood dreams come true and blisses you out with bubble shaped rooms right in the middle of serene trees under colours of the vibrant sky viewed directly from the bed through transparent surrounding walls of the luxurious bubble rooms.

Star gazing and watching the sparkling aurora borealis dance in the vibrant sky is all one needs during a vacation. Every night above this bubble is magical and worth every penny. During winters it’s the stars between the misty air and during summer it’s the golden shiny atmosphere with colourful butterflies, birds and a warm summer breeze under the golden sky.

The South Coast package includes an overnight stay in a bubble which makes its first stop at Seljalandsfoss Waterfalls that is incredibly beautiful, for the ones who love adventurous steep cliffs this is the perfect place to be at! These falls describe the power of nature. After the steep staircase one can view the waterfall from behind that is absolutely stunning. Glaciers are home for the birds here at a height of 65 meters. One must keep an eye out for the rainbows at this magnificent location.

Second stop being at Skogafoss waterfall 30 kilometers away from Seljalandsfoss, one can have a close-up view if one takes the stairs, the view creates tranquillity with cute sheep wandering around and a variety of birds nesting on the cliffs. It’s a visual treat! These being the two stops, is proof enough that every stop here is a dream come true for the traveller. The next stop is at the Renisfjara Black Sand Beach that are known for its exquisite rocks and the strong waves.

Further at night, the most exciting part of this alluring trip is the bubble room that is transparent and if there is aurora dancing then you’re lucky enough to see it. The rooms are located close to the service house that provides facilities like showers and so on. Every room is located on the steep side of the hill hence making it even exciting. There is another package that includes a visit Geyser hot spring, a national park, waterfall and relaxing in a secret lagoon.  Everything is so pleasing and divine that one will have no regrets.

The 5 Million Star Hotel is one of a kind with the best kind of views one needs. This hotel gives what you needed as a child in the most luxurious sort and is beyond creativity.

By Sukanya Mitra

London Wine Week is a seven day summer festival which takes place across the city, with delicious events happening each day of the week – from pop-up wine bars to al fresco parties, decadent dinners and tutored tastings – plus some of the very best wine bars creating bespoke tasting flights of wine for just £6 for you to try. The pass for the London Wine Week is the most essential thing one needs to carry for a hassle free and a delightful experience.

For the first time – Festival Passes for London Wine Week are free meaning even more. The pass helps one enjoy unique bars and Food Pairing offers in some of London’s best restaurants, Free and unlimited access to The Hub at Flat Iron Square as well as £6 Flights – 3 wines curated by sommeliers – your own mini wine tasting. This digital pass is the one to look out for when attending the London Wine Week. It is available on your phone and can also be bought by logging onto the official website, drinkup.london .

Be it the weekend or the dreaded Monday, it is all fun and games when you are at the London Wine Week tasting some of the most authentic wine that not only challenges your taste buds but also make you reconsider about your favourite choice of wine. With its great health benefits for having a healthy heart, this is one festival that makes one not wanting to leave the magnificent city of London.

There are also exotic locations for lunches that are been organised and the view is honestly, breathtaking. Wine tasting at 100ft, with a divine wine tasting experience and an absolutely mesmerising view, this definitely has some heads turning with its sophisticated aura. One can enjoy this festival across all the bars associated with the Wine Week and can also be entitled to the various events taking place across the country for the week. This festival witnesses the fun and frolic moments of everyone who visits the country during the Wine Week and the joy that follows. London, the city that never fails to surprise anyone visiting and now makes it even more enjoyable with its Wine Week.

 Indulge in some of the best wines with a tinge of exquisite flavours that is undoubtedly, one of the best wines you would have ever tasted and if trying new things is your style of living, then London happens to be the best choice. Make this month a memorable May by celebrating the London Wine Week with its exotic wine choices and delicacies.

Who knew living your best life would just be a ‘Wine’ away.

By Sukanya Mitra

The big festival introduces Balinese art and preserves Bali as the main tourism destination in Indonesia. Aside from parade, various competitions will be held in this event, such as literature competition, handy craft, painting and other parades such as culinary, fashion, ngelawang, ramatari, gong kebyar, and traditional dance performances. Bali Arts Festival has been held since the 1980s and is one of the most important events on the island with hundreds of performers and thousands of spectators. Held in the month of June starting from the 16^th and ending on the 14^th of July, this happens to be the most awaited event in the country.

During the festivities, Werdhi Budaya Art Centre is generously decorated with traditional bamboo and coconut leaf elements and banners. Spectators gather in front of its several open stages and outdoor pavilions. Traditional or contemporary dances are followed by shadow puppetry, music or children competitions. During the following days, the festival continues on many stages at different venues. Musicians and artists from all over Bali and the whole of Indonesia takes part, providing visitors with an insight into local customs, traditions and beliefs. 

The country also known for its exotic beaches and leisure islands, this arts festival captures the enthusiasm of the Balinese culture and the showcases the best of the best art and culture to the visitors. What better way to luxuriate in overpowering culture with a blend of scenic locations along with lively atmosphere. This is one festival where one gets to be a part of the rich heritage that Bali is a home to. You can also witness the candid enthusiasm of the natives and see live performances that fill the island with grace and serenity.

Surrounded by water, this island in Indonesia is filled with greenery and scintillating skies that fills one’s heart to its utmost desire. The intricate details in the work and the honest hardwork to make the show successful is remarkable and worth every penny spent. The exhibitions are sure to take your breath away with its artistic intensity and finesse. This month long showcase of art and culture is enough to make your trip to Bali a meaningful and momentous one. Divinity and an undying love for its culture, Bali is one destination that captures the love for traditions and exclusive culture.