15 Music Festivals You Can’t Miss This Year

We know what some of you are thinking–it’s January, and who in the world is already planning to attend music festivals, most of which take place during the summer months? If this is the thought running through your head, then it’s pretty clear–you’re no music festival junkie. During the past few weeks, Bonnaroo and Coachella–the two kingpin American music festivals–have announced their lineups, and the excitement just continues to build.

But these aren’t the only two music festivals around. In fact, they’re really just the tip of the iceberg. Interested in what other festivals the world has to offer? Then check out our list of the fifteen music festivals you can’t miss this year:

www.factmag.com

Coachella, California

We already shouted out Coachella in the introduction, so let’s start the list right here with the country’s original modern music festival. First held over two days in 1999, Coachella took a year off before returning as a one-day event in 2001. But from there things have grown, and Coachella’s current manifestation takes place over two separate three-day weekends. Unlike most outdoor music festivals, Coachella takes place in April rather than the summertime. This is done in order to avoid the incredible summer heat that comes with the territory–though the grounds themselves are green, Coachella is held in the middle of the desert! If you go, make sure to stay hydrated.

www.wardrobeoxygen.com

Bonnaroo, Tennessee

The other previously-mentioned entry and Coachella’s modern-day challenger for preeminent American music festival, Bonnaroo has been held annually each summer since 2002. Originally inspired in part by Coachella’s more “European” take on the music festival, Bonnaroo decided to do something similar on the eastern side of the country. But unlike Coachella, which has a strict curfew policy, Bonnaroo acts go on until 4 AM. That’s the advantage of taking place in the absolute middle of nowhere–no neighbors to complain! This, along with the festival’s massive, sprawling campsites, ensure that the Bonnaroo party never really stops.

www.dannynorth.co.uk

Glastonbury, United Kingdom

This English music festival is one of the world’s most storied–almost on the level of Woodstock, but still going on today. First held in 1970 on the private land of one Michael Eavis, the festival was reignited in the early 1980s and has continued uninterrupted since then except for a few years during which the promoters decided to take a few breaks. Attended by nearly 200,000 people over the course of a whopping five days, Glastonbury is without a doubt one of the world’s most important music festivals. It’s especially iconic for the flags flown in front of the stage, representing all sorts of countries and causes.

prxpress.dk

Roskilde, Denmark

Founded in 1971 by two hippie high school students, Roskilde Festival is the largest annual music festival in northern Europe. Over the course of four days, some 130,000 festival-goers listen to music, camp, and generally have a great time, and a good part of the proceeds goes to a charitable cause as decided by the participants of the festival themselves. Another definitive Roskilde event is the naked run, in which festival-goers compete in a naked lap around the campsite. One male and one female winner receive a free ticket for the following year’s festival, so start training now!

webster.csc.villanova.edu

Splendour in the Grass, Australia

Without a doubt, Splendour in the Grass is the foremost Australian summer music festival. Or… winter music festival, that is! Though held in late July or early August, we have to remember that Australia’s location in the Southern Hemisphere means that it’s winter taking place down there. Either way the weather is lovely and makes for a fine outdoor festival. Since 2001, the festival has been held in the New South Wales state, with the exception of two years when it moved temporarily to Queensland. But wherever “Splendour” takes place, it’s sure to be one of the coolest outdoor parties Australia has to offer.

www.myswitzerland.com

Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland

So far our list has catered mostly towards more “mainstream” music tastes–rock, rap, and maybe an EDM tent have basically been the staples of each festival on our list so far. That’s why we’re going to switch things up briefly, starting with this fine Swiss festival. Held first in 1967 as a showcase purely for jazz music, in the 1970s things started to open up as more rock and blues musician were allowed onto the stage. Nowadays the July festival focuses on jazz but with a popular music angle. One of the most unique aspects of this festival is its location–because it’s held on the shore of a lake, visitors can bring their boats by to check out some of the performances.

www.yabiladi.com

Mawazine, Morocco

The first non-“Western” festival on our list, the name of Morocco’s Mawazine festival very appropriately means “rhythms.” Founded in 2001 as part of a Moroccan government initiative to portray a more liberal, tolerant side of their country, it’s hard to argue that Mawazine hasn’t been a major success. Though lesser-known in the United States, the festival draws over a million visitors each year. The festival primarily focuses on “local” West African performers and world music representing countries that often don’t get their due in the Western media, but big names you might be familiar with do show up–have you heard of Stevie Wonder, Shakira, or Mariah Carey?

aboutcheapholidays.com

Fuji Rock Festival, Japan

Held during the summer on the grounds of a wintertime ski resort in Yuzawa, Japan, Fuji Rock is Japan’s largest outdoor music event with crowds regularly exceeding 100,000. After seeing the name, the location of the festival might come as a surprise–“where’s Mt. Fuji?” you might ask. Well, as history would have it, the first manifestation of this festival did take place at the base of Mt. Fuji–and it was a disaster. A full-blown typhoon hit, many were hospitalized for hypothermia, and the second day of the festival was cancelled. Lessons were learned, however, and modern Fuji Rock Festival is one of the world’s indisputable greats.

www.jsonline.com

Summerfest, Wisconsin

Back in the United States (and more “whitebread” than ever), we still couldn’t avoid adding Milwaukee’s annual Summerfest to our list. But please don’t take us the wrong way: Summerfest is a massive festival–the largest in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records–and attracts fine international, national, and local musical acts each year. That said, this is a lot more than a simple music festival–there are all kinds of rides and attractions, lending the celebration more of a carnival atmosphere than anything else, and of course plenty of kids. It’s probably not worth booking a plane ticket for, but if you’re in the Wisconsin area then Summerfest deserves its spot as an annual tradition.

www.jobinbraz.com

Rock in Rio, Brazil (and Portugal/Spain/USA)

A little bit confused about that four different countries thing? To be completely honest, we were too. Here’s exactly how it works out: this massive festival has its roots in Rio de Janeiro, where it was held once in the 80s, once in the 90s, and a few times this millennium as well. Throughout most of the 2000s though, festivals promoted by the same organization and bearing the same (now inaccurate) name were held both in Lisbon, Portugal and Madrid, Spain. In 2015, two Rock in Rios well be held–one back in its namesake city and one, for the first time ever, in Las Vegas, Nevada. A bit confusing, we know, but always a fine festival.

www.barriosdebogota.com

Rock al Parque, Colombia

Held annually in the Colombian capital, Rock al Parque is notable among the entries on our list for the simple fact that admission to the festival is completely free. And of course, it should come as no surprise that the people take advantage of this–Rock al Parque is known to draw up to 400,000 visitors over three days. As the name might give away, the original manifestations of this festival were rock music only, and though the festival is certainly rock-centric it has also opened its doors to performers of other genres. Still, if you’re looking for a rock festival with a harder edge than typical music festivals, this might be the one for you.

www.tix4cause.com

Lollapalooza, Illinois

Another huge urban music festival, Lollapalooza has been held annually in Chicago’s Grant Park since 2005. Of course, the festival’s history is a bit more storied than that. Lollapalooza’s initial incarnation was a touring festival that visited cities across North America, but underwhelming ticket sales and logistical difficulties caused the doors to close in 2004. Luckily for us, the promoters were not ones to give up–they reignited the festival as a weekend destination event, and the rest is history. Today one of America’s preeminent music festivals once again, Lollapalooza is a summer experience not to be missed.

ocdn.eu

Pryzstanek Woodstock, Poland

If the image above doesn’t scream “rock” to you, we don’t know what will. Pryzstanek Woodstock is certainly a rock festival, a premise that began with its name and has continued in its execution since 1995. But unlike the original Woodstock, this festival is free–a major draw for patrons, more than 750,000 of whom attended the festival in 2014. One of the most bizarre traditions associated with Pryzstanek Woodstock is the mud bath–for reasons that escape us, people just seem to love rolling around in wet dirt. To each his own, we suppose.

blog.holidaycheck.com

Sonar, Spain

Since 1996, Barcelona’s Sonar festival has been at the forefront of not only the festival scene but also the electronic music scene as a whole. Broken down into two parts, Sonar by Day and Sonar by Night, this festival has been partly responsible for Barcelona’s emergence on the scene as a European–if not a world–capital of electronic music. Sonar is also noted for its forward-thinking incorporation of audiovisual and multimedia technologies, perhaps not surprising given the festival’s electronic roots. Add to all this Sonar’s fair for music industry professionals and you’ve got what might perhaps be the world’s most well-rounded music festival.

festivalfling.com

Governors Ball, New York

The last festival on our list is also the newest–Governors Ball was held on New York City’s Governors Island for the first time in 2011. Since then, it’s moved to the nearby Randall’s Island and has continued its rise into the American music festival stratosphere. Thanks to savvy lineups, great organization, and the unbeatable backdrop of Manhattan’s world-famous skyline, Governors Ball has skyrocketed in popularity very quickly. Only time will tell if things can continue as well as they’re going for the festival, but if they do, early 2010s Governors Balls might someday be the stuff of legend.

Credit: http://www.traveltips4life.com/15-music-festivals-you-cant-miss-this-year/14/

The World’s 15 Coolest Theme Parks (That Aren’t Disney-Related)

For kids, there’s probably no destination more awe-inspiring than the theme park–simultaneously fun, incredibly exciting, and of course fear-inducing. As we grow up, however, most of us begin to lose this fascination–these feelings of wonder are replaced with memories of long lines, hot sun, and overpriced food and souvenirs.

That said, maybe it’s time we give theme parks another chance? If you’re thinking “no way,” just give us a few minutes of your time. Take a look at our list of the fifteen coolest non-Disney theme parks, and maybe you’ll decide to check out a theme park once again during your travels:

www.accessibletravelnl.com

Efteling, Netherlands

A relatively old theme park comparatively speaking, the Netherlands’ Efteling predates the original California Disneyland by some three years. The park has a fantasy theme, focused primarily on ancient Dutch legends and fairy tales. Just because the park is old, however, doesn’t mean that it can’t keep up with the times–it is consistently being updated, and even its older attractions were built to such high standards that they still compete with the attractions of modern parks. A whopping 94% of the Dutch population has visited Efteling at one point, and if that doesn’t speak to the place’s draws we don’t know what will.

www.nj.com

Six Flags Great Adventure, New Jersey

This massive theme park is the most renowned in the New York-New Jersey-Philadelphia region, and for good reason–it’s home to the world’s tallest roller coaster, Kingda Ka. Clocking in at a whopping 456 feet (139 meters), the coaster is also currently the world’s second fastest, reaching a top speed of 128 miles per hour (206 kilometers per hour). If height and speed aren’t the name of your game, don’t fret–the park is home to a wide variety of attractions including a children’s section and is also neighbored by a fantastic water park for the summer months. You’re sure to find something that you like here!

www.upperrhinevalley.com

Europa-Park, Germany

Europe’s second most popular theme park (after a certain Disney-affiliated park that will remain unnamed), Europa-Park is anything but typical. The park’s many sections are mostly themed after different European countries and regions, ranging from Greece to Russia to England to Scandinavia. Also, if you’re tired of overpriced hamburgers and funnel cake, Europa-Park might be of interest to you. The park’s Ammolite restaurant counts among its many honors and awards a coveted Michelin star–something that certainly can’t be said for the vast majority of theme park dining establishments.

www.themeparkreview.com

Nagashima Spa Land, Japan

This classic Japanese amusement park opened in 1966 and has remained a fixture on the world theme park scene since then. Its Steel Dragon 2000 roller coaster was once the world’s tallest complete-circuit coaster, and today it still remains the longest roller coaster in the world. In addition, Nagashima Spa Land is home to the Aurora Wheel, a Ferris wheel which at nearly 300 feet (95 meters) clocks in as one of the world’s largest. Nearly a half-century after opening, Nagashima Spa Land remains one of the world’s 20 most visited theme parks–a true testament to its continued quality.

www.blukotour.com

Everland, South Korea

Sticking for the time being in East Asia, Everland is South Korea’s largest theme park and the thirteenth most popular theme park in the world measured by attendance. Originally known as “Farmland,” this park is unique because of the major role that animals play–in fact, one of the park’s five major sections is known as Zoo-Topia. Western readers might be particularly intrigued by the fact that two of the park’s major zones include European Adventure and American Adventure, both of which feature architecture and recreated landmarks representing the two regions. You can check out part of European Adventure in the image above.

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Lotte World, South Korea

After visiting Everland, you won’t have to leave South Korea to visit the world’s largest indoor theme park! Located in the heart of the capital city of Seoul, Lotte World became the world’s largest indoor theme park upon its completion in 1989 and has defended the title continuously since then. Because it’s indoors, the park is able to remain open year-round. Besides the indoor park, there is also an outdoor section reachable via monorail. The park contains plenty of rides but also shopping malls, a hotel, movie theaters, and a Korean folk museum, meaning that Lotte World truly has something for everybody.

travel.helpyaa.com

Ocean Park, Hong Kong

Opened in 1980 and given a full refurbishment in 2005, Ocean Park is one of Hong Kong’s two major theme parks. Behind Disneyland Hong Kong, this is the second most visited theme park in all of Asia. Besides traditional theme park elements like roller coasters and other rides, Ocean Park has a strong focus on animal life–the park counts among its many attractions a panda bear habitat and the world’s largest aquarium dome, displaying thousands of fish. The park is also unique because it is separated by a mountain into two distinct areas–guests can venture between the two using a nearly mile-long cable car system.

ltastudent.lodiusd.net

Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, Japan

First of all, please don’t expect us to spell out this Japanese park’s name again. Located in the Kanazawa-ku ward of the coastal city of Yokohama (that was just as hard!), this park combines the attractions typical of a theme park with a world-class aquarium for a truly unique guest experience. It’s also unique in that it’s a pay-as-you-go park–there’s no gates to walk through, and you simply pay for each attraction that you decide to enter. If you only plan on spending a bit of time here, this can be a money-saver–but if you do plan to spend a full day at the park, a day pass is probably a good idea.

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Tivoli Gardens, Denmark

If you thought a park like Efteling in the Netherlands was old, try Tivoli Gardens–the second oldest still-operating theme park in the world, Tivoli Gardens was opened all the way back in 1843. Funnily enough, just like many Asian theme parks are designed to depict images of the Western world, Tivoli Gardens was originally conceived as an interpretation of Eastern Asia–you might be able to tell from the photo above. Walt Disney himself often cited Tivoli Gardens as his inspiration for the Disney parks, particularly admiring its ability to remain with the times without ever losing its original charm.

www.coaster-net.com

Cedar Point, Ohio

On a small Ohioan peninsula jutting out into Lake Erie sits Cedar Point, the self-proclaimed “Roller Coaster Capital of the World.” Opened all the way back in 1870, Cedar Point has changed significantly since then–it’s the world’s only theme park with four coasters taller than 200 feet (61 meters), the only theme park with a coaster in every official height classification, and the most visited theme park found anywhere in the United States. The park is also unique for the fact that it contains a beach within its grounds, as well as two marinas where visitors are able to dock their boats.

www.amusementtoday.com

Knoebels Amusement Resort, Pennsylvania

Perhaps not as grandiose as most other parks on our list, what Knoebels lacks in big-budget features it more than makes up for in charm as well as savings. This smaller, family-owned theme park in central Pennsylvania offers free admission, free parking, and a variety of free entertainment options to visitors, who are then able to pay for access to most rides and attractions. The park’s wooden roller coasters are a throwback to another era, but nevertheless are considered quite fondly by those in the know. The park also has fantastic dining options, regularly winning national awards for amusement park food.

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Schlitterbahn Water Park, Texas

Though the family-owned Schlitterbahn company now owns a number of parks across Texas, the original Schlitterbahn still comes most highly regarded. Regularly named the best water park in the United States, Schlitterbahn counts among its many attractions what is probably the world’s only uphill water coaster ride–we don’t quite understand the physics either, but that might only make it cooler. If you’re looking for a way to cool down during the hot Texas summer, this is it–Schlitterbahn is the only full-blown water park we’ve included on our list.

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Beto Carrero World, Brazil

The largest and most highly-regarded theme park in Latin America, Brazil’s Beto Carrero World is named after the park’s founder, Beto Carrero (can you say megalomaniac?). Regardless, the park is impressive for its size and scope–it’s home to roller coasters, water rides, a zoo, and much more. Also, due to its fantastic location, Beto Carrero World is one of the few theme parks on our list that is able to remain fully open all year round. If you find yourself yearning for some theme park fun during a cold winter back home, Beto Carrero World might be the option for you!

www.engelvoelkers.com

PortAventura, Spain

Both the largest theme park in Spain as well as in Southern Europe as a whole, PortAventura is the sixth most visited park in Europe. PortAventura is divided into six themed areas. Out of these, five are based on cultural and geographical areas–Mexico and China, for example–and one, the most recently constructed, is based on the children’s television series Sesame Street. In addition to more standard theme park attractions, PortAventura also contains an aquatic park and four hotels–making this a true vacation destination rather than just a simple amusement park.

www.discoverycove.com

Discovery Cove, Florida

This aquatic theme park located in Orlando, Florida is unique due to its exclusivity–a maximum of 1,200 guests may be inside the park at any given time, making Discovery Cove a break from the stereotypical overcrowded theme park experience. Inside the park, visitors are given the opportunity to swim with bottlenose dolphins, snorkel a coral reef, enter a free-flight aviary filled with over 250 tropical birds, and more. In addition, the park is also all-inclusive. This means that, although admission is quite expensive, it already includes the cost of food, drink, equipment rental, and an additional visit to another SeaWorld park in Florida.

Credit: http://www.traveltips4life.com/the-worlds-15-coolest-theme-parks-that-arent-disney-related/15/

15 Best Destination Wedding Locations for 2015

Planning your wedding can, and most likely will be incredibly stress-inducing. It’s unfortunate, but it’s just the nature of the game–there’s a lot of pressure to make sure that the biggest day of your life is going to go off without a hitch. And it’s not just you–you have to take into account your family and friends, your soon-to-be spouse’s family and friends, and the list goes on. This stress can be compounded when you’re planning a destination wedding. You most likely won’t be visiting the venue in person beforehand, for example, and the leap of faith that this requires is enough to make a person’s head explode!

That’s why we’re here to help, at least by giving you a few good ideas for your 2015 destination wedding. Check out our list of the 15 best destination wedding locations for this new year:

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Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Beautiful weather year round, affordable airfare from the U.S. and Canada, a wide variety of venue, lodging, and budget options–what more could you ask for? Puerto Vallarta has been a favorite destination wedding spot for years, and for good reasons. 2015 is shaping up to be another great year in this charming town on Mexico’s Pacific coast–if you’re worried about the violence or cartels you might hear about on the news coming out of Mexico, don’t be. Puerto Vallarta has remained entirely unscathed and if anything, baseless fear scaring away a few tourists could very well result in better rates for you!

www.blissbysam.com

Cayman Islands

Renowned primarily as a fantastic location for North America’s super-rich to hide their money in offshore bank accounts, the Cayman Islands are often overlooked for the wide variety of charms that they also have to offer. When it comes to your 2015 destination wedding, the Cayman Islands are tough to beat–picturesque beaches, simple marriage requirements for foreigners, and, once again, short and affordable flights from the mainland United States and Canada. Top it all off with a wide variety of experienced wedding planners and specialty vendors and you’ve got yourself a destination.

www.stopmotionproductions.com

Bahamas

Though popularly thought of as a Caribbean destination, the Bahamas are not technically part of the Caribbean at all! In fact, they are located just off of Florida in the Atlantic Ocean. This means that the flight to the Bahamas is even shorter than those to Caribbean destinations–perhaps something useful to note if you’ve always dreamed of an island wedding but your grandmother just hates flying. Unlike Mexico and a number of other widely popular destination wedding locations, English is the national language here, which can of course be useful when it comes to breaking down communication barriers with your wedding planners.

www.ktmerry.com

Ireland

An Irish wedding can feel like a fairytale come to life–the lushest green fields, ancient castles, quaint seaside towns, and imposing cliffs can provide an almost fantastical background for your special day. Of course, the weather that provides the greenery of the Emerald Isle can prove to be a bit tricky–Ireland is notoriously rainy and wet. The best time to plan for sun falls between May and September, but even then nothing is guaranteed–an indoor/outdoor venue is probably your best bet here. Regardless, Ireland is a magical place and, with a little bit of its trademark luck, could be the perfect spot for your destination wedding.

paradisegetaways.net

Los Cabos, Mexico

Another prime Mexican destination wedding spot, Los Cabos is located even closer to the United States than Puerto Vallarta–this means that flights will be shorter and even that adventurous guests could decide to drive to your wedding! Los Cabos is located in Baja California, meaning that it falls within the special tourist zone designated by the Mexican government that doesn’t require special permits for Americans to drive to. And, with the dollar getting much stronger versus the peso these past few months, 2015 might be the time to take advantage of a fine Mexican destination wedding spot like this one.

www.chrismanstudios.com

Las Vegas, Nevada

Tell most anyone you’re getting married in Vegas and their first reaction will probably be eloping at a drive-thru chapel. This is a real shame, because modern Las Vegas actually counts among its many attractions plenty of fine, world-class wedding venues. If you’re looking to stay within the continental United States, and especially if beach weddings aren’t your thing, Las Vegas might be your best bet–and if you’re worried about having to entertain your guests before or after your big day, don’t worry–Las Vegas will surely take care of all of that for you.

www.enchanting-costarica.com

Costa Rica

This tiny Central American country is about the same size as the state of West Virginia, but its two coasts offer such a wide variety of destination wedding opportunities that you might be left truly surprised! Generally speaking, the Pacific side offers more upscale settings and accommodations while the Caribbean coast offers more free-spirited, laid-back vibes. Of course, there are exceptions to both of these rules so make sure to look around! Many are often surprised that Costa Rica is no longer an incredibly cheap destination, so if you’re on a budget the strong dollar at the start of 2015 could make this a great opportunity for you.

blog.wedalert.com

Aruba

If you’re truly neurotic when it comes to worrying about the weather on your wedding day, please take note–Aruba is located outside the Caribbean’s hurricane belt and also receives less annual rainfall than any other major island in the region. One of the Caribbean’s most well-developed wedding infrastructures also means that you’ve got a wide variety of options to choose from–all of which are almost guaranteed to be sunny, breezy, cloud-free, and completely dry. Sounds nice, doesn’t it?

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Bermuda

Another non-Caribbean island destination that could probably fool most anybody, Bermuda is actually located parallel to South Carolina off of the East Coast of the United States. This means that, if you’re traveling from the Northeast, Bermuda is probably just a two hour flight or so away! An interesting mix of island and English styles makes Bermuda one of the “classiest” island destinations available for your wedding. Add into the mix the island’s world-famous pink sand beaches as potential wedding venues, and you can see why Bermuda made our list of top destination wedding locations for 2015.

carlosmendozaphoto.blog.com

Riviera Maya, Mexico

Just a short trip from the famously budget-friendly Cancun airport but spiritually a world away from Cancun, the Riviera Maya is most likely Mexico’s supreme Caribbean coast destination wedding location. Besides its beautiful beaches, the Riviera Maya offers as potential backdrops for your wedding incredibly beautiful freshwater sinkholes and even ancient Mayan archaeological sites if you are so inclined. Yet another Mexican location on our list that gives you true bang for your buck, the Riviera Maya might be one of our absolute favorite 2015 destination wedding spots.

travel.usnews.com

Saint Lucia

Long an iconic destination for the world’s rich and famous elite, travel to Saint Lucia has recently gotten a bit easier for the rest of us with the addition of a number of direct flights from several major United States airports over the past few years. Nowadays, you don’t have to be a millionaire to get married on Saint Lucia–though it still helps! Iconic mountain domes make for charming wedding photos, while the island’s lush natural wildlife and relaxing jungle hot springs ensure that there will be plenty to do for you and your guests after the ceremony. Simply put, Saint Lucia is one of the Caribbean’s most luxurious destination wedding locations.

www.aperturephotographics.com

Tuscany, Italy

If an Italian wedding has long been an enchanting idea for you, then Tuscany might be the spot, 2015 the time. The spiritual heart of Italy’s picturesque vineyard region, Tuscany is one of Italy’s, if not Europe’s, most charming and historical destinations. Perhaps most interesting to the destination wedding planner is Tuscany’s recent proliferation of historic villas being refurbished into charming–and relatively affordable–wedding venues. If a European wedding is something you think you can’t afford, then think again–a little bit of research into the steals available here might open your eyes.

www.chrismanstudios.com

Jamaica

The Caribbean’s largest English-speaking island makes for a convenient–and surprisingly affordable–destination wedding location for 2015. If the idea of an all-inclusive resort tickles your fancy, Jamaica might be the spot for you. This route, though often criticized for being bland, packaged, and unadventurous, certainly has its appeal–it’s affordable, for one, but it’s also a relaxed and worry-free way for you and your guests to enjoy your stay. We’re certainly not saying that a Jamaica wedding has to be all-inclusive, but if that’s what you’re looking for, then you’ve found a great spot.

www.laurenfairphotographyblog.com

Puerto Rico

Whether you yourself can claim Puerto Rican heritage or not, this United States territory in the Caribbean is looking like an incredibly attractive destination wedding spot for 2015. First of all, like many other Caribbean destinations, Puerto Rico offers beautiful beaches. However, it also offers the beautiful and charming historic district of Old San Juan–the closest you can get to Havana without dealing with all the red tape! Also, because the island is U.S. territory, you won’t have to deal with the tricky logistics of converting currency or re-upping your marriage with the U.S. government upon arriving back home. It’s nice to simplify things.

www.destinationweddingmag.com

Florida, United States

Let’s face it–sometimes you want the beach wedding without all of the hassle of international travel. If you fall into this category, then the great state of Florida is most likely the spot for you. Really, within Florida reside dozens of destination wedding locations for you to choose from depending on your tastes, your budget, and your preferred geographical location. That said, we’re sure the state has something for you. If you’ve dreamed of an international wedding but for some reason it’s not working out, don’t get discouraged–trust us when we say that Florida has some truly charming spots that are sure to whisk your worries away.

Credit: http://www.traveltips4life.com/15-best-destination-wedding-locations-for-2015/15/

The 15 Best European Food Festivals

Italian pasta. French wine. Spanish paella. German beer. English… fish and chips?

Okay, so maybe the last one wasn’t the best example. Regardless, Europe is rightly renowned for its wide variety of fine cuisines, most of which have by this point been exported all around the world. That said, Europe is very proud of its culinary traditions, which it still celebrates on a regular basis. If you’re looking for an excuse to travel while pigging out on some of the finest foods this world has to offer, then this list will probably be of interest to you–here are the fifteen best food festivals that take place across Europe:

www.visitwales.com

Great British Cheese Festival, United Kingdom

In order to apologize for our cheap shot at the U.K. in the introduction, we’d like to start off the list with a fine once-English, now-Welsh food festival. Since 2008, this celebration of all things cheese has been held on the scenic grounds of Cardiff Castle during the last weekend of September. Though now a biennial rather than an annual event, the Great British Cheese Festival offers visitors the chance to try nearly 500 different varieties of cheese, ranging from the most blandly traditional to the strangest and smelliest. And, if you yourself aren’t a big cheese fan, you can always join the festival’s “ice cream party.”

www.flipkey.com

Oktoberfest, Germany

Since 1810, the German city of Munich has been famous the world over for its annual Oktoberfest celebration. Held over 16 days from late September through the beginning of October, Oktoberfest draws over six million visitors annually and is certainly most famous for its beer, serving, on average, nearly seven million liters each festival. That said, the festivities aren’t all beer–traditional foods served include roast chicken and pork, sausages, pretzels, potato pancakes, red cabbage, and much more. If you’re looking for a “food festival” with the ulterior motive of partying, well… here you go!

www.germany.info

Weimar Onion Market, Germany

If you’re still hanging around in Germany after Oktoberfest ends, then the Weimar Onion Market might be a nice way to spend a few more days. “What’s so special about an onion market?” you might ask. Well let’s just say that the name is kind of underwhelming… For one weekend in October, vendors set up over 500 market stalls throughout the city of Weimar. But these onions aren’t just for eating–the multicolored bulbs are used in the most creative of ways, from home decor to apparel to… well, you name it! Add in plenty of other traditional German cuisine, carnival rides and games, and live entertainment, and you’ve got yourself an onion market.

europeupclose.com

Alba White Truffle Fair, Italy

“Cheese, beer, and onions? These are the European delicacies you’ve decided to highlight?” If you’ve found our list so far to be a bit too lowbrow for your refined tastes, thanks for your patience–this one might be more your speed. Alba, Italy is renowned worldwide for its production of such delicacies as peaches, fine wine, and of course, the elusive white truffle. “The diamonds of the kitchen,” truffles are some of the world’s most expensive cuisine–the white truffle has sold for up to some $14,000 per kilogram at times, depending on the state of the market. If your tastes fall into this budget, then good for you. Enjoy the truffle fair.

www.carjet.com

Slow Food Festival, Italy

The Slow Food movement, which has since spread all around the world, was officially founded in Italy during the 1980s as a protest against the opening of a McDonald’s in a historic neighborhood in Rome. Insulted by an apparent lack of respect for the city’s history, and sensing a global shift away from food as a cultural exercise and towards yet another bland commodity, it was decided that something must be done. Today there is an annual celebration of all things “slow food” held in Turin, Italy, where visitors can sample the wares of over 1,000 artisan food-makers, take cooking classes, and of course book reservations for delicious dinners of all kinds.

www.bordeaux-wine-festival.com

Bordeaux Wine Festival, France

If we wanted to, we could probably make a whole list of fifteen European wine festivals for you to visit (note to self–maybe write a list of European wine festivals). But because that’s not the purpose of this list, we’re going to leave it here. The Bordeaux region of France is probably the world’s most famous wine region, and this is most likely France’s most important festival celebrating all things wine. The festival draws more than 500,000 visitors to the banks of the Garonne River, which is converted into a 1.2 mile “wine road” featuring samples from over 80 local producers. Nights marked by live music and fireworks keep the fun going even after dark.

www.likecroatia.com

Dubrovnik Wine & Jazz Festival, Croatia

I know we said the last entry would be the only wine festival, but this is a wine and jazz festival. See the difference? Dubrovnik is one of Europe’s most picturesque cities, and in recent years it has become one of the Mediterranean’s prime tourist destinations. It’s also considered one of the best-preserved medieval cities found anywhere in Europe. Whether you come to enjoy fine Croatian wine, the live music from Croatian, expatriate, and international musicians, or just to take in one of the most exciting times of the year in one of Europe’s most beautiful locales, this festival on the Adriatic Sea is not to be missed.

www.rte.ie

Dingle Food Festival, Ireland

Ireland, it must be said, is not generally recognized as a premiere culinary destination. Though most understand it to be the land of potatoes and beer and not much else, you’d probably be surprised to learn about the exciting culinary undertakings currently going down on the island, incorporating both traditional Irish and international influences into something wholly new and exciting! The town of Dingle is widely recognized as Ireland’s premiere “foodie” destination, and every October the town comes fully alive to celebrate its status. Over 80 restaurants, pubs, galleries, and shops participate, each contributing something unique to what is most certainly Ireland’s best food festival.

international-club-copenhagen.blogspot.com

Copenhagen Cooking, Denmark

Billing itself as “Northern Europe’s leading food festival,” Copenhagen Cooking celebrates both traditional Nordic cooking and the region’s new-found use of and appreciation for its wide variety of seasonal ingredients. Since 2004, Copenhagen Cooking has attracted over 100,000 domestic and international visitors over the course of ten days in late August. From Michelin two star-rated Noma all the way to the city’s burgeoning street food culture, Copenhagen Cooking celebrates everything that has helped define this city as one of the new Meccas for foodies–you’ll have to come visit to see just what we’re talking about.

www.saporie.com

First of Italy Festival, Italy

In the Italian province of Perugia sits the ancient town of Foligno, home to the country’s First of Italy Festival. The festival celebrates many Italian culinary “firsts” that have since spread throughout the world–pastas, gnocchi, and a number of soups among them. Sounds tasty, right? Offering events ranging from food tastings and demonstrations to classes for beginners and advanced chefs to more eccentric happenings including pasta sculpting, the First of Italy Festival is both a celebration of the country’s proud culinary past as well as a great way to enjoy the country’s food scene in the present day.

www.neverstoptraveling.com

O Grove Seafood Festival, Spain

On a Galician peninsula jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean sits the town of O Grove, alternately known as Ogrobe. Popular year round as a tourist destination due to its beaches and beautiful oceanfront promenade, tourists are given yet another fantastic reason to visit when October rolls around–the O Grove Seafood Festival. Capitalizing on the town’s two main industries–fishing and tourism–the O Grove festival celebrates all things seafood–shrimps, clams, scallops, crabs, and the list goes on. Between the fantastic food, the traditional music and dancing, and the beautiful setting, this festival is sure to please most any visitor.

brooklynbrewery.com

Taste of Stockholm, Sweden

As the season changes from spring to summer, the people of Sweden gather in Stockholm’s King’s Garden Park for the country’s major annual culinary event–the Taste of Stockholm Festival. For three days, the park and public square is converted into one of the world’s premiere culinary destinations, as many of the city’s finest restaurants move their operations outside. International chefs are present as well, and besides simply eating festival-goers are offered the opportunity to take cooking classes and workshops as well. There’s live music–primarily jazz and soul–and a general festive atmosphere, the end result being a good time for all.

www.piquenewsmagazine.com

Nordic Championships in Oyster Opening, Sweden

If you’ve ever found yourself doubting that absolutely anything can be made into a competition, here’s your proof! Sticking in Sweden, the Nordic Championships in Oyster Opening seek to determine who is truly the best oyster shucker (is that a word?) in all the land–or at least Scandinavia. If you’ve still got a bit of practice to do before throwing your hat in the ring, don’t fret–there’s still plenty to do over the course of the championships in Grebbestad, famous for its delicious fresh seafood. From fine restaurants all the way to excursions with local fishermen, it’s a fine opportunity to immerse yourself in the local seafood culture.

www.britain-magazine.com

Whitstable Oyster Festival, United Kingdom

Simply can’t get enough oysters? We can’t blame you–and if you’re not ready for the oyster festivities to end you can head back to the U.K. to enjoy the Whitstable Oyster Festival. A bit grander in scope than its Swedish cousin, this festival might be a better option if your whole party isn’t as oyster-obsessed as you yourself are. Here, in addition to the food fair, you’ll find a street parade, outdoor movie screenings, a fireworks show, a treasure hunt for the kids, and much more. Still, the oyster is the heart of this festival, and you won’t find a much better opportunity to celebrate this delicacy anywhere else.

thehungrymuse.com

Naples Pizzafest, Italy

So what if it’s not the peak of culinary refinement–pizza is without a doubt one of the world’s most beloved foods, and Naples is rightly proud of its status as pizza’s birthplace. During Pizzafest, the entire city of Naples turns into a pizza-lover’s dream–they’re sold in restaurants, in marketplaces, and on street corners, nearly impossible to avoid. There are pizza-making competitions between restaurants, pizza-making workshops, and live music and dance all in celebration of fine dough, sauce, and cheese. So if you truly love pizza and you want to meet up with some like-minded folks, there’s no better place to do it than in Naples during Pizzafest.

Credit: http://www.traveltips4life.com/the-15-best-european-food-festivals/15/