Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is a celebration of all things beer and Bavaria, its origins date back to 1810 and a royal wedding between Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. The meadow in front of Munich’s city gates was named Theresienwiese in her honour, and it remains at the epicentre of all the Oktoberfest.

The Bavarian charm has spread far and wide, however, and most of us can enjoy a special Oktoberfest Mass or two without even hopping on a plane. But that’s no fun, really. So we say, why not mix it up a little and visit one of the world’s other great Oktoberfests instead?

Blumenau, Brazil
The (joint) second-largest Oktoberfest in the world is held in the Brazilian city of Blumenau. Having been founded in 1852 by German colonists, the city’s heritage is still clear to see in its architecture, restaurants and—you guessed it— beer. The area is frothing over with exceptional breweries, so you might need to work on your bar crawling stamina in advance.

Festivities at the 19-day event serve up everything you could hope for, with Lederhosen, beer tents, parades and live music all on offer. Plus, there’s an added splash of Samba to spice things up. But it can also get slightly surreal at points. Just know that you’re not imagining things if you spot a giant herring named Rollmops presiding over a herring-eating competition.

Blumenau will undoubtedly transport you right back to Munich, but no matter how much you like beer, you probably aren’t going all the way to Brazil just to drink a pint.

Right on its doorstep is the Spitzkopf Ecological Park, where you can sweat off the hangover with a hike along rainforest trails towards panoramic views, before a refreshing dip in a river or waterfall. Keep your eyes peeled for protected species, like the white-bearded antshrike, white-necked hawk, cougar and margay.

Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada
Also in the running for second place after Munich is the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest in Ontario, Canada. This is another area with deep German roots, having been settled by German Mennonite farming families from the early 1790s. In fact, until a referendum in 1916, Kitchener was actually called Berlin.

Known as the Twin Cities, Kitchener and Waterloo both take Oktoberfest seriously. What started out as a modest trial run in 1969 has become three weeks of partying, feasts, and family-friendly fun across the two cities.

The official keg tapping is the ceremonial opening event, but it’s the Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade that really gets attention. The floats, marching bands and dancers make up the nation’s only Thanksgiving parade, drawing thousands come rain or shine.

Chicago Architecture River Cruise

Get views of Chicago’s most famous buildings, as well as insider info from an expert guide, on this architecture-focused cruise. See all the most important buildings on one tour, a hard-to-accomplish task on foot. View the skyline from the Chicago River while listening to live commentary. Snap photos of the Willis (Sears) Tower, Old Post Office, 360 Chicago Observation Deck, Wrigley Building, and more.

Highlights

from $50.36  per adult

Lowest price guarantee Reserve now & pay later Free cancellation

Duration: 1h 15m

Start time: Check availability

Best London Tours

Buckingham Palace tour

Take the unique opportunity to step inside Buckingham Palace each summer. Explore the palace’s usually private spaces, including the State Rooms, Throne Room and galleries filled with fine art on this self-guided tour.

prices from $87 Book now

 Hop-on, hop-off bus tour

See London from the top deck of an open-top double decker bus. The hop-on, hop-off bus tour ticket allows you explore London at your own pace, even at night, and you can enjoy added extras including free walking tours and a 24-hour Thames river pass.

prices from $45 Book now

London Explorer Pass including 2 to 7 Attractions

Save up to 25% on top London attractions with this hot Explorer Pass. Choose 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 attractions and tours from a list of 65+ attractions and see London’s best at your own pace.
Go City’s London Explorer Pass is a digital credits package which is loaded with credits, with each attraction being one credit. For example, 3 attractions = 3 credits, 7 attractions = 7 credits.
If you’re in London for a while, then don’t worry about time running out. Your pass will last for 60 days, with plenty of attractions to choose from across all of London. Tread the boards at Shakespeare’s Globe, admire the Gothic architecture at Westminster Abbey, and even enjoy the View from the Shard.

prices from $62 Book now

Japan in 2024

If you are thinking of visiting Japan in 2024 there are a couple of extra-special events in the calendar.

Our trip to the Sapporo Snow Festival returns, with departures in February ’24. Visit this fascinating festival to marvel at enormous snow and ice sculptures in the shape of cute characters, ice caves and architectural landmarks. Combine this with bullet train journeys through wintery landscapes and an ice-breaker cruise for a unique take on Japan – a great way to experience Japanese culture for the first time, or for an alternative view if you’ve already seen Japan in the warmer seasons.

Or, if springtime is more your season, did you know Japan is famous for its cherry blossom? In 2024 the blossom trail is expected to start from mid-March and run until early April. Join one of our bestselling Japan trips at this to be treated with a spectacle for the eyes, with landscapes blooming in pink and white as you explore this fascinating country.

How to Plan a Budget Trip to Europe

FREE WEBINAR: Learn the Secrets to Travelling Europe on a Budget!

Join Sarah Weingust (founder of HostelPass) for this entertaining (and free) webinar packed full of tips and tricks on how to make the most of your trip to Europe. Sarah will share everything she’s learnt from her years of travel and industry-experience to help you save more than you ever thought possible.

Considering Europe? This webinar isn’t just a recommendation – it’s a must-attend!

The holiday hotspots where your pound goes furthest

BY RUTH EMERY

Three years on from the UK’s first lockdown, many holidaymakers are gearing up to travel abroad again. But where can British travellers get the most for their money?

La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina

If you’re looking to save money on your holiday, then there’s good news for anyone planning to travel abroad this year. British holidaymakers now enjoy a better exchange rate in five out of six of the most popular foreign holiday destinations compared to three years ago.

According to analysis by travel money specialist No1 Currency the pound has strengthened considerably against the Argentine peso, Turkish lira, Egyptian pound and Sri Lankan rupee since 2020, meaning British tourists will find their money goes a lot further when visiting those countries.

Anyone going to Argentina will enjoy the biggest boost, with sterling more than trebling in value against the peso (up 234.6%), while those flying to Turkey will also get a much better exchange rate (the pound is up 205.8% against the lira).

Travellers going to the States or countries that use the euro, like France, Spain or Greece, will also receive a better – albeit more modest – exchange rate compared to March 2020.

The pound has risen by 5.4% against the euro since the UK’s first lockdown, and by 6.4% against the US dollar.

At the other end of the scale, sterling has shed a tenth of its value (down 9.3%) against the Australian dollar, meaning it’ll be more expensive for British tourists to go shopping, pay for meals in restaurants or grab an iced coffee. Sterling also buys nearly a fifth fewer Mexican pesos (down 18.9%) than it did in March 2020.

Simon Phillips, managing director of No1 Currency, comments: “No-one will be celebrating the anniversary of Britain’s first lockdown, but three years on from our national confinement, the pound’s rising value offers a bright spot for anyone planning a summer getaway.

“The pound in your pocket now goes further in the vast majority of the countries typically visited by British tourists. For example, the pound has doubled in value on Egypt’s popular Red Sea coast and in Sri Lanka, which offers palm-fringed beaches and year-round warmth.”

Kenya, Japan, Mauritius, Colombia, Hungary and Jamaica make up the rest of the top 10 holiday hotspots, where the currencies have fallen the most against the pound.

Six myths about package holidays

By Julia Brookes

Forget the 1970s stereotypes — package holidays deliver all sorts of experience, from fly-and-flop to stirring adventure. Here’s what you need to know

Sales of package holidays are soaring in 2023 thanks to the cost-of-living crisis and post-pandemic anxiety about securing a refund if things go wrong. 

Over 80 per cent of 2,000 people polled by the UK’s largest tour operator, Jet2, said they were now considering a package because of the current economic climate. Jet2’s summer 2023 programme will be the biggest ever — it has just added flights to Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Larnaca, Majorca, Tenerife, Faro and Malaga. 

Meanwhile, travel trade association Abta has revealed that 29 per cent of Brits are planning on taking an all-inclusive holiday this year to keep costs under control. 

Still think this style of trip is just not for you? Here are eight popular myths about package holidays that you shouldn’t believe.

A mural in Buenos Aires, Argentina
A mural in Buenos Aires, Argentina (Alamy)

1. Package holidays involve two weeks in Spain, eating at the same restaurant every night 

Forget that 1970s fly-and-flop stereotype: packages come in all shapes and sizes. Any type of trip, from trekking through Bhutan to exploring the vineyards of California’s Napa Valley on horseback can be a package holiday. The definition of a package is simply that a travel company has put at least two elements of your trip together for you, such as flights, accommodation and car hire. Check out Aito, a brilliant site for sourcing every style of holiday, in destinations from Argentina to the Azores, offered by independent and specialist travel companies.

The view from Manhattan Bridge on New York's Chinatown
The view from Manhattan Bridge of New York’s Chinatown (Getty Images)

2. Packages are more expensive than booking hotels and flights separately

Not necessarily. You may think you’re getting better value for money by going it alone but for traditional seaside summer holidays in destinations such as Greece and Portugal package holidays will generally be cheaper than DIY trips, and you won’t run the risk of losing your holiday if your airline or hotel goes bust.

Even city breaks can be cheaper when booked as a package: BA Holidays has some great hotel and flight deals especially off season. Short-haul trips tend to offer fairly modest savings, but long-haul deals can be incredible bargains if you strike lucky: a three-night trip to New York from Gatwick, staying at the plush Indigo Hotel on the Lower East Side in mid-March was £565pp if two people are sharing a room, saving an astonishing £2,275 on the cost when booked separately.

Dining out at Oliva Restaurant, Ikos Aria, Kefalos, Greece
Dining out at Oliva Restaurant, Ikos Aria, Kefalos, Greece (Ikos Resorts)

3. All-inclusive holidays are all wristbands, cheap booze and dodgy food

All-inclusive holidays have always been a brilliant way of keeping spending under control and according to Abta, 40 per cent among those aged 44 and under and 57 per cent of young families are planning to take one in 2023 to manage their finances.

All-inclusives cover all price points and if the cheap and cheerful doesn’t appeal, a new breed of high-end all-inclusive has redefined the experience. Five-star Ikos Resorts (with resorts in Greece and Spain) offers the “Infinite Lifestyle concept”, including restaurants with Michelin-starred menus, cocktails designed by top mixologists, 24-hour complimentary room service, kids’ clubs and a dine-out option that means that guests can try local restaurants. Book through tour operators such as Jet2Holidays.comtrailfinders.com and britishairways.com.

4. It’s quicker and easier to book everything myself

The internet can be a wonderful resource but planning a complicated trip online will be time-consuming and can be stressful and confusing. Book through the right travel agent or tour operator and their staff will be on top of the logistics; they’ll have been on the excursions, stayed in the hotels, eaten in the restaurants and know the right time of year to travel, so you shouldn’t get any nasty surprises.

The Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque in Beirut, Lebanon
The Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque in Beirut (Getty Images)

5. An escorted tour means endless coach travel and a big group wearing name badges

Small group escorted tours have soared in popularity in recent years, partly because they’re a brilliant option for solo travellers. They’re led by expert guides (whose services would cost a fortune if booked privately) and often include packed itineraries and experiences that would be impossible to arrange privately, in off-the-beaten track destinations that can be daunting to navigate for newbies. Group sizes are often no more than 12. 

Explore! for example, whose average group size is 11, has a week-long Highlights of Lebanon tour including crusader castles and Phoenician ruins, and a sobering reminder of the civil war on a walking tour of Beirut. Some operators offer different grades of comfort and pace: Intrepid, whose new trips for 2023 range from communing with penguins in Patagonia to hiking and biking through Morocco, has four, ranging from “Basix” itineraries for those on a budget to “Premium”, with top-notch accommodation, many meals and tips included.

The Danube cycle path
On the Danube cycle path (Alamy)

6. Packages are a one-size-fits-all trip

Many tour operators offer tailor-made trips so that you can explore at your own pace, stay in exactly the sort of hotel that suits you and eat when and where you want. Exodus, for example, has a self-guided seven-night cycling holiday starting in Vienna that meanders along the Danube and includes cycling in three countries in one week, with stays in four-star hotels, luggage transfers and flights from £1,299pp. Tailor-made trips can also include insider access: try Abercrombie and Kent, whose little black book of contacts will get you an exclusive pre-opening tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo if you book a wider itinerary.

What every traveller needs: an eSIM card

Have you ever received a huge roaming bill after a trip abroad? Have you ever lost phone service or connectivity while traveling – and found yourself desperately searching for free Wi-Fi? Have you wasted time anxiously looking for a SIM vendor at the airport? We experienced all of these things, this is why we created Airalo

The eSIM Solution

Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving you access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards). With eSIMs from Airalo, download and install a digital data pack from 200+ countries/regions and be connected anywhere in the world the second you land.

6 highlights of the Azores

1. Furnas

A dramatically active volcano lies next to this scenic little town and gardens where you can swim in hot, mineral-rich water that bubbles up from deep within the earth.

2. Sete Cidades

A spectacular caldera and a pair of hauntingly beautiful crater lakes that are entangled with local myths and legends. Ethereal and mystical, the area makes for some of the best hiking on the islands.

3. Capelinhos

This wild headland only reared out of the sea split-seconds ago in geological time, though it first emerged in 1957. An enthralling museum is found within the lighthouse, which is still half-buried under volcanic ash.

4. Whale and dolphin watching

Wildlife-watching trips can be arranged from various ports, including Horta (Faial) where a museum brings to life the history of humans and whales.

5. Angra do Heroísmo

This UNESCO World Heritage city is steeped in history and packed with reminders of Portugal’s old empire and age of exploration.

6. Azores Geopark

A site protected for geological research. At its heart is the Algar do Carvão volcanic cone and lava tube.

Where to stay in the Azores

Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico, São Miguel

This local landmark sits on Ponta Delgada waterfront. It has great views over the harbour and some of the finest dining on the island at Balcony restaurant

Hotel do Canal, Faial,

This is a maritime-themed four-star hotel is by the Horta marina. It has legendary status in Faial’s seafaring history and was once an overnight stop for passengers on the Star Clipper flying boat between Lisbon and New York.

Terceira Mar Hotel, Terceira

This is a four-star stay set in luxuriant gardens by the sea and in full view of the Monte Brasil fortress. It is only a short walk to the historic centre of Angra do Heroísmo