My Blogs

Holland America Line Debuts First Lipstick Blending Bar at Sea

You’ll have a bright lip for your stylish ship! Holland America Line’s new ‘Blend Bar’ onboard experience allows guests to design their own customized lipstick or gloss – the first aboard any cruise ship. So you’ll have the perfect shade to reflect your cruise vacation mood.

The exclusive, hands-on lipstick lab is guided by an expert beauty consultant and offers a palette of premium pigments, luxurious finishes, and signature flavors to craft a custom lipstick or gloss. So if you didn’t find the exact lip shade for a new cruise outfit – or your tan – you’ll be able to design one yourself. Bring along the remnants of your favorite discontinued color and formulate the lipstick you’ve always dreamed of.

Plus, do some holiday bonding over beauty - and a useful souvenir of your cruise.

All ages are welcome, and the Blend Bar is bookable for individual or group experiences in the beauty section of the shipboard shops. It is already available on Nieuw Statendam, Eurodam, Westerdam, Oosterdam, Zuiderdam, Volendam, and Zaandam, and will roll out to HAL’s remaining four ships before the end of 2025.

Blend Bar participants embark on a beauty journey to curate a signature shade from over 30 blendable pigments. Working together with the consultant, you choose your colors to create your one-of-a-kind hue. Each tailored blend can be made into one of four finishes: butter, crème, matte or gloss. You can even choose from more than 20 flavors and essences, and dimension can be added with frost, shimmer or iridescent effects.

Once blended, the custom formula is melted and poured into a lipstick mould or gloss tube. Invent a custom name for your lipstick, which will be applied to the tube upon completion. Along with your personalized lipstick or gloss, you’ll get a formula card as the ‘recipe’ to recreate your design in the future.

The cruise line notes that Blend Bar uses ingredients with the highest quality/integrity, free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates and GMOs, as well as cruelty-free, gluten-free and vegan. The pigments for the lipsticks and gloss are packed with antioxidants and SPF for everyday sun protection.

Whether enjoying a special moment with friends or family members, what a great parent-child bonding experience! - or simply indulging in a touch of personal luxury, this one-of-a-kind beauty experience lets you take home a unique memento from an unforgettable cruise.

START YOUR TRIP!

Images courtesy of Holland America Line

by Lynn on 10/09/2025

Mexico City’s Day of the Dead Grand Parade Returns

On November 2, Mexico City will transform into a river of color, culture, and remembrance as the Day of the Dead Grand Parade returns for 2025, featuring giant skeleton puppets, floats, music, dancers, and costumes. This extraordinary four-hour procession honors ancestors who have passed while celebrating the joy of life. At the same time, it offers travelers from around the globe an unforgettable immersion into one of Mexico’s most cherished cultural traditions.

It’s a case of life imitating art! Or even art creating new reality! That’s because Mexico City’s larger-than-life Day of the Dead Grande Parade is not – unlike other Day of the Dead traditions – a centuries-old practice.

In fact, it didn’t exist at all until 2016. That’s the year after the James Bond film Spectre famously opened with a spectacular Day of the Dead parade scene located in Mexico City. It was entirely a figment of the filmmakers’ imaginations! But the scene in the film created such a vivid impression of the capital, and so many film-goers around the world assumed it was real, that Mexico City’s government decided to establish an official Dia de los Muertos parade; and so a new tradition was born, putting Mexico’s cultural heritage on the world stage.

The parade incorporates traditional Day of the Dead imagery, including La Catrina, (the elegantly-garbed female skeleton), marigolds (the flower of the dead) and skulls, but presents it in a modern, theatrical format that appeals to the large crowds that now throng to Mexico City for this new cultural spectacle, usually held on the last weekend before Day of the Dead.

Traditional Day of the Dead in Mexico

Recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is a holiday rooted in and blending pre-Hispanic, ancient indigenous rituals and Catholic traditions. Celebrated on November 1 and 2, it honors the souls of children and adults who have passed away.

Through altars, offerings, flowers, food, and gatherings, families welcome spirits back for a brief reunion. It is at once deeply spiritual and joyously festive, reflecting Mexico’s unique approach to life and death.

A Living Tradition

Mexico City’s relatively newborn Grand Parade begins at the Puerta de los Leones in Chapultepec Park, winds its way down the iconic Paseo de la Reforma, passes Avenida Juárez and 5 de Mayo, and concludes in the heart of the capital at the Zócalo, Mexico City’s grand central square.

It complements, rather than replaces, the more intimate commemorations in small communities across the country.

Beyond Mexico City: Celebrations Across the Country

These celebrations are deeply rooted in local traditions — with each region adding its own distinct flavors and rituals.

Oaxaca: Perhaps the most famous destination outside the capital, Oaxaca comes alive with processions in its cobblestone streets. Locals dress as skeletons, brass bands play through the night, and markets overflow with pan de muerto and sugar skulls. Cemeteries become places of gathering as families decorate graves with candles, flowers, and offerings.
Pátzcuaro, Michoacán: Families light thousands of candles in this lakeside community to guide spirits back to the world of the living, while the island of Janitzio becomes a glowing beacon seen across the lake. This atmospheric celebration is deeply tied to Indigenous tradition and is one of the most poignant experiences in Mexico.
San Andrés Mixquic, Mexico State: Just outside Mexico City, this small town is renowned for its “Alumbrada” on November 2. As night falls, cemeteries blaze with candlelight, transforming the grounds into a shimmering tribute to departed souls. Families maintain vigil, often sharing food, music, and stories late into the night.
Mérida, Yucatán: Here, the holiday takes the form of Hanal Pixán, or “food for the souls.” Rooted in Maya tradition, this celebration features altars laden with regional specialties like mucbipollo, a large tamale baked underground. The streets of Mérida host processions, while families gather in cemeteries to honor their ancestors.

Each of these destinations shares the same essence: honoring the departed through joy, remembrance, and community. For travelers, experiencing Day of the Dead traditions anywhere in Mexico at the beginning of November is a way to see the country’s cultural richness up close.

START YOUR TRIP!

Images courtesy of Visit Mexico

by Lynn on 10/09/2025

One Thing NOT to do on Your Next Trip to the Great Outdoors

Remember the saying for those of us who love to experience nature when we travel: “Take only pictures and leave only footprints.” Well, we have another piece of advice for responsible travelers – one you may find surprising. Social media has fueled a boom in “rock-stack art.” But now a crescendo of voices – from park rangers to indigenous communities – is asking everyone to leave the stones alone.

The rock-stacking trend, and its downside

They look harmless, peaceful, even. A few hand-sized rocks, stacked into a tidy little tower beside a trail or on a windswept beach. Photos of gravity-defying towers on coastlines, riverbeds, and national parks inspire imitation. You may have already built a stone stack yourself.

But that tiny “I was here” marker can ripple into real harm.

Around the world, a growing group of concerned experts stress that building stone stacks (also called cairns) damages fragile environments, erodes soils, disturbs habitats, jeopardizes trail safety and makes light of ancient cultural traditions.

Communities, conservationists, rangers and indigenous groups are responding: on Scotland’s Isle of Skye, locals dismantled hundreds of tourist stacks at the Fairy Glen to restore the natural landscape. In North America, volunteers in national and provincial parks regularly remove unauthorized piles.

Here’s why:

Erosion & soil loss. Stones help anchor fragile alpine and coastal soils. Removing them accelerates erosion.
Habitat disruption. Small animals and insects rely on rocks for cover and moisture.
Navigation risks. In landscapes where cairns are still in use as way-markers, fake piles can send travelers off course.
“Natural Graffiti.” Any human change to the landscape takes away from its natural integrity for the people coming behind you. Some compare the urge to mark where you’ve been with a stone stack, like people vandalizing buildings with graffiti.
Cultural disrespect. Faux inuksuit in Canada or casual piles near Hawaiian ahu can overshadow authentic heritage.

What stone piles mean in different lands.

Across cultures and countries, stacked stones carry deep, sometimes sacred meanings:

Canada’s Arctic – Inuksuit. Inuit communities have built inuksuit (singular: inuksuk), human-shaped stone markers, for millennia across the Arctic. These were used for navigation, to mark hunting grounds, or as spiritual and communal symbols. The inuksuk has even been adopted as a broader emblem of Canadian identity—famously featured in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics logo. Building casual stone figures risks diluting or trivializing their meaning and can be seen as cultural appropriation.

Scotland & Iceland – Cairns and Varoa. Traditional cairns historically marked safe routes across moors and lava fields. In Iceland, official cairns still guide hikers; creating new ones is illegal and potentially dangerous because they can mislead travelers. They became part of Iceland’s folk heritage, and many historic cairns are now protected as cultural monuments; it’s illegal to build new ones, risking misdirection and damage to fragile moss and lichen.

Hawai‘i – Ahu and Heiau. Indigenous Hawaiian stone structures, such as ahu (altars or shrines) and heiau (temple platforms), are sacred. Tourists stacking stones nearby can confuse authentic heritage features or cause unintentional disrespect.

Global echoes. From Buddhist stupas in Asia to wayfinding markers in the Alps, stone structures are part of long traditions.

Casual tourist stone stacks jeopardize the environment, vital wayfaring in remote areas and cultural artifacts with “vacation art projects…” or even “natural graffiti.”

Is there a better way?

If you’re drawn to the meditative ritual of stacking or interacting with nature, choose low-impact alternatives: arrange fallen leaves, trace shapes in sand, or photograph stones as they naturally rest.

START YOUR NATURE TRIP!

Image: Getty

by Lynn on 10/09/2025

The Best of Alaska by Land & Sea

For over 75 years, Holland America has been the expert in exploring Alaska and was recently named “Best in Alaska” by Forbes.

Alaska’s Ice Giants

Standing on the deck of a ship as these icy giants come into view is a moment of pure wonder — the kind that leaves you awestruck. In Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, massive walls of ancient ice creak and crack, occasionally calving into the sea with a thunderous roar. Time seems to stand still during these mesmerizing encounters in the glacial waters — just one of the reasons why seeing glaciers is a top priority among Alaska cruisers. It is for this reason that Holland America became the first and only cruise line to offer an Alaska Glacier Guarantee™, under which guests are guaranteed to either see a glacier or receive a Future Cruise Credit equal to 15% of their cruise fare.

Alaska’s Majestic Wildlife

Witness seals and sea otters splash in the icy waters, while moose graze in open clearings. Spy bald eagles as they soar past snow-covered peaks in the distance. One unforgettable highlight for many travelers is whale watching in Glacier Bay, where humpbacks and orcas breach in the icy waters. Whether through a camera lens or with your own eyes, Alaska’s wildlife feels as epic as its landscape. The best part? Holland America offers over 175 animal sanctuary and sightseeing opportunities, including exclusive up-close encounters with Alaska wildlife through its partnership with the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.

Alaska by Land & Sea

Cruise Alaska’s rugged coastline, ride a premium glass-domed train, and spend up to three nights each in the foothills of Denali National Park & Preserve and in Canada’s remote Yukon Territory on a Holland America cruisetour. Venture beyond the shoreline and into the wild heart of the Great Land on an Alaska cruisetour. It’s a remarkable experience that stays with you long after the journey ends.

Explore Denali National Park & Preserve

Discover the history, wildlife, and wilderness of Denali National Park & Preserve on one of two complimentary guided park tours. Spanning six million acres, Denali is home to diverse wildlife, dramatic landscapes, and North America’s highest peak.
One of the highlights of your tour is the chance to witness Alaska’s iconic wildlife up close. Be on the lookout for the Denali 5 — grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and the elusive gray wolf — as expert guides share fascinating insights amid sweeping tundra vistas, unforgettable wildlife encounters, and the towering presence of Denali itself.
Experience the park’s grandeur firsthand on a Holland America Line Alaska cruisetour, which includes a 1- to 3-night stay in the foothills of Denali. Travel through Alaska’s wild interior aboard our luxurious, glass-domed McKinley Explorer® railcars, and settle into the exclusive, 60-acre Holland America Line Denali Lodge — your base camp for exploring one of America’s most incredible national parks.

Step Back in Time: Gold Rush History

Venture deep into the wild with the only cruise line offering overnight stays in the remote Yukon Territory. This untamed region is part of the UNESCO-listed Tr’ondëk–Klondike, which shares the powerful story of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in people and the lasting impact of the Klondike Gold Rush. Explore Dawson City, once the heart of the gold rush, where the Yukon and Klondike Rivers meet. Here, vast subarctic landscapes intertwine with rich Native traditions and storied frontier history.
Steeped in Gold Rush-era charm and framed by wild Yukon wilderness, Dawson City genuinely feels like stepping back in time. From trawling the Gold Fields and standing atop the Midnight Dome to watching vaudeville at Diamond Tooth Gerties and hiking in Tombstone Territorial Park, Dawson City is a rare mix of rugged outdoor adventure and lively, old‑world storytelling. Take a free Klondike Gold Tour, stay two nights in Dawson City, and ride the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway for detailed insights from knowledgeable local experts.

Taste of Alaska’s Bounty

Savor the freshest flavors with the first and only cruise line offering 100% fresh, certified sustainable, and traceable wild Alaska seafood on every Alaska cruise. From tender wild-caught salmon to sweet halibut and buttery king crab, each dish highlights Alaska’s pristine waters and Holland America’s commitment to sustainability while being thoughtfully prepared by the cruise line’s talented chefs.

Alaska Awaits

From the sweeping wilderness of the Yukon Territory to the wildlife-rich landscapes of Denali, a Holland America 2026 cruisetour offers the best of both worlds. Enjoy immersive land exploration and breathtaking coastal views, and fascinating ports. Embark on the journey that includes it all.

by Erin Joyce on 10/14/2025

10 Can’t-miss experiences in the Dominican Republic

Here are ten can’t-miss experiences in the Dominican Republic where you can celebrate any occasion in a place that has it all.

1. The Colonial City of Santo Domingo
Opt for a private tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site to uncover hidden gems, chic museums, fine dining, and boutique cafes that breathe life into old-world elegance.

2. Take a Tour to Saona Island

Saona Island is a dreamy tropical escape. It’s the perfect way to spend the day away from everything, enjoying a delicious lunch, swimming and dancing to catchy Dominican beats.

3. Explore Puerto Plata from Different Heights
A breathtaking 10-minute teleférico ride takes you soaring in one of two cable cars 2,625 feet above Puerto Plata’s magical landscape. Marvel at the sea and the lush, verdant plains that eventually lead you to the other end of the cable, at Mount Isabel de Torres.

4. Visit Altos the Chavón
The panoramic views over the Chavón River, and over the Dye Fore golf course which it borders on the east side, make Altos de Chavón a perfect photo stop on a journey through La Romana.

5. Play at a World-Class Golf Course
If you’re looking for a dream golf escapade, the country’s challenging and stunning courses have helped the Dominican Republic maintain the status of Golf Capital of the Caribbean.

6. Take An Excursion of Los Haitises National Park
Los Haitises attracts visitors who come to see its magnificent series of 98-foot-high karst rock formations jutting out of the water. It’s one of the crown jewels of the Dominican Republic’s national park system.

7. Try Cabarete’s Adrenaline – Pumping Watersports
The warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean will rejuvenate you as you dance along with the waves; your lungs will be filled with the fresh ocean breeze as you see the palm trees swaying in front of imposing mountains.

8. Live the Vibrant Culture

Enjoy the lively party atmosphere with music and dancing at the many discos, bars and clubs spread all over the country. Every Dominican meal is a joyous occasion. It’s a celebration of friendship and family unity cooked with love.

9. Premium Cigar and Rum Tasting
Rum and cigars go hand in hand in the Dominican Republic, where the fertile soil produces some of the world’s best tobacco, and abundant sugar cane.

10. Create New Memories with Your Family at Scape Park
Tucked inside the stunning Cap Cana Complex, this place is a non-stop adventure playground— underground caves, hidden cenotes, lush jungles, and jaw-dropping cliffs, all waiting to be explored.

by Erin Joyce on 10/14/2025

Good Times, Great Company, Madrid.

Whether it’s a birthday, an anniversary, a family reunion, or just a casual catch-up, this city and its surroundings serve up the perfect mix of good food, great company, and unforgettable moments.

Celebrate Your Way

Forget the fancy scripts — Madrid’s celebration scene is as diverse as the people here. Raise a glass on a rooftop terrace with friends as the sun sets over the city rooftops. Spend an afternoon wandering the Prado, then dive into churros and chocolate at the iconic San Ginés, a beloved spot in the heart of Madrid. Or hit up La Latina’s buzzing tapas bars and let the night roll on with laughter, music, and plenty of cheers.

And if you don’t have a reason to celebrate? Don’t worry — start strolling through Madrid or the nearby towns, and chances are a Madrileño will spot you and invite you to join their fiesta.

Endless Places, Endless Fun

From lively plazas like Plaza Mayor, where street performers and open-air terraces set the perfect scene, to the buzzing energy of Plaza de Santa Ana, famous for its vibrant nightlife and tapas bars, Madrid’s got the space and spirit to fit your vibe. Don’t miss towns like Aranjuez that come alive with their Spring Festival featuring colorful parades, concerts, and local gastronomy, making every visit feel like a party.

Food lovers will want to explore local markets like Mercado de San Miguel, a foodie paradise offering fresh tapas and delicacies, or Mercado de San Antón, where you can sample everything from traditional jamón to international flavors — perfect for a casual celebration with friends.

Madrid Is All About Connection

Whether you’re a foodie, a culture lover, or want to share good times with great company, Madrid delivers. It’s where laughter echoes over tapas plates, music flows through the streets, and every gathering feels like a reason to celebrate.
So, gather your crew, pick your spot, and make your next celebration one for the books. Because in Madrid, good times and great company are always on the menu.

by Erin Joyce on 10/14/2025

Take Your Birthday to New Heights

While a dinner with friends or a backyard party can be delightful, there’s something undeniably special about commemorating your day somewhere new — a place that transforms a simple celebration into an unforgettable event. From sun-soaked beaches to romantic city escapes and mountain hideaways, these destinations promise to make your next birthday one to remember.

Tulum, Mexico

With its blend of powdery beaches, lush jungle, and lively nightlife, Tulum offers a perfect balance of relaxation and revelry. Days can be spent practicing yoga at sunrise, exploring cenotes, and savoring fresh seafood by the water. By night, candlelit beach clubs and mezcal-fueled dance parties create an atmosphere that feels both intimate and electric — ideal for marking another lap around the sun.

New Orleans, USA

Few places know how to throw a party like New Orleans. The city’s infectious energy, rooted in music, food, and a deep sense of community, makes it a natural choice for a birthday celebration. Stroll through the French Quarter, enjoy live jazz, or join a private second-line parade through the streets. Every corner seems to echo with the promise of celebration.

Paris, France

Few cities capture the magic of a birthday quite like Paris. Whether it’s a dinner overlooking the sparkling Eiffel Tower, a private macaron-making class, or a leisurely afternoon in a sun-dappled garden, the City of Light lends itself effortlessly to romance and joy. A birthday in Paris feels less like a single day and more like stepping into a timeless celebration of life itself.

Bali, Indonesia

For a soulful, rejuvenating escape, Bali is the ultimate birthday destination. Amidst terraced rice paddies and tranquil temples, visitors can indulge in flower baths, sunset dinners on the beach, and wellness retreats designed to nourish both body and spirit. Whether shared with loved ones or savored solo, a birthday in Bali feels transformative.

Napa Valley, California

For those who appreciate a slower, more indulgent pace, Napa Valley offers a refined escape. Rolling vineyards, intimate wine tastings, and world-class restaurants set the scene for a sophisticated birthday retreat. Many wineries offer private tastings or special menus for celebratory occasions, making it easy to toast to the year ahead in style.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Steeped in history and filled with atmospheric charm, Edinburgh makes for a memorable birthday backdrop. Wander medieval streets, visit the storied castle, and toast with a dram of whisky in a centuries-old pub. In August, the city bursts to life during the Festival Fringe, adding an extra layer of vibrancy to a summer birthday.

See you at the airport soon!

by Erin Joyce on 10/14/2025

Why You Should Cruise to the Caribbean with Norwegian Cruise Line

A Caribbean cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line offers an unparalleled vacation experience. With its Freestyle Cruising concept, award-winning ships, diverse itineraries, exceptional dining options, exciting shore excursions, family-friendly activities, and excellent service, NCL provides everything you need for a memorable and enjoyable trip. So, pack your bags and get ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime! If you're considering a Caribbean cruise, Norwegian Cruise Line provides an exceptional experience that stands out from the rest.

Here are some reasons why you should choose NCL for your Caribbean adventure:

Custom-Built Ships That Connect with Outdoors
Exclusive Private Destinations in the Bahamas and Belize providing premiere resort style experiences.
Sail out of Panama City, San Juan and La Romana to top destinations like Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, and the Panama Canal.
Choose from 15 ships with more than 70 unique itineraries, over 35 ports and 10 convenient departure ports including Miami, Tampa, Orlando, New Orleans, New York and Galveston.
Large pool & beach, 136-foot Flighthouse (zipline, ropes course), watersports, complimentary dining and more.
Variety of activities: snorkeling, swimming with the pigs, overwater swings and ziplining.
More dining options than days at sea.
Freedom & Flexibility: No schedules to follow but your own.
Ocean Boulevard – Spanning 44,000 square feet long enjoy 360° of stunning views and sea breezes. Walk across water on our glass bridge, swim up to the horizon on Infinity Beach and explore so much more.

by Erin Joyce on 09/30/2025

Holiday Vacay: Why to Travel for the Holidays and Top Tips to Make it a Triumph

The festive season is no longer just about gathering ‘round the hearth and home; it’s increasingly becoming the perfect time to pack a bag and head somewhere new. More travelers are choosing to spend Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s, and other holidays on vacation, whether that means a European Christmas market river cruise, a beach escape in the Caribbean, a snowy celebration on the slopes, or an exotic cultural journey.

And we have some good advice to make your trip during the festive season ring all the right bells.

Why to Vacay During the Holidays

Give Everyone a Break: Shopping, decorating, baking, cleaning, wrapping, hosting, and generally making everyone happy… It’s a LOT of time, mental energy and emotional energy. In many families, the biggest share of the holiday burden falls exhaustingly on just one person. Why not give everyone a holiday this season?
Memories and Experiences, not Stuff: Priorities are shifting away from collecting more things to collecting treasured memories, spending time together where everyone can be relaxed, participating in shared new experiences, establishing new family traditions and building relationships; not stressing over the stove. Converting the holiday budget to travel can create more value for every member of the family, rather than purchasing gifts that the recipient may not even recall a year later.
Maximize Time Off: Between school and work schedules, the holidays may be the easiest time for families and groups to coordinate longer vacations without using extra vacation days or having the kids miss school.
Make Travel Count: Lots of families have members who have to travel to get home for the holidays anyway – why not make that travel pay off with a trip everyone wants? Especially if several family members are already going to have to pack and fly, make it to a vacation destination, not slogging through snow to sleep on a sofa in an overcrowded house or share a room at a sad local hotel.
Cultural Immersion: Traveling during the festive season can let you experience authentic holiday traditions – from European Christmas markets to Mexico’s Día de los Reyes celebrations, giving travelers deeper cultural connections to their own roots, or be enriched by new cultures. Many towns, resorts and even cruise ships are decorated and host special seasonal events and celebrations you’ll only experience once a year.

As the holiday travel trend grows, it offers a joyful blend of festivity and discovery, giving you and yours the gift of time, experiences, and togetherness.

Holiday Travel Tips

Be a People Pleaser: whether it’s an intimate or multi-generational family holiday trip, make sure there’s something in your holiday trip for everyone. Whether it’s the destination, a special meal, a favorite pastime or even rare, one-on-one time, the holidays are about making everyone feel special. Make planning the trip a joint effort and use it to help everyone get excited.
Decide how much of the holidays you want in your holiday: Do you want to travel somewhere you can attend a religious service? Does your cruise offer a festive dinner so you don’t miss your cherished traditions even while the responsibility is on someone else’s… plate? Do you want your holiday to connect you more to your traditions and roots?
Book Well in Advance: The holidays represent some of the busiest travel days of the year. If you have flexibility with school and work schedules, take advantage of better and less expensive options.
Budget: It goes without saying that all travel should start with a budget. An expert travel advisor can help you spend it most wisely and get the biggest bang for your buck. For holiday trips, part of the budget decision-making includes considerations such as: does the trip replace gifts? Who contributes what? Where do we save, and what are we willing to splurge on?
And that brings me to one of the most important tips for planning any travel planning:
Communicate: Who’s paying for what? Are parents paying for the trip, but kids need to use their allowance to buy any souvenirs? Are grandparents covering the accommodations, but each family will take turns hosting and paying for evening dinners together? Will each member of the family be responsible for their own packing and on-site laundry? Who will have to share a room with whom? Are family members with young children expecting other family teens to babysit? Are the teens on board with that?

Don’t let lack of communication and clear parameters spoil the festive spirit: manage expectations and assign tasks so the usual suspects aren’t ‘still’ stuck with all the work, everyone can budget properly, and everyone, young and old, can enjoy the best holiday ever!

START YOUR FESTIVE TRIP!

Image: Getty

By: Lynn Elmhirst, travel journalist and expert

by Lynn on 09/26/2025

10 Global Harvest Festivals Beyond Oktoberfest

While Munich’s Oktoberfest gets all the press as the world’s most famous fall festival, autumn is a season of celebration around the world. Ancient cultures thanked the gods for abundance and prayed for their families to survive the leaner months ahead. The harvest traditions that have been passed through the ages and centuries still today give us a wealth of unique flavors, rituals, and cultural insights.

Here are ten festivals worth timing your autumn travels around.

Festa della Vendemmia

“Grape Harvest Festival:” Tuscany, Italy (September)

Tuscany’s vineyards come alive as locals celebrate the grape harvest with parades, music, and grape-stomping contests. The air smells of fresh must and roasted chestnuts, while Chianti flows freely.
Travel tip: Visit villages like Impruneta for authentic street parades and take part in a wine harvest tour.

Erntedankfest

“Harvest Thanksgiving Festival:” Germany (Late September–October)

Across rural Germany, communities give thanks for the harvest with church services, wheat-crown processions, and folk dances. It’s a quieter, more spiritual version of Munich’s rowdy and commercialized party, Oktoberfest.
Travel tip: Head to smaller towns in the Black Forest or Rhineland for the most authentic traditions.

Samhain

“Summer’s End” in Old Irish: Ireland (October 31–November 1)

This ancient Celtic festival, the forerunner of Halloween, marks the end of harvest and the beginning of winter. Bonfires, storytelling, and folk rituals connect you to Ireland’s pre-Christian, mystical past.
Travel tip: Derry’s “Banks of the Foyle Festival” is Europe’s largest Samhain-inspired Halloween event.

Akimatsuri

“Autumn Festival:” Sapporo, Japan (September)

Odori Park in Sapporo, the capital of Japan’s northern-most island, turns into a gourmet wonderland each September, celebrating Hokkaido’s agricultural riches—think buttery corn, snow crab, cheeses, and sake.
Travel tip: Buy a tasting passport to sample the widest variety of local foods.

Chuseok

“Autumn Eve” / “Korean Thanksgiving:” South Korea (Mid-September on the lunar calendar)

Families gather to honor ancestors with rituals and seasonal dishes like rice cakes (songpyeon). Cities host cultural performances and folk games.
Travel tip: Look for cooking workshops or traditional dance shows open to visitors.

Zhongqiu Jie

“Mid-Autumn Festival:” China (September/October's full moon)

Lanterns glow, loved ones share mooncakes, and dragon dances parade through city streets under the full moon. These symbols of reunion and prosperity bestow a seasonal blessing.
Travel tip: Try sweet and savory mooncakes from different regions—pork-filled Suzhou styles differ wildly from lotus Guangzhou versions.

Fiesta de la Papa

“Potato Festival:” La Merced, Peru (October)

High in the Andes, La Merced celebrates the potato, which is native to Peru, where there is an astonishing variety of different types cultivated. Expect parades, folk music and dancing, and tastings of potatoes you’ve never seen before - prepared every imaginable way.
Travel tip: Don’t forget to visit nearby coffee plantations, in harvest season at the same time.

Pongal

“Overflowing:” Tamil Nadu, India (Mid-January)

Pongal is a four-day thanksgiving for the sun god. Families cook rice dishes in clay pots that bubble over, symbolizing abundance. Villages are alive with music, chalk art, and bull races.
Travel tip: Visit temple courtyards where visitors can see cooking rituals.

Loy Krathong & Yi Peng

“Floating Basket Festival” & “Lantern Festival:” Thailand (November’s full moon)

Two festivals converge: Loy Krathong, where offerings are released to float down rivers, and Yi Peng, when lanterns rise into the night sky. Together, they mark gratitude for the harvest and water spirits.
Travel tip: Chiang Mai’s lantern release is famously magical but crowded — visiting smaller communities allows travelers to experience quieter, more spiritual celebrations.

Auld Lammas Fair

“Loaf Mass” in Old English/Scots: Ballycastle, Northern Ireland (Late August)

Europe’s oldest traditional fair, the Auld Lammas Fair, originated as a pagan harvest thanksgiving and was later reinterpreted as a Christian festival. It has been in operation for over 400 years. Stalls sell honeycomb-textured “yellowman” toffee and dulse seaweed. This coastal town comes alive with traditional horse trading and folk music.
Travel tip: Make sure to try the sticky yellowman toffee unique to the fair.

From Tuscany’s grape presses to Thailand’s lantern-lit rivers, sipping sake in Sapporo to tasting mooncakes in China, harvest festivals reveal the universal joy of giving thanks for the earth’s bounty.

START YOUR AUTUMN TRIP!

Images: Getty

by Lynn on 09/26/2025