Festival of Lights, Laos The glorious royal city of Luang Prabang in Laos is a sight to behold any time of year — a vision of gilded temples, elegant cafés, and French colonial architecture at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. But in late October, the whole city is illuminated for the Festival of Lights, as thousands of wishes and prayers in candlelit floats are carried downstream.
White Nights, St Petersburg Winters in Russia are bitterly long. But all is forgotten when St Petersburg’s frozen rivers and canals start to thaw, and the hard, cold days give way to the wondrous White Nights. For several weeks, the imperial city is bathed in a silvery glow and the streets, theatres, and bars are filled with performers, concerts, and all-night parties.
Cherry Blossoms, Kyoto Nothing celebrates the arrival of spring like Japan’s cherry blossom season. Saké flows at picnic parties in parks strewn with petals. The only downside are the crowds: five million people descend on Kyoto for this fleeting floral event. We’ve scouted a gorgeous retreat where you can admire the flurry of pink in a blissfully serene setting.
