culture

Event Holidays, around the world in 12 events!

Rosie Champness — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 04:03:51 +0000

I’ve taken inspiration from some of our Mosaic travellers to write about travelling for a specific event.

Here at Mosaic Travel, we know that there are countless destinations to visit around the Globe and will jump at any opportunity to travel, but if you’re looking for another reason, here are an extra 12!

January:

Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, CHINA

It gets seriously cold in North East China and Winter gets made the most of with this month long festival. During the day, see the Worlds biggest ice sculptures and by night, visit “Ice and Snow World” featuring illuminated full sized buildings made from blocks of ice.

February:

Lantern festival, TAIWAN

Originally used in the Pingxi District to notify others that the town was safe, these lanterns are now decorated with well wishes and images relating to their owners before being released into the night sky. It is a simply beautiful sight.

March:

Rio Carnival, BRAZIL

Arguably the biggest festival (and party!) in the World, this week long event attracts nearly 5 million people per year who are all excited to join in the street parties and samba parades!

There is fierce competition among the fun, with 70+ Samba schools competing in mind-blowing costumes (roughly 3000 participants per school) to make it to the final extravaganza at Rio’s “Sambadrome”.

April:

Songkran, THAILAND

The Thai New Year is celebrated with a 3 day water fight using water guns, buckets, fire hoses and even elephants! Hawaiian shirts and dancing in one of the many street parties are highly encouraged at this time of year. You’re guaranteed to get soaked and have an amazing time!

May:

Cooper Hill’s Cheese Rolling Festival, ENGLAND

Every year, locals tumble 650 feet down to the bottom of the hill chasing a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese which reaches speeds up to 100km/h!

This tradition dates back several hundred years making the race a World-famous event with competitors travelling from across the globe to compete.

June:

FIFA Women’s World Cup, FRANCE

The eighth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup will be played in 9 cities across France this year. 24 teams will come to compete in what is quickly becoming a widely popular event on the sporting calendar.

July:

Running of the bulls, SPAIN

Whether you’re watching or running, this event is sure to up your heart rate! Every morning, 2000+ people run the 875m with 6 bulls through the city. This event is the highlight of the 8 day festival “Sanfermines” and was born from the need of getting the bulls from outside the city, into the bullring.

DISCLAIMER: WE STRONGLY ADVISE AGAINST RUNNING WITH THE BULLS DURING THIS FESTIVAL!

August:

La Tomatina, SPAIN

This festival is like no other! Since 1945, it has been held on the last Wednesday of August, during a week of festivities in Buñol, Valencia.

Legend has it that in 1945, some young boys joined a parade of musicians and performers on stilts before knocking one over. The performer flew into a fit of rage and a market stall of vegetables fell victim! This has grown to 20,000 people participating in one of the most bizarre and fun festivals every year!

September:

Oktoberfest, GERMANY

Oktoberfest: the Worlds largest beer festival held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany sine 1810. A 16-day festival running from late September to the first weekend in October with more than 6 million people from around the world attending the event every year!

Apart from beer steins and bratwurst, you can also enjoy amusement rides, sidestalls, and games.

October:

Diwali, INDIA

The 5 day Festival of Lights is the most celebrated event on the Hindu calendar. During the celebration, temples, homes, shops and office buildings are brightly illuminated.

Diwali symbolises the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.”

November:

Dia de los muertos (Day of the Dead), MEXICO

Mexico’s most important and widely celebrated holiday! A colourful display of costume and culture, this holiday is all about getting together with friends and family to remember and celebrate ancestors who have died in order to help them on their spiritual journey.

It was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008 and since 2016, a parade has occurred to celebrate The Day of the Dead. This came after the James Bond film, Spectre, which featured one in its opening scene, however, the parade did not exist when the movie was made!

December:

Whirling Dervishes Festival, TURKEY

One of the Worlds greatest spectacles is the Rumi or Whirling Dervishes Festival in Konya, Turkey. The ritual pays homage to the Sufic Saint Mevlana and is so unique that UNESCO labelled it as one of the “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.”

To organise a trip around one of these fantastic events,

call Rosie at Mosaic Travel on (03) 5275 4583

The post Event Holidays, around the world in 12 events! appeared first on Mosaic Travel.

Uzbekistan

Rosie Champness — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 02:53:45 +0000

I recently spoke with Glenda from “Boutique Tours & Travel” about Uzbekistan! Glenda leads luxury, small group tours with friendly, personalised service.

Glenda, how did you get into the travel industry, and what led you to lead textile tours?

From basic weaving and embroidery at school, who would have thought that this would guide my future!

During the tours, meeting masters of textile crafts and seeing the fine workmanship, I am constantly inspired by their depth of knowledge and skills. And just as inspiring is to be able to share the experience with many like-minded guests on these tours, it is both a privilege and a delight.

What can BT&T Travellers expect on their tour of Uzbekistan?

Many layers of a long and fascinating history and a rich culture of the Silk Road and the melting pot of people.We learn the history of invasion from before Kublai Khan to more recent time when Russia dominated the area.Now, it is developing and changing while hanging on to cultural traditions that include a wonderful array of handcrafts.

Step out your door and you are in the midst of thriving market places, old trading domes, mosques, squares, madrassas and minarets covered in blue and turquoise tiles reflecting the light and life of the area.

What can BT&T Travellers expect on a textile tour of Uzbekistan?

We meet many wonderful Master artisans (in weaving, suzani and ceramics), some of whom have travelled and presented at the famous Sante Fe Folk Art Market.

Be prepared to be overwhelmed by the quality and volume of the work and leave caution behind – you will not be able to resist!

Can you tell me more about the style of tours BT&T offer?

Our small group travel is a perfect option for travellers keen to explore beyond the tourist track, and many are like minded in their dreams to travel this part of the Silk Road.

Accommodation is in boutique hotels throughout the trip, treating ourselves to a luxury hotel at the beginning and end.

Most meals are included in the tour.

In your opinion, what are the absolute ‘must-sees’ for a first time traveller to Uzbekistan?

Our guests tell us that our whole tour is complete with ‘must-see’ and must-do’s’ starting with the Fergana Valley with its embracing hospitality and fabulous textiles. Also the ancient walled city of Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand.

Is there anything travellers need to be aware of when travelling to Uzbekistan?

There are many WOW moments along the way, it is truly wonderful.

When is the best time to visit Uzbekistan?

Autumn is wonderful, the weather is constantly warm but can get a little cool towards the end of the season. Spring time! The flowers are beautiful and the pastures are greener after winter rain and snow.

For more information about tours in Uzbekistan, call Rosie at Mosaic Travel on

(03) 5275 4583

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Mystical Iran; an interview with small-group tour operator, Anoush

Rosie Champness — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 07:39:38 +0000

I first met Anoush about 10 years ago, in a backpacker bar in Sultanahmet, Istanbul, with his beautiful Aussie wife Sami. We were both working in tourism, and had many mutual friends.

Fast forward 8 years, and we run into each other at a travel industry function in Melbourne! We had both started our own Travel Agencies and small group tour companies, Anoush’s specialising in his home country, Iran. I spoke to him recently to find out more:

How did Mystic Tours start?

As one of the most misrepresented countries in the world, it was my passion to introduce the Iranian Culture and the vast tourism potential to the Australian people.

Whilst working within the industry I realised that many Australians are curious about traveling to Iran but there were limited opportunities available. With over 2 years of research and testing numerous itineraries and land operators before Mystic Tours was born in 2015.

What can Mosaic Travellers expect on a Mystic Tour of Iran?

Personalised service and flexibility of travelling in a small group of maximum 10 passengers as well as more opportunities to interact with locals.

In your opinion, what are the absolute ‘must-sees’ for a first-time traveller to Iran?

That is quite a hard question considering the vastness of the country and number of amazing sites to visit. But in my opinion, you should not miss the National Jewellery Museum in Tehran, Isfahan as a city and off course the ruins of Persepolis. I also recommend a short extension to Caspian coast for travellers who have more time to see a very different side of Iran.

Is there anything travellers need to be aware of when travelling to Iran?

Be ready to get surprised at every step!

When is the best time to visit Iran?

Weatherwise you can choose spring (March to May), particularly April or Autumn (September to November) especially the month of October when up north is not too cold and central Iran not too hot. However, the month of April is recommended if you wish to visit the Persian Gardens in the best condition.

Here at Mosaic Travel, we think a huge part of travelling is experiencing local food. Tell us a bit about Iranian food.

With Iran being the heart of silk road, Iranian cuisine has been inspired by many different cultures however, it has reserved its main characteristics. A typical Iranian dish is rice mixed or next to a stew of meat, vegetables, beans, herbs, nuts or dried fruit.

There are many different combinations of these ingredients. Tasty spices such as Turmeric, Saffron (almost in every dish), cinnamon and cumin are also widely used in Iranian food.

To book an incredible tour to Iran, call Rosie at Mosaic Travel on (03) 5275 4583

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