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I love traveling somewhere with a purpose. Yes, wandering a new city, experiencing culture, and soaking up the everyday life of a destination is the heart of travel. But using a festival or special event as the anchor for a trip makes the experience even more unforgettable. Two birds, one stone.

When I say “festival,” I don’t mean Coachella. I mean the Italian tradition where locals chase giant wheels of cheese down a hill, or a centuries-old parade through cobblestone streets that honors saints, seasons, or spirits. Festivals are where history, community, food, and joy all come together.

This list highlights the best festivals around the world by month, from the iconic (Rio Carnival) to the quirky (bog snorkeling in Wales). Some you’ll know, others may surprise you. Either way, add them to your travel calendar and let them inspire your next adventure.

January

Snow Festival – Kiruna, Sweden
The biggest snow festival in Europe transforms Kiruna into a winter wonderland. Dog sledding, ice skating, hockey matches, and massive snow sculptures take over the city. Visit at night for live performances and your best chance to catch the Northern Lights dancing overhead.

Rijeka Carnival – Rijeka, Croatia
Europe’s hidden Carnival gem. Lasting five weeks, Rijeka’s celebrations are colorful, family-friendly, and full of energy. With elaborate parades, costumes, music, and even a dedicated children’s carnival, this is one of the world’s largest Carnival celebrations after Rio and Venice.

International Hot Air Balloon Week – Filzmoos, Austria
At the base of the Bischofsmütze Mountain, hot air balloons drift over snowy peaks in one of the most scenic festivals in Europe. The highlight is the night glow, when balloons light up the alpine village in a magical evening display.

Quebec Winter Carnival – Quebec City, Canada
Two weeks of pure winter fun. The city builds an enormous ice palace, hosts nighttime parades, and stages daring canoe races on the frozen St. Lawrence River. Heated terraces and hot chocolate keep spirits high, while Bonhomme, the festival’s cheerful snowman mascot, leads the celebrations.

February

Carnival – Venice, Italy
Step into the Renaissance with Venice’s most famous celebration. Masks, balls, and gilded costumes fill the canals and piazzas. Attend a masquerade ball, take in street performances, and watch the city transform into an open-air stage.

Battle of the Oranges – Ivrea, Italy
Legend says this food fight commemorates freedom from a medieval tyrant. For three days, townspeople split into teams and pelt each other with oranges. The energy is wild, messy, and distinctly Italian.

St. Valentine’s Day – Terni, Italy
The birthplace of Saint Valentine transforms into the “City of Lovers” every February. The town honors its patron saint with religious ceremonies, festivals, and romantic events for couples.

Carnival – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The world’s most famous Carnival. Millions of revelers flood Rio’s streets for parades, samba schools, feathered costumes, and nonstop drumming. It’s extravagant, chaotic, and pure joy.

Holi – India and Nepal
The Festival of Colors celebrates spring, love, and the triumph of good over evil. Expect bonfires, dancing, singing, and the ultimate color fight, where powdered pigments and water balloons turn the streets into a living rainbow.

Ready to Explore? Book Here ↓

March

Las Fallas – Valencia, Spain
A pyrotechnic spectacle honoring Saint Joseph. Enormous papier-mâché sculptures, or fallas, are displayed throughout the city, only to be burned in a fiery finale. Add in nightly fireworks and nonstop street parties, and Valencia becomes the hottest spot in Europe.

St. Patrick’s Day – Dublin, Ireland & Belfast, Northern Ireland
Celebrate Ireland’s patron saint with Guinness, parades, music, and dancing. The Emerald Isle pulls out all the stops, turning its cities into green-hued street festivals.

Strong Beer Festival – Munich, Germany
Think Oktoberfest but with stronger brews and fewer tourists. For three weeks, Munich’s breweries serve high-alcohol lagers in historic beer halls.

Mardi Gras – New Orleans, USA
Beads, brass bands, and beignets. Mardi Gras in New Orleans is legendary. Floats roll through the French Quarter, costumes dazzle, and King Cake (complete with a hidden baby figurine) adds to the fun. Sydney, Australia, also hosts a massive LGBTQ+ Mardi Gras with parades and parties.

April

King’s Day – Amsterdam, Netherlands
The city turns orange for the Dutch King’s birthday. Boats clog the canals, DJs play in every square, and flea markets spill into the streets.

Semana Santa – Seville, Spain & Antigua, Guatemala
One of the most important religious festivals in the world. In Seville, ornate floats and somber processions fill the streets. In Antigua, residents create elaborate alfombras (carpets) from flowers and dyed sawdust for processions to walk over.

Shakespeare’s Birthday – Stratford-upon-Avon, England
Celebrate the Bard with theater, music, arts, and crafts in his birthplace. The three-week festival mixes community events with professional performances, honoring England’s greatest playwright.

Lisbon Book Fair – Lisbon, Portugal
For nearly 100 years, Lisbon has hosted Europe’s largest book fair. Browse rare editions, meet authors, and enjoy literary discussions in one of the world’s most book-loving capitals.

Songkran – Thailand
Thailand’s New Year is marked by the world’s biggest water fight. Streets turn into splash zones with water guns, buckets, and hoses, while temples host cultural events, dances, and parades.

May

Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling – Brockworth, England
Competitors chase a 9-pound wheel of cheese down a dangerously steep hill. Injuries are common, but the crowd cheers wildly as the cheese bounces its way to the finish.

Cannes Film Festival – Cannes, France
The Riviera rolls out the red carpet. Celebrities, filmmakers, and cinephiles gather for premieres and parties. If you can’t snag a ticket, people-watching along La Croisette is entertainment enough.

Ready to Explore? Book Here ↓

June

La Batalla del Vino – Haro, Spain
The Wine Battle is exactly what it sounds like. Thousands of people in white gather in Haro to soak each other in red wine. Expect to end the day purple, sticky, and very happy.

Midsummer – Sweden
Sweden’s most important holiday celebrates the longest day of the year with flower crowns, maypoles, folk dancing, and endless feasts. Don’t worry, it isn’t typical that murder happens during this festival, so leave your Midsommar fears behind.

Baby-Jumping Festival – Castrillo de Murcia, Spain
A surreal mix of religion and folklore. Men dressed as devils leap over rows of babies to cleanse them of evil spirits. Strange but fascinating.

July

Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling – Edirne, Turkey
The world’s oldest wrestling competition dates back to the 14th century. Competitors wrestle while covered in olive oil, making for a unique and slippery spectacle.

Wife-Carrying Championships – Sonkajärvi, Finland
Husbands carry wives through an obstacle course for the chance to win beer equal to her weight. Expect lots of spills, laughs, and regional pride.

Hokkai Heso Matsuri – Furano, Japan
The “Belly Button Festival” honors Furano’s central location in Hokkaido. Locals paint faces on their stomachs and dance through the streets in colorful, comical performances.

Ready to Explore? Book Here ↓

August

La Tomatina – Buñol, Spain
The world’s largest tomato fight. Trucks dump tons of tomatoes into the streets, and chaos ensues until the town is drenched in red pulp.

Bog Snorkeling Championships – Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales
Competitors swim through murky bog trenches with snorkels and flippers. Quirky, muddy, and distinctly Welsh.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival – Edinburgh, Scotland
The largest arts festival in the world. For three weeks, the city is packed with theater, comedy, cabaret, concerts, and street performances.

Obon Festival – Japan
Families honor ancestors with food offerings, temple visits, and bon dances. At the end, floating lanterns are released on rivers to guide spirits back to the other world.

Ready to Explore? Book Here ↓

September

Highland Games – Braemar, Scotland
Watch kilted athletes toss cabers (huge wooden poles), hurl stones, and dance traditional reels. Scotland’s most iconic sporting and cultural festival.

Burning Man – Black Rock City, Nevada
An experiment in art, community, and radical self-expression. Thousands gather in the desert for giant installations, themed camps, and the burning of a wooden effigy.

October

Oktoberfest – Munich, Germany
The king of beer festivals. For two weeks, Munich fills with beer tents, brass bands, Bavarian costumes, and bratwursts. Check out my guide on how make the most out of your Oktoberfest experience.

Chocolate Festival – Bruges, Belgium
A sweet tooth’s dream. Four days of tastings, workshops, and chocolate sculptures in one of Europe’s prettiest medieval towns.

Diwali – India
The Festival of Lights spans five days of fireworks, feasts, parades, and family gatherings. Streets glow with lamps and lanterns in one of the most joyful festivals in the world.

Día de los Muertos – Mexico City, Mexico
Families honor their ancestors with colorful altars, marigolds, and skull makeup. Parades and street festivals celebrate the thin veil between the living and the dead.

November

Guy Fawkes Night – England
Bonfires, fireworks, and effigies light up the night in memory of the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

December

Christmas Markets – Germany, France, and beyond
Europe’s towns turn into fairy-tale wonderlands with mulled wine, handmade ornaments, and sparkling lights. Don’t miss Strasbourg, Cologne, or Prague.

Hogmanay – Edinburgh, Scotland
Scotland’s New Year celebration lasts several days with torchlight parades, fireworks, music, and even a polar plunge in the River Forth.

Mevlana Festival – Konya, Turkey
The Whirling Dervishes honor Rumi with hypnotic Sufi dances, music, and prayer. A spiritual and unforgettable way to close the year.

The Bottom Line

For me, festivals are the perfect excuse to travel, but they’re also so much more than that. They give us a front-row seat to history, tradition, and pure joy, whether it’s laughing through a tomato fight in Spain, standing in awe at lanterns floating across the water in Japan, or dancing the night away during Carnival in Brazil. These moments remind me why I love building trips around experiences, not just destinations.

So if you’re planning your next adventure, let a festival be your guide. You’ll come home with stories that feel bigger than just sightseeing, the kind that stay with you long after the trip is over.

Pin this post for your next trip! ↓

The post The Best Festivals Around the World (Month by Month) appeared first on Update Later Travel.

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I am such a big proponent of car rentals. Maybe it’s because my aspirational travel has always led me off the main roads. But now I can say I’ve done it all, driven with the wild drivers and seemingly zero rules in Italy, zipped along the Autobahn in Germany, wound my way through Tenerife’s mountain roads, braved the Road to Hana in Hawaii, and navigated the stone-walled countryside lanes of Ireland and England.

Some of the places I’ve loved most were only accessible with a rental car. Having my own set of wheels meant freedom to explore, skip the crowds, and build an itinerary on my own terms. I’m so glad I never doubted my ability to drive in a foreign country, because it has taken me to some spectacular spots.

And if I can do it, so can you!

Here are my best tips for renting a car abroad, getting insurance right, and tackling the challenge of driving on the left side of the road.

Car Insurance 101

Liability vs. Collision Insurance

Quick refresher:

• Liability insurance covers damage to other people, cars, and property. It’s usually required by law.
  
• Collision insurance covers damage to your rental car if you’re in an accident or deal with vandalism. Sometimes windshield and tire damage isn’t included, so read carefully.

Insurance Recommendations

In the United States, your personal car insurance often covers both liability and collision. But many providers don’t extend liability coverage internationally. The good news? In much of Europe, liability is mandatory and automatically included in the rental price.

Collision insurance, however, is often subject to a deductible, anywhere from $500 to $1500 depending on the company and location. You can usually upgrade your coverage and pay a daily premium to reduce or eliminate that deductible.

My recommendation: pay for the peace of mind. In Tenerife, I backed into a small pole while reversing out of a tiny lot. Because I had upgraded coverage, the rental company didn’t charge me a dime. No stress, no begging for forgiveness. Worth it.

Bottom line: read the rental agreement carefully and stick to reputable companies. I personally love Enterprise and National. While they may cost a bit more upfront, their customer service and transparency are worth it. If you’ve never heard of a company, no matter how good the deal looks, skip it or read up on others’ experiences before booking.

Take Advantage of Benefits

If you work for a larger company, check whether your employer has partnerships with rental agencies. Over the years, my husband’s corporate benefits have given us discounted rates and even free upgraded insurance.

Also, check your travel credit cards. Some provide rental insurance coverage, but read the fine print carefully. For example, Ireland has strict rules and many credit cards exclude coverage there. I was relieved when I discovered my Capital One Venture card had no restrictions.

Tip:

3rd party booking websites are great when they can score you a discount on a hotel or experience but I would absolutely avoid in when renting a car. Instead book directly with the rental car company. If something were to happen, although there may be protections offered through the 3rd party, you also have layers of different people to navigate through to find a solution. Ultimately, it leaves a lot of opportunity for one of the parties to pass blame. 

International Driver’s License: Do You Really Need One?

When I first started driving abroad, I thought an International Driving Permit (IDP) was a must. The truth? It’s mostly about overcoming language barriers.

The IDP is recognized in over 150 countries and basically translates your license into multiple languages. I’ve been asked for it only once or twice, since most of the countries I’ve driven in use the same alphabet. Still, if you’re traveling somewhere like Greece, it’s a smart idea to have one.

The easiest ways to get an IDP:

• AAA: Quick and easy. Just bring an application and passport photos.
  
• E-ITA: An online option. They’ll send a digital copy right away and mail the card later. I used this website last minute to rent a car to drive to Frigiliana in Spain. It was worth the cost and when I arrived back to my apartment in France the card was waiting for me. 

If you plan ahead, you’ll have the hard copy in hand before your trip.

Planning Your Route

A little prep goes a long way. Here’s what to double-check before you go:

• Tolls: Does your car come with an electronic toll pass, or will you need to pay cash as you go?

• Travel Time: Pay close attention not just to the mileage but time. It’s only 20 miles but says it will take an hour to drive it? Usually you are looking at a road that may be windy, unpaved, one way traffic only or closed with construction. Those details are important to investigate. Our maps navigated us down an extremely rocky, unpaved road while driving through Argentina and the longer we drove on it the farther away our ETA got.

• Navigation: Google Maps is my go-to. It only failed me once in Germany when a surprise road closure forced us onto farm lanes but still made it back to Munich on time.

• Construction or hazards: Check your route close to departure to catch closures, construction, or even small fires (yes, that’s happened to me twice).

• Border crossings: Some regions require extra permits or paperwork. In Patagonia, for example, crossing from Chile to Argentina required a special document from the rental company and wasn’t something that could be completed in the moment. Always confirm with your provider.

• Learn local signs: A few minutes of research can save a lot of stress.

Pro tip: if your trip doesn’t loop back, you can usually return your car at a different location for a small fee.

Driving on the left

I have driven on the left twice now, and it has been successful. Here are some absolute no brainers, but were helpful to me when I was driving opposite.

• Use your side mirrors (lol). As someone who struggles a little with spatial awareness in a car, when I was driving left and out of my comfort zone I used my side mirrors frequently to evaluate where I was spatially in the lane. My husband saying I was too far on the midline wasn’t helpful until I looked in my mirror and realized I had a ton of space on my other side.

• Having a solid co-pilot is my number one recommendation for driving on the left, at least until you feel confident. Having a co-pilot who stays awake (the most important!) and also calls out those little reminders is worth its weight in gold. My husband will remind me in busy intersections “turning left into the close lane” or “turning right into the far lane” or even play-by-play directions through the giant traffic circles. 

• I’ve done it in both England and Ireland, and while England was fairly manageable, Ireland’s roads were much trickier. Many routes take you off highways and onto narrow countryside lanes that barely fit two cars. Sometimes you’ll pull into a tiny shoulder (or a hedge!) to let someone pass, and behind those beautiful flower-lined roads, you’ll often find hidden stone walls just waiting to scratch your car. My best advice? Get the extra insurance, stay alert, and give yourself grace. 

The Bottom Line

Driving internationally can feel intimidating at first, but with preparation, it becomes one of the best ways to travel. Renting a car gives you the freedom to explore hidden gems, skip the rigid tour schedules, and create adventures that are uniquely your own.

I’ve driven in multiple countries without major mishaps (knock on wood), and every experience has made me a more confident traveler. If nothing else, I hope this guide prepares you to grab the keys and hit the road on your next trip abroad.

Pin this post for your next trip! ↓

The post International Car Rental Tips: Advice and How to Drive on the Left appeared first on Update Later Travel.

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As a nurse, I’m slightly embarrassed to admit how many foreign pharmacies I’ve visited. Picture me miming out symptoms to a cashier who has no idea why this frantic tourist wants cream, cough drops or some mysterious brace. Spoiler alert: I usually walked away with nothing helpful.

After years of trial, error, and desperate pharmacy charades, I finally created a foolproof, comprehensive, yet petite medical kit that I take everywhere. Whether I’m traveling abroad or road-tripping close to home, this kit covers pretty much every common ailment. From colds and coughs to blisters, rashes, sore throats, allergies, heartburn, or those mysterious “travel aches” that always seem to pop up. I am now ready for whatever my travels has to throw at me and now you will be too.

The Medicine Basics

Pro tip: For meds you already own, just pull a few tablets from the main bottle and pop them into a small zip-top baggie. Label each with a Sharpie (drug name + expiration date) so you’re never guessing. Yes, TSA might raise an eyebrow at your “mystery baggies,” but it’s worth the convenience.

• Ibuprofen: for pain, headaches, inflammation.
• Tylenol: for fevers and when ibuprofen isn’t ideal.
• Cold medicine of your choice: Sudafed, DayQuil/NyQuil, or Mucinex DM depending on what works best for you.
• Immune supplements: Emergen-C, Nuun Immune tablets, or your go-to booster.
• Tums and Pepto-Bismol tablets: for heartburn and upset stomachs.
• Throat lozenges: for sore throats or long travel days taking in dry air.
• Allergy meds: Claritin, Allegra, or Zyrtec.
• Benadryl: great for allergies, bites, or helping you actually sleep on a red-eye.

Other Handy Medical Things

• Individual packets of 1% Hydrocortisone Cream. Tiny and lifesaving for rashes, bug bites, or skin flare-ups. The individual packets are more TSA friendly than an entire tube.
• Alcohol swabs: for cleaning cuts or disinfecting little things on the go.
• Band-Aids: in a mix of sizes, including waterproof ones for pool or beach days.
• Blister Bandages: for those heavy mileage days.
• KT Tape: cut into strips before packing so you don’t lug the whole roll.
• Hydration eye drops: airplanes = desert eyes.
• Saline nasal spray: great for dry hotel air or seasonal sniffles.

Beyond Medicine

Sometimes it’s the little things that save the day.

• Hydration support: LMNT, Nuun, or Liquid IV packets: seriously a game changer after long flights or nights out.
• Disinfecting wipe: Small pack of Clorox wipes to clean airplane trays, hotel remotes, or questionable public surfaces.
• Tide bleach pen: because spills happen, and Irish stew does not come out of white shirts.
• Sunscreen: tiny tube, you’ll always be glad you packed it. My favorite face sunscreens are Versed (SO soft and light, goes on like a dream!) and Kiehls.
• Chapstick with SPF: your lips need love too.

Packing It All Up

Now that you’ve gathered your arsenal, it’s time to pack it like a pro. Here’s where the magic happens. Go dig through your stash of “extra bags.” If you’re a makeup or skincare lover, you know the ones: those bonus pouches you get free with a purchase.

For me, I’m constantly thanking Thrive Causemetics, not only for their mascara which I live on, but because they seem to send a little travel pouch with nearly every order. One of those is the perfect size for this petite medical kit.

Fill it, zip it, and voilà, you’re officially ready to take on whatever the travel gods throw your way. From blisters on the Camino de Santiago to a sore throat in Tokyo, you’ll be covered.

The Bottom Line

If I had to name my #1 packing accessory, this kit would be it. It takes up almost no space, weighs next to nothing, and has saved me more times than I can count. Trust me, when you’re in a small town pharmacy trying to act out “heartburn” with interpretive dance, you’ll wish you had packed this.

Now, instead of wandering the aisles abroad, I can spend more time exploring castles, hiking trails, and, of course, sampling local wine. Cheers to that.

The post A Nurse Approved Travel Medical Kit appeared first on Update Later Travel.