The 25^th of November is a very special date in France, St. Catherine! This tradition dates from the 12th century. Every year, unmarried girls over 25 years wear the most extravagant hat possible and parade in the city with the statue of St. Catherine. They go in the evening to dance always dressed with the hat to show to men that they are looking for true love … or at least a husband! They are called Catherinettes.

 St. Catherine, patron saint of barbers, students and school children among others, would be a martyr who lived in the 3rd century. On November 25^th 307 , she was beheaded by the emperor Maxentius because she refused a royal wedding in faithfulness to Jesus. She became the patron saint of girls to marry, logically.

Continue Reading…

In Europe, we hear every year about Thanksgiving. But what do we really know? Ok, this tradition is celebrated in the United States and Canada. Ok, they get together with family and eat great food. Often with the turkey. We agree, the U.S. president pardons one every year. But finally, Thanksgiving, what is it? What are the differences between the two countries? So many questions, but do not worry, Blogtelopia is here!

In Canada, the first Thanksgiving have been celebrated in 1578 by Martin Frobisher. The English adventurer wanted to give thanks for his arrival without major concerns in the new world. Only a few decades later, in 1621, the first Thanksgiving was celebrated in the United States. This time, it was to celebrate a good harvest.

Continue Reading…

There are some cultural events happening only once. This kind of events that advised art lover can not afford to miss. These gatherings of major works of internationally recognized artists who make a place an explosion of beauties and of talent. Prado is so from the 8th of November 2011 to the 25th of March 2012 thanks to a partnership set up with the famous museum of St. Petersburg, The Hermitage, called “the treasures of the Hermitage.”

End point of the Russia-Spain year, The Hermitage has agreed to lend the museum in Madrid many of his finest pieces: Velazquez, Rembrandt, Matisse …. Even a person not knowing much about art can understand that this exchange is a real event. Queen Sofia of Spain herself, inaugurated the exhibition.

Continue Reading…

From November 11th to 18th, held in Bilbao is a must for all lovers of cinema and in particular short films, the Zinebi festival.
This international festival of documentary film and short film, created in 1959, has evolved to finally be of reference to its kind today. Recognized by the Oscars, it sees many personalities parade each year. Ennio Morricone, Jane Birkin and Roman Polanski, for example.
This is the 53th edition taking place this year, and the Arriaga theatre is where the majority of the movies will be shown. The movies are divided into three categories (documentary, fiction and animation), and every year more than 1500 films from over 150 countries compete.
It’s a great excuse to come and discover the city of Bilbao, the capital of the Basque Country, as well as the Guggenheim Museum, Casco Viejo, Puente Colgante … or why not enjoy a game of Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés stadium!

Book your hotel in Bilbao now, with Hotelopia.

Madrid is the kind of city for which we do not need excuses to visit. Tapas, sun, good food, party…You really have to want it to be bored in Madrid! And if in addition a music festival will be held, what are we waiting for to book our tickets?
 
 From the 2nd of November to the 4th of December, the Spanish capital hosts the 28th Festival International de Jazz de Madrid. This event will last more than a month and produce artists from all around the world to play in the most beautiful places in the city. 28 editions, then; still the festival continues to renew itself by hosting the big names of the jazz world and many young talents who brings a fresh attitude.

Continue Reading…

On the 1st and 2nd of November in Mexico, the very celebrated Day of the Dead festival takes place. This tradition dates back to over 3000 years when many families came together and pay tribute to the memory of dead loved ones.
 
The morning is mainly devoted to prayer. Altars are installed in homes and everyone gathers to pray for the soul of the deceased. During the afternoon everybody goes to the cemetery. The graves are cleaned and decorated. Offerings can take the shape of the dead’s favourite dishes or flowers (mainly those of zempaxuchilt, the rose of India).

Continue Reading…

All weekend long, you have probably seen people on the street acting a little weird…People scaring people, monsters out of their graves … Do not worry, it’s normal, it’s Halloween!

You know that being casually dressed on October 31st, especially at night, exposes you to attacks from zombies and other crazy creatures! But do you know where does this little crazy celebration comes from? Blogtelopia knows and since we’re nice, we’ll tell you.

 Originally a Celtic religious festival at the time of the Druids named Samhain or Samonios, Halloween comes from “All Hallows Eve” or “the evening of All Saints’, on the eve of the Christian festival of All Saints Day. The most famous character of this festival is Jack-O’-Lantern, from an old Irish tale; he would have sold his soul to the devil, but eventually never gave it away.

Continue Reading…

Halloween is certainly very commercial but can also be very fun if you know how and especially where to celebrate. So why not travel a bit to go where the craziest party is?

Halloween is not celebrated the same way in every country. This celebration is of Celtic origins and it remains very popular in these countries. In Ireland as in Scotland, it is several weeks before the event that we begin to hear about the big day. And when that day arrives, it is all the major cities that turn into a bad remake of a horror movie! This enthusiasm associated with the sense of fun (and alcohol, it must be said!) of both the Scottish and Irish means Halloween is a crazy time in these countries.

Fully decorated bars and shops, the best costume contests, special events, everything is done to ensure that you review your vision of Halloween and every year you come back to drink a bloody Guinness!

Book your hotel now in Scotland or Ireland with Hotelopia.

No idea what to do on the last weekend of October? You want to aerate your mind and enjoy a gastronomic and cultural moment in a magical place filled with history? I can assure you, you’re on the right blog!

  For this early fall weekend, we offer a celebration established in 1963, the Feast of the Rose Safran in Consuegra in Toledo province. This village, popularized by the famous hunter windmills, Don Quixote sees thousands of spectators gathering to celebrate the regional product.

The two main activities this weekend are “Molienda del Paz y del Amor” and the celebration of Safran. For the first, which starts in the early afternoon, requires participants to ride in the mountains where there are many mills baptized with names from the novel by Cervantes. Bags of wheat from all parts of Spain are then poured into the hopper by the Dulcinea of the year (prettiest girl in the region) to be traditionally milled. After this act is accomplished, every participant heads down to the village with their little bag of flour to attend the festivities.

The rest of the weekend is full of activities, folk festival, food festival of traditional cuisine of the region, contest of picking the rose of saffron, cultural activities and other sports.

So it’s a complete weekend in this beautiful region of Spain that awaits you. Do you have a better plan?

Book now your hotel in Toledo.

The first weekend of October is also the last weekend of Oktoberfest in Munich!

This 200 year old tradition attracts millions of people who gather to party, eat, dance and drink … as German!

The gathering is located near the centre of Munich, where you can walk from Central Station or get the subway (U-Bahn). There, several acres of grassland become the largest carnival in the world. Dozens of great attractions for children as adults brighten your day.

The site consists of these attractions and many capitals are opened from 12am to midnight. More family in the day, it becomes a huge party in the evening. You must remember that Oktoberfest is above all the beer festival! With more litres of beer drank than people attending (7,000,000 in 2010), the tables are all occupied by the mab (in other words, one litre mugs) and by the participants!

This unique event combined with the beauty of the city of Munich provides you two great reasons to go there next weekend for the last day of the Oktoberfest in Munich.

Book your hotel in Munich