Category Archives: Events

Strange June Festivals

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During the month of June, certainly in Great Britain, summer is well upon us and every now and then we may even be lucky enough to get a spot of sunshine for a day or two. However summer is a great time for holidays and for getting out and seeing the world. Although some holidays may cost a pretty penny, if you want to experience some great culture in the form of weird and whacky festivals, there are a couple of places you absolutely need to visit in the month of June to make a great holiday.

leekFesta de Sao Joao do Porto

The Festival of John the Baptist in Portugal holds some strange tradi tions which have slightly lost their meanings over the years, although it makes for a great experience for tourists and holidaymakers.

Although the entire festival lasts over the course of several days, the oddest tradition occurs on the 23rd June which works as a very strange Valentine’s day-esque celebration.

Houses are draped in bunting and people will run around ‘attacking’ their crushes or significant others with a small plastic hammer or limp leeks. The ‘attack’ is normally gentle as it is done out of love, but what this signifies in ancient tradition is unclear.

Roasted Pig Parade

Roast_Suckling_Pig_(2505471024)Known as a pretty famous festival in the town of Balayan in the Philippines, the roasted pig parade occurs annually on the 24th June, again as part of the feast of Saint John the Baptist, where one hundred pigs are roasted. After the roasting the pigs are dressed in a whole number of costumes which vary from year to year and can be anything imaginable.

The residents then gather at the church and sit for the holy mass and afterwards there is a big parade to celebrate the roasting of the pigs. Finally after the end of the parade the pig meat is distributed among the onlookers and the participants of the parade, marking the end of the celebration.

Penguin car hire strives to provide you with a comprehensive and easy to use list of hired cars available in every country in the world. Whether you are travelling from Portland to Portugal and beyond, or are just looking for a great deal for a hired car on your normal holiday abroad, Penguin has a huge range of hired cars for you!

Happy Mother’s Day From Penguin

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This Sunday, 30th March is Mother’s Day, a day dedicated to those hardworking mums who put up with smelly, messy children for most of their lives. Today is a day that you can use to thank mums all over the world for their hard work, or you can just thank your mum. It can be in any way you want, with a small personal gift, with a weekend away, or just by taking a moment out of your day to spend some quality time with her. Whatever you choose to do, make it special.

Spa Breaks

Very few people don’t enjoy being pampered, and especially if you have endured the stress that being a mother brings, a spa day or two, or even an hour or so, won’t go amiss. Give her the gift of relaxation, where a qualified masseuse works out all her aches and pains accompanied to soothing music and fragrant scents.

Do Something Interesting

[penguin] cafe france blogNot got a run of the mill mum? If she prefers spending her days out and about, why not hire a car in Paris and take her on a tour of the sights? Trips to France are ideal as it is easily reachable by boat, and you can enjoy some quality time with mum while at the same time getting some fresh air. Why not visit the Louvre, or have a look at the Eiffel Tower? You could even take a few moments to have a delicious bagel in one of the many French cafes and simply watch the world go by.

Presents!

Make sure to give your mum at least a card this mother’s day. Even a small token will show her that you have thought of her, and in the end, even a small thing can make a big statement. However be careful to make sure not to get her anything she really doesn’t like, as some mum’s don’t like flowers or trinkets. You should know; she’s your mum!

Enjoy It!

[penguin] gift blogSome people spend far too much time running around, worrying about their daily lives and the stress and fatigue it brings about. Take a step back to relax with your mother, remind her of what she means to you. If you take time out to enjoy the time you spend with her, you may even begin to appreciate her on another level. It is one day a year, so make it count!

St Patrick’s Day Festival

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Today is St Patrick’s Day, one of the most well-known holidays for those of Irish descent. St Patrick’s Day is celebrated enthusiastically across the world, but nowhere celebrates better than the Irish themselves. Those of Irish American descent may find themselves caught up in parades and various celebrations, but if you’re looking for the best place to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, Ireland is the place to be.

From the 14th to the 17th March 2014, the whole of Ireland gathered together to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in St Patrick’s Festival, located in Dublin, Ireland, and full of exciting events and performances that continued throughout the weekend.

St Patrick is one of Ireland’s most famous saints and most of what is known about him is derived from the Declaration thought to have been written by Patrick himself. It depicts Saint Patrick’s life before he became a priest, when he was kidnapped and sold into slavery on Gaellic Ireland, where he worked as a shepherd. During his days there he claimed to have ‘found god’ and brought it back to mainland Ireland, where he converted many of the Pagan Irish to Christianity until he died on the 17th March.

DUBLIN IN FEBRUARY 2006The St Patrick’s Day parade uses Ireland’s commemorative era as inspiration and throughout the next few years will be looking at the themes of ‘Past Present and Future’ when it comes to celebrating St Patrick’s Day and Ireland’s history. Plus next year the festival will pose the question ‘Who do we aspire to be in the next 100 years?’

Eight pageant companies will bring beautiful creations to life that culminated in a gorgeous and awe-inspiring parade that started at 12pm today. It begins on Parnell Square in Dublin, passing through O’Connell Street, over O’Connell Bridge, Westmoreland Streets, Dane Street and through to where it finishes at St Patrick’s Cathedral. If you’re visiting Ireland on holiday, why not hire a car in Dublin and head over to catch the festivities?

[penguin]st patricks day blogOther events that occurred throughout the weekend was a number of Music and Street performance vendors, including fun-fairs and various entertainment rides and information about the history of St Patrick’s Day, making it a great day out for you and the kids.

All this culminates in the Greening the City event, among other events, which starts at 6:30pm and sees various iconic buildings throughout Dublin ‘going green’ meaning that they are bathed in a green spotlight. It is a momentous event and one not to miss for those aspiring photographers out there!

Where Will You Spend New Year’s Eve?

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There are several different ways to celebrating the coming of the New Year and every family does it differently. Most of us would be contented with simply sitting at home with the family and a glass of bucks fizz, or celebrating the countdown with friends at the local pub. However some of us are more adventurous, and like to spend the New Year off celebrating in a tropical location, or simply chilling on the other side of the world while sipping a cool cocktail. In readiness for the New Year we have put together a top five places to visit that host the best New Year’s parties worldwide.

5. Sydney – Australia

A country renowned for its beauty, Sydney in Australia puts on a fireworks performance that is like no other. The capital of Australia, which is famous for its Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, offers a huge selection of parties, fair rides and nautical parades that ensures that there is something suited for every member of the family. Buy yourself a ticket to one of the Royal Botanic Gardens show, but hurry, because the spots sell out fast!

4. Cardiff – UK

Cardiff’s Flybe Winter Wonderland, the Christmas and New Year themed park, is open from the 14th November to the 5thJanuary, with an open air ice rink, a variety of different fairground rides and spectacular lights and fireworks displays on New Year’s Eve. Plus from 2013 Cardiff Winter Wonderland has opened a new traditional festive dining experience in the Alpine Village. German Beer and Bratwurst all around!

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3. Disney Theme Parks – Various

Widely known for their cheery celebrations and performances, a great place – especially for the kids – to spend New Year’s Eve is at one of Disney’s theme parks. Disney World in Orlando, Florida has a great variety of entertainment on, from Disney parades to the fantastic fireworks displays. Tokyo Disneyland is an extremely popular attraction on the 31st December, which is home to the special New Year’s Parade (Beginning at 11:30). Disneyland California is also celebrating the New Year with its “Ring in the New Year” fireworks spectacular.

2. London – UK

With the fantastic fireworks show illuminated by a backdrop that hosts spectacular sights such as Big Ben, the Tower Bridge and the London Eye, sometimes the best place to celebrate the New Year is closer to home than you think. Just be prepared to arrive early if you want a good spot seeing the festivities!

london-new-years-eve

1. Watching the Ball Drop; Times Square – New York (USA)

For over 100 years the huge disco ball has marked the final countdown into the New Year in New York, USA, and although several hundred other cities in America have adopted their own ‘ball drop’, New York still holds the prize for its significance. Arrive around lunchtime in the iconic New York taxi, or by hired car, as the streets will become extremely packed in order to follow the ball’s 70 foot journey down towards the New Year. When the moment finally arrives, confetti is released into the air, accompanied by the excited shouts and screams of attendees welcoming the New Year. An unforgettable experience!

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