Festivals

The first three months of 2013 were rough for Carnival Cruise Lines. 

Carnival Triumph was disabled by an engine-room fire on Feb. 10 in the Gulf of Mexico and had to be towed home. Passengers put up with plumbing and air-conditioning malfunctions and reduced restaurant services.

Carnival Dream had problems with a backup generator while at St. Maarten on March 13; it affected elevators and some restrooms. Out of caution, the company canceled the rest of the cruise and flew passengers home. The ship was repaired and sailed again on March 23. 

The Carnival Cruise Lines ship Carnival Triumph experienced an engine fire on Feb. 10 that disabled its engines and propulsion system. No passengers or crew were seriously injured, as the ship’s safety systems contained the fire.

10 days/9 nights, June 7-16, 2013. Highlights: Quilt festival in Galway City/ferry to Aran Islands/Dingle Peninsula/Ring of Kerry/Killarney National Park/ancient monastic site of Glendalough/Dublin’s Trinity College and Book of Kells. Land, $2,375. Single supp., $370. David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe (Middleburg, FL; 800/570-1351).

The majestic elephant wields a special significance in India, having transported royalty over the centuries, entertained princes, led fabled charges by Rajput warriors and paraded in gold and velvet at religious celebrations.

Desirous of viewing these revered giants during a visit to the southwestern state of Kerala in March ’09, I had my hotel arrange for me to attend an elephant festival (along with another couple).

Following a two-hour taxi drive from the town of Kovalam, we arrived in a village, name unknown, and bounced into a dusty lot connected to a Hindu temple.

In Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, northern India, 30 people were killed on Feb. 10 in a panic stampede during the 2013 Kumbh Mela festival. It occurred when a train was delayed at a station and there was a rush on the steps leading to platform No. 6, which could hold only a few thousand people.

13 days / 12 nights, Feb. 22-March 7, 2013. Highlights: Dancers, drummers, torchbearers and 100 decorated elephants in the Nawam Maha Perahera Festival in Colombo / frescoes in fifth-century Sigiriya Rock Fortress / hill capital of Kandy / Bo Tree in Anura­dhapura / Dambulla rock cave temple / tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya / Yala National Park for wildlife / Dutch city of Galle / Bentota beach. Land, $3,550. Single supp., $995. Round-trip airfare from L.A., from $990 plus airport taxes.

12-day/11-night tour in Zürich, SWITZERLAND (Zürich Festival) and Au, AUSTRIA (Schubertiade), June 13-24, 2013; six concerts included. Highlights: Stained-glass windows by Chagall and Giacometti in Zürich’s Fraumünster church/tasting tour (cheese, chocolate, etc.)/ tours of private art collections/ride Glacier Express to Davos/in Au, Schubertiade Chamber Music Festival. Land, $5,490. Single supp., $1,000. Arte Travel (Miami, FL; 281/617-2648).

by Ann Cabot; Austin, TX

Perhaps you’ve heard about Oaxaca’s Day of the Dead festival, but have you heard of the Night of the Dead festival in Pátzcuaro? No? Neither had I until I joined an exceptional 2011 tour to Mexico designed to give visitors a very personal experience.

The Canterbury Festival takes place this year Oct. 9-23. There will be concerts in Canterbury Cathedral and opera, dance and drama in the Marlowe and Gulbenkian theaters, not to mention a range of jazz and folk music, street theater and children’s events, plus exhibitions, walks and talks.

For festival info, phone (01227) 452853, fax (01227) 781830 or e-mail info@canterburyfestival.co.uk.

9 days / 8 nights, Dec. 15-23, 2012. Highlights: Heidelberg / medieval Rothenburg / 180 stalls of crafts and food at Nuremburg Christmas market / castles Schwangau and Neuschwantstein / “Sound of Music” sights in Salzburg / Dachau / Munich Christmas markets. $3,529 with air from most US cities. Land only, $2,289. Single supp., $420. David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe (Middleburg, FL; 800/570-1351).