When planning a visit to China, most tourists immediately think of the main attractions such as the Great Wall.  Why not immerse yourself in Chinese culture and history and book a trip in October?  October 1^st was China National Day in Beijing which guarantees the Chinese the week off to celebrate the founding of the Peoples Republic of China in 1949. Take a unique trip and find that China has more to offer than your favorite deep-fried wontons and kung-pow chicken.

History

National Day represents the start of one of the two Golden weeks in China, a week chalk full of so many public holidays the government grouped them all into one long celebratory event. The other Golden Week is during the Chinese Lunar Year.  On this day in 1949, the leadership of Communist China declared victory in War of Liberation against the Nationalist forces of Chiang Kai Shek.

National Day Decorations

China National Day is well-known for its beautiful décor featuring the National Day Flower Bed festival which can be found in cities all over China. The most outstanding and admirable festival is located in Tiananmen Square which is where the Great Wall is stationed as well. The flower bed consists of 200,000 potted flowers which lights up Beijing with beauty. Besides the glorious flower displays, red lanterns which symbolize luck and joy are seen everywhere especially at the gates of government office buildings.

National Day Parade

If you are lucky, you can catch the National Day Parade, which is only held when the anniversary year is a multiple of five ( 50^th, 55^th or 60^th).  Plan ahead as it's definitely a site to be seen with elaborate fireworks and military shows of bravado.

Fireworks Show

Magnificent fireworks displays are shown in cities nationwide on China's National Day.  Hong Kong is well-known for its display which started in 1997 at Victoria Harbor. Over 100,000 spectators gather to witness 23,000 fireworks erupt in the sky.

National Day Concert

Large concerts are put on for China's National Day in the nation's biggest cities. The Music Spectacular Water Cube Concert and Shanghai National Day Concert involve laser shows, waterscapes and performances from Chinese stars.  Chinese folk, orchestra and classical music are performed as well so there's a bit of everything.

by Molly Nelson, Contributing Author

It's a bird, it's a plane it's a hot air balloon! The Albuquerque International Balloon Festival is held every year the first week of October ever since Albuquerque won a bid to host the 1973 World Hot Air Ballooning Championships and has become the official balloon capital of the world. The event attracts thousands of pilots and spectators to witness hot air ballooning activities.

Albuquerque Aloft

Aloft is a fun way to kick off the week long Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Pilots launch their balloons on selected school grounds which are an opportunity to get the community involved and excited about the event. Teachers, students and parents get the chance to meet the pilots and learn how to fly a balloon. The event is the only balloon fiesta to have pre-designated launch sites outside of Balloon Fiesta park.

Dawn Patrol

In 1978, two California balloonists discovered lighting techniques to enable them to fly at night. Dawn Patrol pilots fly until landing spots are visible giving other balloonists the chance to get an idea of wind speeds. Depending on the weather, Dawn Patrol inflation begins at 5:45 am everyday of the Balloon Fiesta and launch at 6 am.

Mass Ascension

During the mass ascension at the Balloon Fiesta, balloons are launched in waves decorating the morning sky with brilliant color and sound. Launch directors in black and white striped outfits, also known as zebras, direct pilots to make sure they take off safely.

Balloon Glows

Balloon Glows is a sight to see as balloons light up the night sky like giant ornaments. One of the most spectacular moments is when all the balloon fire burners are lit up at the same time. Balloon Glows is followed by New Mexico's greatest fireworks display for more evening fun.

Special Shape Rodeo

The Special Shape Rodeo started in 1989 and is the most popular event at the Balloon Fiesta. Balloons designed in a variety of shapes and characters are launched two mornings in a row and have glow shows in the evening.  The evening shows have been named the Special Shape Glowdeo.

Entertainment

If the balloon shows are not enough, other forms of entertainment includes a performance from the Albuquerque Air Jump Rope Team and live music.

Balloon Discovery Center

The Balloon Discovery Center attracts 30,000 visitors every year.  Visitors get the chance to see how hot air balloon work with different interactive balloon exhibits catering to people of all ages. Balloon Fiesta attendees also get the chance to learn about NASA aeronautics. Daily presentations are held by NASA aerospace engineering technicians.

Check out the full schedule of Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta events.

By Molly Nelson, Contributing Author

The southern hemisphere's glitterati have once again descended on Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week which started last Friday August 19 and ends Saturday the 27^th, 2011. Stars collecting in the Whitsunday Islands for Australia's biggest sailing extravaganza include designer Collette Dinnigan, there to oversee the launch of her Cruise Collection 2011, held at the exclusive qualia resort on the northern tip of Hamilton. Other celebrities joining the social whirl include chef Matt Moran and former British supermodel turned designer, Gail Elliott, who recently spent a weekend here with best buddy Yasmin Le Bon. Almost 200 yachts have entered the regatta, which runs over seven days around the Whitsunday Islands. It is expected that some 2,000 bottles of champagne and sparkling wine, 8,400 strawberries, and 12,000 oysters will be consumed on Hamilton this week.

But not everybody who visits this island is famous. Hamilton is accessible to all comers, all year round. To get there, fly in direct from airports all over Australia or drive to Shute Harbour for the 40-minute Fantasia cat trip to the Whitsundays. Hamilton is the classy lovechild of Rosemount Estate winery billionaire Robert Oatley, who has developed the island infrastructure since he effectively bought it in 2004. There are several accommodation options, starting with the luxurious 18-story Reef View Hotel, where raucous sulfur-crested cockatoos colonize the balconies peering over Catseye Beach and the neighboring islands of Fitzalan and Whitsunday. Here it is easy to pass days of hedonistic luxury puttering around the island in a buggy and re-energising with a magical massage at Wumurdaylin spa using organic Waterlilly products, drinking cocktails around several swimming pools, and even cuddling sleepy koalas in HI Wildlife Park.

For more privacy book, qualia is a divine resort created by Aussie architect Chris Beckingham, a magical enclave hidden under an imported canopy of trees on the north-east tip of the island. The guesthouses are scattered around the hillside; inside they are all teak, mahogany, and marble, with sea views from long picture windows. On the complex is also a sleek restaurant, breakfast area, infinity pool, and bar, all with glorious views over qualia's private beach.

There is no need to set foot outside this slice of paradise as all needs are amply and discreetly catered for; except maybe you should dine at Bommie's, the island's superb leading restaurant. Located in the harbour-side yacht club and constructed of angles resembling sails, the eatery serves top-quality Australian cuisine such as a feast of belly pork cooked three ways and gigantic Moreton Bay bugs enjoyed against a romantic backdrop of the marina.

Other plush accommodations options

encompass salubrious 1-4 bed apartments overlooking Hamilton Island Yacht Club. Beautifully appointed in soft earthy colors, with every conceivable designer accessory, they surround a private swimming pool and are a step away from the sedate ambience of the stores and restaurants of minute downtown Hamilton Island.

There's plenty on Hamilton Island to keep everybody amused; activities in the resort kick off with fitness classes at 6.15am and fill the whole day with kayaking, bingo, buggy rallies, water volleyball, and snorkeling off Catseye. Adrenaline-filled cruises to Whitehaven Beach on board the catamaran On The Edge lead to picnics on the spotless white silica sands. On neighbouring Dent Island there is the spectacularly sited 18-hole Hamilton Island golf course- with views of surrounding islands magnificent enough to distract any golfer - and complete with the clubhouse, where terrific al fresco feasts of scallops and barramundi are served up.

 

by Sasha Heseltine, Contributing Author

While we hate to say goodbye to summer, there's something about the crisp fall air and changing of the leaves that starts the school year out right. Fall festivals are ripe with outdoor concerts, down home food and carnival -like atmospheres. Celebrate the coming of autumn at some of these elaborate harvest events and join us as we bid summer a due.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (October 1-9, 2011)

From its modest beginnings in 1972 with 13 balloons launching from a shopping mall parking lot, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta has grown to multiple events launching year-round at the custom-designed, 365-acre Balloon Fiesta Park. Now with 700 balloons, it is the largest ballooning event on earth, the most photographed event on earth, and the largest annual international event held in the United States. For nine days in October, the New Mexico skies are dotted with colors as hundreds of balloons take lift off. Enjoy whimsical floating shapes filled with equal parts of hot air and wonder.

West Side Nut Club Fall Festival- Evansville, IN (October 3-8, 2011)

One of the oldest, biggest and most popular festivals in the USA, the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival attracts over 100,000 people each year to sample food fare from over 120 non-profit booths offering everything from corn dogs to puppy chow, elephant ears to homemade cobblers. Carnival rides, arcade games, parades, live entertainment and people watching are just some of the draw.

Maryland Renaissance Festival (August 27- October 23, 2011)

For a little over two months, the Annapolis area is transformed into a 25 acre fair grounds based on a fictitious 16th century English village named Revel Grove.  With more than 130 craft shops and 42 food outlets, it is the second largest Renaissance Festival in the US. Come rent a wench or maiden costume and join the old-fashioned fun!

The Pumpkin Show- Circleville, Ohio (October 19-22, 2011)

Ohio's oldest and largest festival, around since 1905 Circleville is put on the map every October with the Pumpkin Show- a  pie eating, egg tossing, big wheel race,  hog calling good time. Pegged "the greatest free show on earth," other events include a parade of over 9,000 and the Miss Pumpkin Show and Little Miss Pumpkin beauty pageants. Feast on pumpkin flavored chili, ice cream, donuts, pizza and even burgers at this global celebration of the gourd.

National Apple Harvest Festival- Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (October 1-9, 2011)

Another celebration of fall flavors, the National Apple Harvest festival near historic Gettysburg celebrates the favorite fruit of the season.  Featured attractions include an antique car display, the apple cider press (still used today), an apple butter boil, pony rides, orchard bus tours, candy apples, Native American dancing, Andes Mountain Music, Tractor Square Dancing, Chainsaw Carving, and a display of live birds of prey by Rehabitat. The festival has literally something for everyone with hundreds of arts and crafts dealers, demonstrations, contests, food stands, and entertainment.