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Avoid the blahs with these February celebrations

Have you got the January blahs? A bit of post-holiday let down? Don’t be glum, because February offers plenty of reasons to celebrate. Here’s a snapshot of what you can expect.

Black History Month

February is African American History Month or Black History Month. Oddly, this is observed at a completely different time of the year (October) in the UK. There will be events for this annual celebration throughout the month.

National Freedom Day – Feb 1

National Freedom Day commemorates the signing of a resolution for the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. This amendment ended slavery and became law in December 1865. This is not a public holiday, but many Americans observe the day and a wreath is usually laid at the Liberty Bell. Other celebrations of this event include Juneteenth and Emancipation Day.

Valentine’s Day – Feb 14

Also not a holiday, but widely observed, is Valentine’s Day, taking place on a Tuesday this year. It was originally named after some Christian martyrs and is a boon for card makers everywhere (not to mention flower shops and candy stores). Here are some fun facts about Valentine’s Day.

President’s Day – Feb 20

Now observed on the 3rd Monday in February, this holiday originally honored George Washington’s birthday. It now also honors Abraham Lincoln (also born in February) and other presidents.

Mardi Gras – Feb 21

Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), the day before Ash Wednesday, is a big celebration just before Lent starts – and a great excuse for a party. One of the biggest of these is in New Orleans, which we mentioned in Carnival Celebrations around the World. We’ll look at it in more detail nearer the time.

Leap Day – Feb 29

It only comes around every four years and this is the year for Leap Day. There are several traditions associated with this day and we’ll be looking at those in more detail closer to the time.

Photo: SanFranAnnie

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We’re all accustomed to getting around our home country using menial methods of transportation that have defined the act of transporting oneself between point A and Point B as exceedingly boring. However, locations around the world have become iconic for their alternative take on transport, and this can make our travels more eventful and exciting simply taking a trip between two locations. Although in many cases this involves a hideous violation of any concerns for one’s health and safety, we will not focus purely on these (sorry South East Asia) but will also incorporate flash, stylish and romantic ways of arriving at our destination. It is up to you though on whether you deem it flash or foolish.

The Family Scooter

Scooters are common forms of transport the world over. In most countries the scooter is a 1-2 seater form of transport, but lax rules of health and safety in developing nations means that families of 3, 4 or even 5 can be seen whizzing around. With simple engines that are cheap and reliable, the scooter covers terrain from the congested urban metropolis to the unpaved, muddy and step mountain trail.

Tuk Tuk

Due to its loyal serving of Bangkok, Thailand, this is often the first weird method of transport that travelers to the popular South East Asia experience. The cheerful name serves as an ideal sales call from the many Tuk Tuk drivers and their daring and exciting driving practices make riding a Tuk Tuk an experience never to forget. Cheap prices abound, travelers must be wary of a deal too good to be true. Often, Tuk Tuk drivers will deposit you outside an entertainment venue with the offer of a return trip for a mere 20 Baht. However, the venue is always more expensive to get into than originally promised and when you leave, your Tuk Tuk driver is never there. This results in having to pay an incredibly higher price to one of the few present drivers to get back to your original location. Read more »

For some time now, I’ve been thinking about a mega trip to Europe. Don’t get me wrong, I love traveling in the US and look forward to my almost-annual Florida vacation, but Europe has a heck of a lot to offer for families as a whole. My ideal trip would take in a few cities, for both educational and personal reasons.

A Visit to London

Stop number one would be London, with its centuries of history. It’s easiest to make this the first port of call as most international flights fly there, especially to London Heathrow, the world’s busiest airport. While there, I’d like to show my daughter the sights of one of my old stamping grounds, including a walk to Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, Covent Garden, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Madame Tussauds and any of the parks. A ride on the London Eye and a trip along the Thames are also a must, as is a London Bus Tour. Ciao Bambino had an excellent series last year on London with Kids which is worth a read.

From the Midlands to Europe

Next, I’d go inland to the Midlands to visit Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and reconnect with old friends. That would also be a good jumping off point (from the Nottingham East Midlands International Airport) for budget flights to Europe. On my list would be a trip to Denmark, which I’ve never visited but where one of my best friends lives to check out the Tivoli Gardens, among other Denmark attractions.

Also on my list for this trip would be a visit to some friends in Gibraltar (gotta love the view of the rock!) and a week or two soaking up the Spanish sunshine and culture. I really love Spain, with some of my favorite cities so far including Malaga (ancient Arab city with landmarks to match), Barcelona (the Sagrada Familia is a must-see) and Bilbao (where I’d visit the Guggenheim Museum). There are many more Spanish attractions to visit too.

A Trip to France

There’s one more country on my list, which has a place in my heart because I once lived there: France. For me, visiting France is not just about the sights of Paris, though those are excellent. Instead, it’s about the South of France. When I lived there, I went from Nimes to Marseilles to Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Agde, the Camargue and along the coast to Cannes, Monaco and Nice – one of the best trips of my life and one I’d like to repeat with my family. Here’s a snapshot of the Nimes attractions I think are worth visiting.

So those are some of the top places on my European travel list. I’m hoping to get there within the next 18 months. What’s on your list?

If you didn’t take any trips during the festive season, then perhaps it’s time for you to consider a January getaway. It’s not too late to plan a trip to coincide with Martin Luther King Jr, Day.

Facts about Martin Luther King Jr Day

Did you know:

• that although the holiday was signed into law in 1983, it was only in 2000 that all 50 states observed it?
• that Martin Luther King is one of only three people in the US to be honored by a national holiday? The other two are, of course, George Washington and Christopher Columbus.
• that in Arizona and New Hampshire the words ‘Civil Rights Day’ form part of the official name of the holiday.
• that Martin Luther King Jr Day is also celebrated in Hiroshima and Toronto.

Observing Martin Luther King Jr Day

One of the most important ways to celebrate the day is to join in with the Martin Luther King Day of Service, signed into federal law in 1994. It’s a chance to volunteer and make a difference. The Martin Luther King Day of Service website has resources to help you find a project to join or plan your own.

One of the best places to celebrate the day is in his birthplace, Atlanta. This year, there’s an impressive list of activities including a Civil Rights Film Festival, remembrance services, Day of Service activities, and general celebrations. The King Center also has a program of events which started on Saturday 7th and runs till the holiday itself.

What will you be doing for the holiday?

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I’m not much into making new year’s resolutions. In the past, like many people, I’ve made them and then abandoned the ones that didn’t work for me. A few years ago, I had an epiphany: when I’m ready to change something, I will, at any time of year when it seems right to do so, so there’s no need to pick an artificial date in the year to make that change.

But when it comes to travel, there are several things I aspire to, and I’m going to share some of them with you. These aren’t resolutions, but aspirations. They represent the things I want to do on every trip I make, no matter the length of the trip or the destination. Here they are:

1. Get out of the compound. In my experience, you miss a lot when you stick only to the area around your accommodation, especially if that accommodation is of the luxury or all-inclusive kind. Don’t get me wrong; I love staying in hotels or apartments, but it’s always wise to explore. One of the ways I’ve done that over the years is to hop on a bus and ride to the end of the line. You never know what you will find. Once, I was on a train along the Costa del Sol, when I spotted a beach where there were no deck chairs and no tourists. That became my favorite haunt for the rest of the trip.

2. Take a detour. We all make travel plans but it’s good to be prepared to throw these out if an opportunity presents itself. Read more »