2 | gLOBaL CaLENDar 28 Mar – 22 Apr, Melbourne Melbourne International Comedy Festival A belly laugh does a world of good and Melbourne’s annual festival of mirth offers plenty of laughs indeed. With more than 300 events in the programme, ranging from stand-up acts and cabaret to film, theatre, street performances and visual arts, the festival is one of the three largest in the world, attracting more than 500,000 fans last year. For an extra dose of laughs, also catch the festival’s highlights at its Roadshow in Perth in June. comedyfestival.com.au 8-10 Apr, Budapest spring Wine & Jazz Festival April is a perfect time to visit Budapest as the whole town is in a mood to welcome the arrival of spring. The annual Budapest Spring Wine & Jazz Festival celebrates traditional Hungarian gastronomy and the best local vintages – while listening to great Hungarian jazz. Open-air concerts at the main square of Óbuda, wine tastings, crafts displays and more are in store. Free admission. visitbudapest.travel 13-15 Apr, Glasgow scottish Bike show The whole family is welcome at the Scottish Bike Show, a friendly and festive showcase of bikes, clothing, accessories, indoor test tracks and forest trails at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow. Catch some of the UK’s best riders showing off their skills in the BMX street park, or cheer on participants in the Sportive on 15 April – Scotland’s newest mass participation cycle event, which offers two challenging routes through stunning countryside. thescottishbikeshow.com 17-20 May, Hong Kong ARTHK12 Dubbed the ‘Art Basel of Asia’, the Hong Kong International Art Fair has become a premier showcase of Asian and western contemporary art in just four years. It attracts high-profile art collectors and toprated galleries from Asia and the around the world. More than 63,000 visitors and 260 top galleries participated in last year’s ART HK, with strong sales of work by artists such as Liu Wei, Zhang Enli, Jeff Koons and Louise Bourgeois. hongkongartfair.com 18-20 May, Seoul Lotus Lantern Festival Light, light and more light is the theme of Seoul’s Lotus Lantern Festival, held annually to celebrate the Buddha’s birthday. A Buddhist culture street fair, a traditional lantern exhibition, flea markets and outdoor performances are capped by an after-dark parade of glowing lanterns. Don’t miss the chance to make your own lantern, which is said to help one achieve enlightenment in the next life. english.visitkorea.or.kr 9-29 Jun, Istanbul Istanbul shopping Fest A 22-day mega shopping event in the malls and streets of one of the most exciting cities in Europe. Enjoy shopping in the cooler night air as many shops stay open until midnight. The big three streets should be on your itinerary – Bagdat, Abdi Ipekçi and Istiklal are home to numerous boutiques, as well as lively bars and restaurants. Take the time to also explore the Grand Bazaar for leather goods, watches, carpets, scarves, jewellery and other souvenirs. english.istanbul.com April, Throughout Japan Cherry Blossom Festival Japan’s most iconic flower blooms again this spring. Throughout Japan, hordes of locals and tourists alike flock to the parks and other cultural sites to relish the beauty of the cherry blossom or sakura. Families and friends come together for picnics, spreading blankets under the cherry blossom trees and sharing some of the season’s best foods. Apart from sakura delicacies to sample, there are numerous hanami activities, including tea ceremonies and exhibitions, for everyone to enjoy in this unique festival. japantravelinfo.com 21 Jun, Paris La Fête de la Musique An all-night street music festival on the eve of the summer solstice: it’s hard to imagine a better way of welcoming summer. It all began in Paris in 1982 as a brainchild of American musician Joel Cohen, then a producer of musical radio programmes for a French radio station. 21 June has since become one of the most popular events in Paris as musicians give free performances in the streets – jazz, rock, hip-hop, electronic, you name it, they’ll play it. La Fête de la Musique is the perfect time to let your hair down and really get to know the city’s neighbourhoods. fetedelamusique.culture.fr fraser cachet fraser cachet Photos: Getty Images
4 | ChECk-iN Dazzling modernity and rich ancient history sit side-by-side in the Middle Eastern cities of Doha and Dubai WORDS: Euan McKirdy fraser cachet fraser cachet Photo: Corbis Doha’s Pearl Monument illuminated at night with the new high-rises of West Bay in the background
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