Category: Holidays and Commemorative Days
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Feeling Festive in Amboise, France: Celebrating Noël in the Loire Valley
Savor the holiday magic of Amboise, from twinkly white Christmas lights and dancing storefront bears to festive châteaux and artisanal bûche de Noël desserts.
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Seeing Red: Capturing Malta in Cardinal & Crimson
From vibrant festival flags to British-era phone booths, I share a crimson-hued Malta photo essay featuring a close encounter with Queen Elizabeth.
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Feeling Festive in Malta: Celebrating a Festa in the City of Bormla
At a festive winter festa in Bormla (Cospicua), Malta, we admire a gilded church interior, hear lively marching bands, and celebrate with locals.
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A Valley Ablaze: The King Ludwig Bonfire in Oberammergau, Germany
Celebrating the Fairytale King’s August birthday, Shawn and I join local traditions for König-Ludwig-Feuer, an annual event with massive bonfires that light up Oberammergau’s peaks.
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Slap Happy: Dancing the Schuhplattler in Bavaria
In Oberammergau, we witness the rhythmic, energetic Schuhplattler folk dance, a historic Bavarian tradition performed in classic Lederhosen and Dirndls.
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A Bavarian Horse-Blessing Ceremony in Unterammergau, Germany
As we walked from the town of Oberammergau to the neighboring village of Unterammergau, Germany, numerous horses trotted past us. The animals’ beautifully decorated manes and tails blew in the late autumn breeze. Not to be outdone by the horses’ distinguished appearances, the owners also sported fine Bavarian attire. Men wore grey woolen jackets finished…
