Welcome on a journey of discovery as we take you inside some of our favorite destinations, places and unique experiences around the world.
It’s that time of year when the sun stays out longer, the birds return from their southern retreat and the flowers once again begin blooming across nature’s canvas, blank from winter.
Spring has awakened.
While here in the United States, spring is synonymous with Easter, daylight savings time, baseball and the home stretch to summer vacation, in other parts of the world, spring is represented by a number of different traditions or events that mark the arrival of the season.
Japan – cherry blossom season
In Japan, there is nothing more iconic than the cherry blossoms. Home to over 600 different species, the arrival of springtime marks the blooming of these stunning trees, known as sakura, and alongside it comes celebration. Referred to as Hanemi, meaning “viewing flowers,” these celebrations have taken place across Japan for over a millennium and include picnics, sake celebrations, tea ceremonies, live performances, dances, and the lighting of paper lanterns – all taking place in fields and areas surrounded by the illustrious cherry blossoms.
Switzerland – Sechseläuten
In Zurich, Switzerland locals celebrate Sechseläuten, a centuries-old tradition heralding in the beginning of spring. Donning historical costumes and joined by music ensembles, horses, flowers and flags, Sechseläuten is a two-day celebration culminating with the lighting of the Böögg, a snowman figure whose head is filled with fireworks, symbolizing the end of winter. Similar to Groundhog Day, legend has it that the faster the Böögg’s head explodes, the finer the summer will be.
India – Holi
Celebrating the end of winter (as well as the eternal love of the Hindu deities Radha and Krishna), Holi is a full day celebration starting on the evening of the full moon (Purnima) in the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna (which Gregorian calendar followers know as March). During this time, songs and dances are performed, friends and family come together and most notably, people smear each other with bright, vibrant colors called gulal, representing the playful relationship Radha and Krishna once shared. Celebrated across India, in recent years Holi has spread to other areas of Asia and parts of the Western world as well!
The Netherlands – tulip festival
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