At six o'clock in the evening, several hundred children proceed through the darkened town, carrying their own handmade lanterns and accompanied by the drums. At three stopping places, young and old sing hymns and carols to the accompaniment of the town band. On their way back, the city gleams in the festive lighting.

Manchester Pride - The 10 day summer Lesbian and Gay festival which is held every August continues it’s charisma within the LGBT community. The winner of an award presented by the regions marketing department for tourism to the North West of England, unveiled it’s dates for the 2005 festival.

Vienna’s Old Town is transformed into a giant party arena on 31 December. Top-class entertainment is guaranteed along the route of the New Year’s Eve trail which winds its way through the narrow streets, and is lined by over 80 different catering stands and a dozen music stages.

The grand finale of Holland’s December celebrations is New Year's Eve. Many concerts and parties are organised throughout the country. However before midnight, the Dutch mostly celebrate New Year at home with family and friends. After 12 o’clock the real party begins with champagne, oliebollen (sweet traditional pastries) and impressive firework displays.

There is no doubt that you can eat as well, or better, in London than anywhere else in the world – when money is no object. But what happens when you are on a budget, trying to get as much value as you possibly can?

High on granite cliffs towering above the restless Atlantic, walkers on Britain’s longest national trail, the spectacular 630-mile South West Coast Path, are left in no doubt of the sea’s role in shaping this area’s landscape and heritage. England’s far south-western counties of Cornwall and Devon boast a seafaring tradition of adventurers, explorers, pirates and emigrants, reinforced by the salty flavour of novels by Daphne du Maurier and Rosamunde Pilcher.

The town of Strakonice (situated in the heart of the South Bohemian region - the country with great tradition of bagpipe music) hosts this international festival since 1967.

pAn Amsterdam has developed itself into the largest national Art and Antique Fair of Holland. Especially the lower-priced objects during this fair attract an increasingly younger audience to this fair every year. Experienced collectors can not resist the temptation either to come and see if there is anything that they like. After all, the most well-known art and antique dealers and gallery owners of Holland and Flanders exhibit their items here. Each item will go through a strict inspection to ensure authenticity, quality and condition.