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Our top 5 suggestions for January

Harbin Ice Festival - China

This annual festival is China’s greatest showpiece for ice art and attracts visitors from all over the world. Its location amidst the arctic climates of north eastern China presents a fitting venue for this month long celebration of exquisite talent and artistic ingenuity. The Ice Festival is held between Christmas and late February. 

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Patagonia

Patagonia cruise

January is the perfect time to embark on a cruise exploring two of the most beautiful and untouched places on Earth by land and sea: Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. Cruise through the Straits of Magellan and the Beagle Channel observing colonies of elephant seals, Magellanic penguins and cormorants. Disembark in the Cape Horn National Park; the mythical place known as the "End of the Earth". 

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Timket Festival (Ethiopian Epiphany)

The January Timket Festival is a wonderful manifestation of the Epiphany pageant as thousands of colourfully robed Coptic monks carry replicas of the ‘The Ark of the Covenant’ from their churches to be worshipped and anointed with holy water. Timket is Ethiopia’s most important Coptic festival celebrating the baptism of Christ. This is the commemoration of Christ's baptism, which falls on the 19th of January / 20th Jan in leap years. The replicas of the Ark of the Covenant are taken out in the afternoon of the eve of epiphany and stay overnight with the priests and faithful congregation. The following morning the water is blessed and splashed over everyone in a ceremony where the faithful renew their vows to the church. If the body of water is large enough, some people will immerse themselves and we will see this in Gondar. Women who have been unable to have children participate in the ritual for fertility. After the ceremony, the replicas are paraded back to its Church accompanied by much singing and dancing. Cloaked in ceremonial velvet and satin robes and carrying sequined umbrellas, priests march and dance carrying replicas of the Arc of the Covenant from nearby churches to a source of water where blessings are dispensed on the gathered crowd. The priests achieve a state of ecstasy through the drumming and chants that is often contagious to the white robed worshipers who gather around them.

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Mayan ruins at Palenque

Start of Central America's Dry Season

January is a brilliant time to discover the hidden treasures of Central America, as it’s the dry season.  By travelling during the dry season you will avoid the humidity, heavy rains and those pesky mosquitoes. Along with these advantages the dry season offers the added bonus of seeing an abundance of birds, butterflies and a wide selection of other interesting insects. Whilst the humidity is low its also a fantastic time to venture deep into the jungle and discover those hidden temples. Why not venture into Costa Rica, Mexico or Guatemala and combine rich stunning eco lodges set deep within the rainforests with Mayan temples and exquisite beaches located along the tranquil seas.  

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Australia Day Fireworks
Australia Day Fireworks

Australia Day

Australia Day is where the nation come together  to celebrate all things great about their country and being Australian. The day itself marks the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet of 11 convict ships from Great Britain, and the raising of the Union Jack at Sydney Cove by its commander Captain Arthur Phillip, in 1788.The country, whilst relatively young, has developed a wealth of traditions to mark this day and offers over 5000 different events to celebrate. These range from official ceremonies welcoming new Australians after being conferred citizenship, to traditional Aboriginal performances, to watching the historic Tall Ships sail in Sydney Harbour, to the more casual (yet most popular) beach barbeque with endless piles of fresh seafood, sausage sandwiches and a few beers shared with family and friends.

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