The best way to explore an off-beat destination

October is a good time to hit the road. Temperatures are comfortably pleasant. Mother Nature tosses a spectacular outdoor show in the northern hemisphere as foliage turns from green to red. It’s a time for people to give thanks and celebrate the season. An overview of the best places to visit in October : flickr/Patrik M. Loeff October marks the end of the three-month Buddhist Lent, which is celebrated with the Awk Phansaa festival in which people release decorated boats made with banana leaves into bodies of water. Coinciding with this event are the Bun Nam (Water Festival) and Boat Racing Festival. In Vientiane, Laotians leave offerings in the city’s temples at dawn. In the evening, they set decorated floats adrift into the Mekong River to thank the spirits of the river. Boat races are held the next day. Centuries ago, when New England was dominated by Puritans, Salem gained notoriety for its witchcraft trials. Nearly 400 years later, witches are still alive in Salem as this Mass...

Travelers searching for something interesting to do in January will find a number of fantastic and interesting festivals that occur throughout the world during the first month of the year. January is also traditionally a great time of the year for bargains in the travel industry. So travelers can often attend unique cultural festivals or visit lovely destinations in January without breaking their banks. One of the best places to visit in January is the city of Pasto, in southwestern Colombia, which celebrates the Carnaval de Negros y Blancos, Pasto. This event’s name translates to the Blacks and Whites’ Carnival, and it is one of the oldest festivals in South America. The Carnaval de Negros y Blancos starts on January 4th with a big parade. Then on January 5, which is considered the Day of the Blacks, festival goers paint themselves with black paint. This day actually started off as an official day off for slaves. On January 6, the Day of the Whites, festival goers toss wh...