Now that Valentine’s weekend has come and gone, it is time to gear up for St. Patrick’s Day. Celebrated across the globe, you are sure to find all manners of fun and shenanigans no matter where you live, but if you truly wish to be Irish for a day, travel to Ireland!

From March 16th until March 19th, the St. Patrick’s Festival in Dublin will be in full swing. Each day offers an opportunity to act like a kid again at the funfair. The colorful Ferris wheels, musical carousels, and death defying roller coaster all light up as the sun goes down. If you are traveling with children, this is guaranteed to delight them.

You won’t even have to leave the wee ones at home when the clock strikes noon as the streets with be a-flowin’ with real Irish brew. The daily Irish Craft Beer portion of the festival offers a variety of children’s workshops, complete with face painting! On Friday the Beer event will host “Brewing in the Times of St. Patrick,” which takes a look at the history of beer throughout Ireland.

Friday also brings the Festival Ceili. Participate, or just sit back and enjoy the display of traditional Irish dance. After you have boogied all you can boogie, laugh the rest of the evening away at the kick off of Father Ted Weekend. On both Friday and Saturday evenings, the cast of the show Father Ted will be performing for your pleasure.

If you are still in Dublin on Sunday, you will want to attend the Big Day Out in Merrion Square. This carnival is bursting with live music, street performers, theatrical productions and much more. You can even attend a workshop where you will learn to speak Gaelic! Sunday is also when the St. Patrick’s 5km Road Race takes place. If you are a runner, consider participating. All of the proceeds raised benefit Our Lady’s Children Hospital. End the evening with a performance by the Sir James Galway National Symphony Orchestra.

The festivities wrap up on Monday. The day kicks off with the Dublin University Boat Races, followed by a city wide treasure hunt. Have another go-round at the fun fair and sample a few more local brews before the St. Patrick’s Festival comes to an end with the Russian Spectacular. Enjoy live music and folk dance and the White Russian Central Band takes the stage at the Helix.

You can stay home and experience once night of debauchery, or you can whisk away to Ireland for a four day celebration the whole family will enjoy. The choice seems clear to us!

Kemwel offers cheap car rentals in Ireland so call us or book your vehicle online today! Remember to keep an eye on our Specials! You never know what kind of deals are going to pop up!

The subtropical paradise of Catemaco in Veracruz, Mexico offers up a breathtaking landscape. From the sandy beaches of Lake Catemaco to the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Sierra de Los Tuxtlas mountain range, this little city will have you falling in love. More than half of the county is protected, preserving the majestic rainforests and ancient ruins that make Catemaco so enchanting.

And speaking of enchanting, the city’s reputation proceeds it. The “Catemaco Brujos” (brujo means witch, warlock, sorcerer, healer, and so on), are known world round and draw visitors interested in magic from every corner of the globe. The region’s traditions of witchcraft are believed to date all the way back to Olmec times. The Olmec were Mexico’s first major civilization more than 2000 years ago. If your interest has been piqued, consider planning a trip for the first Friday in March (that would be March 2nd this year) for the Congreso Internacional de Brujos, a witchcraft festival that has been held in the city since the 1970s.

The festival has turned into a major tourist destination, and visitors attend for all sorts of reasons. Some wish to enhance their own practice, some are looking for healing plants from the surrounding jungle and protective talismans, while others are simply curious. You are certain to bump into all manners of traditional witch doctors, healers, and modern magic makers willing to sell you their spells and potions.

Catemaco is a gorgeous place to vacation, whether you have an interest in the occult or not. The witchcraft festival is just a little bonus. Kemwel offers cheap car rentals in Mexico, so plan your magical get away today.

The Year of the Rabbit is hopping toward an end as the Year of the Dragon quickly approaches. Liverpool is home to one of the oldest Chinese communities in all of Europe, making it the ideal UK location to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

The celebration begins a day early on January 21st with a Tai Chi demonstration over on Nelson Street. If you are interested in attending, the demonstration begins at 12:30pm and runs until 3:30pm and will be held outside the See Yep Chinese Association.

The real fun starts on the following day, January 22. From 11:00am until 4:00pm, Chinatown comes alive as the New Year festivities come into full swing. A traditional parade featuring giant, colorful dragons, unicorns and lions makes its way down Nelson, Berry and Great George Street, as well as through Great George Square. Nelson Street is home to the largest Chinese Arch in Europe. In fact, it is the largest Chinese Arch outside of the Chinese mainland. The Arch provides an impressive backdrop for this lively celebration.

Foodies will appreciate the Taste of China Street Market. Not only will you be able to sample authentic Chinese fair, you will have the privilege of enjoying traditional Chinese New Year delicacies. After your belly is full, ring in the new year with firecrackers and noise makers!

Book your cheap car rental in Liverpool today and get ready to usher in the Year of the Dragon!

During the last Tuesday in January (that would be the 31st this year), Lerwick comes alive as Up Helly Aa Day comes into full swing. This festival dates all the way back to the late 1800s and is an important celebration of Shetland history. As the story tells it, the ancient Vikings would burn a galley as a sacrifice to the sun while welcoming the springtime.

This all-day event begins with a morning march through the town. The procession features Guizer Jarl and the Jarl Squad, who play the role of Vikings for the day. In the late morning, locals and visitors gather to have their pictures taken with the Jarl Squad and to mingle with family and friends. You may elect to arrive at the Esplanade early, as to beat the crowd.

Next on the agenda is a civic reception at the Town Hall. Unfortunately for some visitors, this is by invitation only. But think of it as a nice break after a busy and exciting morning. After the reception, the parade continues as the Guizer and his men lead the crowds through the town stopping to make merry at the primary school and local hospital. This is followed by a lunch that you are sure to have worked up an appetite for.

The highlight of Up Helly Aa is the torch lit procession. Almost a thousand torches are lit as participants make their way through the night to the King George V playing field where the traditional galley is set alight before partying the night away. The party begins when the local halls open and welcome the Jarl Squad, who proceed to dance with the lady of the hall. After that, the celebration spreads town wide and the sounds of music fill the air. The party is so huge and widely attended that Wednesday has been pronounced a public holiday, allowing everybody the chance to recover from the night before.

If you think you’ve got what it takes to party with the locals, book a cheap car rental in Scotland with Kemwel today!

If you happen to be passing through Spain this February, you will want to stop off in the town of Almonacid de Marquesado. February 2^nd is known as Candelaria, or the “purification of the Virgin Mary,” and the following day celebrates Saint Blaise. Combined, these celebrations form what is known as “La Endiablada,” a fiesta that has been held in Almonacid de Marquesado since the 13^th century.

Each morning, a procession consisting of local men dressed in colorful, floral-printed suits parade through the streets. On the day of Candelaria, the men wear flowered crowns, and on Saint Blaise day, their hats resemble a bishop’s headwear. The group is led by the “head devil,” a position that is held for life. All of the men don giant cowbells that fill the streets with a deafening noise as they dance along. The sounds are meant to scare away any ill-wishing demons, and even the devil himself. Tradition mandates that only boys and men born in Almonacid de Marquesado are allowed to join the brotherhood and participate in the dance.

The women of the village can be found playing castanets in the streets, as well as reading poetry about the Virgin and the Saint. At the end of each parade, the town holds a giant church mass, after which the fiesta continues. The streets are filled with music as the local women entertain with traditional Spanish dances.

If you are planning a get away this winter, consider a cheap car rental in Spain from Kemwel and experience La Endiablada for yourself!

Poland comes to Australia this weekend, when the Polish Festival takes over Melbourne’s Federation Square. This lively celebration kicks off at 10:00am on Sunday, the 20^th of November and has something to offer everyone.

Poland is known for its beautiful amber, and you will find no shortage of silversmiths working with this unique resin at the festival. You’ll have your pick of ornate rings, elegant necklaces, delicate earrings, and handcrafted cuffs and bracelets. Amber isn’t the only Polish import you will find; shop for books, movies, music, holiday ornaments, and handcrafted wares from the home land.

Vendors will be serving up a whole variety of traditional cuisine, and foodies will be in absolute heaven. Before you even arrive at Federation Square you will pick up the scent of sizzling Polish sausages and the warm aroma of fresh baked bread. Throw in a little sauerkraut, and you’ve got yourself quite the meal! If you’re not feeling the kielbasa, try some delectable pierogis or some homemade pickles instead. There is something to please every palate.

When your belly is full, you will find a plethora of events for the whole family, like traditional Polish folk dance and song, a fashion show featuring some of today’s hottest Polish designers, and an art exhibit presented by the Polish Art Foundation. You can get hands on at demonstrations of Polish paper cutting, wood carving, and embroidery. Not only will you learn a useful skill, you will take home a souvenir that you can feel proud of.

Kids can make their own souvenirs over at the Kidstop. There is a whole day’s worth of activities planned especially for the little ones. After they get their faces painted they can create their own Polish flags, decorate masks, and weave colorful garlands of flowers. Children will also be delighted and wide eyed when they see all of the sweets floating around. Paczek are similar to jelly donuts, sernik is a rich cheese cake topped with all sorts of fruits and flavored gelatins, and nobody can say no to chocolate and cherry budyn, a delicious and creamy pudding.

So load up the family in your cheap car rental in Australia from Kemwel and enjoy Poland for a day!

If you are anything like me, you’ve been getting pumped for the holidays since school started. I am already exhibiting the kind of spirit usually reserved for cheer captains at pep rallies. Give me a C! Give me an H! Give me an R! Okay, you get the point. Maybe it’s the romance of the glistening snow, or the gluttonous amounts of sweets, but holidays are just more fun in the winter. Here are some unique traditions from around the world that are certain to delight folks of all ages and denominations.

Christmas in Austria may be more fun and beautiful than Christmas anywhere else in the world, as the month long celebration is infused with Old World tradition. St. Nicholas day falls on the 5^th of December, during which the local bishop dons his most regal vestments and plays the role of the saint. The bishop travels from door to door and rewards good children by filling their shoes with loads of sweets. He is accompanied by the Krampus, and I will be honest with you here, the Krampus is absolutely terrifying. The demon-like figure is present to reprimand the naughty children, usually by playfully attacking their legs with a switch.

On Christmas Eve, household trees are lit up for the first time and families often sing Silent Night, which is a favorite among Austrians, as it was written and performed for the very first time on December 24, 1818 in the small village of Oberndorf. Santa doesn’t deliver presents in Austria; instead children believe their gifts come from das Christkind, or the Christ Child. Families then feast on meals of carp, goose, ham, mulled wine, and lots and lots of chocolate treats. My Oma always had rum balls at Christmas time, a popular holiday sweet in Austria. Kemwel offers cheap car rentals in Austria, so you can experience the Old World charm for yourself!

Hanukkah is the commemoration of the Holy Temple of Jerusalem’s rededication during the Maccabean Revolt and is a national holiday in Israel. Where better to join in on the celebration? Also known as “the Festival of Lights,” a candle on the menorah is lit for each night of the holiday, and you will see the flames flickering from every window illuminating the streets in a soft glow.

Like Christmas in Austria, Hanukkah in Israel offers up some pretty delicious traditional foods. Can’t you just hear the sizzle of a potato latke being flipped on the pan? Breathe in and smell the scent of warm sufganiyot filling the air. This delectable jelly donut is a favorite holiday treat among locals.

Perhaps the most joyful part of traveling to Israel for Hanukkah is the children. As they are free from school, you will find them singing songs, putting on plays, and making the whole holiday much merrier. It is nothing short of delightful to catch them playing with their dreidels in the street or spot them running to the bakery with their Hanukkah gelt. You will find yourself moved if you join locals and pilgrims on their visit to the Temple Mount, the very site of the reclamation we celebrate today. Kemwel offers cheap car rentals in Israel, so you can experience Hanukkah at its root!

If you are seeking a truly unique and mystical holiday experience, a trip to Stonehenge for Yule will not disappoint. The Neolithic monument draws a remarkable number of Pagans from all over the world for the Winter Solstice, and they are given access to the stones to perform their ceremonies. Though people of many paths attend, the rituals are mostly of the Druid tradition. Many of the world’s modern Christmas traditions have their roots in the ancient celebrations of Yule.

It is widely believed that the Winter Solstice was one of the most important events of the year to those who constructed Stonehenge. Though there is still much debate about who built the monument and why, the stones are aligned with the sun on both the Summer and Winter Solstices.

Apart from learning about interesting practices of the old ways, Yule at Stonehenge is just plain fun. The beauty of the snow laden landscape will leave you breathless and the high spirits and positive energy of the revelers will have you feeling uplifted. Just be sure to dress warmly, as a snowball fight is almost inevitable. Join in on the merriment with a cheap car rental in England from Kemwel!

The oral tradition of Ireland may very well be the most famous in the world. With their tales of mysterious selkies, stories of the alluring Leanan Sidhe, and songs of foolish mortals who dare give their hearts to a faerie, the Irish have managed to weave magic into every fiber of their history. These myths and legends live on today and add to the enchantment of the Emerald Isle.

The bard was once an important part of medieval society. There were even bardic schools and the learned and well trained poets, minstrels and storytellers were made officials of the court of the king. Others would entertain the masses, traveling about, sharing fairytales, dramatic prose, woeful tragedies, and hilarious comedies.

Today, the tradition of the bard lives on and is celebrated at events like the Bard of Armagh Festival of Humorous Verse. Every year hopefuls submit their original pieces with the dream of becoming a finalist with the chance to earn the title of Bard of Armagh. This year’s contenders will gather at the Armagh City Hotel in Northern Ireland on the 18^th of November to share their songs, stories and poems.

What started off as a small group of locals spinning tales has turned into a popular, must-see, three day event that draws visitors from all over the world.  More than a thousand people attend the festival annually, rooting for their favorite contender. The festival promises a good belly-laugh or two, and uncontrollable fits of the giggles. You may even be so inspired by the laughter and the beauty of Northern Ireland that you leave with a story of your own, and that’s better than any souvenir.

Kemwel offers cheap car rentals in Northern Ireland, so you won’t have to miss out on the fun!

So said Mark Twain…

Whiskey is one of those spirits that you either really love, or really don’t. Those who hate it may be able to stomach it in a cocktail, and those who love it have no reservations about taking it straight. Real whiskey connoisseurs are passionate and maybe even a little picky about what comes in contact with their lips. If you are one of those people, you may want to make the trek to Cape Town for the eighth annual Whisky Live Festival.

The Whiskey Live Festival features more brands and draws a bigger crowd than any other whiskey festival on the planet. It can be a little overwhelming, but don’t worry because there’s an app for that. That’s right, you can access information about what is going on where via your iPhone as it’s happening. The app even categorizes available whiskey by flavor and makes recommendations based on the time of day and your tastes.

If you’re not quite sure what your tastes are, the Tasting Hall would be a good place to start. There are over one-hundred and eighty different types of whiskey to sample within, and if you prefer the mixed-drink, you can take a course on the art of cocktail making.

If you are getting serious, you will want to stop by the Aroma Zone where you will learn to identify the individual perfumes and flavors of each whiskey. You will even learn to identify which woods were used in the distilling process based on color alone, and if you want to take it one step further, you can learn how to distill your own special blend.

The festival begins in November 2 and wraps up on the 4th. If you can’t make it to Cape Town in time, you will get another chance as the festival moved to Johannesburg on the 9th until the 11th.

Kemwel offers cheap car rentals in Cape Town and cheap car rentals in Johannesburg, so you can attend either or both festivals!

2011 is swiftly coming to an end, and a lot of us are already busy making arrangements for the holidays. While the holidays are fun and joyful, they can tend to be a bit hectic, and sometimes you just need a vacation when they’re over. Why not plan a New Year’s get away? If you are looking for somewhere exotic and unique, Eilat, Israel in January may be serving up just what you need.

This coming January will mark the eighth year of the Eilat International Belly Dance Festival. The festival features instructors from not only Israel, but Morocco, Turkey, and even Venezuela. They will be offering classes for beginners as well as professionals, and you will have the chance to enter a number of competitions.

Not a dancer? Not a problem! Relax in the Bedouin tent, take a dip in the heated pool, pamper yourself at the spa, learn some yoga in the quiet room, attend a lecture on Middle Eastern folklore, or join a drum circle. There will be a wide variety of live music and performances, including classical Indian dance. You will want to spend some time browsing the Oriental bazaar where you can pick up some one-of-a-kind souvenirs.

The Festival kicks off on January 18^th, 2012 and continues until the 21^st. Four days of lively entertainment, beautiful music, crazy parties, and soothing spa treatments in a gorgeous port town is the perfect way to ring in the New Year!

Kemwel offers cheap car rentals in Eilat, so start planning your trip today!