Photo courtesy of Morgan Flickr Page - Picture 067
Creative Commons License - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/
I wrote this article for Take Off/Set Sail, and so offer the link to the article on the site below. There are plenty of other interesting articles from talented writers there, so I definitely recommend checking it out. Please take a look!
Beating the Cold Weather Blues With Warm Winter Memories by Charles Bordeau, March 30, 2015
Beating the Cold Weather Blues With Warm Winter Memories
This winter was a long and cold
one for much of the northeastern United States. There were brutally cold temperatures and no
shortage of snow, particularly if you lived in places like Boston or
Buffalo. Now that it is late March, and
winter is at least officially over with, we can hear many grumblings about it
still being so unseasonable cold, and many are wondering when the weather will
actually warm up. Most people seem to
just want winter to end.
You might think that this is true
for all cold weather areas, and particularly those regions that see some of the
most extreme winter weather. However, that is not necessarily the case. Many
cities have famous winter carnivals, which include enormous ice sculptures –
even some ice castles – as well as rides, food, and music. This can help to
make a rough winter not only bearable, but downright fun!
Of course, we all know of some
fun winter activities that can be had. There is skiing, ice-skating, hockey,
and other winter sports. You can build snowmen and make snow angels with
children in your life. And, of course, there is the obligatory snowball fights!
Yet, some communities pull
together to make sure that winter is fun, and can draw tourists. In Sakkoro,
Japan, there is a major winter carnival each year that attracts up to two
million people! This snow carnival has a lot to offer, but it is far and away
most famous for the enormous snow and ice sculptures on display. This year, perhaps the most
famous sculpture from this particular carnival has a Star Wars theme, with a
huge Darth Vader, among others, looking down upon the gathered admirers.
Japan is not the only place where
you can enjoy winter carnivals, however! There are numerous winter carnivals all across
both Europe and North America. In Europe, the most famous winter carnival is in
Venice, although there are some other major winter carnivals elsewhere,
including in Scheveningen, where tens of thousands go to test the frigid waters
of the North Sea every winter. In
another part of the Netherlands, Zwolle is famous for elaborate ice sculptures
on display for all to see. If you like
to drink, try the XtraCold IceBar in Amsterdam, a bar made entirely of ice!
In southern France along the
Mediterranean coast, where the weather is warmer, there is the annual Fête du
Citron in Menton, which draws hundreds of thousands each year. There may not be
ice sculptures in such a warm place, but you will find sculptures and parade
floats made entirely of citrus fruit! On the other side of the Mediterranean,
in Greece, is the largest winter carnival in all of Europe – the Patras
Carnival. It dates back more than a century and a half, and it offers tons of
activities for both kids and adults. This carnival grows more active the closer
it gets to Lent.
On the North American continent,
on both sides of the border. Some of the biggest can be found at Anchorage, St.
Paul, Saranac, New York, and Ottawa. In Ottawa, the Rideau Canal is converted
to the largest ice rink in the world, and there are also many ice sculptures to
admire in Canada’s capital city, as well. The biggest winter carnival takes
place each year in Québec City. It is famous around the world, with a tradition
dating back to the nineteenth century, and offering not just huge ice
sculptures, but rides, food, fireworks, arctic spas, dog sled races, and
parades, among numerous other activities. You can even stay in an ice hotel for
your visit, and it remains open well after the winter carnival ends.
By Charles Bordeau for Take
Off/Set Sail
Photo courtesy of redlegsfan21 Flickr Page – Snow Star Wars
Creative Commons License - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/
Photo courtesy of Morgan Flickr Page - Picture 095
Photo courtesy of Morgan Flickr Page - Picture 094
Creative Commons License - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/
Sources:
Winter Carnivals, From the January/February 2012 issue of
National Geographic Traveler magazine
8 Exciting Winter Festivals published by Lissa Poirot of
Family Vacation Critic, 2015:
Europe's Coolest Winter Festivals by Cecilia Rodriguez,
December 8, 2013:
Site for Québec City’s Ice Hotel:
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