Happy Thursday!

I just wrapped up an amazing trip to Munich for Oktoberfest, and it was such an incredible experience.

From the traditional music to the food, and of course the beer tents, it was such a dream and I'm so glad I got to experience this part of Germany's culture.

It made me think about how festivals are one of the best ways to experience a destination—you get to see traditions, food, music, and community all come together.

Here are some of the biggest festivals around the world that are worth planning a trip around:

• Holi (India, March) – The festival of colors marks the arrival of spring. You’ll experience huge celebrations where people gather to throw colored powders, dance, and enjoy sweets.
• Día de los Muertos (Mexico, Nov 1–2) – Families honor loved ones who have passed with vibrant altars, parades, and gatherings. Cities like Oaxaca and Mexico City are some of the best places to experience it.
• Christmas Markets (Europe, late Nov–Dec) – Town squares transform into festive markets with lights, local crafts, mulled wine, and food. Germany, Austria, and France have some of the most famous ones.
• Carnival (Brazil, February) – Rio de Janeiro is home to one of the world’s biggest parties, with parades, costumes, and samba music.
• Songkran (Thailand, April) – The Thai New Year festival is celebrated with massive water fights in the streets, especially in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
• Oktoberfest (Germany, late Sept–early Oct) – The world’s largest beer festival in Munich, with traditional music, food, and plenty of beer tents.
• La Tomatina (Spain, August) – A massive tomato fight in Buñol, Spain, where locals and travelers throw overripe tomatoes in the streets.
• Cherry Blossom Festivals (Japan, March–April) – Celebrate the arrival of spring while enjoying hanami (flower-viewing) picnics under blooming sakura trees. (There's also a great festival in Washington DC!)
• Mardi Gras (USA, New Orleans, Feb–March) – Parades, costumes, beads, and jazz fill the streets for this iconic celebration in New Orleans.
• Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Scotland, August) – The world’s largest arts festival, with performances in comedy, theater, music, and more throughout the city.
• Diwali (India, Oct–Nov) – The festival of lights, celebrated with fireworks, lamps, sweets, and family gatherings.
• Running of the Bulls (Spain, July) – Held in Pamplona, this festival features traditional bull runs and lively local celebrations.

Festivals like these give you a deeper look at local traditions and are a great reason to plan your travels around certain dates.

Would you plan a trip around a festival? Let me know!

As always, you can follow along with my current travels on Instagram and Facebook, or reply to this email if you want to chat!

Have a great weekend :)

Sarah

📸 Just a quick reminder—Flytographer’s Double Discount Month ends September 30!

That means you still have time to get $50 off your first photo shoot when you book through my link: https://flytog.co/EXPONENTIALTRAV.

Flytographer connects you with local photographers in cities around the world, so you can come home with professional photos from your trip instead of only selfies. You can also grab a gift card now to lock in the savings for a future trip.

Don’t miss out—the deal ends soon!

Some links in this email are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you click the link or make a purchase through the link. This is at no extra cost to you.

Travel Giveaways

UK: EFL is giving away a trip to Thailand to celebrate the Carabao Cup. Enter to win by September 28, 2025.

​Cook Unity is giving away a trip to Greece with chefs Car Cora and John DeLucie. Play Greek culinary trivia to enter to win by September 29, 2025

​Sandals is giving away a 3 night stay for two at the Sandals or Beaches resort of your choice (airfare not included). Enter to win by September 30, 2025.

​Pink Shell Beach Resort is giving away a 3-night stay in a premium beachfront suite. Enter to win by September 30, 2025.

​Simon Mustoe is giving away a trip to South Africa for the ultimate cheetah experience. Enter to win by September 30, 2025.

​ACME House Company is giving away a 3-night stay in Palm Springs, CA. Enter to win by September 30, 2025.

​Upgraded Points is giving away a trip for four to Disney World. Enter to win by September 30, 2025.

UK: Riviera Travel is giving away an eight-day European river cruise. Enter to win by September 30, 2025.

Reminder: Grand Colorado is giving away a stay at the luxurious resort in Breckenridge, CO, with 12 monthly winners! Enter to win by November 30, 2025.

YouTube

My latest YouTube video is up! It's about my first few days in Iceland :)

Make sure you subscribe to my channel!

Check it out here:

​

Social Media Sneak Peek

I'm wrapping up my Iceland and Oktoberfest stories on Instagram!

Travel News

Ever been left behind by a cruise ship? Yes, that can actually happen - read more from Travel + Leisure.

Travel Resources

Travel Insurance: SafetyWing is my go-to for travel insurance because it covers so much, is easy to purchase for days or months, and is affordable. Many credit cards also include travel insurance. Personally, I get SafetyWing on top of my credit card insurance. Learn more about SafetyWing and the benefits of using them in my blog post about travel insurance.

Flytographer: Flytographer is my go-to for vacation photos. You can book a local photographer in cities around the world for quick, professional shoots that capture your trip without the stress of taking your own photos. Plus, you can save $50 on your first shoot with this link! Learn more and see examples in my blog post about Flytographer.