Experience a country's culture by celebrating its holidays

If you think visiting a country when it is celebrating holidays is a bad idea, then think again.

For tourists, many think that public holidays usually mean shops and attractions might be closed. However, this is not always true as many cities these days go all out to celebrate festivals and holidays.

Christmas, New Year's and Easter are familiar holidays that are celebrated in many countries in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.

There is nothing more festive than walking down Fifth Avenue during Christmas and enjoying hot chocolate in New York City, or counting down the end of a year in Taipei's financial district and being dazzled by the annual fireworks show.

Over in South America, the locals have given a whole new take to celebrating the dead.

Originating in Mexico, Dia de los Muertos is a holiday celebrated throughout Latin America to honour those who have passed on.

Though it sounds like a sombre day of remembrance, this holiday is celebrated with lively dances, delicious food and fun activities which the dead used to enjoy when they were alive.

A hallmark of this festival is the colourful skeletal faces painted on the young and old. Candies and cakes are also made in shapes of skulls and skeletons.

Visiting countries when they are celebrating their holidays is a great way to immerse yourself in the culture and enhance your vacation with a local touch.

In many places, public attractions will even waive fees for museums and parks on public holidays.

wjeanne@sph.com.sg