It’s that time of the year again; time to say good bye Summer, hello Fall! The season opens a world of colors everywhere around Europe. This is also the time to attend popular harvest festivals, each specific to every destination. Mamaison Hotels & Residences lures travelers to Ostrava, Prague, Moscow, Warsaw, Budapest and Bratislave with its annual Colours of Autumn special package. Travelers who book a stay at any Mamaison hotel from now to December 1st, 2014, can save 15% off the best available rate.
The 15% discount applies for 2 or more nights, and is only valid for the travel window September 9, 2014 to December 1, 2014. For travelers who plan trips to the aforementioned destinations this Fall, here are some interesting events to mark in their calendars.
Budapest
The Budapest International Wine Festival begins September 10. It features a wine exhibition and fair on the terraces of the Buda Castle; and a Harvest Parade on Castle Hill on September 14, which ends the event in style. The route of the parade is Szentháromság tér – Táncsics Mihály utca – Bécsi Kapu tér – Kapisztrán tér – Országház utca – Tárnok utca – Dísz tér – Szent György utca – Koldus kapu – Hunyadi udvar – Festival Stage.
The Chocolate and Candy Festival of Budapest, Édes Napok Budapest 2014, takes place between September 19 and 21. Sweet Days gathers together numerous chocolate artisans, producers and traders from Hungary and abroad.
Don’t miss the Budapest Design Week (Sep 27, 2014 – Oct 6, 2014) at the Design Terminál, this year at its tenth edition. Three days of the Café Budapest Contemporary Arts Festival (Oct 3, 2014 – Oct 19, 2014) overlap with this popular event, so you may want to plan your trip to catch a glimpse of both. Café Budapest is the new name given to what was known for the past 20 years as the Budapest Autumn Festival.
Other important festival in the same period include Budapest Pálinka and Sausage Festival (Oct 3, 2014 – Oct 6, 2014, on Castle Hill) and Oktoberfest Budapest (Oct 11, 2014 – Oct 13, 2014, at Kopaszi-gát).
Prague
The Prague Coffee Festival is a unique opportunity to learn all about coffee with professional baristas and coffee enthusiasts. The festival will be held on 15th and 16th of November in Holešovická tržnice, hall no. 40.
Dvořákova Praha – Dvořák Prague International Festival of Classical Music – begins September 8, and lasts till September 22, 2014. It is a parade of outstanding performers, conductors, internationally recognized orchestras, and chamber ensembles that come to Prague to present Dvořák’s music and other works.
If you want cuisine, the Festival of Mediterranean Tastes and Smells (Sep 11 – Sep 14, 2014) is a must. It takes place on the Kampě square, at the foot of Charles bridge, and offers the best of Mediterranean cuisine in one place, plus live music daily.
Moscow
The International advertising festival Red Apple 2014 is one of the most interesting Moscow events this Fall. It will take place in mid September, on 18 and 19. The festival showvases the up-and-coming advertising industry currently operating in Russia.
The Fourth International Cossack Village-Moscow Festival takes place September 13, on 24 Luzhniki St: it is a great occasion for tourists to have a taste of the Cossack field kitchen, listen to Cossack songs, and participate in traditional Cossack merrymaking. The same day, you may also want to attend the Kazarla Cavalry Sword Rattling Championship at the Luzhniki Sports Complex. The festival will bring together over 3,000 Cossacks from different Russian regions (including delegations from 11 military Cossack communities of Russia), Belarus, Serbia, Montenegro, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Bratislava
In Bratislava, the International Film Festival takes place in November (7-15). It is a platform where new local and international filmmakers show their work, and an interesting cultural event. If you enjoy watching something other than Hollywood blockbusters, this is a must.
The rococo Apponyi Palace houses the Museum of Viticulture, part of Bratislava City Museum. This is a good starting point if you want to learn more about the local wine-making tradition. Grab a programme with the harvest festivals in the countryside while you are there.
Don’t miss the Bratislava Jazz Days at INCHEBA Bratislava. This year, the festival takes place late October (23-26).