Travel tips

Nov 22, 2011, 3:06 GMT

Santa Claus world championships in Samnaun

Samnaun, Switzerland (dpa) - The world's top Santa Clauses meet on the same weekend this month in the Swiss ski resort of Samnaun in the search of the best Santa Claus team in the world. Up to 32 teams will be competing on November 25 and 26 in the event, which involves several disciplines such as chimney climbing, sleigh racing and present dispensing. The competition begins with a gala evening on November 25 with entertainment provided by the Lower Endagine men's choir and triple concertina world champion Denis Novato from South Tyrol. (www.engadin.com)

International Comic Festival in French city of Angouleme

Angouleme, France (dpa) - Comic fans should make their way their way to the city of Angouleme in south-western France for three days in January 2012 for the 39th International Comic Festival. The event starts on January 26 and organizers expect to attract around 6,000 professional exhibitors and up to 200,000 visitors. Famous guests include comic author Art Spiegelman. Entrance for children under the age of seven is free. (www.bdangouleme.com)

World's second-largest carnival takes place on Tenerife

Frankfurt (dpa) - Tourists don't have to travel to Brazil to enjoy carnival in summer temperatures as the world's second-largest event of its kind takes place each year on the holiday island of Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands. Tenerife can expect temperatures of around 20 degrees Celsius for the month-long party, which begins on January 26 in Santa Cruz with the presentation of the candidates looking to be crowned carnival queen. The festival moves from place to place and the motto of this year's event is 'Flower Power.' (www.webtenerife.co.uk)

World's largest gingerbread village in Arizona

Washington (dpa) - The world's largest gingerbread village opens in the lobby of the Prescott Resort in Arizona on November 19 in good time for the festive holiday season. The exhibit is made up of over 100 edible houses and can be viewed free of charge until 2012. (www.prescottresort.com)

Listen to music as the sun sets over Cape Town

Johannesburg (dpa) - Visitors to Cape Town can watch the African sunset to music by taking in one of the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts that run on Sunday evenings between December and April. The events take place in an open-air amphitheatre at the botanical gardens with music ranging from rock and jazz to big band swing. Among the acts is the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. (www.sa-venues.com/events/westerncape)

Hot air balloon festival in Tannheim

Tannheim, Germany (dpa) - The Tannheim Balloon Festival takes place January 8-22, 2012 in southern Germany when 25 teams from around the world will take to the skies daily. If the weather conditions are good, it's even possible to cross the Alps, according to the region's tourist office. Guests wanting a trip in a hot air balloon pay 22 euro (31 dollars) and registration can take place on the day or in advance by telephoning +43 676 9490250. (www.tannheimertal.com)

Alpine skiing route over five peaks

Maria Alm, Austria (dpa) - A new Austrian ski route gives tourists the opportunity to enjoy a 32-kilometre trek through the Holzkoenig region that rises to an altitude of 7,700 metres. The route is one of the longest Alpine tours on offer and takes in five peaks, including the almost 2,000m-high Schneeberg. If the trip gets too strenuous, skiers can always relax in one of the many inns along the way. (www.hochkoenig.at)

New Red Sea resort under construction in Jordan

Frankfurt (dpa) - Jordan is investing heavily in tourism with the Marsa Zayed resort project on the Red Sea coast one of the main areas of development where eight hotels with a total of 3,000 rooms are currently under construction along a two-kilometre stretch of coast. A ferry terminal, shopping area and marina are also planned as well as 30,000 private residential units encompassing villas, luxury apartments and beach houses. The final completion date remains unknown but the first phase at Marsa Zayed is due for completion in the middle of 2014.