Travel tips

Jan 17, 2012, 3:06 GMT

Jamaica celebrates with the stars

Kingston (dpa) - German reggae star Gentleman is one of the top musicians headlining a bumper jazz and blues festival in Jamaica on January 26 to mark the Caribbean island's 50 years of independence from British colonial rule. The venue is Greenfield Stadium in Trelawny, around an hour by car from Montego Bay. The line-up includes artists performing ska, rocksteady, reggae and dancehall. Both Celine Dion and Shaggy are also slated to attend. (http://jamaicajazzandblues.com).

Ethiopia marks baptism of Jesus

Addis Ababa (dpa) - Music, dancing and colourful pageantry come to Ethiopia on January 19-20 for the annual celebration of the baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan. The Timkat festival is named after the local word for 'immersion.' Tens of thousands of people are expected to turn out for the event at locations up and down the country. The biggest celebrations, to be rounded off with feasts, are expected in Addis Ababa, at the world-famous monolithic church of Lalibela and at Fasilidas' castle in Gondar, which is the main attraction in the former Ethiopian capital.

New trail reveals Polish military history

Warsaw (dpa) - A new trail in Poland is designed to take tourists on a tour of key World War I sites. The route leads through eight provinces and will be completed in 2014, in time for the 100th anniversary of the start of hostilities, Polish tourism officials said in Berlin. One of the initial route segments is already in place and takes visitors to 50 former battlefields and military cemeteries along what was once the 'Eastern Front' in southern Poland. (www.polen.travel).

Victoria turns 150 years old

Victoria, Canada (dpa) - The city of Victoria in the Canadian province of British Columbia will be 150 years old on August 2 and it is staging a major celebration to mark the occasion. Festivities focus on Centennial Square, which was created in 1963 at the beginning of a huge scheme to preserve, restore and revive downtown Victoria. Throughout the year a programme of parades, art projects and festivals will highlight the founding of the city. (www.victoria.ca/victoria150).

Shop till you drop in Bangkok

Bangkok (dpa) - Shopping fans have the choice of an eye-popping 600 new stores on nine floors at Asia's latest consumer mall in Bangkok. Dubbed Terminal 21, each floor of the shopping centre represents a different world region or capital city and has been decorated to suit. The basement is dedicated to the Caribbean, while higher up, the consumer theme is Rome, Paris, Tokyo or Istanbul. Grouped on one level alone are 44 shops selling Thai-made fashion items. (www.terminal21.co.th)

Sultry Samba comes to Bremen

Bremen, Germany (dpa) - February sees the sober north German city of Bremen in a warm and vibrant mood when the annual samba carnival gets underway. The event is scheduled for February 10-11 and the motto this time around is 'Transformations', say Bremen tourist officials. More than 100 groups and 1,400 'sambistas' with drums, costumes and masks should ensure an upbeat atmosphere. There will be live concerts and the highlight is a Saturday procession through the city of all the samba groups taking part.

Maldives revokes spa ban