With only 12 months in a year (which for the average employee only grants four weeks of vacation time) how can you utilize your free time to its maximum capacity and enjoy the best things life has to offer? Regardless of age, budget, or individual tastes, we have composed 10 of the ‘must attend’ events.

1. New Orleans Mardi Gras - One of the most sought after International Mardi Gras locations. New Orleans offers locals and tourists alike a week long session of street parties, colorful parades and local festivities, the perfect location to release all your inner inhibitions.

2. Carnival in Salvador, Brazil. Although many believe Rio de Janeiro is the place to soak up a true Brazilian carnival, the pulse of the party actually lies within the heart of Salvador. Tourists and Brazilians alike flock to Salvador for the official week long festivities (an unknown reality is the carnival in Salvador commences New Years Eve and is not over until April). Experience the Bahian beauty, hospitality, love and overall jest for life in an unforgettable carnival experience.

3. Chinese New Year - Beijing. China, otherwise referred to as Lunar New Year, traditionally commences on the first day of the new lunar cycle each year. The New Year celebrations in Beijing usually last around 3 days, however the weeks preceding the celebrations are also well renowned for partying.

4. Oktoberfest - One of the largest international public parties, Oktoberfest can be found celebrated in various countries throughout the world. The beer drinking festival is held over the last week in September and the first week in October. The most famous location for partaking in this fun filled holiday is in Munich, Germany.

5. New Years Eve - Sydney harbor bridge. The fireworks display held over Sydney Harbour Bridge on New Years Eve never fails to satisfy spectators. Be sure to arrive at a viewing spot early as it tends to get fairly crowded towards the late evening.

6. St Patrick’s Day in Dublin - Whether you are American, English, Australian, regardless of nationality the chances that there is a small percentage of ‘an Irishman’ running through your blood is very high. The Emerald isle is renowned internationally for its hospitality, warm heartedness, its love for the arts, oh and March the 17th, St Patrick’s Day, where young and old come together in unity to celebrate the joyousness related to being a proud Irishman. The Guinness Factory even has imprinted on their walls in Dublin that “everyone is Irish on March 17th”. Dublin holds day long celebrations generally starting with a parade through the city. However, the true Irish are known for celebrating St Patrick’s Day for more than a week long period.

7. The Henley Royal Regatta - This highly regarded regatta attracts the finest rowing enthusiasts from around the globe. Originally held in 1839 it has remained a yearly event (exemption during World War 1 and 2) and guarantees to provide a fun filled experience for participants and spectators alike.

8. The Cannes Film Festival - This international film festival held in France is known as the most important event within the world of the motion picture industry. A trip to Cannes during Film festival season allows for a spectacular tourist experience, from sunbathing to celebrity spotting. The large screens situated upon the beach even allow visitors to watch the up and coming movies being held within the festival.

9. Edinburgh International Festival - One of the largest international arts festivals in the world, the Edinburgh international festival has something to offer everyone, from classical compositions to recent rock and roll stars. The festival runs for a duration of three weeks and usually commences during the middle of August.

10. Tour de France - The most famous bike ride within the world, the Tour de France has propelled names such as Miguel Ángel Indurain Larraya (Big Mig in English) and Lance Armstrong into international stardom. The 23 day bike race takes in some of the most famous sights within France such as ‘The Champs-Élysees’ and the breathtaking Alps. The world hosts a large array of parties and events to indulge in on a continual basis.

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Valentine’s day is only 4 days away. Oddly, Neil Diamond’s classic song, “Turn On Your Heartlight” popped into my mind. Sure, it’s a bizarre choice when there are countless love songs out there to choose from…but then again, why not? Valentine’s Day is all about HEARTS! Maybe you’re a sappy romantic…maybe you’re someone who’s been obliged to recognize the holiday (due to the expectations of a certain significant other?), or perhaps you’re just one of those people who looks forward to those delicious chalky Sweetheart candies…there’s something for everyone to do on Valentine’s Day.

Here are the TOP 10 THINGS TO DO ON VALENTINE’S DAY:

Number 10

Reenact your first date - Get nostalgic with your significant other. Women love it when their men remember the details of the past. It’s like celebrating an anniversary…but more festive!

Number 9

Enjoy a romantic dinner for two at your favorite restaurant…or try something new and interesting — how about chocolate fondue at The Melting Pot? If you’re not too embarrassed about PDA, you can lick the chocolate off one another!

Number 8

Indulge your significant other with a massage, or better yet — reserve a couples massage at your local spa.

Number 7

Cuddle up and watch a romantic movie like Atonement, Juno, or P.S. I Love You.

Number 6

Share a bottle of champagne at a local wine bar — it’s the perfect time to pop open the bubbly!

Number 5

Spend time with your family and make Valentine crafts and cards or sweets with your kids!

Number 4

Reserve a hotel room and take a romantic weekend getaway!

Number 3

Get out of the house (even though it’s a weeknight) for some entertainment and treat yourselves to a night out on the town! Try a comedy show, symphony performance, or art exhibit!

Number 2

Want to satisfy that huge craving for chocolate? Visit a Chocolate Factory for a delectable tasting of all kinds of confections!

Number 1

Most importantly, just spend time with your loved one — focus entirely on one another for the entire evening and have a fun!

Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

*Flickr Photo credit: Sweetheart Candies by Thorne Enterprises

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While perusing our fine dining establishments for the coming holiday, we discovered an amusing opportunity for a road trip that takes us to the best local restaurants in towns with coincidental names. The trip was too enjoyable not to share with you Zvents’ 2008 dining road trip, a whirlwind, foodie tour of the United States through the most unusual of towns.

Start with an early morning wake up call in the aptly named Collins Mississippi suburb of Hot Coffee. The moon pies at this area “mini mall” may not be your idea of a healthy breakfast but you can’t argue that the coffee must be world renowned; after all, they’ve named the town after it. So skip the moon pies grab a cuppa joe as we head to Bacon, IN, Buttermilk, KS, and Two Egg, FL for something to fill that belly. I like my eggs scrabbled but at Mary’s Breakfast Nook just outside Bacon or around the corner from Two Egg at the Huddle House, you can get them any way you want. Pancakes and Eggs not your cup of Tea? (hang on… we’ll get to Tea) Sit tight for the annual Oatmeal Festival brought to you by Oatmeal, TX and Quaker Oats. Every September, thousands flock to Bertram, TX (yeah I know, why isn’t it in Oatmeal, TX?) where you are encouraged “bring your honey to Oatmeal”

From Two Egg, we’re off to Sandwich, MA just 20 miles south of Boston and Tortilla Flat, AZ for lunch. We suggest Bobby Byrne’s Sandwich in Sandwich or Sluggo’s Sports Bar near Tortilla Flats (you expected Mexican didn’t you?). With Tortilla Flat just east of Phoenix, you have an endless list of options for lunch so consider this ‘free time’ from our tight schedule and enjoy the warmth and sun.

Back in the car we’re driving through Tea, South Dakota on our way to Kaladis Coffee Legend and Bistro for that mid-day snack to tide you over till dinner. If you are good in the car, we’ll stop in Pie Town, NM and swing by The Adobe Cafe and Bakery for a treat.

For dinner, we’re torn between a Picnic in Florida, there is the little market just off (ahem) Picnic St. in Port Charlotte, or some Good food around Goodfood, MS; Ragtime in Grenada is a great choice.

From there we leave you to your own devices. Search Zvents and discover amazing places to eat like Cheesequake, NJ,   Sugarland, TX, or Ham Lake, Minnesota where we should remind you to wait 20 minutes before going swimming.

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What do you typically do to get into the holiday spirit? Isn’t it time for a break? Set aside the home decorations and holiday food preparation for a moment and get out and do some fun activities with the family!

One of the favorite holiday traditions is illuminating the neighborhood with lights! Sure, everyone can deck out their homes to look like Clark Griswold’s house from the famous holiday movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, but did you know that several parks also have holiday light displays with over 500,000 lights? Vasona Park has their annual “Fantasy of Lights” and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has their “Holiday Lights Extravaganza.”

Have you ever gone on a sleigh and horse drawn carriage ride? Seems like a magical experience like the episode from Sex And The City where Carrie and Alexandr Petrovsky soar through the snow in Central Park! Why not make it a reality? Although it could be a problem if you don’t live in a climate with snow, there’s always the horse drawn carriage minus the sleigh!

For those who like culture and the arts, enjoy the famed Nutcracker Ballet, watch the symphony orchestra featuring your favorite holiday classics, or go see a wintry theater arts performance.

Find time to relax and enjoy yourself this festive holiday season!

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World AIDS Day takes place every year on December 1st. It was originally established by World Health Organization in 1988, and was created to raise awareness around the globe about the AIDS epidemic caused by the spread of HIV infection.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “an estimated 38.6 million people worldwide are living with HIV and more than 25 million people having died of AIDS since 1981. The United States, like other nations around the world is deeply affected by HIV/AIDS. More than one million people in the U.S. are living with HIV and there are approximately 40,000 new cases of HIV every year.”

What can you do to help prevent the spread of HIV? Have you ever thought about getting involved in local organizations or community activities that aim to help support the cause, but didn’t know where to start?

There are several World AIDS Day events that you can attend – no matter where you are. Meet new people who share the same interest and concerns in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Here are a few ways to recognize World AIDS Day:

• For locals who’d like to respond to a global challenge, help assemble “World Vision Caregiver Kits” that will be distributed to people caring for those dying of AIDS in Africa.
• See a World AIDS Day film like: A Ripple In The Water: Healing Through Art as a way to address HIV/AIDS awareness.
• Kiehl’s World AIDS Day Shopping Benefit for YouthAIDS – Kiehl’s retail store will donate 20% of all net sales to contribute to YouthAIDS
• World AIDS Day at Boston University for a day long symposium on AIDS, arts, healing and leadership.

Find an World AIDS Day event and get involved!

Photo Credits: (Red Ribbon Candlelight Vigil - Franciscans International; Caregiver Kit - World Vision)

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