The self-proclaimed greatest party on earth has justed ended. The Brazilian city Rio de Janeiro has celebrated its annual carnival. This sunny carnival was arranged 5 - 8 February. Each year, usually in February though sometimes early in March, Rio erupts in an ecstatic fiesta of pulsating samba music, and exotic and erotic dancers, with colourful and radiant costumes. Some of them almost naked. These people really now how to party...

Birger Sivertsen from Norway has read through over 20,000 letters from children. Many children, who write letters to Santa Claus, think that he drives his reindeers in a drunken condition. But how can he control his sledge then if he gets too many drinks?

In most countries there is a tradition to set out a drink to attract Santa, but what do they in Norway?

Santa Claus or Nissen as they call him in Norway is on his way to deliver his Christmas presents. He is the real Santa Claus and travels everywhere.

The Finnish people claim that he lives on the top of the Korvatunturi Mountain in Lapland in northern Finland, but is this true?

Nissen as we call him in Norway is on his way to deliver his Christmas presents. He is the real Santa Claus and travels everywhere. Everybody look forward meeting him again. Santa gives presents to everybody - good, bad and ugly. It's impossible to imagine a Christmas without Santa Claus even though we are celebrating for other reasons. But what say the Finnish people about Santa?

So far I haven't succeed convincing Finnish people about that Santa Claus is Norwegian. They still claim that he lives on the top of the Korvatunturi Mountain in Lapland in northern Finland, not so far from Rovaniemi. The Finnish have made Santa Claus a big tourist attraction for people all over the world. Anyway if not Santa Claus drink too much Norwegian Akevitt (Aquavit) or Finnish Koskenkorva and Finlandia Vodka (Finland), he will show up on Christmas Eve both in Norway and Finland this time too.

Thirty-four hill tribe people whose parents escaped from the Khmer Rouge regime`s genocide decades ago, have now come out from the Cambodian jungle and become reunited with their relatives.

Their relatives thought they were dead, so it was a really big surprise to see them after hiding 25 years in the jungle.

The highlight of the carnival show is the competition between the samba schools. Foreigners can also parade with the schools if they pay for costumes and learn the theme songs and dances in the weeks before the big party. The coming carnival in Rio will be arranged 5 - 8 February 2005.

Around 1000 participated in this week festival in India in a religious ceremony. People smashed coconuts with their heads. This unusual ritual must have been driven them nuts, and caused headache for a long time, or even worse: a crack in the scull. What about some coconut milk to calm down?

I could not think of a better place in the world for travel explorations and unique adventures than in Iran. But first and foremost I will remember the hospitality of the people.

Many diverse events and festivals take place around in Ireland over the year. The capital Dublin is no exception. This city is now a days one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations, and one reason for that is the many festivals.

The World's biggest annual celebration of Beatles music, with 6 days of live music presented by bands from 20 countries. The festival features celebrities, a memorabilia auction, a one-day convention, specialist tours, films and a flea market. Who could forget the story of the world's greatest band, the Beatles? Be prepared for the big event in august!

On 15 April 1989, over 25,000 Liverpool supporters travelled down to Hillsborough in Sheffield (England) for the FA Cup semi-final. 96 fans never returned. See the strong emotional video clip that reminds the supporters who died. This was a day that no Liverpool fan will ever forget!

Those where the days! Football filled with extreme passion! Players with guts. Supporting audience with a power that never has seen before. I was there on Saturday 30th April 1994 to say goodbye to the world`s most famous section of stadium. I can remember it as it was yesterday. It was the final game for the Kop, the famous and fearful non-seated part of Liverpool's holy stadium Anfield Road. It will be gone forever. Liverpool F.C. in England lost its heart and soul, and would never be the same.

Then you should go to the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. This celebration of Scotland`s national product has become an established fixture on Scotland's tourism calendar. Now you have the chance to lift yourselv up to great heights by participating from 30th April to the 3rd of May 2004. What a social happening where you really can join hands!

Is this the greatest show in the world? One thing is sure: this year carnival has been the best ever, say experts! 80 000 tourists have visited Rio de Janerio in Brazil during the great arrangement (21 - 24 February 2004). For most of them it has been a experience of lifetime, but for others it has been a terrible encounter with violence and criminal acitivities.

At the moment there are big symbolic weddings arranged in Katmandu, Nepal. At the age from 7 or 8 years all Newar girls becomes in the "Yihee - Ceremony" symbolically with God Narayan (Inkarnation Vishnus) marries.