Kosmos

So you missed Carnival in Germany this year? Our expert knows of three spring festivals where you can have at least as much fun.

little havana in the usa
It’s not over on Ash Wednesday in Miami, Florida. There, Cuban-inspired “Carnaval Miami” lasts until mid-March. Highlights include “Carnaval on the Mile,” a latin jazz festival (March 5/6), and Calle Ocho, a street festival (March 13).

Persian party
Have you cleaned the house, jumped over a fire and afterwards taken a cleansing bath? Then you’re ready for Nouruz, a spring festival and Persian New Year (March 21). Preparations last two weeks, as does the celebration.

Oktoberfest olé!
Customs, costumes, party tents – Seville’s Feria ­de Abril (starting April 12) is almost exactly like Bavaria’s Oktoberfest except … you drink wine and Spanish pilsner instead of wheat beer, and you dance the traditional sevillana instead of Bavaria’s schuhplattler folk dance.

Spring taking its time? At least with these attractive items, you can beat those April showers in style!

You silly egg! You flea! You meatball! Oddly enough, these are terms of endearment in China, France and Italy. A selection of choice pet names from around the world

a belly full of love

The way to the heart is through the stomach. Here’s proof: the French call their lover their “cabbage,” the Spanish, “half an orange,” the Japanese, “egg with eyes.” Oval heads are generally considered a beauty standard in the Far East.

the heart and other organs

“My heart and liver!” is a term of endearment in China. In Ireland, they say mo chuisle, “my pulse,” whereas Tibetans call their beloved “revered poison of my heart.”

animal attraction

The Germans lead, drawing inspiration from animals to call their lover a snail, sparrow, rabbit or mouse, closely followed by the French (“My doe!”) and the Italians (“My chick! My microbe!”).

If you thought beer was a beauty product, you’ll appreciate this: Visitors to the Bjórböðin Spa in Iceland relax in wooden troughs filled with barley juice, water, hops and yeast. This unusual mixture cleanses the skin and boosts the metabolism. Beer drinkers, never fear: There’s a keg of beer conveniently placed right beside the bathtub.

bjorbodin.com