Headbangers’ ball
August 4 through 6, Wacken in North Germany will resound to faster, harder, louder (as the festival motto goes) heavy metal at an open-air festival featuring the likes of Iron Maiden and Whitesnake.
Six huge pairs of hands, reaching out to each other over a waterway: The Building Bridges sculpture by Italian artist Lorenzo Quinn was erected on the old shipbuilding site Arsenale for the Venice Biennale (until Nov. 24) to symbolize the bridging of differences and boundaries.
A country stroll with dazzling fall colors? Nice! But the fall foliage in these big cities is just as spectacular.
Don’t let the name put you off: In Saint Petersburg the Summer Garden is the place to go for a fall walk, along paths lined with dainty sculptures and blazing trees.
The best place to enjoy fall color in China is the Imperial Xiangshan Park in Beijing. The maple and kaki trees glow in brilliant shades of red and yellow, interspersed with pagodas, pavilions, temples and a villa that was once home to Mao Zedong.
And where do New Yorkers go for a breath of crisp fall air? To Central Park, with its 20 000 trees. You can also catch some color in Fort Tryon Park (Manhattan), Prospect Park (Brooklyn) and Alley Pond Park (Queens).
Culture clash
From India to Bavaria and Andalusia: Traditional dress is back in style. Need some inspiration? Here’s a brief guide.
It’s a wrap
A sari can consist of up to nine meters of billowing silk. The Indian garment is sold only in one size – along with a matching swatch of fabric that is used to make an underskirt and a bodice.
The secret language of bows
Country style? Not really. Even 150 years ago, dirndls were very popular amongst the stylish set in cities. Remember the code: Ladies with a bow tied on the right are spoken for; those with a bow on the left are single.
Rent-a-flounce
Flamenco dresses, with their tight waists, bright colors and patterns, deep flounces around the skirt and sleeves, are typically worn on festive occasions. Want your own? Check the second-hand stores in Andalusia – or rent one for a day.
Fancy attending the city’s hottest street party? La Mercè festival in Barcelona (September 20-24) features up to 500 events. Highlight: the procession of fire-breathing dragons along Via Laietana.