Air Botswana Flight Schedule - Tunes And Drummers - Festival Fever Switzerland balloons,

Cling proudly to their individual culture and traditions and continue to celebrate both historic and modern festivals, each of which has a considerable amount of autonomy, its 26 cantons, though of course Switzerland is one nation.

It's little wonder that the festival attracts thousands of visitors each year; souring over snowy high alpine mountains and valleys, and the views from a balloon basket aren't bad either. Its position within a wide sloping valley bowl creates thermal conditions which are ideal for flying; the reason for its success is partly down to the area's unique microclimate. Which attracts over 100 balloons from 15 different countries, chateau d'Oex's International Hot Air Balloon Festival is the worlds' premier hot air ballooning event. Close to its better known neighbour Gstaad, a small alpine town nestled in the Bernese Oberland, every January strange brightly coloured objects can be seen floating in the skies of Chateau d'Oex.

Iggy Pop and Lou Reed perform in recent years, and has seen the likes of Jimmy Cliff, rock and hip hop acts, the event hosts some of the biggest international pop. What began as a one day event in 1992 and attracted just 730 people is now a four day festival held in the roman Amphitheatre of Avenches. A massive music festival well worthy of a visit, try Switzerland's Rock Oz'Arenes, if you're looking for a festival that is a little more down to earth.

000 marked participants taking part, 000 to 20, with some 15, which is recognised as the most popular festival in Switzerland, those looking for a more traditional festival should take a visit to Fasnacht in Basel.

Meaning that it was no longer protected by the Roman Empire; 12 citizens were beheaded and the Empire of the time (Charles IV) put a ban on the city, but retribution was harsh. With the locals chasing the knights out of town and killing four of them in the process, the argument is said to have tuned nasty. Historians believe that the festival came about due to a row at a jousting tournament been the citizens of Basel and some knights. Largely because a huge earthquake in 1356 destroyed large parts of Basel along with many written records, the origins of Fasnacht are somewhat obscure and unsure.

A lantern exhibition and carnival floats, by day a huge procession takes place along with live music. Whilst playing their carnival music, thousands of fifers and drummers in Charivari costumes with small headlights begin to move through the dark centre of town, when the city clock rings out at 4am. Basel now celebrates this slightly bizarre part of their history with Fasnacht.

Makes for an ideal European break, in addition to its incredible natural scenery, a holiday in Switzerland [http://www.kuoni.co.uk/holiday/Europe/Switzerland-Summer/index.html] which takes in some of the country's wealth of festivals and cultural events.