Festival Vibe - Where To Celebrate Your Love In May

Image via Afro Tourism

Festivals across the world give honeymooners the incredible opportunity to experience something new in a sea of unfamiliar culture and tradition. At every turn there is a new adventure that adds to the heart-warming atmosphere that settles over the cities and towns that hosts them.

As these locations are transformed under the lights of the celebration, embrace the history and enjoy the pleasure of the company of your partner during a time when love and commitment are made more magical.

Image by Dominic Alves via Spanish Fiestas

Rose Festival
The Dades Valley in Morocco has affectionately been dubbed the Valley of the Roses after the gorgeous sea of pink Persian roses. Here the fragrant rose oils and rose water are manufactured and sent across the country, but it’s nothing quite like standing among the subtle aromas swirling in the air and admiring the colours against a Moroccan backdrop.

To celebrate the economic success of the Valley, the Dades Valley puts on the annual Rose Festival and invites visitors from everywhere to enjoy the blooms. There’s almost nowhere prettier to celebrate a new marriage.

Image via moroccopedia

The festival takes place both in the Valley of the Roses, and in the nearby town of El Kelaa M’Gouna. To stay close by and for the best opportunity to experience everything this festival has to offer, consider staying in the Kasbah Aitmoussa. The castle-inspired hotel offers their own tours in addition to the luxury and comfort you find within – not to mention the pool and the gorgeous panoramic views! For something a little different, but just as beautiful, have a look at the nearby Kasbah Agoulzi.

Image via Kasbah Aitmoussa

Just as the Valley becomes the home for the celebration, so too do the streets of Morocco’s El Kelaa M’Gouna as stalls are set up selling everything from jewellery to local foods. The festival celebrates the annual harvest with extravagant displays of Berber singing, dancing, sword-fighting and a coronation of the Rose Queen who will reign over the harvest of the fragrance. It’s an incredible festival made that is made that much more amazing by the pure beauty of the flowers – the perfect opportunity to celebrate love!

Image via moroccopedia

White Nights Festival
St Petersburg’s world-acclaimed White Nights Festival brings together poetic and literary beauty with the romantic atmosphere of spending the day with your significant other exploring the city’s charming rivers and canals.

The ‘Stars of the White Nights’ features over 190 performers at the world-famous Mariinsky Ballet and Opera Theatre and takes place around St Peterburg’s brightest period – a phenomenon exclusive to the northern city that sees the sun dipping low enough in the sky to create a beautiful lighting effect, but not becoming completely dark. It’s as extraordinary as it is beautiful.

Image via Mariinsky Theatre

With so many wonderful accommodation options in the centre of St Petersburg you won’t have any trouble staying close to the best of the festival. The always gorgeous Alexander House is a series of charming suites, amazing dining options and breathtaking views. Also located in the heart of the city is the high-end, luxurious Hotel Akyan. With its endless comfort and style, you won’t want to leave!

Image via Akyan Hotel

Although there are the incredibly beautiful performances by St Petersburg’s best ballet dancers to keep you busy during your honeymoon, make sure to also soak up the music in the city centre under the bright, white air that takes over the city. Wander the city hand in hand and experience everything Russia’s gorgeous city has to offer, with the added benefit of an atmosphere that comes around once a year.

Image via Saint-Petersburg.com

Jerez Horse Fair
Spain’s beautiful city of Andalucía is always a vibrant and exciting location for honeymooners seeking history and culture but throw in a festival like the Jerez Horse Fair and suddenly you have a much livelier experience!

The horse fair, known locally as the Feria del Caballo, takes place at the Gonzalo Hontoria Fairgrounds and showcases everything from dressage, riding competitions, polo and carriage driving. On top of that are bullfights, flamenco displays and over 200 stalls offering everything from Spanish cuisine to sherry. The fair also takes over the streets as revellers watch vibrant parades and celebrate well into the night.

Image by Dominic Alves via Spanish Fiestas

Andalucía is a lovely collection of historic buildings created by centuries of love and care, all of which have been modernised to suit the new generation of visitors. When you stay in Andalucía, do so in something as incredible as the Hotel Palacio De Santa Paula or the charming La Alumnia del Valle. Both of these hotels are as charming as they are luxurious and offer their own slice of heaven in the middle of Spain.

Image via La Alumnia del Valle

The horse fair is a celebration that brings together everything that is so special about Andalucía. While you’re celebrating your new marriage, take in the sights of the beautiful town, watch the Spanish-style carriages parade through the cobblestone streets and indulge in local food and wine!

This festival has been part of the town’s history since 1264 so the culture and tradition involved is beyond incredible. If you’re looking to celebrate in Spain, make sure you do it during the first week of May so you can experience the atmosphere that has been a part of the town for centuries.

Image via andalucia.com

Festivals in May offer honeymooners everything from the beauty of a gorgeous valley covered in the various shades of Morocco’s pink roses, horse fairs that transform Spain’s beautiful city of Andalucía through to the celebration of St Petersburg’s White Nights phenomenon. It’s a month that celebrates love in so many different ways with the added bonus of an atmosphere and adventure that rivals all others.

Ms Chinoiserie Says: St Petersburg and the White Nights Festival have always fascinated me; now I know the best time to visit!!! What a beautiful honeymoon memory!!!