4 amazing events that happen rarely

Travel should be about once-in-a-lifetime experiences, whether it’s being invited for an authentic meal with locals, or forking out for a helicopter ride over Niagara Falls.

The thing is, lots of the world’s biggest cultural events only happen once in a blue moon and so to make sure you don’t miss out, here are the world’s four most amazing events that happen rarely.

Venice Art Biennale, Italy

The world’s oldest and biggest art fair, the Venice Art Biennale, is a biannual celebration of contemporary visual art. And 2019 is an on-year, with visitors coming to Venice from all over the globe from May until November. The fair is a feast of creative talent and though it tends to attract a well-heeled clientele, it’s also supposed to be accessible to anyone, from the artistic through to those who haven’t picked up a paintbrush since school. Look forward to compelling performance pieces, images, and experiences on a grand scale. Stay on the elegant Yacht Bert Venezia and have breakfast with views of the Venice Lagoon and Lido, before walking five minutes to the Biennale Gardens, where the exhibition is held. Or, in case you’re prone to seasickness, the B&B La Rosa dei Venti is a captivatingly pretty alternative.

Kumbh Mela, India

A mass Hindu pilgrimage of faith, Kumbh Mela in India is believed to be the largest religious gathering on Earth. 120 million people were estimated to have visited the 2013 event, including over 30 million people on a single, particularly auspicious, day. The Kumbh Mela is celebrated four times over the course of twelve years, rotating the holy site between four sacred spots – Haridwar on the Ganges, Ujjain on the Shipra, Nashik on the Godavari, and Allahabad at the confluence of three mythical rivers. Even if you’re not spiritual, the sight of the ash-smeared sadhus (holy men) slowly sinking into the water is powerful to witness. Combined with the golden glow of the sun reflecting on the water, the dusty, sultry heat, the 24-7 chanting, and the colourful patchwork of millions of pilgrims, it’s an unforgettable experience. Stay at Patnimal Guesthouse in Haridwar, where the 2022 Kumbh Mela will be held.

Floriade, The Netherlands

Once every ten years, the Dutch garden festival, Floriade, sees millions of bulbs, plants, and trees planted in the Netherlands, with other countries invited to showcase their own horticultural treasures. The next event will be in 2022, in Almere, with pavilions and infrastructure installed to host this ‘World Horticultural Expo’. Essentially, it is a trade show, so it’s not a typical tourist attraction – but that’s all the more reason to go if you want to see something unusual. The educational aspect is a highlight, with interactive and interesting exhibits dedicated to environmental sustainability, explanations of botany, and how to go various herbs, fruit, and veg. Stroll through the flower-filled gardens, tropical greenhouses, and decorative ponds and look out for the art installations and creative performances as you go. And Lodgerie Het Groene Geheim offers bright and roomy apartments on the outskirts of Almere, with the added bonus of a communal, immaculate landscaped garden.

Skulptur Projekte Münster, Germany

For the 2017 edition of the once-in-a-decade sculpture exhibition, Skulptur Projekte Münster, visitors had the chance to walk on water. For the event, Turkish artist, Ayşe Erkmen, built an underwater bridge (On Water) across Münster’s harbour, creating the illusion that those crossing it were walking on water. The experience was intended to turn the simple action of walking into a celebratory experience. The exhibition is a standout event in the field of sculpture, deliberately held every ten years to allow for thoughtful, long-term public art and performance projects. Boardinghouse Münster offers centrally-located apartments with their own kitchens and terraces. Though the next event doesn’t take place until 2027.