While Día de los Muertos is known for its vibrant parades and painted faces, the Hanal Pixán offers a deeper, older connection to the dead. Dating 1,500 years earlier, Hanal Pixán is a spiritual duty that can last weeks or months.

Merida, Cementerio General, Mexico 

Mexico's Hanal Pixán is Not the Day of the Dead

Catalonia’s “gegants” parade through streets during festivals, representing historical, mythical, local figures. Rooted in religious processions, they’ve evolved over centuries, adapting to social, political and artistic changes.

Catalonia’s Giants 

Goliath at the Party: A history of Catalonia’s Giants 

Nicholas Burman travels to Spain’s oldest surviving flamenco festival in search of the roots of an art born in the fairs, bars, weddings, and homes of Andalusians. 

Flamenco

Journey to Utrera, the Cradle of Flamenco

Often associated with ancient folk traditions, Catalonia’s castells have gained mass popularity in recent decades.

The Castellers de Vilafranca

Standing Tall: Catalonia’s Human Towers Between Community Spirit and Invented Traditions

Writer Sally Kirby has spent the last six years living in close contact with the Amazigh people of Morocco. Join her on a tour of the Amazigh’s rich heritage and its contemporary expressions in modern-day Morocco.

Unidentified Berber people in wedding ceremony with their traditional dress

Beyond the Atlas: A Journey to the Heart of Amazigh Traditions 

Why do Catania and Palermo quarrel over the name of Sicily’s best-known street food? Local writer Sara Mostaccio traces the history of the clash over the gender of a rice ball.

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Arancino or Arancina? Sicily’s Battle over the Gender of its Rice Ball

Explore Spain's vibrant culture through its festivals. Discover the best fiestas to include in your Spain itinerary with Fernwayer's comprehensive guide to Spanish festivals.

horses and riders at the Spanish fiesta

Fiesta! Spain’s Biggest Festivals: Semana Santa to Carnaval

Spain's artisans are reviving ancient traditions: Meet the old masters and young crafters that are shaping the future of handmade goods, from leather boots to wicker baskets.

Leather

Diving into the Handmade in Spain

A first-person account of Seville's Semana Santa, where faith and culture blend in spectacular processions of religious floats and the rich tapestry of local traditions.

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Living the Passion of Seville's Semana Santa

Portugal has a profound affinity with the Atlantic Ocean, a nation rich with maritime history and cultural depth. Discover its deep-seated connection to the sea, from its historical explorations to the vibrant local culture that offers fresh seafood.

Featured Journeys (12)