WHEN TO GO - April

Japan’s cherry blossom festival takes place throughout the country in the springtime, in conjunction with the blooming of the delicate and fragrant cherry blossoms, which lasts for about two weeks. Crowds from all over the country gather amongst the flowering trees, with parties going late into the night.

The three-day Paro Tsechu is one of the most important, famous and colorful festivals in the Bhutanese calendar. The first day brings traditional masked dance performances, followed by a ceremony on day two. On the final day, monks display an embroidered painting in the temple, which visitors view to cleanse their sins.

In April, Thailand comes to a standstill for Songkran Festival, the Thai New Year. Armed with water-guns, people take to the streets for a mass water fight. Water symbolizes the end of the dry season and also its ability to cleanse the soul, though don't expect to feel too 'cleansed' after three days of this all-out water party.