WHEN TO GO - January

Twenty-two days of offerings paint the month of January with a sense of religious stoicism in Bagan. Monks wait in long lines as their alm bowls are filled with crops. Bullock cart-bearing pilgrims travel to the festival to peddle their goods, while market stalls and restaurants offer up delicious cuisine on the fairgrounds.

Occupying the North West corner of Myanmar, the Naga is a small culture living in the hilly country. A traditional Naga New Year Festival is a rare cultural treat, where gifts are exchanged, and traditional music and dance are performed for local and international entertainment. The daylong festival promotes friendship and amity.

Duruthu Perahera is an important day for Sri Lankan Buddhism, as it is said that this was when the Buddha made a visit to the island country. Head to Colombo for the best taste of celebrations, where you’ll find locals performing rituals at Buddhist temples alongside lively parades in the streets creating a carnival atmosphere.

Starting in January and concluding on the last Saturday of March, the Dubai World Cup Carnival provides a great spectacle for avid punters and horse racing enthusiasts. The international racing event is in its 12th year and the bill typically features a total of 32 races with both Thoroughbred and Purebred Arabian horses.