Top event breaks

2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China

It's the most important sporting event the world's seen in four years, and it's no longer just for hardcore athletics enthusiasts. Wall climbing, volleyball, bridge, golf, roller skating and surfing are all recognised by the International Olympic Committee, and with more action-packed events than ever before it's a major draw for any sport enthusiast.

Beijing is the capital city of China and is host to most of the country's most popular sights, including the Temple of Heaven Park, the Lama Temple, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, the former Chinese Imperial Palace, home to 24 emperors who reigned over the country for over 500 years. The Great Wall of China is also near the city.

Semana Santa, Spain

Spain's baroque Easter Holy week celebrations are fascinating, vibrant and surreal. It takes place in cities all over Spain, but the best well known fiestas are in Seville, Malaga, Granada and Cordoba.

Over the Easter week the cities are transformed by processions marching slowly like spiky noisy snakes through the streets, a constant parade of penitentes in robes with long pointed hoods, slipping and straining men carrying the tronos, insignia'd Spanish Legion troops, and marching bands.

The air hums with gold and silver, incense, drumming, high trumpeting and excited watchers applauding the moving altarpieces that never stop all night. It's an Andalusian celebration that is all about grandeur, where candlelight and ancient robes with pointy tips like stiff wizard caps meet neon lighting and designer shopping outlets. The crowds cluster at the roadside or books coveted places in the rows of chairs that line the streets, chatted and waving at the procession.

Over the week, about 85 tronos will wind their way through the city; a Virgin and a Christ for each of its religious fraternities. It takes about 270 men to carry each one, some of which weigh almost four tonnes.

It's a complex manoeuvre to direct and move the floats, and as they pass you can see the sweat and strain - a trip snaking around the city takes about seven hours without a rest. The most coveted positions are inside the float, where the sweat, heat and claustrophobia are reserved for devoutly religious veterans.