Top event breaks

Venice Carnival, Italy

Everything about Venice, from the unforgettable Grand Canal lined with palazzos, to the golden masked balls and the decadent Italian food and culture, is ridiculously beautiful. Think barges and gondoliers, opulent festivities, crumbling palaces, cobbled streets, a maize of canals, lavish Venetian style buildings and the gold mosaics of St Mark's Square and Cathedral.

And there's no better time to visit than at Carnival when the whole city is alive and buzzing with music, costumes and events. Both children and adults join in the festivities come carnival time, with lots of face painting, street theatre and confetti throwing. The overall effect is somewhat surreal as you wind your way through the ancient streets filled with people dressed in highly ornate costumes.

There is a wide variety of traditional masked balls to choose from that cater for every budget. Another great way to soak up the atmosphere is to visit the famous cafe Florian on Saint Marco's Square. Many people congregate here during Carnival to sit in costumes and take tea within the beautiful, historic surroundings.

Bog Snorkelling in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales In the timely tradition of eccentric British events, Llanwrtyd Wells in Mid Wales, the UK's smallest town, hosts the annual World Bog Snorkelling championship every August.

In the dense Waen Rhydd Peat bog on the southern outskirts of the Powys town, you'll find the home of the internationally acclaimed, dirtiest and most exhilarating sport ever. The Bog Snorkelling event originated out of some idle banter at the Neuadd Arms Hotel in Llanwrtyd Wells about what to do with the garden, which seemed to be nothing but bog. So it was decided to dig a 60 yard trench and get people snorkelling down it.

To qualify for the World Bog Snorkelling Championships you simply need to turn up, be over 14 and have access to a mask and snorkel. You'll also need top quality bog-off skills to beat current World Champion, Leeds' Haydn Pitchford. The event is open to anyone who wants to have a go, and involves swimming two lengths of the trench using only doggy paddle.

The current world record was set in 2004 by Philip John of Bridgend in an impressive time of 1 min 38.65 seconds. Entry fee is £12 per person. Last year's event was a huge success, with over a hundred participants and several hundred more spectators. Entries included snorkellers from as far afield as Russia, Australia and New Zealand.

Christmas Markets in Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is one of the most popular Christmas market destinations for UK holidaymakers, possibly thanks to the special charm of this beautifully traditional cobbled city. The main markets are at the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, with smaller ones at Namesti Republiky & Havelske Trziste.

Expect rows of brightly decorated wooden huts selling Czech handicrafts from local artists. Start at Charles Bridge, which connects the two historic sides of the Vltava River bank, lined with beautiful statues and craftsmen selling jewellery, paintings and more.

The old town is a cramped maze of cobbled streets, delicious pavement cafes and massive, beautiful buildings. The spectacular Old Town Square is surrounded by massive brightly coloured Baroque buildings, cafes and performers. You can also find the Old Town Hall with the massive Astronomical Clock around the corner, its moving characters and complex golden points indicating Babylonian and Bohemian time as well as the standard version.

Don't miss your chance to see the fascinating old Jewish ghetto close by, where you can find the Franz Kafka museum - the famous writer spent most of his life in the area.

Out on the town you can buy local beers (including Pilsner Urquell and Budweiser!) for less than a pound and fabulous cocktails for not much more in the trendy nightspots in fashionable areas, and for much less than that if you venture into the more seedy stag night haunts on the outskirts.

St Patrick's Day, Ireland

Where better to celebrate St Patrick's Day than the Emerald Isle? Be a part of the festivities and see Ireland truly come alive with an explosion of fun and entertainment that rivals any carnival street party with lavish parades, street theatre and music galore.

St Patrick's Day in Dublin has a phenomenal five days and five nights of celebrations to contend with, starting from 13th March until the actual day on 17th March. From the opening night celebrations to the parade on the last day, there is certainly a lot to keep punters amused in between. On Monday 17th March dust off your dancing shoes for the Ceili Mor - a great opportunity to dance along to the sounds of the Kilfenora Ceili Band.

Or try your luck in the wild west of Galway - this seaside city will this year be hosting its 105th St Patrick's Day Parade. Featuring performers from all over the world, the carnival atmosphere always draws strong crowds.

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