Traveller's Diary: Splurge on Hong Kong's 'Shopping Festival' or attend London's biggest street festival 'Notting Hill Carnival'

ET-Travel offers you events in Luxury, Entertainment, Food, Sports, Music and Nightlife to experience around the world:

SHOPPING FESTIVAL

When: Till August 31 2015

Where: Hong Kong



Under the golden rays of Hong Kong's summer sun, the level of excitement is rising faster than the mercury in a thermometer. With a dizzy array of offers around town, shopping is definitely the coolest way to escape the heat. Eating will likely be a non-stop affair as award-winning dishes lure every gastronomically savvy palette. Playing takes on a whole new dimension, with spectacular events ranging from 3D light shows to themed tours. The best thing about it is, you can win the chance to come back and do it all over again! So get ready for non-stop shopping, eating and playing and be a winner at Hong Kong Summer Fun.

FLORA CAMP

When: August 8 - 9, 2015

Where: Matheran, Maharashtra


(Pics by Asif N Khan and Isaac Kehimkar)

One of the few places in the world, where vehicles are not permitted, Matheran, during the monsoons is transformed into a green getaway. A walk along the red laterite paths through thick misty forest trails is unforgettable. This is a particularly good time to look for herpetofauna. Here you could find Green Vine Snake, Common Cat Snake, Bronze-backed Tree Snake, Russell's Kukri, Banded Racer, Fungoid Frog, Skittering Frog, Deccan Banded Gecko, Termite Hill Gecko, and Brook's Gecko. This is also a good season to spot the elusive Malabar Whistling Thrush and state animal of Maharashtra - Indian Giant Squirrel.

How to Reach: Neral is a station on the Central Line, you have to take a Karjat or Khopoli bound local train. You can take the 06.50 a.m. Karjat Local from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai.

NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL

When: August 29- 31, 2015

Where: London



Known as the 'Biggest Street Festival' of London, the festival is held each year in August. The carnival fills the streets of West London with the aroma of sumptuous food, music and vibrant coloured costumes.The number of people attending this event goes up to 40,000 and it features massive sound systems, hundreds of food stalls and traditional steel drum bands.

RAKSHA BANDHAN

When: August 29, 2015

Where: Across Indian



Raksha Bandhan is a festival that celebrates the love between brothers and sisters. It is called Rakhi Purnima, or simply Rakhi, in many parts of the country. Raksha Bandhan in Sanskrit literally means 'the tie or knot of protection'. It is an ancient Hindu festival that ritually celebrates the love and duty between brothers and their sisters.

IOWA STATE FAIR

When: August 13- 16 , 2015

Where: Des Moines, Iowa

Immortalised by the 1931 Phil Stong novel State Fair that inspired Rodgers and Hammerstein's Broadway musical and three motion pictures, the Iowa State Fair is a true American classic. For 11 days in August, more than a million people enjoy the modern state fair including stomach churning rides on the midway, sugar-dusted funnel cakes and deep-fried Oreos, and big-name talent like country music artist Garth Brooks and American singer songwriter Sheryl Crow.