As some of you who are on holiday may already know, today is World Tourism Day, celebrated on September 27th every year since 1980. It is held on this date because it marks one of the most important milestones in the tourist industry- the adoption of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) Statutes, on this very day in 1970.


The main objective of this iniciative is to demonstrate the importance of tourism to the international community, and to show how it affects the society, culture and economics of this world. It is for this reason that an established theme is chosen every year, serving as the main focus point for organisers of the campaign. The theme for this year's celebration, which is being held in Sri Lanka, is “Tourism opens doors for women.”

Previous themes have reflected important issues such as peace, international cooperation, education, communication, sports, ecotourism and technology, all important issues in the promotion and development of tourism, socially, culturally and economically.

For more information on major tourist destinations, visit www.oneplanettravel.com

(Photo by Babasteves)

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, and one of the most sacred, for Muslims fast during this time. The most important celebration of Ramadan takes place in Jerusalem, bringing together thousands of Muslims from all over the world.

The arrival of the crescent moon marks the beginning of thirty days of fasting, during which they refrain from eating, drinking alcohol and smoking, until the dawn of a new day. Both men and women have to observe the fast.

Ramadan is a time of joy and festivities for Muslims, who celebrate the occasion by holding special dinners and exchanging gifts with family and friends. New clothes are often bought and worn for the occasion. Muslims are also encouraged to read the entire Qu'ran during Ramadan.

On Eid al-Frit - the final day of Ramadan – worshippers get up at dawn, cleanse themselves and put on their finest clothes and some perfume before congregating in mosques.

Find out more about Jerusalem and other destinations at www.oneplanettravel.com

(Photo by Simpson)

We are now in the final stages of the annual cycling competition, “La Vuelta a España”, one of the three Grand Tours of the cycling world. Featuring the world's top cyclists, this three-week long tour, covering more than 3,000 km (1,864 miles) is divided into 14 stages of thrilling races, the last of which will end on September 23rd.

Inspired by the famous races of the forementioned France, and also Italy, the first Vuelta a España took place in 1935, and was hailed a great success. The tour took a break between 1936 and 1939 due to the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, before returning in 1941. However, the influence of World War II was too much for the neutral Spain, and the tournament was once again delayed until 1945.

After another break from 1951 until 1954, the race has been held every year up until today, with new organisers running the event from 1955 onwards. Since then, La Vuelta has built up more and more prestige, attracting the biggest names from all over the world. The event also attracts a mountain of advertising and publicity year after year due to the presence of TV cameras from all global corners.

Last year's winner was Alexandre Vinokourov of Kazahkstan. Who will it be this year?

For more information, visit www.lavuelta.com

For more information on Spain and many other destinations, visit www.oneplanettravel.com

Left to right: Anaisabel Pérez (editor), Martha Muñoz (OPT project manager), Gabriel La Gona, Jowita Blak, Hannah Brady (editor)

First of all, I'd like to congratulate you both on winning the One Planet Travel competition. Would you like to introduce yourselves to our users?
Sure, I am Gabriel La Gona and this is my partner Jowita Blak. I am originally from Italy and Jowita from Poland. At the moment we are both working and living together in London. I've been in London for 15 years now, Jowita for two.

How did you find about One Planet Travel?
By coincidence, I think. I work in the travel industry and often visit travel exhibitions, filling in online marketing forms and chatting to representatives of the industry. I may have come across the guide at a stand at one of these conventions. I also surf the net frequently, both at home and at work, so I may have come across your site when browsing.

How did you find out about our competition?
Probably by browsing like I normally do. To be honest I can't really remember, it's been quite a while ago now, and it's been very exciting! I think I filled it in just randomly, I had nothing to lose.

How did you react when you found out you'd won?
To be honest, I was quite sceptical at first. You always get these sort of emails telling you that you'd won the lottery or something, but you'd then had to pay to claim the prize or ring a premium rate number. I decided to call the company using the details on the winner's email, and when they confirmed it was true, I was so excited! The next day I was telling everyone around the office! I just couldn't believe it.

We can imagine! So how was your stay in the hotel?
It was great. The food was excellent, the hotel as a whole was clean and tidy, and the staff were always smiling.
    The rooms?
Our room was very nice. We got one facing the swimming pool, and the sound of the water fountain was very relaxing at night. We had a lovely view of the sea, which was great for watching the beautiful sunset.
    The restaurants?
We were very impressed, the buffet food was exceptional. We didn't try any of the other restaurants in the hotel because we were so full from the buffet! We've also been to other restaurants in Tenerife, and we're still looking for a paella restaurant...
    Other facilities/activities?
Jowita enjoyed the gym, and we also enjoyed the Bar Yaiza, although the DJ was a bit crazy! We also rented a car and toured the island, visiting The Teide mountain, La Masca, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Teresitas.

So you enjoyed your holiday, then! Did you like Tenerife as a whole?
Definitely, it has exceeded all our expections. The people have been really great, as we said before, always smiling. We'd like to visit the other islands as well, if we have time. We've been to another island before, although we can't remember which one.

Sherry lovers in Spain are in for treat this September. Jerez de la Frontera, the historic city and sherry capital of Spain, is currently holding its traditional Autumn Festival, celebrating this delicious drink. This festival will be taking place throughout September, exhibiting the region's finest sherry.
It is a celebration of all things related to the city and its products. A jam-packed programme of events are offered, with activities related to the city's gastronomy and wines as well as flamenco performances and the famous Andalucian horse parades.
The festival opens with the “treading of the grapes” and a spectacular fireworks display. At night there are many concerts, musical performances and flamenco displays, as well as wine tasting and Jerez cooking demonstrations. There's something for the children, too, with puppet shows, magic and theatre displays. More highlights include bull runs, horseback parades and a special gala hosted by the Royal School of Equestrian Art.
Another way to enjoy the festival is to see the region's contemporary musicians in the Alameda Vieja, or even the “Tapajerez” competition, in which the local bars and restaurants compete for the title, promoting the region's tapas.

For more information, visit www.turismojerez.com

Read more about Jerez de la Frontera at www.oneplanettravel.com

For two whole weeks, from September 22nd until October 7th, the world-famous Oktoberfest will once again take centre stage in Munich, Germany. Not only is it the world's largest beer festival, it is also the world's largest funfair, with at least six million visitors every year.

For those of you who don't know, Oktoberfest began in 1810 as a commemoration of the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen, after whom the festival's main ground, Theresienweise, is named.

A fine mix of cultural diversity (or at least different types of the jolly brew!) and tradition, millions of litres of beer are poured during these two weeks, washing down over six million bratwursts (not all by the same person, of course!). A mountain of other Bavarian delicacies are consumed during the festival, in addition to many other wonderful events and games.

The festival starts with the “Entrance of the Landlords” and a visit from the current Mayor of Munich, who taps a keg of beer and declares “O'zapft is” (“it's tapped” in Bavarian dialect). The landlords of the local Bierkneipen arrive in cars specially adorned with flowers for the occasion, bringing with them barrels of the good stuff. A traditional parade also takes place, featuring men in Lederhosen and riflemen.

All this and more, along with traditional Bavarian music and food, make Oktoberfest a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Read more about Munich at www.oneplanettravel.com

Over the last eight weeks, people across Britain have enjoyed a wonderful series of classical concerts and other events associated with the largest classical music festival in the world, all brought to the stage by the very best performers. But alas, all good things have to come to an end. Not to worry though, because this Saturday will see the traditional season-ending finalé, the Last Night of the Proms 2007.
Held at the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Last Night is arguably one of the most classical music concerts in the world. Not only are tickets for the concert highly sought-after (and often sold out), an audience of millions across the globe tune in on the TV or radio. For those lucky enough to get tickets, it is a fine opportunity to see the British at their patriotic best; many “Prommers” arrive at the venue dressed in Union Jack T-shirts, proudly waving the British flag when the traditional piece Rule Britannia is performed.

The first half of the concert is usually relaxed, beginning with such “winding-down” classics as Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No.1 (Land of Hope and Glory) and Sir Henry Wood's Fantasia on British Sea Songs. The second half is, following tradition, the most patriotic not only in this particular concert but in the series as a whole, with the performance of the aforementioned Rule Britannia. The concert concludes with the traditional speechs of the Last Night conductor, who usually discusses the year's main themes and thanks the audience and musicians for their support, before ending with the British national anthem, to the delight of the audience. This year's conductor will be Jiri Belohlavek of the Czech Republic.
 
Those not planning to attend can watch the first half live on BBC2 and the second half on BBC1. Radio listeners can tune in on BBC Radio 3.

All together now: Rule Britannia, Britannia rule the waves...

For more information about the Proms, visit www.bbc.co.uk/proms

Read more about London at www.oneplanettravel.com