Spain’s Baby-Jumping Festival Is the Weirdest One We’ve Seen Yet

Spain is pretty… umm… let’s say “unique”. They’ve got a long list of weird festivals, the abstract stylings of Antoni Gaudí and Pablo Picasso, and a borderline unhealthy relationship with ham. Even their baptisms are off-the-charts bananas. It’s that last one that...

7 Fun Facts About the Stuttgart Beer Festival You Probably Didn’t Know

The Stuttgart Beer Festival (also known as Cannstatter Volksfest) takes place in Stuttgart, Germany and is actually the world’s second largest beer festival. And word on the street is that this festival may actually be better than Oktoberfest, its big brother. The Stuttgart Beer...

What else is there to do in Valencia, Spain?

Wait just a minute… you mean there are things to do in Valencia, Spain other than chuck tomatoes at each other at La Tomatina festival? Believe you me, there’s plenty to explore. And you may even learn a thing or two… before getting all sense knocked out of you by projectile...
Music of Samba

Rio Carnival Moving to the Music of Samba

What you may not know about Rio Carnival in Brazil is that almost all the music played over the four-day festival is samba, a uniquely Brazilian rhythm and dance form originating in Rio de Janeiro. The word samba derives its meaning from the Angolan word, ‘semba’ which refers to...

14 Must-Know Things to Avoid at Oktoberfest in Munich

For a great time at Oktoberfest in 2024, you’ll want to embrace it all, welcome every aspect of the festival with open arms. The singing and prosting! The traditions and camaraderie! The beers and brats! The big piles of horse manure outside the beer tents! Well, OK, maybe there...
Rio Carnival Samba Schools Brazil

Rio Carnival Samba Schools

At Rio Carnival there are several samba schools each representing different neighbourhoods or social clubs. They are divided into three leagues that vie for top ranking following the annual Carnival parades. Division 1 (the top league) schools play in the Sambadrome, Division 2...

Is this Beer Festival Better than Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest in Munich has a lot of great qualities – it offers great beer and food, incredible entertainment (and we’re not just talking about the people-watching), it’s easily accessible, and, let’s face it, it’s the mother of all German beer festivals. But don’t bow down...
Costumes Rio Carnival Brazil

Creating the Rio Carnival Costumes: Behind the Sequins

When describing the spectacle that is Rio Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil only a few words come close to doing it justice. Most likely you’ll hear the words ‘magnificent’, ‘exquisite’ and ‘dazzling’ thrown around and yet they still seem somewhat of an understatement. The...
2020 Tour Update

Coronavirus: Updates on our Tours

Updated: 21st April 2020 A message from Kenneth Hart Our 2020 Tours (*UPDATED*) Updates on Oktoberfest & Stuttgart Beer Festival Some Useful links A message from Kenneth Hart, Chief Swagman & founder Given the widespread media coverage of the coronavirus, it’s no surprise...
5 things you need to drink in Prague, Czech Republic | Pilsner beer #prague #pilsner #beer

5 Libations Thirsty Travelers Need to Drink in Prague

So you’ve booked Thirsty Swagman’s Beer or Bust tour, and have studiously researched what to expect at Oktoberfest. You know what the Stuttgart Beer Festival has in store for you, and you have a handle on the scene in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. But what do you need to...