Everybody spread the word
We’re gonna have a celebration
All across the world
In every nation
When making a checklist of things to do while planning an international trip, one of most easily forgotten is to look up the national holidays of your destination country. And don’t make any assumptions either; even Christmas isn’t universally celebrated on December 25th (ask any Georgian!). Although traveling on a holiday can be a unique and exciting experience, it can also be dull and frustrating when shops and museums are all closed and public transportation is running on a limited schedule. Gather as much info as possible before heading out, to make the most of your holiday, holiday travels.
Cities Truly Shutdown on National Holidays
When Americans think of holidays like Memorial Day or Labor Day, one thing that will always spring to mind are sales: Macy’s Memorial Day Sales EVENT; Toyota’s Labor Day Sale extended now through Friday! Even Black Friday has taken over Thanksgiving, with most stores opening the evening before to give consumers that extra time they are led to believe they need to part ways with their money.
This all of course means that the “holiday” isn’t really much of a holiday for anyone who works retail or is in the food service industry. If you have a government job, work at a bank or a school you probably will see some time off, but most New Yorkers would be in shock in they went to their favorite bodega for an egg and cheese in the morning to find the business closed.
I have found this not to be the case abroad. People take their holidays seriously. Everyone deserves time off to be with their families or simply stay home and recharge. Forget shopping; all stores will be closed. Some restaurants will be closed, but even those that have chosen to remain open may have reduced hours. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, note that Monday may also double as an officially observed holiday. (Also, please don’t trust the hours on google maps to get any of this right!)
If There Are Events, Find Out Where They’re Taking Place
I was pumped to be in North Macedonia (yes, there has been another name change) for Republic Day in 2018, but had failed to fully research that all the festivities take place outside the capital of Skopje- like take two buses that may or may not be running and walk one village over type outside the capital. Reaching the action in the Macedonian countryside would have been totally doable with a little advance planning, but simply showing up in Skopje on August 2nd wasn’t enough to fully experience the holiday.
On the plus side, it’s an interesting experience having a usually bustling city almost completely to yourself. You can snap the rare photo of normally-crowded squares and monuments now devoid of any sign of human life. Skopje in particular is a architectural delight, and some of my best photos were taken on Republic Day, when I really could take the time to stop and frame the shots in peace and quiet.
Of Course, Holidays Can Also Be a Blast!
Traveling on a holiday doesn’t always equate to closed up shops with long hours of self-reflection. Sometimes a holiday is a good old wild time. Case in point: Guyana’s Independence Day. The Guyanese LOVE their country (what’s not to love?) and Independence Day on May 26 is the perfect time to go all out. This year seemed especially raucous; the 26th occurred during carnival celebrations and also happened to fall on a Sunday, causing Monday to also be declared as an observed holiday. This only meant double the party and double the fun.
I admit that as a solo traveler I didn’t know what to expect just showing up to all of Sunday’s activities. Here I am, an American without a drop of Guyanese blood in me, crashing the celebration of their nation. Any fears were quickly swept away when the people of Georgetown embraced me and warmly included me everywhere I went. People shared food and drink with me as if I were a lifelong friend. I danced in the street as the parade crept by and random strangers asked if they could take a picture with me. I had so much fun that I can’t imagine visiting Georgetown anytime other than Independence Day. I can’t count the number of people who told me they expect to see me back next year.
If you do find yourself with the opportunity to take part in a celebration don’t sit on the sidelines. Embrace the situation. I surely hope I will make it down to Guyana again, but who knows if the stars will align for me to be there in late May again. Never let fears or insecurities stop you from making the most of your travels.
Tips for Holiday Travel
Although most museums will be closed on a holiday, some outdoor attractions may still be open, like Medvedgrad in Croatia. Research ahead of time to find out what will still be open and then try to work these into your itinerary during a slow holiday.
If you plan on having a picnic, or simply cooking dinner, make sure to visit the grocery store or market the day before as these places likely will not open on the holiday. I was shocked that in Georgetown, even the massive Stabroek Market was closed on both Sunday AND Monday for Independence Day. Make sure you have all the supplies you need before the party gets underway.
On a related note, try to pull all the cash you need out of an ATM before the holidays. One of my greatest fears while traveling is having an ATM eat my debit card (Chase travel notification rant forthcoming). At least during banking hours someone would be able to assist in retrieving your card from the ATM machine, but if misfortune strikes on a holiday, you will have to waiting until the next working day to have access to your money.
If you will be using public transportation, be aware that buses and trains may be running on limited schedules and taxis could easily charge you higher rates to get around.
Depending on the city and holiday, accommodations could be sold out and/or highly-priced. Make sure you book in advance for better rates and the peace of mind that you will have a bed to sleep in.
If you’re traveling in a predominantly Muslim country/area be mindful of the dates of Ramadan (they change every year). If few in the community are eating during daylight hours, then restaurants simply may not be open for lunch. Plan accordingly.
