Diwali: Celebrate the Festival of Lights with Booking.com
Diwali is one of the biggest and most beautiful celebrations that is observed worldwide. The ancient five-day festival celebrates the triumph of light over dark and good over evil and is celebrated by more than a billion people from a variety of faiths including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists. With two-thirds (66%) wanting to experience new and different lifestyles as a key motivation to travel,* travelers can witness incredible light displays, mesmerizing fireworks and the symbolic burning of candles to celebrate this special festival. This year, Diwali is celebrated on November 12 and coincides with the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 so Booking.com, the exclusive Accommodation and Attractions Booking Partner for all ICC events, shares the top destinations to enjoy this one-of-a-kind festival as well as recommendations on where to stay and things to do to maximize the festivities.
Varanasi, India
Varanasi is a bustling city located in northern India and is positioned on the banks of the Ganges river. A destination famed for its association with spiritualism due to its location at the junction of three holy rivers – The Ganga, Yamuna and Brahmaptura – Varanasi comes alive even more during Diwali. Travelers will be blown away by the incredible fireworks going off all night in every corner of the city. For the best view head to the Ganges to see the water light up and watch the diyas (lamps) floating down the river. By day, travelers can explore the vibrant street markets and indulge in Diwali sweets and brightly coloured clothes. A Half Day Varanasi tour with a Boat Ride, Ganga Aarti, Classical Dance & Yoga Session is a great way to learn more about the culture, history and people of the local area and also includes a scenic evening boat ride on the Ganges River. Traveling by boat around the city is a famous means of local travel, so a guided Morning Boat Ride with Temples Tour will provide visitors with a greater perspective of the city and its culture and customs.
Where to stay: Built in the 18th century and one of the oldest structures in Varanasi, the BrijRama Palace is the perfect place to stay for a bit of luxury when visiting this part of India. With views overlooking the Ganges (the perfect spot to catch the fireworks), a rooftop terrace and beautifully decorated rooms, travelers can sit back and relax at this heritage hotel after exploring the local sights. This Booking.com Travel Sustainable hotel is equipped with its own ghat (stairs leading down to the riverbank), invests a percentage of revenue back into community projects and offers local artists a platform to display their work.
Kandy, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a symbolic place to celebrate Diwali and here travelers can’t miss the lighting of lamps and distribution of misiri, figurines of sugar crystals. Located in central Sri Lanka, is the city of Kandy. Kandy is widely known as the cultural hub of Sri Lanka and is home to beautiful historic temples. An Evening Tour at the Last Kingdom of Sri Lanka is the ideal way to explore all of the ancient buildings and archaeological values that Kandy has to offer, from a visit to a hill-top Buddha statue with valley views, to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (one of the most sacred Buddhist temples). Kandy is a great base to explore and travelers can either head to the beaches, or stay in local villages to join the friendly locals after dark to celebrate with colorful ceremonies. Travelers looking to escape the city for a day trip can enjoy a Scenic Train Ride from Kandy to Ella through the misty Sri Lankan mountains, bright green tea estates, and rolling slopes of the valleys. This train journey is known as one of the most scenic in the world and the final destination, Ella, won’t disappoint with its many picturesque hiking trails.
Where to stay: Travelers looking to stay somewhere that offers world-class service need look no further than Santani Wellness Kandy. Located an hour’s drive from the historic city of Kandy on the former Aratenna Tea Estate, this Booking.com Travel Sustainable stay is situated within 116 acres (17 hectares) of verdant greenery and boasts wondrous adventures from waterfalls to mountain treks nearby. Named after the Sanskrit word meaning ‘in harmony with,’ this award-winning wellness retreat has been thoughtfully designed to free the mind while blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces to help travelers reset, recharge and relax.
Melbourne, Australia
The cosmopolitan city of Melbourne is also known as the ‘cultural capital of Australia’ thanks to its eclectic arts and culture scene. Situated within the state of Victoria, Melbourne plays host to an array of fairs and carnivals celebrating Diwali and travelers can enjoy festivities ranging from cultural performances to market stalls selling traditional street food. Melbourne’s landmark Federation Square is the center of celebrations that will include Indian dance workshops, henna painting as well as yoga and meditation sessions, all culminating with a spectacular firework display on the Yarra River. The lively bayside city has something to offer every traveler from food and sport to beaches and nightlife. A one-hour River Gardens Sightseeing Cruise gives visitors the chance to travel up the Yarra River and discover highlights such as the Royal Botanic Gardens, Herring Island and Government House from the water. Travelers keen to explore further afield can take advantage of Melbourne’s proximity to one of Australia’s greatest coastal roads, by going on a Great Ocean Road Small-group Tour. This full day tour allows visitors to take in the sights of the seaside town of Torquay, Apollo Bay, great Otway National Park, the Twelve Apostles (enormous offshore limestone formations) and much more.
Where to stay: Travelers wanting to stay in comfort and style should put the Caroline Serviced Apartments on their travel list. The fully furnished serviced apartments offer modern and sophisticated accommodation options and are the ideal base for exploring all that Melbourne has to offer. On the doorstep of this property, guests will find the Yarra River Trail and Royal Botanic Gardens, along with the best of the city’s café culture. This Booking.com Travel Sustainable property is also making considerable efforts towards sustainability, with recycling bins available to guests and a ban on single-use plastic.
Kathmandu, Nepal
Nepal’s capital city, Kathmandu, is an energetic cultural hub surrounded by the incredible snow-capped Himalayan mountain range. Travelers visiting this vibrant city will be in for a treat wandering around the maze-like alleys to discover an array of fascinating religious monuments including temples, shrines and monasteries. In Nepal, Diwali is also known as ‘Tihar’ and visitors will be able to enjoy the illuminating city with the lighting of oil lamps and firecrackers. A Kathmandu Full-day Sightseeing Tour is a brilliant way to explore Kathmandu’s attractions. From spending time at UNESCO-listed Durbar Square, to visiting one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Nepal, Swayambhunath Stupa, the guided tour is a unique way to discover this ancient city. Travelers hoping to catch a glimpse of Mount Everest can enjoy a guided tour to see the rising sun from Nagarkot hilltop: the Nagarkot Sunrise Tour with Breakfast departs from Kathmandu and whisks guests off to Nagarkot, a village located just outside the city, which is known for its spectacular views of the Himalayan mountain range.
Where to stay: Travelers looking for a central place to stay need look no further than Pahan Chhen, a boutique hotel conveniently located in the heart of Kathmandu, and only a few steps away from some of the city’s most famous landmarks. The historic hotel offers travelers a unique blend of traditional elegance and comfortable accommodation, and provides a serene oasis for guests to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The rooftop terrace boasts panoramic views of the Himalayas making it the ultimate place to enjoy a bite to eat or drink after a day of exploring.
New York, United States
Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers celebrate Diwali, so travelers to the ‘Big Apple’ will be sure to find an array of organized festivities taking place, including an annual event which takes place at Times Square, celebrating the diversity of India through art, culture and food. When visiting New York, no trip is complete without a visit to one of the city’s most remarkable attractions, Central Park. NYC Central Park Bike Rental offers visitors the chance to enjoy a two-wheeled exploration of the park at their own pace. Bikes can be rented for one or two days, allowing visitors the freedom to cycle through the historic park to visit the numerous landmarks such as Belvedere Castle, Central Park Zoo and the Conservatory Water. Visitors can also get tickets to attend a New York Yankees baseball game inside the iconic Yankee Stadium. While art lovers can wander around The Guggenheim Museum to see incredible works of art around the unique spiral building overlooking Central Park.
Where to stay: In the city that never sleeps, the Graduate New York provides guests with a stylishly decorated sanctuary to escape to. Whether travelers want to spend their down time in the gym, enjoying a cocktail in the rooftop bar or dining on delicious food, this hotel has it all. Combining bright spaces with unobstructed views of the New York skyline from every window, this Booking.com Travel Sustainable hotel has made huge efforts towards sustainability. Located in the middle of the East River, the hotel is also superbly located for exploring New York with great transport links nearby.
Udaipur, India
Located in the Indian state of Rajasthan is the romantic city of Udaipur, a central hub for travelers who love history, culture and architecture. The beautiful city is also known as the ‘Venice of the East’ due to its striking location around azure-blue waters. The majestic lakes are a wonderful spot to watch the Diwali lights and fireworks, and what's more, it’s full of royal history and plenty of things to do. Travelers can enjoy a camel ride, or indulge in Marwari delicacies, or pick out ethnic Rajasthani souvenirs from the local markets or even create their own with a Wheel Pottery Workshop in Udaipur. Come Diwali, the main streets are lit up, making for a completely magical experience. Travelers visiting Udaipur who are keen to immerse themselves in nature, can enjoy a Private Day Tour of Ranakpur Jain Temple and Jungle Safari. Departing from Udaipur, the full day tour gives guests the chance to observe architectural beauty of local temples and concludes with a jungle safari which offers a chance to spot tigers and lions.
Where to stay: Situated in the middle of Lake Pichola and built in 1746, the iconic Taj Lake Palace is a beautiful sight – seemingly afloat on the shimmering waters of the lake, and full of incredible architecture and made with marble. Guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the City Palace and Machla Magra hills, indulge in the epic spa facilities and enjoy fine-dining authentic cuisine at the Neel Kamal restaurant. For a truly local experience, the Booking.com Travel Sustainable hotel offers guests guided heritage walks, astrology sessions and cultural shows.
*Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 42,513 respondents across 33 markets (2,000 from USA, 1,008 from Canada, 2,000 from Mexico, 1,000 from Colombia, 2,000 from Brazil, 1,000 from Argentina, 2,000 from Australia, 1,000 from New Zealand, 2,000 from Spain, 2,000 from Italy, 2,000 from France, 2,000 from UK, 2,000 from Germany, 1,000 from Netherlands, 1,000 from Denmark, 1,000 from Sweden, 1,000 from Croatia, 1,000 from Switzerland, 1,000 from Belgium, 1,000 from Ireland, 1,000 from Portugal, 1,000 from Israel, 2,000 from India, 1,000 from China, 1,005 from Hong Kong, 1,000 from Thailand, 1,000 from Singapore, 1,000 from Taiwan, 1,000 from Vietnam, 1,000 from South Korea, 1,000 from Japan, 500 from UAE). In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have traveled at least once in the past 12 months, and planning to travel in 2023 and be either the primary decision maker or involved in the decision making of their travel. The survey was taken online and took place in January and February 2023.