Okay, so I got this idea buzzing in my head – 2025, Europe, big celebration. Not just any trip, you know? I wanted to experience one of those massive annual events everyone talks about. Something with real energy.
First thing I did, honestly, was just sit down with a notepad and my laptop. Didn’t even know where to start properly. I just started thinking, what kind of vibe am I after? Big street party? Something traditional? Maybe something a bit weird?
So, I started doing some initial digging online. Just typed in things like “Europe big festivals” or “famous annual events Europe”. Got absolutely swamped with lists. Way too much stuff. Oktoberfest, La Tomatina, Carnival in Venice, St. Paddy’s in Dublin… the usual suspects popped up.
Narrowing it Down
That first wave of info was a bit much. I realized I needed some filters. When can I actually travel in 2025? That was the big one. I checked my calendar, figured out a couple of windows that might work. That immediately knocked a few options off the list, which was good.
Then I started thinking about what I actually enjoy. Crowds are fine, but maybe not total chaos for days on end. Some culture mixed in would be nice. I began looking closer at the ones that fit my potential travel dates.
- Oktoberfest in Munich: Always heard about it. Looked into the dates, seemed possible. Big beer tents, traditional outfits. Definitely a contender.
- Carnival in Venice: Masks, atmosphere, seemed really unique. But I checked the potential dates for 2025, and it looked like it might clash with other things. Plus, heard it gets incredibly packed and pricey. Put it on the maybe list.
- La Tomatina in Buñol: Throwing tomatoes? Looked absolutely bonkers fun. But it’s pretty short, just one main event day. Was I looking for something that lasted a bit longer? Maybe.
- St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin: Great craic, supposed to be amazing energy. Dates usually mid-March, which could work. Definitely kept this one high up.
- King’s Day in Amsterdam: Huge orange street party. Looked like brilliant fun, late April. Another strong possibility.
Making the Choices (Sort Of)
So I had this shorter list. Now it was about digging into the practical stuff. What are flights looking like around those times? Accommodation costs? How easy is it to get around? I spent a good few evenings just researching the logistics for each potential trip.
I started comparing things side-by-side:
What’s the main appeal for me?
How long does the event last?
What’s the likely cost?
What else is there to do in the city/area besides the main event?
I found myself leaning towards either the St. Patrick’s Day vibe in Dublin or the King’s Day party in Amsterdam. Oktoberfest felt a bit too focused on just the beer halls for what I wanted this time, maybe another year for that one. La Tomatina felt a bit too brief. Venice seemed like it might be beautiful but potentially stressful with the crowds and costs during Carnival.
Right now, I’m heavily leaning towards King’s Day. The idea of the whole city turning into one big, orange, open-air party just sounds fantastic. Plus, Amsterdam has loads to see and do anyway. St. Paddy’s in Dublin is a close second, though. The planning’s not totally finished, still need to lock down flights and a place to stay, but getting a clearer picture felt like real progress. It went from this vague idea to a couple of solid, exciting options. That’s the process, I guess! Just chipping away at it.
