Songkran is perhaps the biggest, most well-known of water festivals in Southeast Asia – and in all the world. It attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists, who all want to participate in the biggest water fight on the planet! Even some elephants join in, spraying locals and travelers with water from their trunks. Songkran is a great excuse to splash friends, family, and strangers with water, but for a full cultural experience keep the purpose and traditions of Songkran in mind, too.

Songkran takes place from April 13 to 15 every year in Thailand. It marks the Thai New Year based on the solar calendar, when the sun moves from the zodiac sign of Pisces into Aries. This also happens to coincide with the hottest time of the year in Thailand.

April 13 is “Maha Songkran,” the last day of the old year and the day the sun moves into Aries on the zodiac. April 14 is “Wan Nao,” a day of transition between the old year and the new year. April 15 is “Wan Thaloeng Sok,” New Year’s day.

New Year’s Day is now officially celebrated on January 1 in Thailand, but Thai New Year Songkran is a (huge) national holiday.

The word “Songkran” originates from a Sanskrit word meaning “passage,” or “passing,” signifying transformation or a time of change. Buddhists observe Songkran by spending the morning visiting local temples in order to pray to their ancestors and offer food to the Buddhist monks there. Buddhists also build sand chedis, a type of sand castle that resembles a Buddhist temple. They will pour water over statues of Buddha, symbolically purifying them, and washing away the sins and bad luck of the past year. Houses are cleaned with the same intentions. Songkran is also a time to show respect to elders. It’s a tradition for young people to pour scented water on the hands of their elders, and the elders wish them good luck in return.

Earth Day 2020 will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the day 20 million Americans, 10% of the U.S. population, took to the streets to protest government inaction on environmental issues like smog, oil spills, and water pollution. In celebration of that first citizen-led movement for change, this year’s Earth Day theme is climate action. Most scientists agree that one of the most important things that individuals can do to help fight climate change is focus on ways to reduce their personal carbon emissions, and for most people, transportation is their largest source of carbon emissions. Train travel is far and away the most sustainable way to get where you’re going, so what better way to celebrate Earth Day than with one of these train trips across Europe?

Traveling by train is not only environmentally friendly, it’s romantic, relaxing, and offers the perfect opportunity to slow down and appreciate the view. Given its superb rail infrastructure and the relatively compact size of the continent, Europe is an ideal destination for a train tour. There are an array of European train trips of varying lengths that have been designed to allow you time to take in the landscape. On these train trips, the journey is at least as important as the destination.

You can also design your own train trip across Europe thanks to Eurostar, the world famous high-speed rail that connects some of the continent’s biggest cities and most popular tourist destinations. Whether you’ve got a day, a week, or a month, there is train trip in Europe for you.

Covering 180 miles in eight hours, the Glacier Express offers passengers a leisurely ride through the Swiss Alps from Zermatt at the base of the Matterhorn to St. Moritz. The Glacier Express prides itself on its status as the slowest express train in the world because the slow pace means that passengers have plenty of time to enjoy the region’s breathtaking beauty through the train’s massive panoramic windows.

During your journey, you’ll cross 291 bridges and pass through 91 tunnels as you marvel at imposing mountains, idyllic villages, and two UNESCO World Heritage sites. The trip will also take you through the stunning Rhine Gorge, which is often referred to as the Grand Canyon of Switzerland. The train’s pace allows for all meals to be made fresh, so you’ll be treated to gourmet dining made with seasonal, local ingredients.

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All-inclusive retreats are house specialties at this five-star resort overlooking the South China Sea. Embrace the ancient Malay philosophy of Sucimurni, or living a wholesome lifestyle, while learning handicrafts, playing traditional games and joining morning health and wellness exercises. Couples, find romance around every corner during a Treasured Moments Retreat at the on-site spa.

Fusion Maia is the first all-spa inclusive resort in Asia, meaning all spa treatments are included in the room rate. Wake up when you like, and do whatever you want, because your tab has already been paid! We suggest a Maia Energy Experience followed by an afternoon breakfast. Because breakfast all day is awesome, but breakfast after being pampered from head to toe – TOTALLY SWEET!

Arranging diving trips and dolphin-watching expeditions is a snap from this beachside resort in beautiful Bohol. Stick close to the hotel for daily breakfasts and nearby water activities, or book daytrips in advance to attractions like the Chocolate Hills and Loboc River.

A perfect match for adventurous newlyweds, this all-inclusive, adults-only coastal haven provides every activity under the sun – as well as in the shade. Find bundle deals for romantic spa retreats and all-day water adventures, or load up your schedule with snorkeling, dance parties, daily workouts and romantic seaside dinners.

Never think about another detail after you step off the plane in Northern Thailand. Package deals at this one-of-a-kind jungle resort on the banks of the Mekong River include everything from airport transfers and three meals a day to excursions to the Golden Triangle. For bonus adventures, choose a package that includes admission to the astounding Hall of Opium Museum and trips to nearby reputable elephant reserves and sanctuaries.