PHOTO: A native of Cusco in traditional clothing with llama. Cusco is located in southeastern Peru, one of Kensington's 2014 destinations. (photo by David Cogswell)

Kensington Tours is offering a series of tours based on festivals and events around the world, providing the opportunity to experience not only special places, but special times and happenings unique to the places and the cultures of the people who live there.  

The company scheduled a tour to participate in the Nice Carnival Feb. 14-March 4. The carnival is an extravaganza of colorful costumes, parade floats and fireworks on the French Riviera.

Feb. 26 is the embarkation date for a tour to visit the 2014 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, Alaska.

Kensington will take a group to India’s Holi and Elephant Festival on March 17 to participate in the Holi, ancient celebration of the triumph of good over evil, and to witness the Elephant Festival in Jaipur. The tour will also visit other cities in Rajasthan, including Delhi, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Agra.

Cherry Blossom Season is March and April and Kensington will take clients to attend Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan, to observe the ancient Japanese tradition of hanami or flower viewing.

In June you can travel with Kensington to Peru and the lost city of Macchu Picchu to celebrate Inti Raymi, the 500-year old Festival of the Sun, including a religious ceremony attended by colorful Andean costumes.  

Kensington will take a group to Iceland for the summer solstice June 21, celebrating the longest day of the year in the land of the midnight sun in Reykjavik.

July brings the Running of the Bulls in Spain, and Kensington guests are given the chance to participate. The tour passes through Madrid, Pamplona and San Sebastian and attends San Fermin, a festival dating back to the 14th century.

Kensington will operate a tour July 4-16 to celebrate The Calgary Stampede, the uber rodeo with its famous parade and wild displays of bull riding prowess.

Sept. 20-Oct. 5 is time for the Kensington tour to participate in the Oktoberfest in Germany, one of the world’s largest fairs, with singing, dancing, costumes, brass bands and plenty of beer.

Myanmar’s Leg Rowing Festival, or Hpaung Daw U, takes place Oct. 30-Nov. 6, and tour participants will be able to watch a golden barge carrying four giant Buddhas towed by leg-rowers.

The Chinese New Year Celebration will take place Feb. 17, 2015, and Kensington will guide guests through celebratory events in Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, and Shanghai.