3. Palio, in Siena, Italy. As wild a party as Pamplona, but somewhat less dangerous. On July 2 and August 16 the ancient neighborhoods of Siena hold a bareback horse race in the main square, a tradition that dates back centuries. Needless to say, there is massive revelry before, during, and after the race. As with Pamplona, get there way early, look hard for a place, and don’t be surprised if prices have tripled for the week.

4. Oktoberfest, in Munich, Germany. Don’t be misled - the Oktoberfest actually begins in mid-September. Everything else is pretty much as advertised: huge tents filled with massive crowds swilling beer and eating chickens and sausages. There are plenty of tourists from all over the world, but that doesn’t take away much from the atmosphere of revelry.