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17th Jan–3rd Feb
 Karneval, Rijeka
It may lack the enormity of Rio’s annual offering, but you can rest assured that the organisers of this seasoned carnival will squash nearly as much activity into Rijeka’s pretty little streets. Rooted in the ancient tradition of welcoming spring and warding off nasty spirits, the event may have lost some superstition over the years but the elaborate ‘scary’ masks and raucous parades still remain. And with over a month of colourful celebrations scheduled this year, there’s plenty of time to see why this one of the hottest pre-Lenten parties on the planet. www.ri-karneval.com.hr
 Begins 12th
Brian Alfred, Berlin
In his first German exhibition, American artist Brian Alfred presents a collection of over 300 block colour portraits depicting the faces of all the people who have inspired his life and work. Taking place at the city’s new Haunch of Venison Gallery, Millions Now Living Will Never Die is a vibrant catalogue of musicians, artists, politicians and more, from Bill Clinton to Björk, immortalised in Alfred’s inimitable style. www.haunchofvenison.com
24th-27th
Festival de la Bande Dessinée
Fly to Bordeaux/La Rochelle
This well respected festival of comic art strides into its 35th year of action this month. Held in the French city of Angoulême, the event will consist of professional drawing seminars and artist’s workshops. The main bulk of the exhibition will be devoted to a series of competitions and awards for current talent. This is perfect for all budding cartoonists who want to see their heroes in the flesh and on the page. www.bdangouleme.com
 11th-13th
City of Culture 2008: Opening Weekend, Liverpool
This month, Liverpool begins its much-awaited tenure as European City of Culture. Although the programme of events has been warming up since November, this weekend will officially mark the start to a hefty new-year roster of cultural festivities and citywide creativity. Highlights of the weekend include an open-air concert on St George’s Plateau, the official opening of the Liverpool Arena with a one-off performance of Liverpool the Musical and one last chance to see the Turner Prize exhibition at the Tate Liverpool. www.liverpool08.com
 Until 20thJan
Edward Quinn: Riviera Cocktail
Fly to Cologne
Just a short journey from Cologne, the picturesque city of Koblenz is a superb day trip that should generate more than just historical appreciation. This ancient 2016-year-old city also happens to house one of the country’s five Ludwig Museums, perfect for the more modernist-minded visitor. This month, in-keeping with the city’s historical links to France, as well as the museum’s tireless promotion of post-war art, Edward Quinn’s paparazzi-style photo exhibition captures the high-society downtime of Côte d’Azur regulars during the Golden Fifties. Where else would you catch Maria Callas yelling at Churchill in the back of a taxi? www.ludwigmuseum.org
 3rd-13th
Cannes Shopping Festival
Fly to Nice
If the reason you worked so hard in 2007 was to truly appreciate these three words in the same month: Cannes, shopping, festival, then the chic capital of the Côte d’Azur will be paradise for you this new year. Even the most glamorous fashion shows at the city’s Palais des Festivals will be open to mere mortals, with a number of opportunities to snap up big-name designs at down-to-earth prices. So it’s not too unrealistic to assume you’ll be looking like a fashion god or goddess by February. www.cannesshopping. festival.com
19th
Paralelo 28
Fly to Arrecife
Lanzarote’s Cueva de los Verdes are some of the most spectacular naturally formed caves in the world. This network of tunnels is today a striking combination of jaw-dropping rock formations and artistic light installations. The Musicae Candelaria concert season takes full advantage of its unique acoustic environment with a series of jazz and classical recitals. www.centrosturisticos.com
 25th-27th
Daily Telegraph Adventure Travel Show, London
Whether your ideal holiday involves stalking animals through the jungle, driving a beaten-up van across the desert or just finding the perfect ice pick to support your own bodyweight⎯this adventure travel extravaganza is definitely for you. Abundant advice and presentations from die-hard explorers, seasoned travel writers and extreme sports fanatics will also make sure any beginners get up to speed with all the daring global possibilities. www.adventureshow.co.uk
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