Event: Mexico

Festival of San Francisco de Assisi

When:	Sep - Oct 2007 (annual)
Where:	Real de Catorce
Costs:	Free

Every October, the sleepy hillside village of Real de Catorce comes alive with crowds of pilgrims arriving to honour its patron saint, Saint Francis of Assisi.

According to local legend, the saint has the ability to perform miracles and the devout travel from far and wide for the chance to touch the feet of his brightly-coloured effigy. The roads are closed and the streets lined with stalls as the figure of El Charrito ("the little cowboy") is paraded through the town. Celebrations last for nearly three weeks.

Quiet prayer and raucous celebration combine with stunning views of the Sierra Madre to make this an occasion worth travelling for.