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What would you see if you video called the world this May?

Wherever you are in the world, it's super easy to stay in touch and share your experiences with cheap international calls and free Skype video calls. But what would you see if you video called the world this May? Read on to find out...

Video call Sweden ... for Walpurgis Eve - the feast of the witches
Every year on May 1st, - or 'Walpurgis Eve' - thousands of Swedes light bonfires and fireworks in the hope of scaring witches flying to their annual Sabbath in the Harz Mountains of Germany.

If you video call Sweden on Walpurgis Eve (or Valborg as it is sometimes known), you'll see old and young gathering around bonfires, lighting fireworks, and singing and dancing into the night. You might want to keep one eye on the sky though, just in case a witch or her familiar shows up too.

Video call Stilton, England ... for cheese-rolling
London will soon be in the spotlight when the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations kick off, but the village of Stilton in Cambridgeshire will be trying to get its fair share of attention until then - with its cheese-rolling competition.

On May 7th, thousands of people will come to Stilton to roll cheese wheels down the village's main street. Stilton is famous for its strong-smelling blue cheese, so competition will be fierce to be the village's champion cheese roller. Prince William and his wife Catherine are the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, so they may even come along to the event.

Video call Laos ... for the Rocket Festival
Every year, the Lao festival of Boun Bang Fai sees thousands of home-crafted bamboo rockets launched into the air, where it's hoped they'll open-up the skies and kick-start the rainy season.

The festival takes place all month long in different villages and towns, so if you know anyone travelling in Laos, they're bound to run into a colorful parade and rocket launch or two - just ask them to video call you from their cell so you can take part in the celebrations too.

Video call Ypres ... for Kattenstoet
The Belgian town of Ypres is sadly remembered due to World War I. But on May 13th, Ypres will celebrate Kattenstoet - a yearly festival dedicated to cats that draws fans from all over the world.

In medieval times, cats would be thrown from the city's bell tower as many people thought they were witch's familiars and evil spirits. Nowadays, the cat is celebrated - not feared - and a massive cat parade with super-sized floats will parade through the streets of Ypres. Some locals even dress up in medieval costumes to mark the city's past, and a jester will throw stuffed cats and teddy bears from the belfry too, for feline-fans to catch and take home as a memento.

Which events will you video call from this month? Where would you like to video call this May? Please let us know by leaving a comment below ...

Spring Break Travel Tips

It's the first day of spring, and the weather is warming up. Schools across many countries are approaching their annual spring break hiatus. While some students may decide to have a relaxing stay-cation at home, others will be jet setting to various vacation destinations. Whether you are taking a domestic or international vacation this spring, there are several ways to take Skype with you.

• Traveling with a group of friends? Make sure you keep tabs on everyone's whereabouts by creating a GroupMe group chat on your mobile phone.

• Visiting an unbelievable landmark? Capture the experience with Qik Video Connect on your mobile phone and share a video message privately with friends and family or post to your social networks.

• Going abroad, but want to affordably call home? Take advantage of Skype's low cost pay as you go rates to call mom and dad on their landline or mobile phone and let them know you arrived safely.

• Want to share the beautiful view from you hotel room? Use Skype video calling on your iPad, iPhone or Android so your friends can share the view with you in real-time.

• Need to connect to WiFi? Try Skype WiFi to get online at over 1 million WiFi hotspots worldwide and only pay for the time you're online with Skype Credit.

• Weren't able to take the annual spring break trip with your friends? Connect with up to nine of your best buds to see how their trips are going with Skype group video calling for Mac or PC.

Are you taking a vacation this spring break? Leave a comment and share your destination with us.

Skype group video calling... How can you use it?

Here at Skype, we love music. We also love exploring everything group video calling can do.

So when we recently had the idea to merge music and group video, we couldn't help ourselves. Without pause we got a hold of our rockstar friends, Scarlett Grey, and asked if they'd like to put on gigs in three different cities. A routine request, they probably thought.

Then came the twist...

The gigs would all happen at precisely the same time via Skype group video calling. Yes, one band, one performance in three very different cities.

Could it be done?

Well, we see that as a definite 'yes'.

So how can you get the most out of Skype group video calling?

Here are a few things to try:

• Grab a bunch of friends who love to mix it up in the kitchen and enjoy a group cook along.

• Bring your gym buddies together for an impromptu home work out. Don't forget to shout out something upbeat to keep everyone motivated!

• Have a group of friends who love to read? Put up a pot of tea and meet from everyone's living room.

• Gather old college mates for a drink and chat about old times. Be prepared for some serious laughs.

The possibilities are pretty much endless. Who would you bring together with Skype and group video calling?

What would you see if you video called the world this February?

Wherever you are in the world, it's easy to stay connected with free Skype video calls and cheap international calls. But, what would you see if you video called the world this February?

Video call Iceland ... and see the Northern Lights
February is one of the best months to see the Northern Lights in Scandinavia. Iceland's capital, Reykjavik, is a great spot to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis - especially in February, when the city hosts its own Winter Lights Festival. If you're in the area, or know someone who is, video call and check out the celebrations.

Video call Vienna ... and see the Johann Strauss Ball
If you've ever dreamed of dancing a romantic waltz or attending a ball, then make sure to video call Vienna this month and take a peep at the Johann Strauss Ball on February 11. Honoring the famous composer, this grand soiree will see guests learn the waltzes and re-enact the classical balls that once occurred at the world-famous Kursalon Wien.

Video call Terni, Italy ... for St. Valentine's Day
St. Valentine's Day is thought to be in memory of two sainted martyrs - St. Valentine of Rome and St. Valentine of Terni. It's believed that, in 270 AD, the Roman Emperor Claudius II forbade soldiers to marry during wartime. (The then) Bishop Valentine of Terni defied orders and performed secret wedding ceremonies. After being caught, he was jailed and executed - but not before writing a love note to the jailor's daughter, signing it, "From your Valentine." The remains of St. Valentine now lie in Terni Cathedral, and all through February there will be carnivals, fireworks displays, and more in his honor.

Video call China ... and see the Chinese New Year Spring Festival
Chinese New Year may have taken place on January 23, but in China the celebrations go on until mid-February. This month, China will celebrate the end of the New Year festivities and welcome the Year of the Dragon with a lantern festival. If you're in China, video call from your mobile phone, so your friends and family can see thousands of lanterns glow above you.

Video call New Zealand ... for an Art Deco Weekend
Think Great Gatsby, flapper dresses, and the Roaring Twenties. While New Zealand may not be the first place you associate with the Jazz Age, in February thousands of Art Deco fans meet up to dress up and tour Hawkes Bay in the town of Napier - a neighborhood rebuilt in the 1920s is one of the world's best examples of Art Deco design. If you know anyone in the area, make sure to video call. Or if you're in the neighborhood, why not go all out with a video call from the back of a vintage car touring the city while wearing your flapper finery?

Video call Washington, D.C. ... for Black History Month
February is Black History Month. This year will mark a celebration of the lives, achievements, and contributions of African American women such as Ella Fitzgerald, Rosa Parks, and Maya Angelou. While there will be events across America, ask folks you know in Washington, D.C. to video call you from their smartphone so you can see celebrations like the Navy Memorial and U.S. Navy Band Diversity Concerts.

Where will you video call from this February? Where in the world would you like to video call from? Please leave us a comment, and let us know ...

What would you see if you video called the world this January?

Many people around the world see January as a good time to save a few dollars after the excesses of the holidays. But that doesn't mean January is boring - in fact, in January 2012, there will be loads of fun events and activities happening around the world.

If you've got friends who live overseas, you could witness a range of global festivities using free Skype video calls. Just read on to find out what's happening across the world in January 2012.

Video call Hong Kong... to see Chinese New Year Festivities

In 2012, the Chinese New Year begins on January 23rd with celebratory events spanning over several days. Although festivities are held all over the world, one of the most exciting celebrations happens in Hong Kong. Major highlights include the New Year fireworks display at Victoria Harbor, the Chinese New Year night parade and the New Year flower market. Together, all these celebrations make for colorful visuals.If you've got friends in Hong Kong, they'll be able to show it all to you in a video call if they have, so you don't have to miss out on all the fun!

Video call Scotland... for some haggis and a wee dram

Just weeks after its famous Hogmanay celebrations at New Year, Scots celebrate Burns Night on January 25th 2012. Burns Night toasts the life and works of national poet Robert Burns and is traditionally marked by a Burns supper. This features haggis (a meaty dish made from offal, oatmeal, suet and spices), neeps (turnips), tatties (potatoes) and - naturally - a few drams of whisky. If you're a Scot living abroad missing Burns Night or you have Scotish ancestors, ask friends and family to video call you during their Burns supper so you can enjoy the tradition together.

Video call Sydney, Australia... for a virtual Australia Day party

Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the world's most iconic landmarks, but the landmark really shines on Australia Day The major events in Sydney on Australia Day, celebrated every January 26th, include ferry races and tall ship displays by the harbour. The bridge is also the site of aircraft flyovers and impressive fireworks shows. People come to Sydney from all over Australia and the rest of the world to enjoy the celebrations. If you know someone who'll be there with Skype for iPad, get them to call you on the big screen, so you won't miss a thing.

Video call London... to catch a glimpse of the International Boat Show

Although London is a cold place to be in January, the London International Boat Show can warm you up whether you love boats or not! Between January 6th and 15th 2012, hundreds of boats will be displayed alongside the ExCel Centre at Victoria Dock. But it's not just about boats - in the water sports action pool, visitors can try their hand at various activities like windsurfing, kayaking and wakeboarding. The event even features professional talks and cooking demonstrations!.If you can't make it to London to be there in person and aren't able to have a video call in real time, why not ask your friends to take photographs? Once they snap pictures of this exciting spectacle, log onto Skype and share them with Skype instant messaging instant messaging Prince William and Catherine are keen rowers and sports fans, so who knows - you might even catch a glimpse of them in the background!

What global events will you be sharing via video call this January? Leave a comment below and let us know ...

Students get back to Skype when back to school

Striking out on your own for a university experience can be trying at first, but with Skype, you can keep your parents on the line while chatting up new friends from lecture.

Setting off for university - especially when you'll be far from your home town, your parents and childhood friends - is one of life's great adventures. You'll meet new friends, learn new things and share ideas - but you'll still want to keep in touch with those back home.

For video calling mom and dad, sharing your experiences with friends back home or at universities of their own - or maybe even collaborating online with the cutie next to you in lecture - you can choose Skype for quick and easy communication.

Your parents will probably be worried sending off their baby for the first time into the great wide world. And while you might think it's a bit silly, all it takes is a quick - and free - video call to let them know you're doing well... and maybe to ask to borrow a little money if you've run out.

This could especially come in handy if you're out of your home country, as Skype offers some of the cheapest international calls around.

Both internet calls and instant messaging are a great way to keep in touch with friends still in your home town or those who've chosen a different university. You can even use Skype to track down your daring friend as he treks through India on a gap year adventure.

But of course, university is all about stretching your legs, striking out on your own - and maybe you might even learn a thing or two. You can use Skype to collaborate with your new classmates or just chat with interesting people you've met at there.

If you've used Skype to make some new friends or keep in touch with old ones, share your story in our comments section!

Backpacking with Skype - the perfect travel companion

Setting out on a backpacking holiday can be a tiny bit scary. But with Skype, you can make sure you never feel lonely during your travels.

Setting out on a backpacking holiday or gap year is incredibly exciting, but it's not unusual for intrepid adventurers to also feel a little nervous about being away from their friends and family. Luckily, you never need to feel alone during your travels thanks to Skype.

No matter where you plan to explore, you're sure to find Skype can help you keep in touch with the friends you're leaving behind.

If you're taking a Skype-compatible smartphone with you, be sure to download Skype so you can take advantage of cheap international calls right from your mobile. You can also use Skype through your iPad - perfect if you're hoping for a larger screen!

Sometimes when you're feeling a little homesick, all you need to see is a familiar face, and with video calling from Skype, that won't be a problem, Schedule a video chat with your loved ones and enjoy the chance to catch up face to face - even if you're on opposite sides of the world.

From instant messaging to cheap calls or group video chat, Skype has everything you need to help you stay in touch with everyone back home while you're on your travels.

Set off on your backpacking adventure confident you've got all the tools you need to keep up-to-date with friends and family, and you're sure to be able to keep homesickness at bay.

If you're thinking of heading off on a gap year, who do you think you'll miss most from home?

Travel savvy with Skype

It's easy to travel savvy and stay in touch with Skype.

There's no need to wait in line for the payphone or weigh down your pockets with foreign coins when you can make Skype-to-Skype calls or use Skype to call mobiles and landlines.

What's more, with Skype Access you can get instant WiFi internet access while you're traveling by using Skype Credit at over one million WiFi hotspots worldwide.

So you can send an email instead of postcard, share photos, plan your next adventure and catch up with everyone back home - and you won't need to pay over the odds like you would at your hotel or hostel.

And it's even easier to travel savvy with Skype as we've pulled together our top travel tips - from how to wash your clothes on-the-go to how to save on toiletries.

Forget the Hitchhiker's Guide's command to take a towel on your (intergalactic) travels, we recommend taking blu-tack, duct tape, a sealable bag, contact lens cases and balloons.

Even better, we recommend you save money and leave yourself with more to spend by halving your travel wardrobe, buying toiletries on-the-go and using Skype to chat face-to-face and save on international calls and postage.

Just check out our top tips below and travel savvy with Skype.

To share this infographic, use this embed code:

<a href="http://blogs.skype.com/play/2011/08/travel-savvy-with-skype.html"><img width="150" height="341" src="http://www.skype.com/content/dam/skype/images/infographics/skype-savvy-traveller-sm.jpg" alt="Skype - The Savvy Traveller"><br></a><br /> Infographic by <a href="http://www.skype.com">Skype</a>

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