Desktop globetrotter: August 26

Clockwise from top, left: A reveller at the Tomatina Festival; A giant paper statue of the Chinese deity 'Da Shi Ye' or 'Guardian God of Ghosts'; performers at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival; A LAN Airlines aeroplane. Photos / AP, Herald on Sunday

A weekly round-up of travel news and debate from around the globe.

APPEASING THE WANDERING SPIRITS: Chinese communities around the world are celebrating the annual Hungry Ghost Festival, which is observed in the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar.

The reference to ghosts is due to the belief that the gates of the underworld are thrown open during the seventh month - which this year runs from August 10 until September 7.

Offerings of food are left for the wandering ghosts and elaborate paper statues are burnt to appease the spirits. Paper lanterns are also sometimes set adrift to help guide lost souls.

Many see the Hungry Ghost Festival as an inauspicious time to engage in certain activities, including moving house and getting married, however this report from channelnewsasia.com reveals an increasing number of people are happy to ignore the taboo and tie the knot regardless.

IN THE RED: Tomatina, the annual festival where thousands of tourists descend on the small town of Bunol to chuck tomatoes at one another, has become one of Spain's most famous events. Held on the final Wednesday of August, its origins are not entirely clear, but the official story is that a scuffle broke out between members of a carnival crowd back in the 1940s. One of the stalls overturned during the ensuing fight was apparently full of tomatoes... and so began the colourful tradition. Click here to read more about the world's most famous food fight.

A SUPER-CARRIER FOR SOUTH AMERICA: The news this month that Chile's LAN Airlines and Brazil's TAM Airlines are planning a merger could forever change the face of travel to and around South America. The Sydney Morning Herald's Clive Dorman examines what the proposed deal could mean for travellers from this part of the world.

SPLASH OUT: Last week's Herald Weekend supplement highlighted some of the best North Island hot pools for a late-winter break. For those planning a trip further afield, tripadvisor.com has compiled a list of the world's most breathtaking hotel pools.

In case you were wondering...

So, you've planned your trip, organised time off work and decided what you want to purchase duty free... but what about vaccinations?

If in doubt, the safetravel.govt.nz website advises that you consult your doctor six to eight weeks before you travel as they will be able to tell you about any inoculations you should have before you leave, as well as any medications you should take with you.

This interactive map on the World Health Organization's website gives details about the risk-level in each country for three of the most common diseases travellers need to be aware of: yellow fever, malaria and rabies.

And finally, from Scotland...

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is in full swing at the moment and people desperate to see some of the shows have found all manner of ways to do it on the cheap. In this guardian.co.uk video, Paul MacInnes shares his tips for finding free food, drink and laughs while the festival's on.

If you're in the area and struggling to decide what to see, check out this guide to navigating the festival by Mark Shenton.