Windows to the World: a rare opportunity

Posted on 24 September, 2019

Keen for an overseas jaunt but don’t have the funds/time/passport to nip away right now?

If you can get yourself to Yarralumla, Forrest, O’Malley or Deakin during October, you can technically score yourself a free trip overseas, without even leaving the bounds of the ACT.

Held from 5 to 20 October, Windows to the World is a rare opportunity to see behind the gates of the capital’s embassies and high commissions.

Mural at the Spanish Embassy.

This year, 42 diplomatic missions will be taking part in the event, enabling visitors to see, taste and experience cultures from across the globe plus enjoy their beautiful gardens and spectacular architecture.

And yes, the grounds of each embassy are technically considered foreign soil, so you are technically leaving the country. Although feel free to leave the passport at home.

Kosovo. Credit: Bleron Caka.

Try delicious Langos, a Hungarian food speciality made of deep-fried dough while learning about the Embassy of Hungary (12 October). Get acquainted with the typical Slovenian bee house and enjoy a taste of traditional food and wine at the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia (13 October).

Bulgaria.

Take advantage of a rare chance to go behind the gates of the Embassy of the United States of America (19 October), or taste Swiss coffee and chocolates and take a tour at the Embassy of Switzerland (19 October).

The ambassador’s chef will be doing a cooking demonstration and workshop at the Japanese Embassy (12 October). Or at the Embassy of the State of Qatar (13 October) discover their culture, food, and music, and hear all about the upcoming World Cup 2022.

At the Embassy of Finland (12 October), you can join in the fun and festivity of the Finnish Crazy Games and ride a hobbyhorse or participate in the ‘hän-carrying’ (previously wife-carrying), plus there’s an opportunity to enjoy a guided Finnish sauna experience.

Plus there are plenty more embassies to explore—visit windowstotheworld.com.au for the full program.

Finland.

Windows to the World was last held back in 2015, and proved extremely popular with many of the tickets snapped up quickly. And if you’re keen to head along this year, you’ll also need to act fast. Tickets are selling fast and tours are limited in numbers to keep groups small.

Some have already reached capacity, but you can still join the waiting list and cross your fingers.

And if you don’t manage to get your hands on tickets, the diplomatic missions for Ireland, Philippines, Canada, Turkey, Malaysia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are each celebrating with their own open days, showing off their country’s culture and traditional food and drinks, and no bookings are required.

Government House and Australian Parliament House (bookings required for this one) are also joining in on the action.

Saudi Arabia.

To help you travel between each embassy, there will be a free shuttle bus as parking can be limited in those areas.

You can also get a taste of the open days during the free Windows to the World Expo at Floriade on October 5, which will feature 11 foreign missions complementing this year’s Floriade theme, World in Bloom.

Canada.

For the full program and ticket bookings, head to windowstotheworld.com.au.

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