It’s true that a little hair says a lot about a man. But at what point does macho alpha male stray into sleazy villain territory? It’s a tough call. This is a question that has been on our lips a little more than usual here at Loco2 as the proliferation of ‘taches and beards this month has seen exponential growth. In celebration of fearless facial hair cultivators the world over we went in search of places to blend in with a little (or a lot of) facial fuzz.

1. Santa championships – Switzerland

Teams of Father Christmasses battle it out in the World Santa Championships in Samnaun, Switzerland to be crowned (if you can call a Santa hat a crown!) best Santa. No festive skill is left out, with chimney-climbing, gingerbread-icing and present delivering skills rigorously tested.

When: November 25th-26th | Find trains to Innsbruck

2. Viking ship museum – Norway

Our marauding Viking ancestors were known (and no doubt feared) for their facial growth. Oslo is home to the Viking Ship Museum which is testament to its hairy history, told through scale models, art and life-size replica ships. You can even go the whole hog and learn to sail in a longboat should the occasion take you.

When: when you feel the desire to re-enact Norse history! Find trains to Oslo

3. Naturist resort – Croatia

It may seem a little extreme and very 1970s, but actually Croatia were early pioneers of naturist holidays back in the 1930s, with even Edward VIII venturing to a nudist beach (with Mrs. Simpson who was less keen on sunbathing au naturel). Head to north of Petrcane for miles of golden sand after all – no one looks better in their birthday suit than a man with a beard.

When: when you can dare to bare all! Find trains to Knin

4. World Beard Championships – Austria

It’s a little while off (unless you’re planning to enter, in which case you better start growing that 5 o’clock stubble in earnest) but in 2015, Austria plays host to the World Beard Championships. But with the likes of Jonathan Rice and what we’ve christened his Octo-tache as contenders, the heat is on.

When: 2015 | Find trains to Saltzburg

5. Beard and Moustache competition – Italy

On Puglia’s Salento Peninsula, follically proud Italians descend on the village of Grottiglie, for the annual Barba e Baffi (Beard and Moustache) competition. Facial hair takes on high art as hopefuls enter categories such as English Gent, Dalí and Garibaldi. There are music and food stalls for the hairless and hirsute alike.

When: First week of August every year | Find trains to Grottaglie

6. Craftsmen Fair – Romania

If the Targul Mesterilor Populari sounds a little intimidating, fear not, it’s actually a rather lovely open-air event at Romania’s Village Museum dedicated to the country’s traditional crafts and cottage industries. Head down for more bushy basket-weavers and whiskered wood-carvers than you can shake a razor at, and learn glass-blowing and egg-painting in a workshop from the pros.

When: Annually in May | Find trains to Bucharest

7. Hungarian Moustache Festival

Everyone knows that a moustachioed gentleman exudes good taste, and none more than the Hungarians who take moustache growing to new highs in this annual festival dedicated to upper lip growth. Showstopping tradtional costumes match the decorated faces of all who take part, so you can see why it’s been said, “A moustache without a man in Hungary cannot succeed.”

When: May 22nd 2012 | Find trains to Budapest

Now, a few pointers for facial hair etiquette (hairtiquette?): Should you fret whether your mutton chops (that’s sideburns for those not in the know) err on the side of unfriendly then fear not, as long ago as 1800 men struggled with the same issue. This facial hair reference chart from the era should clear up the issue. While it doesn’t cover all possibilities (times have clearly moved on and forced people to diversify) it helps to know your designer stubble from your chin puff.

If a ‘tache is more your thing, Read This created a taxonomy of types of moustache. Finally if you are currently blissfully hair free and this post has awakened a certain longing for facial growth, Blogadilla have created your own cut-out-and-keep varieties, with the Magnum for the gentlemen and the Frida Kahlo for wannabe moustachioed ladies out there.

Right then, that’s the round up done, would really love to stay and chat, but I mustache!*

*DISCLAIMER: This piece may contain a disproportionate amount of facial hair related puns.

Image by LIFE, Maciej Zytniewski, & EVZ reproduced with thanks under a CC Attribution license 2.0