David Whitley's Blog
Posted by David Whitley
Capital City of Slovenia
Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia, is a simply gorgeous town. The bar terraces by the river are a great place to hang out, whilst those visitors that take on the walk up the steep hill to the castle are rewarded handsomely by the views.
Tivoli Park – near major museums
However, one of the more underrated elements of this highly attractive city is the Tivoli Park, to the west of the river and just past the area housing most of the city’s major museums. Ljubljana’s Tivoli Park is an oasis of greenery, but it is one that is put to use.
Chess centre… radio studio… tennis courts
Amongst all the couple performing first class public displays of affection (for some reason, there seems to be a lot of this going on Ljubljana) there are all manner of facilities. There’s a chess centre, a radio studio and some clay tennis courts for starters. It all makes for a nice blend between activity and tranquillity.
Photographic Exhibition
Best of all, however – at least when I was in town in January – was the photographic exhibition in the middle of the park. After strolling up and down past the mounted photographs, I couldn’t help feeling that other cities could do with making use of public space in such a way.
Posted by David Whitley
Stock phrases and keywords in foreign languages
If travelling to a country where the locals speak a language other than English, I always try and learn a few stock phrases and keywords (such as ‘yes’, ‘no’, ‘do you speak English?’, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’). I also find the phrase ‘I am looking for’ (‘je cherche’ in French for example) very useful – it doubles for ‘I would like’, ‘where is?’, ‘can I have?’ etc.
Where is the toilet in French, Italian, Spanish and more
However, when you really need to go, there is one other phrases that becomes absolutely vital: “Where is the toilet?” Here are a few translations in major languages… Where a non-Latin script is used, I’ve given the rough pronunciation.
French: Où sont les toilettes?
Italian: Dov'è il bagno?
Spanish: Dónde están los aseos?
German: Wo ist die Toilette?
Russian: Gde tualet
Portuguese: Onde são as casas de banho?
Arabic: Ain al-?ammaam?
Japanese: Toire wa doko desu ka
Mandarin Chinese: Cèsuo zài nali?
Dutch: Waar is het toilet?
Posted by David Whitley
Emu in Sydney, horse in Ljubljana…
With apologies to all the vegetarians and animal-lovers out there, I have to confess that I am a fully-fledged carnivore. And I take great delight in trying out new meat. Thus I have eaten kangaroo, crocodile and emu in Sydney, Australia, goat and pigeon in the Caribbean, reindeer in Helsinki, Finland and horse in Ljubljana, Slovenia. I regard this as immersing myself in another culture, even though I’m probably just lying to myself on that score.
Olde Hansa Restaurant in Tallinn, Estonia
Therefore, imagine my delight when I saw the menu at the Olde Hansa restaurant in Tallinn, Estonia. This is one of those consummately touristy restaurants that has waiters in novelty costume, is in a renovated medieval building and has absolutely no locals dining there. Usually this is a warning sign for bad food, but this is not the case – it was the best meal I had in my eight days in Finland and Estonia.
Estonian brown bear sausages
The best thing, though was what was on the menu. Wild boar was instantly tempting, but then I saw the goldmine – bear. Now that is an animal I’d never even contemplated eating before, and there was a big roast bear on offer. Eventually I went for the wild boar, elk and Estonian brown bear sausages. After all, that’s three new ones to tick off the list, but bear is easily the most impressive.
Posted by David Whitley
I like travelling by train on the whole, even though I’ve spent most of my life in Australia – where nobody does use the train – and the United Kingdom – where even those who would like to use the appalling train network struggle to afford to. There’s just something nice and relaxing about the whole thing.
Train from Tampere to Helsinki in Finland
Getting the train from Tampere to Helsinki in Finland was a real eye-opener though. It is, approximately, a two hour journey between the two cities and I was astonished when the train pulled up. After all, where was the graffiti? Where were the grimy, dust-covered seats that clearly hadn’t had a lick of paint since the 1940s? Where was the utterly miserable ticket collector?
Comfortable seating
It was, quite frankly, the nicest train I’ve ever seen – even better than the Eurostar from London to Paris or the TGVs in France. It was spotlessly clean, split over two levels of pleasant, comfortable seating and moved so quickly and quietly that it felt a little like a cocoon. If only all countries could have such an excellent rail service.
Posted by David Whitley
Tourist information office
While I was in Luxembourg a few months ago, I had an interesting chat with a man who works in the tourist information office. I’d asked whether there are any budget airlines that fly into the country, and he explained why there are none.
Business city: banking and European politics
Luxembourg is very much a business city, whether that business is banking or European politics. It also attracts a more upmarket brand of tourist than many European cities. This means that people going there are willing to pay for it (or, rather, get their company to pay for it).
Budget airlines and cheap flights
Whilst some cities have benefited enormously from budget airlines operating cheap flights to them, others have seen a downside to it. The likes of Tallinn in Estonia and Riga in Latvia, for example, have seen a huge surge of tourists heading over there largely to get drunk on cheap beer. Luxembourg, it seems, doesn’t want that.
National carrier Luxair
There is also the matter of protecting the national carrier, Luxair. Many of Europe’s flag-carrying airlines have struggled as the skies have been opened up to competition and some – such as Sabena in Belgium – have gone out of business altogether. Luxembourg figures that the benefits of preserving the national airline far outweigh the benefits of getting more flights and more tourists into the country.
Posted by David Whitley
Trieste, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy: The Bora
Trieste in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy is a strange place where a lot is dependent on the weather. It is known by Italians (well, those that know the city is in Italy rather than Yugoslavia anyway) for the ferocious wind which occasionally whips across the Adriatic coastline. Called the Bora, this wind can get up to over 100km/h and when it hits, cafes and restaurants have to make certain that their chairs and tables are firmly fixed to the ground/ wall/ anything solid.
Debris from trees
I went there when it was windy – although by no means to Bora proportions – and it was a constant battle to stay upright. All manner of debris was flying from trees into my face and it was a pretty grim experience in the rain all told.
‘Beach’ of the Barcola Riviera
But one thing that wind does is blow clouds away, and there couldn’t have been a bigger contrast the next day. The skies were a clear blue, complementing the deep azure of the Adriatic Sea perfectly. The locals clearly appreciated – there was hardly a spare spot along the Barcola Riviera, the stretch of shoreline that passes for a beach in these parts. The dismal first impressions of the city were, ironically, blown away.
Posted by David Whitley
Changing Currency
I tend to do a lot of flying – and to different countries as well. This often means that I need to get some foreign currency, and I hate doing so before the trip as this means carrying a lot of cash around, and I may completely misjudge how much I need.
Nationwide Building Society Debit Card
The second reason I hate doing it is that most of the time, the commission or poor exchange rate means that I’m losing out. Therefore I have an account with the Nationwide Building Society in the UK. The reason? They offer a debit card that allows me to make withdrawals at ATMs abroad at good rates and with no charges, fees or commission. This usually represents by far the best deal.
No ATM at airport
The problem, of course, comes when I arrive at an airport and it doesn’t have a cash machine/ ATM. It’s all very well getting a good deal on currency exchange, but you need to be able to get at the money.
Uncompetitive practices by currency changers
This is something that makes me angry. A lot of the time, there is only one reason for the lack of ATM: Uncompetitive practices by the currency changers. They want exclusive access to a captive market, and it’s no secret that the biggest rip-offs on rates and commissions are charged at the airport.
The solution
To get round this problem, I’ve developed what I regard to be the most pain-free solution. I’ll take enough UK sterling with me so that I can change just enough money to get from the airport to the city centre. And then, once I’m in the city centre, I’ll use my debit card in the cash machine.
Posted by David Whitley
Social Networking Site Facebook
I’ll admit it. Like just about every other bored office worker across the western world, I have become addicted to social networking site Facebook. It will probably be the death of my career, and not just because I spend far, far too much time sending nonsense to people I’ve not seen or heard from since school.
Traveler IQ Challenge
No – it’s the travel related applications that have really got me suckered. It all kicked off with the Traveler IQ Challenge, which is basically a geography quiz. I’m pleased to say I managed a Traveler IQ of 130, and none of my friends have (yet) managed to top my score.
TripAdvisor Travel Map
The real problem came when I discovered the TripAdvisor Travel Map. This basically allows you to mark off the cities you’ve been to. I gave up on that, however, after realising that it would take me about an hour to tick off everywhere in Australia and the UK, let alone elsewhere.
Travbuddy Countries Visited Map
Then came the real killer – the TravBuddy Countries Visited Map. This allows you to mark off the countries you have visited, then colours them green on a world map, and lets everyone know what percentage of the world’s countries you have been to. This has sparked an obsession to get to as many countries as I can as quickly as possible. And, as a result, I’ve started booking trips to places I’ve not been to before on a whim. I’ll have visited 27 separate countries in 2007 by the end of the year. That’s just childish, isn’t it?
Posted by David Whitley
Lonely Planet to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
Sometime guidebooks can let you down horribly. Whilst concentrating on churches, fascinating architecture and a good range of accommodation and restaurants, they often miss out something that is truly unique and highly entertaining. Why, for example, is the marzipan museum in Tallinn, Estonia not mentioned in my Lonely Planet guide to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania?
National Piping Centre in Glasgow, Scotland
The same applies to the National Piping Centre in Glasgow, Scotland. My guidebook didn’t mention it, and the only reason I knew about its existence was by looking at some promotional literature from the local tourist board. And guess what… alongside a museum tracing the history of bagpiping, it also offers to help visitors learn how to play the bagpipes!
Book in advance
Unfortunately, these bagpiping lessons need to be booked in advance by at least a week. Rocking up on the day, like I did, will elicit no joy whatsoever. I was, naturally, devastated… it would have been a great anecdote if nothing else.
Posted by David Whitley
- List the countries you have visited here.
A childish obsession of mine is ticking off as many countries as possible. I wrote an article on this for the Ninemsn website in Australia, but suffice to say that I’m determined to have reached 60 countries by the age of 30.
So far, my list is as follows:
Countries visited due to living there or visiting relatives
1. England
2. Wales
3. Scotland
Countries visited pre Year 2000
These countries were all visited on family holidays, before I really started travelling independently.
4. France
5. Spain
6. Greece
7. Tunisia
8. Andorra
9. Bulgaria
10. Dominican Republic
11. St Kitts
12. Antigua
13. Turkey
14. Republic of Ireland
Countries visited in 2000
This was the year where I took a month of summer out for a debauched interrailing trip
15. The Netherlands
16. Belgium
17. Luxembourg
18. Germany
19. Czech Republic
20. Poland
21. Austria
22. Italy
Countries visited since 2000
23. Indonesia
24. Australia
25. New Zealand
26. Portugal
27. The Gambia
28. Senegal
29. Malta
30. Slovenia
31. Croatia
32. Hungary
33. Norway
34. Latvia
35. Vatican City
36. Finland
37. Estonia
So that leaves just under two years to do another 23… I’m nearly running out in Europe, but have plenty left in Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean and Africa, plus the whole American continent. Bring it on!
Posted by David Whitley
Tourist trains
One thing I have never been able to understand is the appeal of tourist trains. By this, I don’t mean great journeys such as the Orient Express, railroads through the Alps or the transcontinental Indian Pacific and Ghan trains in Australia. I mean those little trains that pootle around major tourists sites, with children and adults cramped into the back, knees up to their chins. They generally travel at walking pace anyway, so what’s the point?
Tourist trains in Sydney: Circular Quay and Darling Harbour
Ironically for a city with such a notoriously unreliable public transport system (try a rush hour train to Central Station or Town Hall if unconvinced on this score), Sydney would have to be the world’s tourist train capital. Popular areas of Australia’s biggest city such as Circular Quay and Darling Harbour can feel like Disneyland at times, there’s so many of them, generally getting in everyone’s way.
Tourist trains in Sydney: Bronte Beach
However, the crowning glory is in the stretch of parkland just behind Bronte Beach in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Bronte is home to possibly the world’s worst tourist train – it just goes round and round in a tiny circle. The driver’s job must be utterly hellish.
Posted by David Whitley
Interpersonal communication?
Thank the heavens for the internet. Lord only knows how we managed to get by before it was invented and booking hotels online became commonplace. Call it soulless, call it a barrier to interpersonal communication, but sometimes not having to speak to a human being is a good thing.
Avila, Spain and the Lonely Planet Guidebook
A few months ago I was trying to book accommodation in Avila, Spain. None of the ones I could see on the internet took my fancy, but there was one in the Lonely Planet guidebook that looked really nice (and, more importantly, was cheap). Alas, it didn’t have a website, and I had to pick up the phone for the first time in what seems like five years.
Ropy Spanish and the receptionist’s English
Unfortunately, it is precisely 12 years since I last studied Spanish. And what do you know… it appears to have got a little ropy in that time. Ropy would also be a good word to describe the receptionist’s English, too, and making the booking by phone was a thoroughly painful experience.
Hostel in Parnu, Estonia
Not as bad as the one a few weeks later, though. The hotel/ hostel in Parnu, Estonia also didn’t have a website. The only word I managed to make out from the other end was “Ruski” (Russian), and eventually the receptionist decided to hang up, clearly giving the potential booking up as a bad job…
Posted by David Whitley
Best beaches in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs
In yesterday’s blog entry about the best beaches in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, I didn’t get round to mentioning Clovelly Beach, which is between Bronte and Coogee. To get there from the city centre, it’s a simple case of catching the 339 bus.
Free entertainment in Australia
Clovelly’s not a beach I’ve spent much time at. This is largely because I like my waves and attempting to bodysurf – if there’s a better form of free entertainment in Australia, then I’m yet to find it.
Beers at the Clovelly Hotel
However, Clovelly Beach does have its attractions. First and foremost is the Clovelly Hotel up the road – a perfect place for a few beers after a swim. It’s a really good pub – with a large beer garden – for a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
Snorkelling and Swimming at Clovelly Beach, Sydney
However, for snorkellers, Clovelly is the place to head for. Protected from the surf by a large inlet, the water is calm, and all manner of creatures thrive beneath it. Those wanting a swim without getting bashed about in the waves are in luck, while there are all manner of creatures beneath the surface. It makes for fascinating viewing for anyone with a mask and fins
Posted by David Whitley
Sydney’s top class beaches – close to the city centre
I lived in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia for over four years, and tried to spend as much time as possible at the beach while I was there. Sydney is one of the few cities in the world that is blessed with top class beaches close to the city centre. The beaches of the Eastern suburbs can all be ticked off within an 8km Bondi to Coogee walk after getting the 380 bus to Bondi.
Iconic Bondi atmosphere
The most famous of these beaches is the iconic Bondi Beach, famous for its surf and atmosphere. I’m not personally a great fan – it’s a great stretch of sand, but there’s a bit of a pretentious feel to it. This is particularly true if you head into any of Bondi’s bars on the other side of Campbell Parade.
Coogee cafes, Bronte surf and Tamarama beauty
At the other end of the Bondi to Coogee walk is Coogee beach, which I much prefer. The surf isn’t as good – there’s a big sandbank which creates a washing machine effect. However Coogee’s cafes and bars are much nicer and more laid back. Other alternatives include Bronte Beach, where the surf is excellent, although it can get seaweedy and the currents can be dangerous. And then there’s the beauty (or beauties) of Tamarama, which is known as Glamarama for a very good reason.
Posted by David Whitley
Here are the answers to last Saturday’s city trivia quiz on Vilnius, Lithuania. A new quiz will appear on the Urban Travel blog tomorrow.
Vilnius music: There is a statue in Vilnius dedicated to a famous American psychedelic musician – who had no links with Lithuania whatsoever. Who is it?
Answer: Frank Zappa.
Vilnius architecture: Vilnius’ old town is UNESCO World-Heritage listed for its wealth of what type of architecture?
Answer: Baroque.
Vilnius Breakaway Republic: There is a self-styled breakaway republic within the city of Vilnius, Lithuania. Set up by artists and free thinkers, it has its own, rather bizarre, constitution. What is it called?
Answer: The Uzupis Republic.
Vilnius Adventure Sports: Vilnius has a 326m TV tower. What adventure sport can the truly brave take on from it?
Answer: Bungee jumping.
Vilnius buildings: What major Vilnius building was turned into an art gallery during the Soviet era, and reverted back to its original use in 1989?
Answer: Vilnius cathedral.
Posted by David Whitley
I currently live in London, England, so obviously a lot of the articles and blog entries I have written on Suite101 are about the British capital. I thought it'd be a good idea to collect the links to all of these pieces in one place to create a London for Visitors City Travel Guide, so here goes...
Facts and figures about London: Songs about London, 2012 Olympic Games Logo
Eating out in London, England: London Curry Houses, Cheap London Restaurants and Pub Meals
Transport in London: Getting to Central London from Stansted Airport, Trains from London St Pancras, Trains to London Bridge Station, Cheap Flights From London Gatwick Airport
Things to do: London events and festivals, Cabinet War Rooms/ Winston Churchill Museum, Shopping at Borough Market, Wimbledon Tennis Championships, British Museum
Posted by David Whitley
I’ve been asked by one reader how I first got into Urban Travel, and the probable answer is my first European interrailing trip whilst I was at university in 2000. It was a comical dash through some of Europe’s great cities, packed with anecdotes (many of which are not repeatable on a family site).
Looking back on the route we took, though, I still think it’s a good one…
The July 2000 Interrail Classic
Ferry from Hull, England to Zeebrugge, Belgium
Train from Zeebrugge, Belgium to Amsterdam, Netherlands
Train from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Luxembourg City
Train from Luxembourg City to Cologne, Germany
Train from Cologne, Germany to Berlin, Germany
Train from Berlin, Germany to Prague, Czech Republic
Train from Prague, Czech Republic to Krakow, Poland
Train from Krakow, Poland to Vienna, Austria
Train from Vienna, Austria to Innsbruck, Austria
Train from Innsbruck, Austria to Milan, Italy
Train from Milan, Italy to Genoa, Italy
Train from Genoa, Italy to Avignon, France
Train from Avignon, France to Calais, France
Ferry from Calais, France to Dover, England.
Posted by David Whitley
September wedding
My friend is getting married in September next year, and his best man has asked for my advice on where to go for a stag party weekend. The key thing here is that we are all the sort of people that hate the stereotypical bucks’ weekend – knuckle-scraping, grunting, strip clubs and public urination. So where is best to go?
Cheap drinks in Tallinn or Riga?
Well, we want cheap drinks, naturally, so that rules out Copenhagen in Denmark, Oslo in Norway or Stockholm in Sweden. We also don’t want to be surrounded by other stag parties, so that rules out Tallinn in Estonia, Riga in Latvia, Prague in the Czech Republic, Amsterdam in the Netherlands or Barcelona in Spain.
Vilnius or Ljubljana?
The logical conclusion, therefore, is to head to a city in Eastern Europe that hasn’t yet been infected by the stag party curse. Ones that spring to mind immediately are Vilnius in Lithuania and Ljubljana in Slovenia.
Real alternatives
But naturally, my instinct is to try and head for somewhere well off the usual travel map. How about Chisinau in Moldova, Kiev in the Ukraine or Belgrade in Serbia?
Posted by David Whitley
One of my major bugbears about travelling in London (and believe me, I have many) is the amount of time it can often take to change from one underground Tube line to another.
Northern Line to Victoria Line at Stockwell
At some stations, it’s fine – to change from the Northern Line to the Victoria Line at Stockwell, for example, is simply a case of walking across the platform.
Changing trains at London St Pancras and Waterloo Station
But at others you have to walk seemingly miles to change lines and get on the correct train to your destination. Classic examples of this are at Waterloo and the distance between the Kings Cross/ St Pancras underground station and the St Pancras mainline train station.
Jubilee Line to Canary Wharf at London Bridge
The most annoying though, purely because of the frequency at which I have to change there is London Bridge. I play indoor cricket at Canary Wharf on Monday nights, and have to change from the Northern Line to the Jubilee Line. I swear it would be quicker to actually walk direct to Canary Wharf rather than change trains at times…
Posted by David Whitley
City break hassle
One of the eternal hassles of a city break is working out how to get to and from the airport. Some airports can be a long way out of the city centre, making getting a taxi prohibitively expensive. Hence, usually, I will try and find the best public transport option.
Bus from Tallinn Airport, Estonia
Tallinn, Estonia is a slightly different case. The buses to and from the airport drop off just south-east of the Old Town, which can be quite a lug if carrying suitcases to, say, a hotel on the north-west side.
Location of Tallinn airport, Estonia
However, Tallinn airport is only approximately 4km south-east of the Old Town, the location meaning that getting a taxi is a viable option, even for those travelling on a budget.
Taxi fares in Tallinn, Estonia
The base taxi fare is EEK70*, with a 300 krooni waiting time per hour and EEK14 per kilometre. My fare came to just under 150 Estonian krooni
*Exchange rates
One US dollar equals around 11.26 Estonian krooni. One UK pound equals around 22.89 Estonian krooni. One euro equals around 15.65 Estonian krooni, and many hotels, restaurants, shops and taxis will accept payment in euros.
Posted by David Whitley
This week’s city trivia quiz is on Vilnius, Lithuania – a chance to test your knowledge and learn some fun facts about the Lithuanian capital city. The answers will appear here next Friday.
Vilnius music: There is a statue in Vilnius dedicated to a famous American psychedelic musician – who had no links with Lithuania whatsoever. Who is it?
Vilnius architecture: Vilnius’ old town is UNESCO World-Heritage listed for its wealth of what type of architecture?
Vilnius Breakaway Republic: There is a self-styled breakaway republic within the city of Vilnius, Lithuania. Set up by artists and free thinkers, it has its own, rather bizarre, constitution. What is it called?
Vilnius Adventure Sports: Vilnius has a 326m TV tower. What adventure sport can the truly brave take on from it?
Vilnius buildings: What major Vilnius building was turned into an art gallery during the Soviet era, and reverted back to its original use in 1989?
Posted by David Whitley
Here are the answers to last Saturday’s city trivia quiz on Canberra, Australia. A new quiz will appear on the Urban Travel blog tomorrow.
Canberra’s state: Which Australian State is Canberra in: New South Wales, Victoria or South Australia?
Answer: It isn’t in any of them. Canberra is in Australian Capital Territory.
Canberra design: What was the name of the American architect who won the contest to design Canberra?
Answer: Walter Burley Griffin. The city’s centrepiece, Lake Burley Griffin, is named after him.
Canberra museums: What is the National Science and Technology Centre better known as?
Answer: Questacon.
Canberra documents: A copy of which famous medieval legal document can be found at Parliament House in Canberra?
Answer: The Magna Carta.
Canberra attractions: The Memorial Water Jet, which shoots a column of water 147m into the air by the side of Lake Burley Griffin, is named after which famous explorer?
Answer: Captain James Cook
Posted by David Whitley
Last May, Glasgow in Scotland took on a decidedly Spanish flavour. It’s not a city that would readily be associated with tapas, paella and flamenco, but that’s what hosting a major European football final can do.
UEFA Cup Final in Glasgow
Last year’s UEFA Cup final was held in Scotland’s biggest city, and the two finalists were Sevilla and Espanyol from Spain. The fans arrived in their thousands for the big game, and Glasgow played the consummate host, reaping in the tourism benefits.
2008 UEFA Cup Final in Manchester
In 2008, it will be Manchester, England that hosts the final, and a similar foreign invasion is a distinct possibility. The final will be played in the City of Manchester Stadium on May 14th 2008.
Possible finalists
At this early stage, it is impossible to guess which countries will provide the finalists. If England, then Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers and Everton won’t have far to travel, while Tottenham Hotspur and their fans would have to come up from London. Other big guns in the competition include Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Palermo from Italy and Spanish clubs Atletico Madrid, Real Zaragoza and Villareal.
Posted by David Whitley
Five Star Hotels in Italy
When I’m off on my travel, I don’t tend to spend all that much time in my hotel. Hence I tend to veer more towards good value budget accommodation than five star hotels. After all, the point of urban travel is seeing the city, not some kind of interchangeable hotel room. I’m happy to forgo the luxury accommodation, chocolates on the pillow, mini-bar and free bathroom goodies if it means I’ve got more money to spend on attractions, sight-seeing, bars and restaurants.
Luxury Hotel
However, on a recent trip to Italy, I was put up in a five star hotel (there is the occasional perk for travel writers, in case you hadn’t guessed). I was quite excited about this, as it was a first for me. I’ve stayed in the occasional luxury hotel before, but not one that breaks through the five star barrier.
Ratings system
Well, all I can say after the experience (I won’t mention in which Italian city this five star hotel was; it’s fairly irrelevant to the point) is that the ratings system is a perplexing beast. I’d stayed in three star hotels that appear better equipped and more luxurious. There was nothing particularly wrong with it – apart from pushing two single beds together to make a double, my ultimate hotel no-no – but it was hardly as special I was expecting. Perhaps I just lucked out, but when I’m travelling on my own dollar (or pound), I’m going to stick to my guns, go for the good value, and spend it on the bars, restaurants and attractions of Italian cities.
Posted by David Whitley
London shopping: Foodie Paradise
There can be few worse places to go when hungry than Borough Market on Borough High Street, South London. Well, if you want to emerge without an overdraft and huge bagfuls of food, anyway. In terms of London shopping, it’s a foodie paradise.
Organic vegetables to free range meats
Sheltered from the elements in cramped stalls near London Bridge station, Borough Market attracts traders from across the country, all selling some of the best food it’s possible to find in the UK. Whether it’s organic vegetables, ice cream from Cornwall, speciality cheeses from France or free range meats from Kent, no one is able to resist all of the stalls. Well, I’m certainly not anyway, and end up spending a fortune every time I visit.
Cheese sampling and free chocolate brownies
The best part about the market is that most of the stalls offer free tasters of their products, which means visitors can go round gorging themselves on little titbits. Whether it’s cheese sampling, or spreading mustards and jams on to fresh bread, it’s a miniature feast at zero cost. Round it all off with a trip to the chocolate brownie stand – they are to die for, and it’s no coincidence that there’s always a huge gathering of people outside it.
Venison steaks, pork and stilton burgers, wild boar sausages
I defy any fully fledged carnivore to leave without scoffing down one of the sizzling meats being grilled, however. Throughout the market, something is always cooking, whether it’s roast beef and lamb or something a little more interesting. Venison steaks, pork and stilton burgers and wild boar sausages are just three examples.
Posted by David Whitley
Happy memories?
They say with some places that if you can remember anything about them, then you didn’t do them properly. I sincerely hope this applies to Metelkova in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Former army barracks and converted prison as hostel
A former army barracks, Metelkova was taken over by squatters when Slovenia became independent from Yugoslavia. It is a seriously edgy place, with a few grimy-but-cool bars and even a converted prison as a hostel (the Celica). It is, apparently, where Ljubljana’s underground arty types hang out – a rough equivalent to Christiania in Copenhagen, Denmark. This I had to see.
Long drinking session
Unfortunately, it was around 1.30am after a long drinking session down by the river in the Ljubljana city centre that I decided this. Now usually I am annoyingly diligent about taking notes about everything when I travel – a curse of the profession – but this time I appear to have been a little slack.
Notepad: Lots of young people?
My notepad reads, in barely legible writing, as follows: “Equiv Christiania. Graffiti everywhere. Falla Falla Bar. Past 2am. Lots of young people. Absolutely f***ing terrifying.”
Train to Zagreb
Ahem. Call it my Woodstock moment, but the rest of the night is a complete memory blank. I somehow got onto the train to Zagreb at 08.35 in the morning, with all my luggage, but it was a disturbingly close run thing…
Posted by David Whitley
Cheap flights to Ljubljana
Until recently, budget airlines didn’t offer cheap flights to Ljubljana, Slovenia. This meant that often the best way of getting there cheaply was to fly into Trieste airport, Italy from London Stansted with Ryanair.
Trieste airport
Trieste airport is only very small, and is a fair drive to the north of the city – which is worth bearing in mind if planning to stop a night in Trieste before heading into Slovenia. I didn’t check this out beforehand, and the train journey across the Slovenian border isn’t quite as simple as I’d imagined.
No direct trains
First of all, there were no direct trains at the time of morning I need to travel – the train service going from Venice to Zagreb via Ljubljana doesn’t stop in Trieste. This meant getting to Monfalcone, a small place of no real significance, and an anxious hour’s wait to get the connecting train amongst some typically iffy Italian signposting.
What platform?
But then again, that’s part of the fun with rail journeys in Europe. It wouldn’t be quite the same without the journey taking an unexpectedly long time and having to resort to rusty schoolboy French in order to work out what platform a train leaves from with a fellow traveller.
Posted by David Whitley
This week’s city trivia quiz is on Canberra, Australia – a chance to test your knowledge and learn some fun facts about Australia’s capital city. The answers will appear on the Urban Travel blog next Friday.
Canberra’s state: Which Australian State is Canberra in: New South Wales, Victoria or South Australia?
Canberra design: What was the name of the American architect who won the contest to design Canberra?
Canberra museums: What is the National Science and Technology Centre better known as?
Canberra documents: A copy of which famous medieval legal document can be found at Parliament House in Canberra?
Canberra attractions: The Memorial Water Jet, which shoots a column of water 147m into the air by the side of Lake Burley Griffin, is named after which famous explorer?
Posted by David Whitley
Here are the answers to last Saturday’s city trivia quiz on Milan, Italy. A new quiz will appear on the Urban Travel blog tomorrow.
Milan churches: The refectory (Cenacolo Vinciano) of the Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie houses one of the world’s most famous paintings. Painted by Leonardo da Vinci, the artwork got plenty of attention in Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. What is the painting called?
Answer: The Last Supper.
Milan Fashion: Which Milanese fashion designer created his first prêt a porter collection in 1982, changing the fashion industry as we know it?
Answer: Giorgio Armani.
Milan motor racing: The Italian Formula One Grand Prix is held just north of Milan. What is the name of the circuit that hosts it?
Answer: Monza
Milan Football: Arguably the most famous Italian football team is AC Milan. What colours does the team play in?
Answer: Red and black stripes.
Milan Music: What is the name of Milan’s world famous opera house?
Answer: La Scala
Milan media: Who was the editor of the Milan-based socialist newspaper Avanti! after the first World War? (Clue: He changed his political stripes somewhat a little later).
Answer: Benito Mussolini
Milan history: Back in AD313, Roman Emperor Constantine made a momentous decision in Milan (then known as Mediolanum). What was it?
Answer: Granting freedom of worship to Christians.
Milan Sport: Milan’s biggest stadium is the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. What is it better known as?
Answer: The San Siro
Milan Airports: Milan has three airports – Linate, Malpensa and one other. What is the third called?
Answer: Milan Orio al Serio.
Milan Politics: Italy’s richest man is a media mogul from Milan, and became Italian Prime Minister in 2001. What is his name?
Answer: Silvio Berlusconi
Posted by David Whitley
Italian train services – mostly run by Trenitalia – are rather good on the whole. They tend to be frequent, relatively quick and on time. However, while the train services themselves are usually strong, the information provided about them can often leave a lot to be desired. I found this out to my cost in Rome last week.
Overland train line
Unlike many major cities, Rome doesn’t have a particularly extensive underground system. This is largely because every time they try and extend it, the excavators come across another set of priceless Roman ruins. Therefore most journeys to the outside of Rome are done on an overland train line.
San Pietro to La Giustiniana
My hotel was just outside the Rome city boundary, and I had to catch one of these trains when coming back from a sightseeing excursion to the Vatican City. San Pietro (St Peter) station is just outside the Vatican, and a train from there stops at La Giustiniana, the nearest station to my hotel.
Train information
However, the train information at San Pietro wasn’t exactly comprehensive. The displays on the platforms just show the final destination, which is fairly useless if getting off before then. The noticeboards inside the station do list which trains go to which station at which time, but they’re not exactly easy to follow, and on occasion are complete works of fiction.
Train from Roma San Pietro to Viterbo
Eventually, I managed to ascertain that I needed the train from Roma San Pietro to Viterbo, and hopped on the next one to arrive. However, when it started to shoot through stations, I started to get a little worried. Appiano, Balduina, Gemelli and Monte Mario were all skipped. And inevitably, so was La Giuistiana. As the train sped through La Storta and Olgiata I started to worry that I was seriously on the wrong train. Was I going from Rome to Florence? Was I on the train to Milan? Maybe the Rome to Turin service or the night train to Venice?
Express service
Mercifully, it stopped at the next stop, and I sheepishly made my way over to the other platform for a train that would stop at La Giustiniana. The lesson learned was to check whether the approaching train is a normal train or an express service, however…
Posted by David Whitley
Services from London Gatwick Airport
On August 23rd, I explained how budget airline Easyjet is expanding its services from London Gatwick airport to destinations across the continent. However, there is another big winner in Easyjet’s new route announcement.
Cheap Flights from Milan Malpensa
Whilst London Gatwick will see a cheap flight expansion, there is also good news for those based in Milan (or want to fly to Milan). Easyjet has also announced a few new routes from Milan Malpensa airport, which will begin to operate this autumn.
New routes from Milan Malpensa to Romania, Spain, Sardinia & Morocco
Travellers looking for cheap city breaks, flying from Milan, will now be able to make their way to Romania, Spain, Sardinia and Morocco. The new services, with their starting dates, are as follows.
Milan Malpensa, Italy to Bucharest, Romania: 10 September 2007
Milan Malpensa, Italy to Bari: 1 October 2007
Milan Malpensa, Italy to Olbia, Sardinia: 31 October 2007
Milan Malpensa, Italy to Cagliari, Sardinia: 29 October 2007
Milan Malpensa, Italy to Marrakech, Morocco: 6 November 2007
Milan Malpensa, Italy to Barcelona, Spain: 8 October 2007
Posted by David Whitley
City Break in Dublin?
Those wanting to take a city break in the Irish capital, Dublin, will have a lot more options on plane routes later in 2007. Budget airline Ryanair has announced six new direct flight routes to Dublin from European cities.
Competition for Aer Lingus
In a typically belligerent move by the Irish budget carrier, Ryanair has said that it is operating the new routes in order to offer competition to Aer Lingus on the six routes. Whether that’s the real reasoning or not, at least there are a few more options for Irish travellers heading abroad, and European visitors to Ireland.
New Ryanair routes
The new routes to the Irish Republic, which will start operating in October, November and December this year, are as follows:
Basel, Switzerland to Dublin, Ireland
Budapest, Hungary to Dublin, Ireland
Katowice, Poland to Dublin, Ireland
Nice, France to Dublin, Ireland
Prague, Czech Republic to Dublin, Ireland
Szczecin, Poland to Dublin, Ireland
Posted by David Whitley
Finland to Estonia ferry
While I am looking forward to visiting Helsinki, there’s another part of the trip that I’m looking forward to even more: The Finland to Estonia ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn across the Baltic Sea.
Cheaper drinks on evening ferry
This may seem a little strange, but the thing I’m looking forward to most is the fact that we’re going on the Friday evening ferry. From what I have been told, this is something of a ritual amongst Finns, who pile aboard the ferry to get cheaper drinks than they would normally get in Helsinki. We will be staying in Tallinn – but I’m told that the Finns often just get the ferry straight back so that they can carry on drinking on the cheap and then go home for the night.
Disaster or potentially interesting characters?
Obviously, this has the makings of a disaster. We’ll have our backpacks with us, and there is the chance that it’ll be a horrible festival of lairy drunkenness. I prefer to look on the bright side – there’s a high chance of meeting a few interesting characters on that ferry, and they are the stuff that anecdotes are made of.
Posted by David Whitley
Two more countries visited
Later this week I get to put another two ticks against my list of countries visited, taking me up to 37. (Never mind the quality… feel the quantity). I’ll be heading off to Finland and Estonia to get up to all manner of strange activities, but while I’m there I’m looking forward to spending a day in the Finnish capital city, Helsinki.
Helsinki – non-stereotypical city break destination
Helsinki is the sort of place that has always sounded kinda cool to me. There’s no particular reason for this – it’s just that it’s not a stereotypical city break destination. But I was surprised how many other people are of the same view.
Architecture in Helsinki
On my recent trip to Italy, I met a few Australian travellers, all of whom were raving about Helsinki, despite having never been there. I was curious as to why, and it turns out that there is an increasingly popular Australian band called Architecture In Helsinki. It appears as though the city’s image is basking a little in the reflected glory of this avant-garde group. Perhaps tourist boards should be giving funding to cool bands as part of their marketing strategy?
Posted by David Whitley
This week’s city trivia quiz is on Milan, Italy – a chance to test your knowledge and learn some fun facts about Northern Italy’s biggest city. The answers will appear on the Urban Travel blog next Friday.
Milan churches: The refectory (Cenacolo Vinciano) of the Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie houses one of the world’s most famous paintings. Painted by Leonardo da Vinci, the artwork got plenty of attention in Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. What is the painting called?
Milan Fashion: Which Milanese fashion designer created his first prêt a porter collection in 1982, changing the fashion industry as we know it?
Milan motor racing: The Italian Formula One Grand Prix is held just north of Milan. What is the name of the circuit that hosts it?
Milan Football: Arguably the most famous Italian football team is AC Milan. What colours does the team play in?
Milan Music: What is the name of Milan’s world famous opera house?
Milan history: Back in AD313, Roman Emperor Constantine made a momentous decision in Milan (then known as Mediolanum). What was it?
Milan Sport: Milan’s biggest stadium is the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. What is it better known as?
Milan Airports: Milan has three airports – Linate, Malpensa and one other. What is the third called?
Milan Politics: Italy’s richest man is a media mogul from Milan, and became Italian Prime Minister in 2001. What is his name?
Posted by David Whitley
Here are the answers to last Saturday’s trivia quiz on Atlanta, Georgia. A new city trivia quiz will appear on the Urban Travel blog tomorrow.
Atlanta industry: Which famous multi-national soft drinks company is based in Atlanta?
Answer: Coca-Cola. The World of Coca-Cola is Atlanta’s biggest tourist attraction.
Atlanta literature: The author of Gone With The Wind is commemorated with a museum in Atlanta, Georgia. What is her name?
Answer: Margaret Mitchell
Atlanta art: The Atlanta Cyclorama in Grant Park is a record breaker. Why?
Answer: It is the world’s largest painting.
Atlanta sport: In what year did Atlanta host the Summer Olympics?
Answer: 1996. Visitors wanting to relive the experience can go to the Centennial Olympic Park.
Atlanta famous people: Which famous son of Atlanta was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964?
Answer: Martin Luther King Jr.
Atlanta geography: The world’s largest outcrop of exposed granite can be found a short drive east of downtown Atlanta. What is it called?
Answer: Stone Mountain Park.
Atlanta wildlife: Atlanta Zoo has two pandas. What are they called?
Answer: Lun Lun and Yang Yang
Atlanta media: The world’s busiest news organisation is based in Atlanta. What is it?
Answer: CNN. Behind the scenes tours are available at the CNN Center for those wanting to learn more.
Atlanta religion: At which church did Martin Luther King Jr and his father preach? It was also where Martin Luther King Jr’s mother was murdered in 1974.
Answer: The Ebenezer Baptist Church on Auburn Avenue, Sweet Auburn
Atlanta politics: Which Georgian-born president of the United States of America has a Presidential Library and Museum devoted to him on Freedom Parkway?
Answer: Jimmy Carter
Posted by David Whitley
Europe’s great cathedrals
Europe is packed with many great cathedrals, from Chartres in France and Cologne in Germany to St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. However, when you spend a lot of time travelling in European cities, you don’t half get sick of them.
Gothic, Renaissance or Baroque?
Whether they’re Gothic, Renaissance or Baroque, and irrespective of the treasure troves of artworks inside, they all have a tendency to merge into one after a while. I, for one, let out a sad sigh when I see any tourist board promoting the local cathedral as the city’s highlight. Surely there’s something else a little more unique and interesting than another religious building?
An exception to the rule
The exception to this fairly hard and fast personal rule is the Mezquita in Córdoba, Andalucia, Spain. When I went, I really wasn’t expecting all that much (it was another cathedral after all), but I found it truly breathtaking.
Courtyard of orange trees and archways
From the moment I entered the courtyard of orange trees outside, I could tell that this was a cathedral that’s a little different. It was spacious, laid out horizontally rather than vertically, for a start. Inside it was simply breathtaking – painted archway after painted archway gave a dizzying fairground maze effect that simply doesn’t happen elsewhere.
Former mosque
The reason for this unusual architecture is that the Mezquita is a former mosque, dating back to the times when Andalucia was under Moorish control. Thankfully it was converted and reconsecrated rather than knocked down when the Reconquista took Córdoba back.
Posted by David Whitley
Following on from yesterday’s post, another good reason for buying tickets to the 2008 Champions League Final in Moscow, Russia early is the cost of getting to and staying in the Russian capital.
Moscow budget accommodation
Moscow is a notoriously expensive city for visitors. Budget accommodation, such as hostels and bed and breakfasts, is not exactly in plentiful supply. Throw in a few hundred thousand visitors for the Champions League Final, and there will not be many cheap beds in town come Wednesday 21st May, 2008.
Moscow hotels
For those with a slightly higher budget, Moscow hotels will also be in high demand. The chances of leaving it until April or May before booking and getting a good deal are slim, while early bookings could ensure a better price.
Russian visas
The other problem with leaving hotel bookings for the 2008 Champions League final until late is that an ‘invitation’ – usually from a hotel or other form of accommodation – is required in order to get a visa to enter Russia. It’s something of a labyrinthine, slow and bureaucratic process, and best done well in advance of travel.
Cheap flights to Moscow
And the final reason for buying 2008 Champions League Final tickets as early as possible? The flights will also be cheaper if booked early. Moscow isn’t all that well served by budget airlines – certainly not from major cities such as London, Paris, Rome and Madrid. If looking to get a low cost flight to Moscow, it may be worth looking at a roundabout route. There are much cheaper deals to be had, for example, from the likes of Bari and Venice in Italy, Riga in Latvia and Hamburg in Germany.
Posted by David Whitley
2008 Champions League Final in Moscow
If the rush for tickets to the 2007 Champions League final in Athens, Greece, is anything to go by, then the 2008 Champions League Final in Moscow is going to be the biggest event in Russia this year. The game will take place on Wednesday 21st May, 2008 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
Champions League Final Tickets
Those wanting Champions League Final tickets are, therefore, advised to get in early to beat the rush. Once the finalists are known, fans of the competing sides will be trying every available outlet to get tickets for European football’s big game in the Russian capital. Prices will go up, and travel arrangements will be harder to make.
Liverpool vs AC Milan again?
Of course, there’s no guarantee which teams will make it to the final at this early stage. It could be Liverpool vs AC Milan yet again, but it could just as easily be Arsenal vs Barcelona or Manchester United vs Real Madrid. Irrespective of which teams take part, however, the Champions League Final is a great spectacle, well worth going to. And, more to the point, Moscow is truly one of the world’s great cities – the football is as good an excuse as any to pay it a visit.
Posted by David Whitley
This week’s city trivia quiz is on Atlanta, Georgia, the United States of America, the biggest city in the traditional ‘South’. The trivia quiz is a chance to test your knowledge of the city and learns some fun facts that you possibly didn’t know. The answers will appear on the Urban Travel blog next Friday.
Atlanta industry: Which famous multi-national soft drinks company is based in Atlanta?
Atlanta literature: The author of Gone With The Wind is commemorated with a museum in Atlanta, Georgia. What is her name?
Atlanta art: The Atlanta Cyclorama in Grant Park is a record breaker. Why?
Atlanta sport: In what year did Atlanta host the Summer Olympics?
Atlanta famous people: Which famous son of Atlanta was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964?
Atlanta geography: The world’s largest outcrop of exposed granite can be found a short drive east of downtown Atlanta. What is it called?
Atlanta wildlife: Atlanta Zoo has two pandas. What are they called?
Atlanta media: The world’s busiest news organisation is based in Atlanta. What is it?
Atlanta religion: At which church did Martin Luther King Jr and his father preach? It was also where Martin Luther King Jr’s mother was murdered in 1974.
Atlanta politics: Which Georgian-born president of the United States of America has a Presidential Library and Museum devoted to him on Freedom Parkway?
Click here for the answers (will only be online from Friday 31st August, so no cheating!)
Posted by David Whitley
This week’s city trivia quiz is on Krakow, Poland, one of the most visited towns in Eastern Europe. The trivia quiz is a chance to test your knowledge of the city and learns some fun facts that you possibly didn’t know. The answers will appear on the Urban Travel blog next Friday.
Here are the answers to last Saturday’s trivia quiz on Krakow, Poland. A new city trivia quiz will appear on the Urban Travel blog tomorrow.
Krakow Geography: What is the name of Krakow’s main square – the biggest medieval town square in the whole of Europe?
Answer: Rynek Glowny
Krakow Folk Tales: According to an old Hindu legend, Lord Shiva once threw seven magic stones to various corners of the earth. One of them reportedly landed on a very famous Krakow hill. What is the name of that hill?
Answer: Wawel Hill
Krakow Industry: The Wieliczka Mine, 15km south of the city centre, is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. What was mined there?
Answer: Salt.
Krakow Film: The nearby Plaszów Concentration Camp was the site of the extermination of many of the city’s Jews during the Second World War. It was also the setting for a major Hollywood movie about the holocaust. Which one?
Answer: Schindler’s List
Krakow Legend: What was the name of the founder of Krakow, who allegedly won the strategic position after fighting off a dragon?
Answer: Prince Krak
Krakow Nature: What is the name of the river than runs through Krakow?
Answer: The Vistula River.
Krakow Churches: It is traditional for a hejnal – a five note warning call – to be played from the highest tower of St Mary’s Church. What instrument is this played on?
Answer: The bugle
Krakow Celebrity: Karol Józef Wojtyla, the former Archbishop of Krakow, was better known under what name?
Answer: Pope John Paul II
Krakow Art: The Czartoryski Museum is home to some of the world’s great artworks, including Lady With An Ermine by a famous Italian painter. Which one?
Answer: Leonardo da Vinci
Krakow History: In 1596, Krakow lost something very important. What was it?
Answer: Capital city status – the Polish capital was moved to Warsaw.
Posted by David Whitley
Cheap Flights From London Airports
London has five main airports – Heathrow in the west, Gatwick to the south, City in the East, Stansted to the north-east and Luton to the north. Of these, Luton and Stansted are the main ones utilised by the budget airlines offering cheap flights.
Easyjet from London Gatwick Airport
However, this may be about to change. Low cost carrier Easyjet appears to be making a major investment into its services from London Gatwick Airport, if the new routes it has just announced are anything to go by. This is good news for those living in the South-East of England that want to take city breaks across Europe; the struggle across London to Stansted or Luton can be annoyingly time-consuming. It’s also useful for those in European cities wishing to visit London – more competition usually means lower prices.
New routes from London Gatwick
Here are the new Easyjet routes from London Gatwick, and the date on which the route will commence.
London Gatwick to Innsbruck, Austria: December 14 2007
London Gatwick to Sofia, Bulgaria: December 6 2007
London Gatwick to Gdansk, Poland: October 1 2007
London Gatwick to Krakow, Poland: October 5 2007
London Gatwick to Lisbon, Portugal: October 1 2007
London Gatwick to Bucharest, Romania: October 29 2007
Other Easyjet routes from London Gatwick
Easyjet also operates plenty of other existing services from London Gatwick. Many of these are to Spain – it offers low cost routes to Palma De Mallorca, Ibiza, Mahon, Valencia, Barcelona, Madrid, Alicante, Murcia and Malaga. There are also a lot of direct flights from Gatwick to France (La Rochelle, Nice, Marseille, Grenoble, Toulouse) and Italy (Rome, Milan, Pisa, Venice, Olbia, Palermo). Other destinations accessible from Gatwick Airport on the budget airline include Athens in Greece, Berlin in Germany and Split in Croatia.
Posted by David Whitley
Accidental extra in new James Bond film
One of the great things about visiting a new city is that you never quite know what’s going to happen. Potential adventures are just around the corner, and, as I found out in Siena, some are more exciting than others. I am, it seems, to be an extra in the new James Bond film, scheduled for release in November 2008.
Bond 22 in Siena, Tuscany.
The film doesn’t even have a name, finalised script or full cast yet, so it was something of a surprise to spot Bond actor Daniel Craig peering from a balcony at Siena’s Piazza del Campo on Thursday, August 16th. It appears as though part of the new film (working title: Bond 22) is being set in this gorgeous city in Tuscany, Italy.
Il Palio horse race on film
I was crammed into the Piazza del Campo in order to watch one of the world’s greatest festivals – Il Palio. A ludicrously dangerous horse race dating back to medieval times, Il Palio is taken deadly seriously by the 17 contrade (or districts) of Siena. The race – three laps of the square – lasts for less than two ferociously fast and dangerous minutes, but the festivities and pageantry go on for days beforehand. It’s truly the most spectacular event I’ve ever seen, and it seems as though the Bond producers agree.
Cameras in Piazza del Campo
The film crew had set up 14 cameras around the Piazza del Campo to film the race. The footage is apparently going to be weaved into a huge action sequence for the movie. Hopefully the cameras managed to zoom in on the important part of the whole spectacle – me throwing my hands in the air as the jockey from my contrada got mercilessly thrown from his mount.
Posted by David Whitley
This week’s city trivia quiz is on Krakow, Poland, one of the most visited towns in Eastern Europe. The trivia quiz is a chance to test your knowledge of the city and learns some fun facts that you possibly didn’t know. The answers will appear on the Urban Travel blog next Friday.
Krakow Geography: What is the name of Krakow’s main square – the biggest medieval town square in the whole of Europe?
Krakow Folk Tales: According to an old Hindu legend, Lord Shiva once threw seven magic stones to various corners of the earth. One of them reportedly landed on a very famous Krakow hill. What is the name of that hill?
Krakow Industry: The Wieliczka Mine, 15km south of the city centre, is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. What was mined there?
Krakow Film: The nearby Plaszów Concentration Camp was the site of the extermination of many of the city’s Jews during the Second World War. It was also the setting for a major Hollywood movie about the holocaust. Which one?
Krakow Legend: What was the name of the founder of Krakow, who allegedly won the strategic position after fighting off a dragon?
Krakow Nature: What is the name of the river than runs through Krakow?
Krakow Churches: It is traditional for a hejnal – a five note warning call – to be played from the highest tower of St Mary’s Church. What instrument is this played on?
Krakow Celebrity: Karol Józef Wojtyla, the former Archbishop of Krakow, was better known under what name?
Krakow Art: The Czartoryski Museum is home to some of the world’s great artworks, including Lady With An Ermine by a famous Italian painter. Which one?
Krakow History: In 1596, Krakow lost something very important. What was it?
Answer: Capital city status – the Polish capital was moved to Warsaw.
Click here for the answers (will only be online from Friday 24th August, so no cheating!)
Posted by David Whitley
Here are the answers to last Saturday’s city trivia quiz on Madrid, Spain. A new quiz will appear on the Urban Travel blog tomorrow.
- More city trivia quizzes: Auckland
Madrid Literature: Which town, on the outskirts of Madrid and a suburb by any other name, was the birthplace of legendary Spanish writer Miguel De Cervantes?
Answer: Alcala de Henares. Visitors can indulge in a variety of Don Quixote-related attractions while there.
Madrid Football: Real Madrid is the biggest football club in Spain (and arguably the world). Legends such as David Beckham, Alfredo di Stefano and Zinedine Zidane have all played for the side, but what is the name of Real’s home stadium?
Answer: The Bernabeu.
Madrid Restaurants: The Casa Botin on Calle de los Cuchilleros holds a world record. Which one?
Answer: It is the oldest restaurant in the world. It was founded in 1725.
Madrid museums: Which world famous Madrid art gallery was originally designed as a science museum?
Answer: The Museo del Prado
Madrid attractions: El Rastro is a world famous what?
Answer: Flea market
Madrid Art: Pablo Picasso’s most famous painting, Guernica, can be found in the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. Which conflict is it depicting?
Answer: The Spanish Civil War (specifically, the German bombing of the Basque town of the same name).
Madrid geography: What is the name of the square from which all distances in Spain are measured?
Answer: Puerta del Sol.
Madrid Celebrities: Which famous American author, somewhat obsessed with bullfighting, once lived on Calle de Floridablanca?
Answer: Ernest Hemingway.
Madrid Transport: What is the name of Madrid’s international airport?
Answer: Barajas International Airport
Madrid Nature: What is the name of the mountain range just to the north of the Spanish capital?
Answer: The Sierra de Guadarrama.
More city trivia quizzes: Auckland
Posted by David Whitley
This week’s city trivia quiz is on Madrid, Spain – a chance to test your knowledge and learn some fun facts about the Spanish capital city. The answers will appear on the Urban Travel blog next Friday.
Madrid Literature: Which town, on the outskirts of Madrid and a suburb by any other name, was the birthplace of legendary Spanish writer Miguel De Cervantes?
Madrid Football: Real Madrid is the biggest football club in Spain (and arguably the world). Legends such as David Beckham, Alfredo di Stefano and Zinedine Zidane have all played for the side, but what is the name of Real’s home stadium?
Madrid Restaurants: The Casa Botin on Calle de los Cuchilleros holds a world record. Which one?
Madrid museums: Which world famous Madrid art gallery was originally designed as a science museum?
Madrid attractions: El Rastro is a world famous what?
Madrid Art: Pablo Picasso’s most famous painting, Guernica, can be found in the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. Which conflict is it depicting?
Madrid geography: What is the name of the square from which all distances in Spain are measured?
Madrid Celebrities: Which famous American author, somewhat obsessed with bullfighting, once lived on Calle de Floridablanca?
Madrid Transport: What is the name of Madrid’s international airport?
Madrid Nature: What is the name of the mountain range just to the north of the Spanish capital?
Click here for the answers (will only be online from Friday 17th August, so no cheating!)
More city trivia quizzes: Auckland
Posted by David Whitley
Here are the answers to last Saturday’s city trivia quiz on Auckland, New Zealand. A new city trivia quiz will appear on the Urban Travel blog tomorrow.
Auckland Adventure: Auckland is one of three cities in the world in which visitors are legally allowed for visiting tourists to climb the bridge. Where are the other two?
Answer: Sydney and Brisbane, both in Australia
Auckland Politics: Auckland was once the capital city of New Zealand. True or false?
Answer: True – Auckland was the capital between 1840 and 1865. After that, capital status was bestowed upon Wellington.
Auckland Architecture: At 328m tall, the tallest building in the southern hemisphere can be found in Auckland. What is it called?
Answer: The Sky Tower. The truly brave can take a wire jump from it.
Auckland Film: The director of Shrek, Shrek 2 and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe was born in Auckland. What is his name?
Answer: Andrew Adamson
Auckland Sport: What is the name of the stadium that hosts most of Auckland’s major rugby union clashes?
Answer: Eden Park
Auckland Nightlife: Auckland’s major nightclub, bar and restaurant strip is almost universally known as K Road. What is its full name?
Answer: Karangahape Road
Auckland History: Which major international sailing competition, previously held in Auckland, can visitors learn about at the National Maritime Museum?
Answer: The Americas Cup
Auckland Invention: AucklanderAJ Hackett pioneered and popularised a well-known extreme sport in New Zealand, and then took it to the world. Which one?
Answer: Bungy jumping
Auckland Celebrity: Which Auckland-born supermodel was once married to Scottish rock star Rod Stewart?
Answer: Rachel Hunter
Auckland Geography: Auckland is dotted with a series of volcanic cones. What is the name of the highest?
Answer: Mt Eden.
Posted by David Whitley
If this blog goes a little quiet next week, it’s because I’m off on a scouting mission. I’m heading out to Italy for a week in Rome and Tuscany (it’s a hard life, isn’t it?).
City Breaks in Rome, Pisa, Florence and Siena
While I’m in Rome and Tuscany, I’ll be doing a bit of research on city breaks in the region. This will include, if time permits, Pisa, Florence and Siena. I’ll look forward to taking in art galleries such as the Uffizi and the Leaning Tower. That said, I’ll have to indulge my love of bizarre museums by heading to the Serial Killer Museum in Florence…
Travel to Italy: City Breaks in Turin, Trieste, Venice, Syracuse and Catania
Bizarrely, this will be my fourth trip to Italy within nine months, but there are far worse places to keep getting sent for work… In December I was in Turin, in February in Syracuse, Catania, Venice and Treviso, and in July I made it to Trieste. I may as well move to the country at this rate…
Cities To See Before You Die
However, of all these trips, this is the one I’m most looking forward to. Rome is at the top of my list of cities I want to see before I die, whilst I was in Florence seven years ago and loved it.
Tuscany tour highlight: Siena
The highlight of this Tuscany tour, though, I suspect will come in Siena. The trip is timed to coincide with Il Palio, the frankly mad horse race that takes place in the city’s main square. It’s one of the greatest festivals in the world, and to say I’m looking forward to it is a massive understatement.
Posted by David Whitley
New Dublin to Washington DC Route
Ordinarily, an announcement of a new airline route wouldn’t be all that exciting, but the new Aer Lingus route between Dublin, Republic of Ireland and Washington DC, the United States, could be hugely significant.
Open Skies Agreement
The Irish airline claims that the new route is the first direct result of the recent Open Skies Agreement between the European Union and the US. The agreement allows any European airline to fly to any US city from any European city, and conversely, any American airline to fly to any European city from anywhere in the US or Europe.
The effects of this ruling could be very interesting indeed. For a start, anti-competitive agreements that stop airlines using London Heathrow have now been thrown out of the window.
Increased competition on trans-Atlantic flights
More interestingly, however, the increased competition could lead to lower air fares for travellers, both in Europe and on trans-Atlantic flights. If, say, United Airlines were to start offering competition to British Airways on the London to Rome route or Iberia on the Madrid to Paris route, there could be a price war.
Cheap Flights from US to Europe
The agreement could also see cheaper flights to and from the US – and not just to the usual destinations (ie. New York and Los Angeles).
Irish budget airline Ryanair has already announced plans to create a trans-Atlantic airline. It won’t be in operation until 2010, but more unusual destination cities such as Baltimore and Providence, Rhode Island have already been mentioned as likely targets. If this happens, then the European and American budget airline markets could be about to merge – with some very interesting results. Fans of Urban Travel could well be in their element.
Posted by David Whitley
For a bit of fun, I’m going to kick off a new, weekly feature on Urban Travel – a city trivia quiz. The aim is to put up a short trivia quiz every Saturday, with the answers appearing in the blog the following Friday. Each week the quiz will concentrate on a different city, or cities from a different country. Hopefully they will offer the chance to test your knowledge and learn a few new facts at the same time.
To kick things off, here are ten questions about the biggest city in New Zealand - Auckland.
Auckland Adventure: Auckland is one of three cities in the world in which it is legally allowed for visiting tourists to climb the bridge. Where are the other two?
Auckland Politics: Auckland was once the capital city of New Zealand. True or false?
Auckland Architecture: At 328m tall, the tallest building in the southern hemisphere can be found in Auckland. What is it called?
Auckland Film: The director of Shrek, Shrek 2 and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe was born in Auckland. What is his name?
Auckland Sport: What is the name of the stadium that hosts most of Auckland’s major rugby union clashes?
Auckland Nightlife: Auckland’s major nightclub, bar and restaurant strip is almost universally known as K Road. What is its full name?
Auckland History: Which major international sailing competition, previously held in Auckland, can visitors learn about at the National Maritime Museum?
Auckland Invention: Aucklander AJ Hackett pioneered and popularised a well-known extreme sport in New Zealand, and then took it to the world. Which one?
Auckland Celebrity: Which Auckland-born supermodel was once married to Scottish rock star Rod Stewart?
Auckland Geography: Auckland is dotted with a series of volcanic cones. What is the name of the highest?
Click here for the answers (will not be online until Friday, August 10th – so no cheating)
Posted by David Whitley
- List your Five Cities To See Before You Die here.
Countries, Islands, National Parks and Dodgy Train Stations To See Before You Die
Surely’s it’s not just me that’s noticed a plethora of polls, ticklists and surveys entitled something along the lines of 100 National Parks To See Before You Die, 50 Islands To See Before You Die and 20 Mildly Interesting Peat Marshes To See Before You Die? They’re all over the place; people seem to have got bored with simple Top Ten lists, which is a crying shame.
Top Five Cities To See Before You Die
Still, never let it be said that I won’t hurl myself at a passing bandwagon, clutching to the sides as it drags me kicking and screaming over bumpy, dusty terrain. And besides, I’m mildly curious to see what Urban Travel readers would regard as their Top Five Cities To See Before They Die (although I’m already beginning to hate that title).
I’m partly fascinated to see what makes people tick – after all, there are some cities that I don’t have any particular enthusiasm to go to (Bangkok, Zurich and Milan spring to mind). Others may wildly disagree. Then again, I’m partly interested to see how closely readers’ lists compare with mine.
My Top Five Must-See Cities
To pick my five, I’ve had to lay down one key ground rule. I’ve ruled out cities that I’ve already been to; they’re already ticked off, although if I hadn’t have been there already, they may have made the list. Sydney would be the prime example here, although Seville and Paris wouldn’t be far off. So, that leaves me with…
Number One: Rome, Italy: There’s so much history, and I honestly can’t imagine covering everything I’d want to cover if I was there for a month. Fortunately, I’m off in just under a week’s time. Unfortunately, it’s only for a day on the way to Tuscany. I’ll be back for more…
Number Two: Vilnius, Lithuania: Any city that can erect a statue of Frank Zappa, a musician who had no links to the city, just because it can sounds like my kinda place.
Number Three: La Paz, Bolivia: The world’s highest capital city. I’d just love to watch and observe how life goes on in those conditions.
Number Four: Iquitos, Peru: It’s not so much the city itself, but the getting there. Iquitos is the largest city in the world without road links, and I’d love to have my own private boat and sail it up the Amazon to get to it.
Number Five: Timbuktu, Mali: Because I’m obstinate, and just want to say I’ve been there. I will happily concede that I know nothing about it, however.
That’s enough about my choices, though: What would your five cities be, and why? Share them on this discussion board.
Posted by David Whitley
British Stag Parties
Last week I touched upon the curse of British stag parties infesting Riga, Latvia, but it seems as though that’s not the only place in which they’ve been getting up to no good.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice
A new campaign by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth office was launched today, backed up with figures about UK citizens getting up to mischief and being struck by disaster abroad. The Know Before You Go campaign is all about advice – trying to get Brits to plan ahead a bit more before jetting off to foreign climes.
Lost Passports in Czech Republic
One interesting statistic amongst the figures* was just how many British tourists are requiring consular assistance on trips to the Czech Republic. From an estimated 813,000 visits from British travellers, the British embassy in Prague had to deal with 445 missing passports being reported, and had to give ‘serious assistance’ in 845 cases. Compare that to the figures for France – 10,984,000 visits, 713 lost passports, 1,408 cases of ‘serious assistance’ – and it’s quite clear that the figures are disproportionate.
Stag and Hen Weekends in Prague
It doesn’t take a genius to work out that this discrepancy is due, in a large part, to Prague’s reputation as Europe’s hen and stag party capital. While many tourists visit the city for its culture, heritage and architecture, a fair percentage are there for the cheap beer, strip clubs and nightlife. It seems as though this sector of the market could probably do with heeding the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice and making sure they’re better prepared. Oh, and they could probably do with cutting down on the little things like drunken fights, public urination and arguing with police officers too – that sort of thing doesn’t go down too well.
*To round the figures off, there were 36 arrests, 52 hospitalisations and 16 deaths amongst visitors to the Czech Republic from the UK. Not pretty reading, is it?
Posted by David Whitley
Glasgow on the British train network
Glasgow is well connected to the British train network (OK – it’s as well connected as anywhere can be in a country where the trains are extortionately expensive, overcrowded and notoriously unreliable), so instead of flying there for a city break, it may be worth going by rail.
Buying rail tickets to Glasgow online
If travelling to Glasgow by train, it is well worth booking in advance. As with most British rail journeys, the best deals come when booked online, and services are used at off-peak times of the day. The cheapest rail tickets, for example, are usually found on services operating in the middle of the day.
Train Times to Glasgow from major British Cities
All the following times are for the quickest, direct trains – there are other slower and non-direct services which take longer and may be slightly cheaper.
Edinburgh to Glasgow Queen Street Station – 0h50m
London Euston to Glasgow Central Station – 4h39m
Birmingham New Street to Glasgow Central Station – 4h08m
Manchester Piccadilly to Glasgow Central Station – 3h28m
Newcastle to Glasgow Central Station – 3h47m
From other major British cities, a change is required, often at Preston or Edinburgh. This includes trains from Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool and Nottingham.
Posted by David Whitley
Well, I suppose I had better introduce myself, hadn’t I? Eagle-eyed readers will notice that Urban Travel at Suite101 has a new feature writer, namely me.
The World’s Greatest and Most Interesting Cities
In coming months, I am aiming to turn Urban Travel into a high quality guide to the world’s greatest and most interesting cities. This doesn’t just mean covering the big attractions, like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Roman Forum or Sydney Opera House, though.
Parking Spaces, Public Transport, Best Bars, Top Restaurants
I also want to cover the things that matter to urban travellers – such as where to find parking spaces in big cities such as New York, or how to get the best out of the public transport system in Tokyo. I also want to be able to give tips on finding, say, the best bars in Toronto or the top restaurants in Cape Town. And, of course, everyone needs somewhere to stay, whether it’s hostels in Toronto or five star hotels in Venice.
Urban Travel discussions
However, while I do travel a lot – I’m on 16 countries and counting in 2007 so far - I can’t see all the cities the world has to offer. So, I’m looking for help from Suite101’s readers – preferably those who don’t mind offering a friendly welcome to visitors in their home town. So, if you’ve got any travel tips about local hotspots in the place you live, why not share them, and contribute to the Urban Travel discussions? I’ve set up a few discussion forums for advice-sharing – click below to add your words of wisdom:
Posted by David Whitley
I was recently in Trieste, Italy (right at the bottom of that tiny Adriatic-hugging panhandle that borders Slovenia), and learned a valuable lesson about public transport in Italy.
Buy bus tickets in advance
In Trieste, as with just about every other Italian city from Sicily to Valle d’Aosta, bus tickets are not bought from the driver. The tickets are sold in kiosks, newsagents, shops and various other outlets, and need to be bought in advance and then validated on the bus.
Late night buses… or taxis
The problem with this system, naturally, comes later in the evening, when most of the kiosks, shops and newsagents in Italy are closed. If you don’t have a ticket then, there are three possible ways of dealing with it. The first is taking the risk and going on the bus without a ticket – which could lead to a nasty fine if caught.
The second is to go hunting for somewhere still open – which could be a long distance away – and risk missing any bus that comes past in the meantime.
The third is simply giving up and getting a taxi – which could prove rather costly.
Another solution
Having been in this rather irritating situation in Trieste, I can recommend a bit of pre-planning. When buying a bus ticket, get a handful at the same time. It’s highly unlikely that any visitor will use the bus just once during their stay – so it’s worth buying as many tickets as you think you’ll need for the whole stay. Then at least you have one to hand when you need it and the bus pulls up.
Posted by David Whitley
One of the perennial traumas about cheap flights on budget airlines in Europe is finding that the flight has arrived at an airport that is nowhere near the city it claims to be. Barcelona (Girona), Frankfurt (Hahn) and London (Luton) are pretty good examples of this airline slight of hand. And Oslo (Torp) is another.
Transport from Oslo (Torp)/ Sandefjord Airport – taxi, train and bus
Predictably, Oslo (Torp) – known as Sandefjord airport – is a long way from Oslo. 110km away from the Norwegian capital in fact. And, once the plane has landed, there lies the question of how to get to Oslo.
Obviously, from that far away a taxi is out of the question (unless you’re Donald Trump – in which case, you’d probably not be on a Ryanair flight in the first place). And, unfortunately, there is no direct train link from the airport to central Oslo.
Therefore there is the danger of walking out of the terminal and being consumed by blind panic. What to do? Hitch a lift? Rent a car?
Mercifully, there is a way out – TorpExpressen runs a bus service that goes from Torp Airport to Oslo’s main bus station. It is timed to coincide with Ryanair arrivals. Of course, it takes nearly two hours to get into Oslo, and costs a considerable percentage of what the flight cost in the first place cost, but that’s what to expect when getting cheap flights into tiny random airports in the middle of nowhere.
Cheap Ryanair Flights to Oslo
Budget airline Ryanair accounts for most of the flights going in to Oslo (Torp). The Irish discount carrier flies there from Glasgow Prestwick in Scotland, Liverpool John Lennon and London Stansted in England and Frankfurt and Bremen in Germany. It also offers cheap flights from Marseille in France, Pisa and Milan in Italy and Dublin in Ireland.
Posted by David Whitley
Price of a beer in Oslo, Norway
If looking to cure an alcoholic, then forget sending them to rehab – try sending them to Oslo, Norway instead. Soon enough they’ll simply not be able to afford to drink. Before I went two weeks ago, I had heard ugly rumours about the price of a beer in the Norwegian capital from some friends I went to university with, but I had no idea of how universal the 50-60 Norwegian Krone (US$8.50 - $10.20) drink prices were.
Scandinavian Drinking Habits
Before arriving, one of those friends gave me the following insight into Scandinavian drinking: “Norwegians go to Sweden to buy alcohol. Swedes go to Denmark to buy alcohol.
Danes go to Germany to buy alcohol. The Germans bring their own alcohol to Norway when they invade the country in their mobile homes during the summer.
He’s not far wrong.
Bars in Grünerløkka
This is not to say that it’s not worth going out and exploring the Oslo nightlife – it’s more that it should be approached in a different way. For a start, Norwegian beer isn’t all that tasty anyway – it’s rather watery and bland – but the fun comes in the people watching. The Grünerløkka district, north-east of the city centre, has some particularly good drinking establishments. Many of the bars in Grünerløkka are stylish and attract a young, arty crowd. It’s worth buying just the one beer (preferably not a Norwegian beer, but imports can be even pricier) to sit around and observe the human zoo.
Posted by David Whitley
Stag Parties in Riga Old Town
In recent years, Riga has become something of a magnet for stag parties from Britain and Ireland. Unfortunately this has led to a lot of bars and restaurants in the Art Nouveau-heavy Old Town catering for this market rather than serving traditional Latvian food and beer. Places like Dickens and Paddy Whelans offer a broad range of pub food, while other restaurants attempt watered down versions of Mexican meals, Indian curries and Chinese dishes.
Bars and restaurants in Central Riga – The New City
Riga’s Old Town is undeniably lovely, but it is worth venturing out beyond it. The new city is the real Riga – it’s gritty, in-your-face and in many ways more exciting. There are a lot of casinos and solariums on the streets beyond the old city, for example. More importantly, though, there are also bars and restaurants that serve proper Latvian food – ie. Pork, meatballs, potatoes and cabbage-heavy salads.
A fabulous example is Saturags on A Caka iela – a rustic, farmhouse-like restaurant that is deceptively cavernous, and where good, cheap traditional cuisine served on the cheap along with Latvian beers.
Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum
Go a bit further out (on bus route number one), though, and there’s an even more authentic option. The Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum is a huge forest site by Lake Jugla, filled with wooden houses and churches saved from all over the country. Walking round is a fabulous way to spend a few hours. Inside one old hay barn is a canteen-style eatery, tended by two ‘peasant’ women. A delicious, traditional Latvian feed costs next to nothing too. For example, a giant pork meatball (or ‘croquette’) with potatoes and cabbage salad cost L1.45 (less than US$3) – and that included a half litre of local beer thrown in for good measure.
Posted by David Whitley
Whilst Slovenia in Central Europe has really taken off as a tourist destination in recent years, the budget airlines – for once – have been slow to catch up on this. Travellers wanting to get to one of Slovenia’s festivals and events don’t have many options if they are wanting cheap flights.
One option is to fly into Trieste, just over the border in Italy. Ryanair in particular uses Trieste as a major airport for budget flights, but visitors to Slovenia then need to get on a bus or train to make it over the border.
There are some low cost flights that fly directly into Slovenian cities Ljubljana and Maribor – although only from the UK and Belgium, unfortunately.
Hopefully this will change soon, but for now Slovenia is suffering for its position, right in the middle of Europe, and close to airports in Italy, Croatia, Austria and Hungary.
Here are the cheap flights that currently operate into Slovenia from London and Brussels.
Budget Airlines: Cheap Flights to Slovenia from Belgium
Wizzair offers a low cost service from Brussels, Belgium to the Slovenian capital city Ljubljana.
Budget Airlines: Cheap Flights to Slovenia from England
Ryanair has recently opened a new low cost route from London Stansted to Maribor in Slovenia, while Easyjet operates a regular service from London Stansted to Ljubljana airport.
Posted by David Whitley
I’d just thought I’d drop a quick note to let readers know that I’ll be unable to reply to discussions and e-mail queries for the next week as I shall be away in either Norway, Scotland or Latvia.
It’s a fairly random journey, admittedly, but there is some kind of fuzzy logic to it. Honest. I have to go to Glasgow for an event anyway, and I looked at the train times and prices, then figured I may as well do it the long way. For not much more than the train would have cost from London to Glasgow, Ryanair can fly me to Oslo in Norway and then Glasgow. Well, I say Oslo, because as usual, Torp airport is a ridiculous distance from where Ryanair bills the flight to be – about 110km from Oslo.
On the way back, I thought I may as well take in another place I’ve always wanted to go to – Riga in Latvia. Hooray for cheap flights!
This means I’ll be racking up a new personal record of eight countries within the space of just over three weeks, as well, given the interrailing trip I’ve just returned from. Some quality time doing absolutely nothing at home will no doubt beckon once I’m back, shattered and with a wallet full of random foreign coins.
I wonder what you can buy if you put Norwegian, Croatian, Hungarian and Latvian currency together with pounds and euros?
Posted by David Whitley
If this blog has been a little quiet in the last week or so, there is good reason for it – I’ve been on an interrailing trip through Eastern Europe.
Well, OK, not interrailing in the strictest sense of the word (buying a pass to cover a certain amount of zones, then travelling across Europe by rail for a month), but the thought was there.
A few months ago, I got in touch with the two university friends that I went interrailing with in 2000, and we agreed that we should all go off and try to relive the experience. The plans to do it properly were somewhat scaled down when everyone realised how much it would cost and how much time we’d need to take off work. Nevertheless, we still decided to do it for a week, making a whistle-stop tour of as many countries as possible.
After some frantic guidebook consultation, we decided to take a cheap flight out to Trieste in Italy, and then head north-east. This meant one day in Ljubljana, Slovenia, one day in Zagreb, Croatia, and two days on Lake Balaton in Hungary before flying back to London. That’s a lot of train journeys, inevitably punctuated by lots of nasty hangovers if we do it in the same style as the rather more extensive year 2000 trip.
But, on the flip side, we should get to see a lot of new places on the way. I’ve never been to any of them before – and whilst I’ve spent plenty of time in Italy, this will be my first time in Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary.
Posted by David Whitley
Going to major international events and festivals is great in theory, but getting there can sometimes be an enormous pain in the neck.
Nowadays there are so many budget airlines out there, from Brussels Airlines to Windjet, that you never really know where to look first, let alone have a strong idea of who flies where.
This is where Skyscanner.net becomes an exceptionally useful tool. It’s a toy that I’ve only recently discovered, and for someone who makes cheap flights to random European destinations on a regular basis, it’s an absolute godsend.
Particularly useful for open-jaw trips, where you fly into one destination and out of another, travelling by train or bus between the two, the site accumulates budget airline cost and route information from across the world. The price comparisons are also excellent.
It’s also useful for planning impromptu city breaks – it allows users to search by departure airport and date, without having to put into a desired destination. This means it comes up with a list of countries that can be flown to on numerous budget airlines from your departure airport of choice. That’s great for when you just want to get away, but don’t know where you want to go.
The only criticism I’d level at the site is that it is fairly UK-centric, although it is rapidly-improving on this score, adding new airlines from Asia, Europe and the United States all the time.
It would also be nice to be able to put in a destination airport and see a list of possible departure airports (the main principle, but working in reverse).
These are minor niggles, though. And as a result, I’m now going to Glasgow for a friend’s house-warming party, flying there via Oslo, Norway and back via Riga, Latvia!
Posted by David Whitley
Fans of Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Bolton Wanderers will be looking forward to their teams enjoying a slice of European football during the forthcoming 2007/ 2008 UEFA Cup campaign. Or will they?
Since the formation of the Champions League – and in particular since the major nations were allowed three or four places in European football’s premier competition – the UEFA Cup has lost a bit of its appeal.
Despite it being a major European trophy, an air of inconvenience hangs over the entire competition. This is hardly surprising, given the ludicrously drawn out format of the competition, which includes a group stage where the number of teams is reduced from 40 to… 32.
This has been reflected in the ticket sales and attendances for the games. In 2006, English club Middlesbrough fought their way through to the final, yet there were huge swathes of empty seats at the Riverside Stadium.
Did the fans not care about the UEFA Cup? It seems not as much as they did about the club’s Premier League games, and given the choice of buying expensive tickets for clashes with Manchester United and Liverpool or Grasshopper Zurich and AZ Alkmaar, the domestic fixtures won out.
Last year, Tottenham proved an exception, regularly filling White Hart Lane in London, but the other British clubs struggled to get good attendances. Will fans of Everton and Bolton Wanderers be excited enough by the prospect of European football to fork out for tickets to UEFA Cup matches at the Reebok Stadium and Goodison this year?
Posted by David Whitley
Darwin is the gateway to Australia’s Northern Territory and is increasingly well served by cheap, low cost flights from budget airlines. These airlines fly not only within Australia, but also from the Pacific Islands and South-East Asia.
Therefore visitors planning to head to one of the Northern Territory’s festivals and events may be well served having a little look round for bargain prices and cheap deals before they leave.
Cheap, low cost flights to Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia with budget airlines within Australia.
Australian budget airline Virgin Blue offers cheap flights to Darwin from the following locations: Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gold Coast, Cairns, Perth, Hobart, Launceston and Hamilton Island.
Cheap, low cost flights to Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia with budget airlines from Singapore.
Singapore-based budget airline Tiger Airways offers cheap flights from Changi airport in Singapore to Darwin, Australia.
Cheap, low cost flights to Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia with budget airlines from the Philippines
Tiger Airways also provides regular air services at bargain prices from Luzon Island to Darwin.
Cheap, low cost flights to Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia with budget airlines from Vietnam
Darwin can be flown to directly from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, at low prices with Tiger Airways.
Cheap, low cost flights to Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia with budget airlines from China
Cheap flights from Haikou and Shenzen in China to Darwin can be bought online from budget airline Tiger Airways.
Cheap, low cost flights to Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia with budget airlines from Fiji
Australian low cost carrier Virgin Blue offers cheap flight deals from Nadi in Fiji to Darwin, Australia.
Cheap, low cost flights to Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia with budget airlines from Thailand
Tiger Airways flies from Bangkok, Krabi and Phuket in Thailand to Darwin in Australia.
Posted by David Whitley
Following the budget airline explosion in Europe, Asia has also leapt upon the cheap flights bandwagon. One of the major hubs for these low cost carriers is Bangkok, Thailand – which is great for those who may want to time their trip to coincide with one of Thailand’s festivals and events.
Here are some of the budget flight options open to visitors wanting to travel to Thailand with value-for-money low cost deals.
Cheap flights with budget airlines to Bangkok, Thailand from Malaysia
Asian budget airline Air Asia offers cheap flights to Bangkok from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia
Cheap flights with budget airlines to Bangkok, Thailand from Singapore
Both Air Asia and Tiger Airways offer good value deals on flights to Bangkok from Singapore’s Changi airport.
Cheap flights with budget airlines to Bangkok, Thailand from China
Visitors to Thailand from China can fly to Bangkok with Air Asia from Xiamen and Shenzen or from Xi An, Guilin, Jinghong and Shenzen with Bangkok Airways.
Cheap flights with budget airlines to Bangkok, Thailand from Cambodia
Thai budget carrier Bangkok Airways has routes from Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in Cambodia to Bangkok. Alternatively, visitors can travel from the Cambodian capital to the Thai capital with Air Asia.
Cheap flights with budget airlines to Bangkok, Thailand from Vietnam
Air Asia flies cheaply from Hanoi, Vietnam to Bangkok, while Bangkok Airways offers budget prices on flights from Ho Chi Minh City.
Cheap flights with budget airlines to Bangkok, Thailand from Myanmar (Burma)
Air Asia and Bangkok Airways operate low cost flights on the Yangon (formerly Rangoon) to Bangkok route in South-East Asia.
Cheap flights with budget airlines to Bangkok, Thailand from Macau
Air Asia is the only low cost carrier currently operating cheap flights from Macau to Bangkok.
Cheap flights with budget airlines to Bangkok, Thailand from The Philippines
Cebu Pacific offers bargain deals on budget flights from Manila, The Philippines, to Bangkok.
Cheap flights with budget airlines to Bangkok, Thailand from Laos
Bangkok Airways flies regularly and direct from Luang Prabang in Laos to Bangkok.
Cheap flights with budget airlines to Bangkok, Thailand from Australia
Tiger Airways offers cheap flights on the Perth to Bangkok route.
Posted by David Whitley
The White Nights Festival in St Petersburg, Russia, is now in full swing. But what is the best way to get there? Unfortunately Russia is a quite expensive place to travel to, and visa regulations can be testing for first time visitors. However, Europe’s budget airlines are beginning to venture into Russia, and a few of them now offer cheap flights and low cost deals to St Petersburg.
Cheap flights with budget airlines to St Petersburg, Russia from Italy
Italian low cost carrier Windjet operates cheap flights to St Petersburg from Catania Fontanarossa and Palermo in Sicily, as well as Verona International and Bologna Forli on the mainland.
Cheap flights with budget airlines to St Petersburg, Russia from Germany
German budget airlines Air Berlin and Germanwings offer deals on low cost flights to St Petersburg from Berlin and Cologne. Air Berlin also flies to Russia’s second city from Baden-Baden, Frankfurt, Munich, Dusseldorf, Munster, Nuremburg, Saarbrucken and Stuttgart.
Cheap flights with budget airlines to St Petersburg, Russia from Norway
Norwegian Air operates low budget flight routes to St Petersburg from Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim and Bodo.
Cheap flights with budget airlines to St Petersburg, Russia from Austria
Travellers can fly at value-for-money rates from Vienna, Austria to St Petersburg, Russia with Air Berlin.
Cheap flights with budget airlines to St Petersburg, Russia from Latvia
Air Baltic offers cheap flights from Riga, Latvia to St Petersburg for good value prices.
Posted by David Whitley
Along with other Moroccan cities, such as Casablanca, Marrakesh and Agadir, Fes has fallen prey to the European budget airlines. This is great news for those wanting to attend the Festival of World Sacred Music in Fes (or Fez as it is sometimes also spelled). With cheap flights on low cost carriers available, there’s more to spend on having a great time at the festival.
Travellers from England, France, Germany and Spain can expect to find good value service operating to Fes. What’s more, they fly direct, rather than requiring a change at Agadir, Marrakesh or Casablanca, so visitors save time as well as money.
Cheap flights on budget airlines to Fes, Morocco from England
Europe’s biggest low cost carrier, Ryanair, offers cheap flights to Fez Sais airport from London Luton.
Cheap flights on budget airlines to Fes, Morocco from France
The old colonial ties to France are fairly apparent when it comes to budget airline flights from Morocco. Moroccan low cost carrier Atlas Blue runs a regular bargain price service to Marseille, while Jet4You operates an air service on the Paris-Fes route.
Cheap flights on budget airlines to Fes, Morocco from Germany
Ryanair offers budget flight deals at rock-bottom prices from Hahn airport, which is notoriously not quite as near to Frankfurt as one might expect.
Cheap flights on budget airlines to Fes, Morocco from Spain
One of Ryanair’s major hubs is Girona in northern Spain. Fes is just one of the destinations that can be reached from there on a cheap flight.
Posted by David Whitley
With the Commonwealth Games taking place in New Delhi in 2010, it’s a good time for the budget airline market to explode in India. The Indian capital is one of a number of cities serviced by Indian budget airlines for bargain prices, whilst it can also be reached on cheap, direct flights from the Middle East.
Cheap Flights with Budget Airlines to New Delhi, India from within India
Air Deccan is the major player in the Indian budget airline market, and it operates services to the Indian capital from a huge amount of airports across the country. For example, the low cost carrier offers cheap flights to New Delhi from Chandigarh, Lucknow, Jodhpur, Raipur, Leh, Simla and Patna.
Indigo Airlines also offers direct routes from Pune, Hyderabad, Gawahati, Kolkata, Goa and Bangalore for bargain prices.
Another good value option is Kingfisher Airlines. It offers budget flights from Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Srinagar and Bhubaneswar.
Spicejet operates good services to New Delhi from Mumbai and Jammu, while GoAir also serves the Mumbai route, as well as offering flights from Srinagar, Goa, Chennai and Bangalore.
Last but not least, there is Air India Express, which flies cheaply from Mumbai and Amritsar.
Cheap Flights with Budget Airlines to New Delhi, India from Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Those willing to leave the seven star hotels, multi-billion dollar waterfronts and shopping opportunities of Dubai can fly to New Delhi on the cheap with Jazeera Airways and Air India Express.
Cheap Flights with Budget Airlines to New Delhi, India from Kuwait
Middle Eastern low cost carrier Jazeera Airways offers cheap flight deals from Kuwait to New Delhi, India.
Posted by David Whitley
Independence Day in Iceland is one of the world’s best cultural events/ drinking festivals, but Iceland can be an expensive country to get to. Fortunately, though some budget flights to the capital Reykjavik are available.
Bargain Cheap Flight Deals to Iceland from England
Budget airline Iceland Express and UK flagship carrier British Airways both fly to Reykjavik’s Keflavik airport from London. The Iceland Express flight departs from London Stansted, while the British Airways flight leaves from London Gatwick.
Bargain Cheap Flight Deals to Iceland from Norway
Iceland Express also offers services on the route between Oslo, Norway, and Reykjavik Keflavik.
Bargain Cheap Flight Deals to Iceland from Sweden
Cheap flights from Gothenberg and Stockholm to Reykjavik are offered by low cost carrier Iceland Express.
Bargain Cheap Flight Deals to Iceland from Denmark
Scandinavian budget specialist Iceland Express operates good value flights to Reykjavik from both Copenhagen and Billund.
Bargain Cheap Flight Deals to Iceland from Germany
Cheap flights to Reykjavik depart from four airports in Germany. Iceland Express flies from Berlin, Friedrichshafen and Frankfurt, while LTU operates out of Munich.
Bargain Cheap Flight Deals to Iceland from Spain
Iceland Express offers a direct flight route to Reykjavik from the somewhat warmer climes of Alicante, Spain.
Bargain Cheap Flight Deals to Iceland from The Faroe Islands
Air Iceland offers good deals on flights to Reykjavik from Sorvagur in the Faroe Islands.
Posted by David Whitley
I’m usually a placid beast, but one thing guaranteed to bring me out in a consummate rage is the disgracefully-priced British railway system. In an era of cheap flights and budget airlines I find it absolutely disgusting that a return flight to Barcelona, Berlin or Prague can cost me less than the return journey to or from London Gatwick, Luton or Stansted airport by train.
This simply doesn’t make sense, especially when the British Government is trying to encourage people to travel by rail rather than road.
It’s worth bearing this in mind if planning to go to festivals and events in England, Scotland or Wales – the cost of the train ticket may cost you more than the three day pass for a music festival involving some of the world’s greatest bands.
I was recently looking at prices for a train journey from London to Newcastle, and I was absolutely staggered at how much it would cost for a return journey. It would be genuinely cheaper to fly with a budget airline, if the cost of getting the train to the airport hadn’t got to be factored in.
One of the main tips I’ll pass on to visitors when looking into booking trains in England is to buy two singles instead of a return ticket (it’s almost invariably cheaper). It also pays to book at least two hours in advance and at non-peak times, as then the prices drop to merely outrageous from absolutely scandalous. Even so, I was looking at a price I just couldn’t justify – and decided that I’d be better off heading to Croatia or Malta instead.
Posted by David Whitley
Two of my friends have recently announced their engagement, and congratulations to them. It didn’t come as much of a surprise, but what has given everyone a mild shock is the proposed venue for the wedding.
The pair have eschewed a white wedding in a London church (unsurprising given the avowed atheism of both parties) or registry office. They have even forgone the by-now traditional beach wedding in some exotic foreign locale. No golden sands in St Lucia, Jamaica or The Maldives for this happy couple.
Nope, the destination has been picked seemingly at random, the bride having always fancied the sound of Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), despite really not knowing too much about it.
The groom seems fairly happy to go along with this, and is already trying to wangle the dates to coincide around a cricket tour.
But since the island Sri Lanka was picked as the wedding destination, another factor has come into play. It appears as though the happy couple want elephants to be involved in the wedding, whether as guests of honour or being ridden on. This, to me, sounds like a recipe for disaster – have they never seen the classic episode of Blue Peter where the elephant unleashes hell all over the floor?
Still, if it’s elephants they want, it’s elephants they’ll get. This is going to be one international event with a difference. And, besides, for me it’s an excuse to visit a country that I’ve not been to before and it’s always nice to tick another one off the list.
Posted by David Whitley
There has been talk recently of international cricketers organising a boycott of the ICC Champions Trophy, due to be held in Pakistan in 2008.
This is a repercussion of the packed international schedule that has seen players, commentators and fans alike complain that too much international cricket is being played.
They’re not wrong – the calendar is absolutely crammed with Test matches and utterly meaningless One Day tournaments. And, as the current England vs West Indies series shows, more is equalling less. Tired players produce tired performances, and when so many games are played, it’s very difficult to be at a physical and mental peak for all of them.
It seems as though the only people who don’t agree that too much international cricket is leading to a decrease in quality are the television networks and the greedy mandarins at the ICC itself. To the men in charge, more cricket equals more revenue.
And this is why we have utterly pointless tournaments such as the ICC Champions Trophy. Played every two years, it is like a mini-World Cup, and it’s simply not needed. Yes, it brings money into the game, but there is going to come a time when the golden goose of TV rights is killed. Sooner or later, the TV companies will realise that the product they’re splashing out millions for just isn’t of the requisite quality, and will soon start offering less. Let’s hope common sense prevails, a few games are cut, and the players can get a break every now and then.
Posted by David Whitley
When you travel a lot, you become accustomed to having a guidebook with you. What tends to amuse me, though, is how people can become almost patriotic to their favourite guidebook brand. Some people prefer Rough Guides, others Footprint, others Bradt and others Dorling Kindersley.
Personally, most of the ones I have in my ever-growing library* are Lonely Planet guidebooks. This is partly for professional reasons (they tend to have the extra little details that I need when writing my own articles, which makes it easier to verify later on), and partly for personal reasons (I know the layout, and I know what I’m looking for). This said, I do understand the arguments in favour of other brands, and if I’m being honest, I’ll largely get a Lonely Planet because I’ve always got a Lonely Planet before – it’s easier working your way round something you know.
*It’s quite a collection now, and I’ve clearly not got room for all of them. The list is as follows:
Lonely Planet France
Lonely Planet Spain
Lonely Planet Italy
Lonely Planet Australia
Lonely Planet New Zealand
Lonely Planet China
Lonely Planet South America on a Shoestring
Lonely Planet Canada
Lonely Planet USA
Lonely Planet Eastern Europe
Lonely Planet Western Europe
Lonely Planet Germany
Lonely Planet Hungary
Lonely Planet Slovenia
Lonely Planet South-East Asia on a Shoestring
Lonely Planet Morocco
Lonely Planet The Gambia and Senagal
Lonely Planet Great Britain
Lonely Planet Best of Barcelona
Lonely Planet Portugal
Rough Guide Directions Malta
Rough Guide France
Rough Guide Florida
Rough Guide World Party
Posted by David Whitley
This is totally off-topic, but I’m sure you’ll forgive me. I have spent what seems like the best part of a week trying to plan out a round-the-world route for a trip I am planning to take in November and December this year. And, if you ever wish to make your head really hurt, I suggest you try the same thing.
I’d never realised before what big business round-the-world flights were. All the airline alliances seem to have their own packages, some determined by the number of stop-offs you have on the way, others by the total distance covered. The prices all fluctuate depending on when the flights leave, and planning a route can be extraordinarily awkward, especially if the flights don’t usually go to the places you want to go to.
For example, I’d much prefer to visit San Francisco than Los Angeles, and plenty of flights go from London to San Francisco. However, the Air New Zealand flight that I needed to get to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands only goes from Los Angeles. Therefore there’s the tough choice of whether to spend valuable time getting from San Fran to LA or just taking the plunge and going straight into LAX.
Eventually I went with the latter, and now I have the following route – London (England), Los Angeles (California), Rarotonga (Cook Islands), Christchurch (New Zealand), Sydney (Australia), Singapore, Dubai (United Arab Emirates). It’s going to be an interesting six week trip, that’s for certain.
That said, I never want to go through the process of booking round-the-world flight tickets ever again.
Posted by David Whitley
Yesterday, the list of fixtures for the upcoming season of the English Premier League were released and, as usual, there was a frenzy of excitement over the entire procedure. Quite why is difficult to fathom, as we all know beforehand that every team is going to play each other twice during the season, and 2007/08 will be no different.
Due to mercenary money grabbing from the authorities, I’m unable to actually publish the fixtures without paying an extortionate licensing fee, but there are some interesting quirks in the calendar.
For example, manager Sam Allardyce’s first game in charge of new club Newcastle will be against his old club, Bolton. That promises to be an interesting clash.
Arsenal look like they have been truly stiffed by the fixture computer in April, where they will face key clashes against Chelsea, Bolton, Liverpool and Manchester United within a three week period.
Newly promoted Birmingham face a tough task on their opening day, travelling to Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea, while the two main candidates for breaking into the top four, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, face each other on the opening day.
Steve Coppell’s Reading have been handed the rawest deal in terms of opening fixtures, however – they face Manchester United and Chelsea in their first two games. You can’t get any tougher than that, now.
Posted by David Whitley
Germany is home to some of the world’s biggest and strangest events and festivals, whether it’s the Oktoberfest in Munich or the Berlinale film festival in the capital city, Berlin. Here’s a list of German carnivals, food, music, drink, film and arts festivals, cultural events and sporting championships that can be read about on Suite101.
German Festivals, Cultural Events Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Berlin, Germany: Berlin Marathon
Berlin, Germany: Internationale Filmfestspiele (Berlinale)
Berlin, Germany: Christopher Street Day
Berlin, Germany: Christmas Markets
Berlin, Germany: Festtage in der Staatsoper
Berlin, Germany: Karneval der Kulturen
Munich, Bavaria, Germany: Fasching
Munich, Bavaria, Germany: Oktoberfest
Munich, Bavaria, Germany: Christkindlmarkt
Munich, Bavaria, Germany: Tollwood Music Festival
Munich, Bavaria, Germany: Starkbierzeit
Munich, Bavaria, Germany: Maidult Fair
-----------------------------
Travel direct! Quick link to festivals and events in: Anguilla, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belize, Bhutan, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Columbia, Congo, Cook Islands, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, United States of America, US Virgin Islands, Wales.
REGIONS: Asia, Eastern Europe, South America
-----------------------------
Posted by David Whitley
Africa is home to some of the world’s biggest and strangest events and festivals, whether it’s the Durban International Film Festival in Durban, South Africa or the Festival of World Sacred Music in Fez, Morocco. Here’s a list of African carnivals, food, music, drink, film and arts festivals, cultural events and sporting championships that can be read about on Suite101.
African Events & Festivals
Burkina Faso Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: FESPACO - Pan African Film & Television festival
Cameroon Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Cameroon: Cameroon Sheep Festival
Congolese Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Democratic People’s Republic of Congo:Liberation Day
Moroccan Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Fes, Morocco: Festival of World Sacred Music
South African Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Durban, South Africa: Rathayatra/ Festival of the Chariots
Durban, South Africa: Durban International Film Festival
Swaziland Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Swaziland: Festival of the First Fruit
Tanzanian Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Tanzania: Peasant’s Day
Posted by David Whitley
International Food Festivals and Drink Events in February
Munich, Bavaria, Germany: Starkbierzeit
Ivrea, Piedmont, Italy: Battle of the Oranges
New York City, New York, USA: Restaurant Week
International Food Festivals and Drink Events in March
Mendoza, Argentina: Vendimia Festival of Argentinian Wine
Munich, Bavaria, Germany: Starkbierzeit
Turin, Piedmont, Italy: Cioccolato Festival of Chocolate (food)
International Food Festivals and Drink Events in April
Pleasure Island, North Carolina, USA: Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-Off (food)
International Food Festivals and Drink Events in May
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Bloor-Yorkville Wine Festival
Camogli, Liguria, Italia: Sagra del Pesce (food)
Genoa, Liguria, Italy: Slow Fish (food)
Cusco, Peru: Cusco Beer Festival (drink)
Speyside, Scotland: Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
International Food Festivals and Drink Events in June
Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia: Darwin Seafood Festival
Aspen, Colorado, USA: Food and Wine Magazine Classic
New York City, New York, USA: Restaurant Week
International Food Festivals and Drink Events in July
Nava, Asturias, Spain: Nava Cider Festival
International Food Festivals and Drink Events in August
Metz, Lorraine, France: Mirabelle Festival
Olhão, Algarve, Portugal: Festival do Marisco (Festival of Shellfish)
International Food Festivals and Drink Events in September
Buñol, Valencia, Spain: La Tomatina
Telluride, Colorado, USA: Telluride Mushroom Festival
Denver, Colorado, USA: Taste of Colorado (food)
Denver, Colorado, USA: The Great American Beer Festival
Munich, Bavaria, Germany: Oktoberfest
International Food Festivals and Drink Events in October
Munich, Bavaria, Germany: Oktoberfest
Denver, Colorado, USA: The Great American Beer Festival (drink)
International Food Festivals and Drink Events in November
Bern, Switzerland: Bern’s Onion Market (food)
Lopburi, Thailand: Lopburi Monkey Banquet
International Food Festivals and Drink Events in December
Posted by David Whitley
Today I’ve been listening to the radio coverage of the third cricket Test between England and West Indies at Old Trafford, Manchester, England. While the cricket has had its exciting patches, the astonishing thing is that three separate streakers have decided to run on the pitch during proceedings.
This is something I have never understood. Why on earth would someone want to strip naked and run onto a pitch while TV cameras are trained on the playing area?
Despite heavy penalties, immediate ejection from the ground and instant ignominy, nothing seems to deter these naked men and topless women from displaying their breasts/ genitalia to the watching world?
It must be a fame thing for people too talentless to get on the X Factor or other such reality TV shows – they can’t sing, so the only way to get famous is to start stripping and run around naked, the performance to be captured on camera or film. If they’re really lucky, these wannabe celebrities can be the star of nude pictures and sexy videos to be circulated on the internet!
A more plausible explanation is one of the joys of attending a cricket match – being allowed to sit in the sun all day, drinking plenty of lovely beer. After having a skin full through the first two sessions, suddenly the possibility of stripping down to your underwear (or worse) and going for a bit of a nudey run must seem a lot more tempting.
Posted by David Whitley
A storm has erupted in Britain this week after the logo for the 2012 London Olympics was unveiled. The general consensus is that the bright pink and yellow monstrosity already looks dated and hideous – so heaven knows what it will look like in five years’ time.
This is one of those no win situations unfortunately. The designers have gone for something bold, distinctive and different. If they’d played safe, they would have been criticised for not capturing London’s young, vibrant, multicultural spirit. As it is, they’ve created a logo so incredibly awful that it has managed to unite a whole nation – against it.
Video screenings with the logo on have been triggering epileptic fits, while the print version looks for all the world to be a bad piece of 1980s graffiti.
The thing that has riled most, though, is the cost. £400,000 (US$800,000) was spent on designing, and market researching what must go down as one of the greatest publicity bungles of all time.
Even London Mayor Ken Livingstone, chief cheerleader of anything to do with the British capital city, has conceded that it’s not worth the money.
I’d not normally weigh into this sort of row. After all a logo doesn’t matter all that much, and this is one of those issues that people love to complain about even if it’s perfectly alright.
But sometimes things go beyond bad, and this is one of them. On the plus side, the logo – which includes the Olympic rings – has an unintentionally comic other way of looking at it.
Look closely, and you’ll possibly be able to make out Lisa Simpson, head bowed towards a very happy-looking young man. Dated, hideous AND dirty – that’s some achievement.
Posted by David Whitley
I’ve written on the subject of St George’s Day before; about how the English don’t really celebrate their patron saint properly, possibly because he’s the patron saint of practically everywhere and everything. After all, it’s hard to get excited about your patron saint when he’s also the patron of Barcelona, Germany, soldiers and syphilis sufferers.
Well, this lack of enthusiasm for the rather promiscuous patron doesn’t spread across the world. In fact, in some places people go absolutely mental for St George’s Day, and one of those places is Skiros in Greece.
In Greece, St George (or Ayios Yioryios) is the patron saint of shepherds, so those tending flocks on hillsides make a big deal of April 23rd anyway. However, it is extra-special on the island of Skiros in the Aegean Sea, where the party goes on for three days.
The dragon-slaying saint is regarded as the island’s protector, and the celebrations are all in his honour. And, as with all the best festivals, the celebrations are somewhat bizarre.
Events that take place during the three days include wrestling competitions, traditional dancing and gorging on huge feasts – unsurprisingly a lot of the content in the latter is the lambs that the shepherds are supposedly protecting. There is also a parade of bagpipers.
The unquestioned highlight, though (at least in terms of bizarreness), is the Old Mens’ Race. This is for the senior citizens of the island, and the aim is to be the first elderly codger to scramble up the side of a steep hill. Who says sport is just for the youngsters?
Posted by David Whitley
Jousting at the Gotland Medieval Week in Gotland, Sweden
Modern sport can throw of some epic contests of spectacular brutality and confrontation. Rugby Union is a classic example, with two sides going head to head in gruesome rucks and mauls in a battle for superiority. Then there’s cricket, with a lethal fast bowler firing down bouncers at over 90 miles an hour as the batsman stoically waits to fend off the missiles and dispatch them to the boundary.
Similar confrontations take place in football, American football, rugby league and even pelota, but they all go back to one thing – jousting. And no matter how many times you see two actors charging at each other on horseback in the name of olde worlde entertainment, there’s still something rather impressive about when those lances clang against the shields.
Well, if you want to see some good, old-fashioned jousting, then one of the best places in the world to do it is Gotland in Sweden, which hosts Gotland Medieval Week every August.
Gotland Medieval Week is basically an excuse to go back in time, dress in ridiculous period costume listen to 14th century music and perform traditional dances.
The event commemorates the battle against Danish invaders in Visby, way back in the 14th century, but once you’ve had your history fix it’s time for the knights in shining armour charging away on their trusty steeds.
The competition between the ‘knights’ is actually quite fierce, and the fire-eating jugglers will usually put down their clubs and firesticks while the real entertainment is going on.
Posted by David Whitley
It is fair to say that (certainly in Britain, at least), cider isn’t exactly the world’s coolest drink. To utilise a handy stereotype, it is usually seen as the preserve of underage drinkers, strange old men and farmers speaking in comedy yokel accents.
Well try telling that to the hardened drinkers of Asturias in Northern Spain. In this region, alcohol made from apples is king, and there are cider bars all over the main cities (such as Oviedo and Gijon) and smaller towns.
The town of Nava, in particular, is absolutely mad about its cider – hence the Nava Cider Festival, which takes place in July and lasts for a liver-wrecking week every year.
The Nava Cider festival is one of the more boozy Spanish events, and while there’s a vague attempt to pretend that it’s all about local culture, the basic point of the whole celebration is to sit at a bar and drink until the head becomes fuzzy and the wife issues divorce proceedings.
It’s not just your average pint of Strongbow or Bulmers here, though – there is the element of tasting a wide variety of ciders from across the Asturias region. Plenty of micro-brewers get in on the act to create a cider smorgasbord in the bars that take part.
There are also plenty of competitions going on, with the brewers competing to see who can produce the tastiest and most popular potent apple juice, and barmen having a competition of their own.
The waiters and bar supremos face off by pouring the cider from the bottle as far away from the glass as possible. It’s a little like men do with champagne when trying to impress women who have caught their eye, but without the accidents when they seriously misjudge and send the drink all over the table and their trousers.
Posted by David Whitley
Of all the Hindu Gods, Ganesh is probably the most recognisable to Western eyes – he is the Elephant God.
Ganesh is revered all over India, but is particularly celebrated in Maharashtra. The city of Pune, in particular, marks Ganesh’s birthday with great gusto.
The Ganesh Festival goes on for a whopping ten days in early September, with many cultural events being crammed into the period.
A major part of the festivities during the Ganesh Festival in Pune, Maharashtra, India is the carving, sculpting and moulding of wooden and clay idols of the elephant god. Almost every resident of the city will create their own idol to worship in time for the festival.
The last day, predictably, is the most frenzied and exciting, with musicians pounding the drums and brass bands creating a hell of a racket. The parade of drummers and musicians then heads towards the river, accompanied by the idols and lots of people throwing scarlet red powder over all and sundry.
Now that’s what I call a celebration of a deity’s birthday – the Ganesh Festival is a proper festival, and it’s enough to make me think that our own Christmas celebrations are somewhat tame. Midnight mass, a big turkey and presents under the tree doesn’t seem quite as exciting by comparison.
Posted by David Whitley
The 2008 Olympics will be held in the Chinese capital, Beijing, and China is taking the opportunity to showcase the city and country while the world’s attention is focused upon it. There is little doubt that 2008 will have an extremely successful Olympic Games – the Chinese are determined not to leave much room for error – but people travelling to the Games in Beijing would be wrong to just turn up for the sport.
Beijing is one of the most incredible historic cities in the world, and despite some great spectacles being on offer in the Olympic swimming pool, athletics stadium, football pitch and basketball court, it would be criminal to visit the Chinese capital without seeing some of the sights.
These include Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum, the Great Hall of the People and the Gate of Heavenly Peace in Tiananmen Square. It is the world’s largest public square, and is also home to the Monument to the People’s Heroes, Museum of Chinese History and Museum of the Chinese Revolution.
Elsewhere in the city, visitors can see the Workers Cultural Palace, the Imperial Archives, the Ancient Observatory and the Imperial City Museum.
Take a walk past Zhongshan Park, though, and tourists get to the legendary Forbidden City, which is arguably Beijing’s finest attraction. For over 500 years, it was the home of the Ming and Qing dynasties and no-one apart from close to the Imperial family was allowed anywhere near this complex of ancient buildings.
So, while there may be some fabulous performances in the men’s 100m, the baseball final or the women’s archery, it’s unlikely that any of them will quite compete with the builders of ancient times.
Posted by David Whitley
As difficult as it seems to believe given the English team’s current dire form, England are the current holders of the Rugby World Cup. I had the great pleasure to be at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney, Australia on November 22nd 2003, when England beat Australia to win the Rugby World Cup final 2003.
It was an event that was satisfying for any Englishman, but especially one who lived in Australia and was continually subjected to jibes about the quality of the English sportsmen and teams. The visions of Jonny Wilkinson’s last minute, match-winning drop goal and Martin Johnson lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy will remain in my memory forever.
The chances of the English team of 2007 emulating the success of the 2003 vintage seem very slim indeed, though. Much of the 2003 team – including Martin Johnson, Neil Back and Will Greenwood – have now retired, and recent England performances have been dreadful.
The selection, first under Andy Robinson and now Brian Ashton, appears to be almost arbitrary, with every half-decent rugby player in England seemingly given a go over the last four years.
There is undoubtedly some class within the side – Jonny Wilkinson and Andy Farrell are superb players if they can ever regain full fitness – but the ranks don’t look strong enough for England to get beyond the semi-finals at best.
Navigating the group stage of the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France should be easy enough, but can they get any further? Their group fixtures are as follows:
England vs USA in Lens, France, September 8th 2007
England vs South Africa in St Denis, France, September 14th 2007
Posted by David Whitley
There are two types of snowboarding. The first is practiced by those under the impression that attempting to take their long-forgotten schoolboy skateboarding skills up onto a snow-covered mountain will make them look cool and impress girls. The second makes those in the first category look very pitiful indeed.
And there are no prizes for guessing which take part in the Mondial Du Snowboard (World of Snowboard) event in the French Alpine Town of Les Deux Alps every October.
Mondial Du Snowboard is Europe’s biggest festival of snowboarding genius and technical wizardry. It acts partly as a showroom for snowboard manufacturers to display their latest wares, and partly as a celebration of the sport of snowboarding.
The highlight of course (though the manufacturers may like to think it’s their latest expensive board moderation) is the competition between some of the world’s greatest winter sportsmen and women. If you want to see terrific tricks, aerial somersaults and death-defying fancy footwork, then this is the event to come to. Make no mistake about it, those competing aren’t the mountain bunglers you’ll usually see head in the snow and legs in the air when they attempt the black run – they are serious professional athletes.
And then of, course, there’s the après-ski (or après-board, if there is such a term). After a hard day of utter showing off on the slopes, what better way to relax than with an awful lot of schnapps? Mondial Du Snowboard is as much about the party as the performance, and Les Deix Alps is transformed into something of a hedonist’s paradise during the festival.
Well, if you can’t beat them, you may as well get piste with them…
Posted by David Whitley
Call me an utter Scrooge, but I have never really seen the appeal of European Christmas Markets as a reason to travel to anywhere in particular. This may be because I’m not the sort of person that goes on holiday purely to go shopping, but I also don’t really see what’s so special about them.
Strip away the fancy lights, saccharine sweet carol singing and tinsel and you’ve effectively just got a normal market. Except, because it’s Christmas, they’ve got what appears to be a licence to sell all manner of rubbish – ceramic dogs, chintzy wooden holly wreaths and cheap-and-nasty jewellery that suddenly becomes OK because it looks like it’s come from a Christmas cracker.
This is probably slightly harsh – there is usually some good stuff amongst the tat, but at every European Christmas Market I’ve been to, it seems as though a lot of tourists are buying things they’ll never have use for in the spirit of seasonal goodwill.
What I do find truly perplexing, though is that people will go on bus tours to European Christmas markets. There are plenty of tour companies that offer such trips, generally involving a long drive from the UK to go shopping for novelty Santa hats.
If there was just one big Christmas market, I could perhaps understand this – it would be THE place to go to. However, just about every city in Europe seems to have one. A quick internet search reveals the Bath Christmas Market, the Lincoln Christmas Market, the Brussels Christmas Market, the Prague Christmas Market… In fact, searching for “Christmas Market” brings up over 31 million pages. Hardly unique, is it?
Still – each to their own, and I hope the nodding reindeer and crystal glass portrait of Cliff Richard go down well with the lucky recipient on December 25th.
Posted by David Whitley
There seems to be a common theme when it comes to Scandinavian festivals. Basically what appears to happen is that a day or two are set aside to celebrate a vaguely important historic event from the dim and distant past, a few events are set up in honour of it, and then everyone does a lot of drinking.
And it appears as though the Icelanders are no different from the Swedes, Norwegians and Danes. Their Independence Day celebration follows much the same format, and thus it makes June 17th an excellent time to go and visit Reykjavik.
The Icelandic capital is the main focus of events on Independence Day, which dates back to 1944. Up until then, Iceland had been rule by Denmark for 700 years, and shaking off the Danish shackles was a momentous occasion.
These days it’s not quite as important to Iceland, but it’s still a great excuse for a fantastic party. It starts off with parades, largely of children in bright traditional clothing, and the Icelandic flag can be seen draped over just about everything.
Later on, the action moves to the hot pools, where Reykjavik locals and tourists alike strip down to their swimming costumes and splash around.
Of course, the real action comes later in the evening when Reykjavik’s pubs and bars become crammed with revellers, sinking beer after beer in honour of their country’s independence. After a few beers, the local spirit known as brennevin comes out. This rather potent brew is enough to induce drunkenness in even the most hardened drinker. And that, of course, is the whole point.
Posted by David Whitley
From the Edinburgh Festivals to T In The Park in Balado, Kinross and the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, there’s always a celebration or party worth travelling to Scotland for. Here’s a list of Scottish carnivals, food, music, drink, film and arts festivals, cultural events and sporting championships that can be read about on Suite101.
Scottish Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Balado, Kinross, Scotland: T In The Park (music)
Edinburgh, Scotland: Edinburgh Ghost Festival
Edinburgh, Scotland: Edinburgh Festivals, including Fringe
Glasgow, Scotland: Celtic Connections Music Festival
Glasgow, Scotland: Rangers vs Celtic Old Firm Derby (football)
Glasgow, Scotland: Glasgow International Comedy Festival
Glasgow, Scotland: West End Festival
Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland: Up Helly Aa Viking Fire Festival
Speyside, Scotland: Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
-----------------------------
Travel direct! Quick link to festivals and events in: Anguilla, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belize, Bhutan, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Columbia, Congo, Cook Islands, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Guatemala, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, United States of America, US Virgin Islands, Wales.
REGIONS: Asia, Eastern Europe, South America
-----------------------------
Posted by David Whitley
The 2007 Rugby World Cup in France is only a few months away – it starts in September, and accommodation in the host cities (Paris, St Denis, Lens, Marseille, Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux, St-Etienne, Montpellier, Toulouse, Cardiff and Edinburgh) is likely to be both extremely scarce and expensive once the tournament is underway.
Visitors travelling to France and rugby union fans with tickets for the matches should be looking to plan ahead, therefore. This means looking for cheap hotels, hostels, campsites and pensions early, well in advance of the tournament, as this is going to be the only way to get cheaper deals and better rates.
Whilst Paris has a lot of hotels and accommodation options, and should be able to deal with the influx of tourists and rugby fans, the other host cities of the 2007 Rugby World Cup haven’t got the same range of accommodation options. Youth hostels will be full, as will the campsites, and cheap hotels will book out early.
Therefore, anyone who has a ticket for one of the big games in Lens, Marseille, Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux, St-Etienne, Montpellier or Toulouse should get onto the internet as soon as possible, and start looking at booking hotels online for their rugby-related trip in September and October. Those who don’t could end up regretting it somewhat.
If a precedent is needed, bear in mind what happened to Sydney in Australia during the 2003 Rugby World Cup. A few days before the final, Australia’s biggest city was swarmed upon by English fans wearing red and white – it was like the colonials were back again. Accommodation at the time was VERY hard to come by.
Posted by David Whitley
There may be Amsterdam’s Gay Pride or Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, but there are surely few festivals in the world that are quite as homoerotic as the Erdine Oil Wrestling Championships in Erdine, Turkey.
This uniquely Turkish event is meant to be showdown of manliness and virility, but to the neutral observer it appears as camp as a flamingo wearing a tutu and whistling along to In The Navy by the Village People.
So what happens in the Erdine Oil Wrestling Championships in July? Well, basically men from around the country get together in order grapple with each other whilst soaked head to foot in olive oil. They are naked apart from a pair of tight leather shorts, also known as a kisbet.
Before each fight, the two wrestlers are doused in specially-produced oil, and then they set about each other. The winner is the first fighter to pin his opponent’s shoulders down or illicit a submission from the oiled-up man they’ve got in a severe lock or hold.
The sport has been traditional in Turkey since the 14th century, but over time some of the more brutal manoeuvres have been outlawed. This doesn’t mean that it’s not proper fighting though – quite to the contrary; some of the moves used during the bouts can be painful to watch let alone be subjected to.
The real fun isn’t in the ring, though, but in the crowd. There’s a real carnival atmosphere as people cheer their favourite fighters on during this bizarre Turkish festival. There’s everything from gypsy bands playing traditional music to dancing bears as entertainment, and as the tickets cover all three days, then there’s no excuse not to kick back and get involved.
Just don’t mention that there may be something a little bit overly macho about near-nude wrestling between oiled-up men in leather though…
Posted by David Whitley
If there is one group of people from history that were renowned for having great parties, it’s the Vikings of Scandinavia. There are plenty of stereotypes surrounding the Vikings – big men with beards rowing longboats with a fondness for pillaging and big feasts involving whole animals on spits – but most of all, they were known for drinking gallons and gallons of ale out of big tankards.
Whether it’s true or not is difficult to ascertain – after all, there aren’t many Vikings around that we can stop and ask – but the supposed Viking spirit sure lives on in Sweden during the Midsummer Celebrations in June.
In what is basically a Scandinavian version of the Summer Solstice, the Midsummer Celebrations go on for two days and largely consist of hardcore drinking.
But with almost 24-hour days and bright sunlight, there has to be something else to fill the time, and there are some traditions that date back to Viking festivals that were designed to ensure a good harvest.
These traditions include dancing around a maypole covered in flowers and traditional singing. Even though many are monumentally hungover, there is still room for an iconic family meal, generally involving potatoes and herring, before everyone heads back out to the pubs and bars of Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo and other Swedish cities.
Some of the partying that goes on would truly do the Vikings proud, and for a hedonist, surely the best time to visit Sweden for a city break or holiday is during this riotous two day festival in June. The head and liver may not thank you for it, however.
Posted by David Whitley
I am a child of the 80s, and when I was growing up, the two dominant clubs in English football were city rivals Liverpool and Everton. Before the dawn of the Premier League, Manchester United were in a prolonged slump, and Chelsea were just a bunch of fancy dans who flattered to deceive.
Therefore the biggest clash of the season was the Merseyside Derby - Liverpool vs Everton. Tickets were always in demand for this game, and it would almost inevitably be the main game on Match of the Day (or The Big Match when the coverage rights went to ITV).
The Merseyside Derby at Anfield or Goodison Park just doesn’t seem the same these days, with Liverpool in the Big Four with Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal, and Everton back in the chasing pack. The game seems to have a decreased significance, and there are a few reasons why it is no longer the hot ticket it once was.
The first, most obvious one, is that the two sides are no longer the big cheeses at the top of the table – Liverpool’s rivalry has switched towards Manchester United somewhat.
The second one could be to do with ticket prices – a lot of working class fans are now being priced out of the games, and this working class fanbase is usually where the most vociferous and passionate supporters comes from.
A third possible reason is that it doesn’t mean quite as much to the players. In the 70s and 80s, most players on the sides were English (or at least British), and many of them had grown up in Liverpool. It was truly a local event then, rather than a global one, and this may have played a significant part in it diminishing as a spectacle.
Posted by David Whitley
When most of us think of Roman amphitheatres, visions of Russell Crowe valiantly battling against fellow gladiators come to mind. Well, you’ll see none of that in the Roman Amphitheatre of Martigny, Switzerland in October when Combat de Reines is held. What you will see, however, is two cows fighting it out to be given the title of Queen of the Herd in a bizarre sporting event.
The strange contest dates back to the distant past, when farmers in the Valais region would argue about whose cow was the best one to lead the herd to the summer pastures. This snowballed into violence, as these things often do, and now the cows face off in the ring for the prestigious title. Heats are held in Swiss villages throughout the summer, with hundreds of cows using their best pugilistic moo-ves on each other.
It all boils down to the October stand-off in Martigny’s ancient amphitheatre, which is a local version of the Superbowl or FA Cup Final. Only the best of the best get this far, and the build up has all the earnest comic factor of a Rocky film.
The farmers care – really care, although the viewing public is slightly less concerned about the prestige, and more into the plentiful drinking and betting opportunities that surround the bovine biffo.
Forget cock-fighting and badger-baiting, the cow-fighting of Combat des Reines is best bit of animal aggro you’ll ever get to see. I’ll have a tenner on Daisy – Ermintrude looks like she has a really weak jaw.
Posted by David Whitley
Most men don’t really need an excuse to take their clothes off and run around as nature intended – remove laws about public nudity and flashing, and many chaps would happily trundle down the street as nature intended.
Wannabe nudists desperate to get stripping and expose their manhood will love the Hadaka Matsuri event in Japan every January, therefore. Translated from Japanese, it literally means ‘naked festival’ and it is a Shinto religious festival, regarded as a test of manhood.
The actual events differ depending on which town or city events are taking place in, but lots of man flesh is a prerequisite at precisely the time of year when everything gets cold, blue and shrivelled.
This means visitors can observe naked men in Tokyo, strippers in Osaka, rampant nudity in Kyoto and bare buttocks in Sendai, but the biggest bang is to be found in Inazawa on Honshu.
In Inazawa every January, over 10,000 men dressed in the minimalist style compete to touch Shin-otoko (or The Chosen One). Unsurpisingly, Shin-otoko is yet another naked man, who has been chosen as a scapegoat to represent and symbolise all of the town’s sins and evils.
It is believed that by touching Shin-otoko, the scantily-clad chap (one of the 10,000 blokes in the buff giving chase) purifies himself and his spirit.
Whilst to many of us, the sight of 10,000 naked men chasing each other around is either a recipe for high comedy or a particularly X-rated adult movie, in Japan this is seen as being quite legitimate, even if it is often more in a spirit of fun than ultra-seriousness.
Still, if you can’t beat them, join them? Who needs to book into a Japanese nudist camp when you’ve got the naked festival of Hadaka Matsuri?
Posted by David Whitley
From the big naked festival of Hadaka Matsuri in Inazawa, Japan to the Lopburi Monkey Banquet in Thailand and Holi in India, Asia is home to some of the world’s biggest, most spectacular and strangest events and festivals. Here’s a list of Asian carnivals, food, music, drink, film and arts festivals, cultural events and sporting championships that can be read about on Suite101.
Asian Events and Festivals
Bhutan Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Bhutan: Bumthang
Indian Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
India: Holi
Pune, Maharashtra, India: Ganesh Festival
Indonesian Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Bali, Indonesia: Nyepi
Japanese, Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Inazawa, Honshu, Japan: Hadaka Matsuri Naked Festival
Thailand Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Bangkok, Thailand: Thailand Film Festival
Thailand: Songkhran
Thailand: Loi Krathong
Surin, Thailand: Surin Elephant Round-Up
Lopburi, Thailand: Lopburi Monkey Banquet
-----------------------------
Travel direct! Quick link to festivals and events in: Anguilla, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bhutan, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Columbia, Congo, Cook Islands, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Guatemala, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, United States of America, US Virgin Islands, Wales.
REGIONS: Asia, Eastern Europe,
-----------------------------
Posted by David Whitley
Fans of world music should head to Fes in Morocco in June – the Festival of World Sacred Music is one of the best celebrations of sound from across the world on the planet.
While many world music festivals tend to concentrate largely on one genre - such as gamelan in Bali, mbalax in the Senegal or salsa in Cuba – the Festival of World Sacred Music in Fes deliberately tries to bring in styles from across the globe.
This is done (commendably) irrespective of race, religion and politics, so the sitar of Ravi Shankar or Spanish flamenco guitars can easily sit alongside vocal performances from across the African continent.
Fes likes to bill itself as Morocco’s cultural capital, and it’s hard to argue during this week-long musical extravaganza.
Many of the events require tickets – which are often snapped up by locals looking for an excuse to dress up and be seen in the right place – but they’re relatively easy to get hold of. Venues for the more high profile gigs and concerts include the palace courtyard of the Bab Makina or the gardens of the Musée Batha.
For the cheapskates, however, there are also plenty of free events, and these are arguably more atmospheric than the ticketed gigs. Try heading to one of the biggest squares in the city, the Bab Boujloud to catch some of the lower profile acts playing at dusk. Alternatively, the Dar Tazi Gardens are home to some excellent performances, whether they’re from gospel choirs or people simply chanting.
Posted by David Whitley
Even the biggest wine ignoramus now knows that the wines of the New World can easily compete with those of the traditional wine-making regions of France, Spain and Italy. Amongst the best – and most popular – of the newer wine-producing nations are Australia and Chile, but Argentinian wine is often of extremely high quality too.
In fact – and not a lot of people know this – Argentina is the fifth biggest wine producer in the world.
Argentinian wine is celebrated in fine style during the Vendimia Festival in Mendoza, Argentina, every March. It’s a long running event – it has been going since 1936 – and lasts for a week in the heart of Argentina’s Andean wine country.
It attracts wine-lovers anxious to taste the new vintage of vino from across the country and, indeed, the world. While there are a few wine snobs present, a lot of people come purely for the party atmosphere (and of course, the chance to taste the odd drop).
While there is plenty of tasting going on (usually of strong red wine), there are also cultural aspects to the events that comprise the Vendimia Festival. There are lavishly-decorated carnival floats, light shows in the evening and the crowning of the Queen of the Wines. The whole thing kicks off with the blessing of the grapes, but some of the more spectacular shows come from the horseback gauchos. These Argentinian cowboys show remarkable horsemanship and dexterity as they perform tricks on their trusty (and occasionally not-so-trusty steeds). They’re worth raising a glass to by anyone’s standards – and I’ll have a good red with a kick, thanks.
Posted by David Whitley
The La Diablada festival in Puno, on the banks of Lake Titicaca in Peru, may appear to the unenlightened visitor to be a strange devil-worshipping carnival. It’s not; honest – even though everyone is in rather Satanic costumes and many are dancing as though they’ve been possessed by evil demons.
If you travel to the pretty lakeside town of Puno in November it may seem as though you’ve been cast into the fiery pits of hell, but you’ve merely walked into the middle of a very strange event.
There are allegedly two reasons for it. The first is that the local residents of this Peruvian settlement are paying their respects to the ancient spirits of Lake Titicaca. Quite frankly, they don’t want to mess with whatever’s down there, and paying tribute is thought to be the best way of keeping them at bay.
The other excuse is that the La Diablada festival is thrown to celebrate the city’s liberation from the not-liked-very-much Spanish occupiers in the 19th century. Whether either is true or merely a handy excuse for a party is irrelevant though – what matters is the spectacle.
And what a show it is. Over the course of a week in November, there is drinking and dancing galore, with November 5th being the pinnacle. On this date, there is a huge parade, led by Peru’s very own version of the Devil. Residents, all dressed up in elaborate demonic and monstrous costumes follow, with red being definitively the colour of choice whether it’s in fashion elsewhere or not.
Posted by David Whitley
From the parades of the Rio Carnival in Brazil and the La Diablada Festival on the banks of Lake Titicaca in Peru to the Buenos Aires Book Fair and Vallenato Music Festival in Columbia, South America knows how to throw a great party. Here’s a list of South American carnivals, food, music, drink, film and arts festivals, cultural events and sporting championships that can be read about on Suite101.
South American Events & Festivals
Argentinian Festivals, Cultural Events Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Buenos Aires, Argentina: Buenos Aires Book Fair
Mendoza, Argentina: Vendimia Festival of Argentinian Wine
Brazilian Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil: Rio Carnival
Columbian Festivals, Cultural Events Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Bogota, Columbia: Ferio de Libro de Bogota/ Bogota Book Festival
Valledupar, Columbia: Vallenato Music Festival (music)
Peru Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Cusco, Peru: Lord of the Tremors
Cusco, Peru: Cusco Beer Festival (drink)
Cusco, Peru: Inti Raymi
Puno, Lake Titicaca, Peru: La Diablada Festival
-----------------------------
Travel direct! Quick link to festivals and events in: Anguilla, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belize, Bhutan, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Columbia, Congo, Cook Islands, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Guatemala, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, United States of America, US Virgin Islands, Wales.
REGIONS: Asia, Eastern Europe, South America
-----------------------------
Posted by David Whitley
From the Prague Spring Festival in the Czech Republic to the Vilnius Carnival in Lithuania, Eastern Europe is home to some of the world’s best festivals and events. Here are the music, arts, sporting, cultural and traditional events and festivals covered by Suite101.
Eastern Europe Events & Festivals
Croatian Festivals, Cultural Events Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Bol, Brac Island, Dalmatia, Croatia: Summer Cultural Festival
Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia: Dubrovnik Summer Festival
Split, Dalmatia, Croatia: Split Summer Festival
Trogir, Croatia: Trogir Summer Music Festival
Zagreb, Croatia: Zagreb Summer Festival
Czech Republic Festivals, Cultural Events Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Prague, Bohemia, Czech Republic: Prague Spring Festival (classical music)
Hungarian Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Budapest, Hungary: Budapest Spring Festival
Lithuanian Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Kaunas, Lithuania: Kaunas Jazz Festival (music)
Vilnius, Lithuania: Uzupis National Day
Vilnius, Lithuania: Carnival
Vilnius, Lithuania: Vilnius Festival (arts)
Vilnius, Lithuania: St Christopher Summer Festival (arts)
Polish Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Krakow, Poland: Lajkonik Festival
Russian Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
St Petersburg, Russia: White Nights Festival
Posted by David Whitley
New Zealand loves a party, whether it’s the Cuba Street Carnival and International Rugby Sevens in Wellington or the International Comedy Festival and Polynesian Pasifika Festival in Auckland. Here’s a list of NZ carnivals, food, music, drink, film and arts festivals, cultural events and sporting championships that can be read about on Suite101.
New Zealand Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Auckland, New Zealand: Ao Taeroa Hip-Hop Summit
Auckland, New Zealand: Auckland International Comedy Festival
Auckland, New Zealand: Auckland Cup Week (horse race)
Auckland, New Zealand: Polynesian Pasifika Festival
Auckland, New Zealand: Heineken Open Tennis
Wellington, New Zealand: Cuba Street Carnival
Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand International Film Festival
Wellington, New Zealand: International Rugby Sevens
Wellington, New Zealand: Summer City Festival of Free Outdoor Entertainment
Posted by David Whitley
Australia is home to some of the world’s biggest events and strangest festivals, whether it’s the Sydney Festival, Boxing Day Test Match at the MCG in Melbourne or the Henley-On-Todd Regatta in Alice Springs. Here’s a list of Australian carnivals, food, music, drink, film and arts festivals, cultural events and sporting championships that can be read about on Suite101.
Australian Festivals, Cultural Events Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia: Henley-On-Todd Regatta
Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia: Alice Springs Beanie Festival
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia: Floriade
Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia: Beer Can Regatta
Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia: Darwin Seafood Festival
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: Boxing Day Test Match at the MCG (cricket)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: Australia Day
Sydney, New South Wales, Austalia: Sydney Festival (arts)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: Cracker Comedy Festival
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: Christmas on the beach
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: New Year’s Eve fireworks
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: Homebake (music)
Posted by David Whitley
Reggae icon Bob Marley is justifiably loved and revered throughout the world, but nowhere more so than in his home country of Jamaica. On the Caribbean island, Marley has an almost godlike status, as much for the exposure he gave the island and reggae music as for hit songs such as I Shot The Sheriff, Iron Lion Zion and We’re Jammin’.
That there is a Bob Marley Museum and Mausoleum in his home town of Nine Mile, on the other side of the island from Kingston, says an awful lot about the standing that the Rastafarian icon has on the island.
Nine Mile is also the location for an almighty reggae party on February 6th every year, as fans and party-lovers head up into the mountains for the Bob Marley Birthday Bash.
Famous contemporary musicians - including Bob’s son, Ziggy Marley – are roped in from across Jamaica to play laid back tunes for the crowd. The gigs and concerts take place at a variety of venues, some of them rather impromptu.
The problem with Marley’s worldwide popularity, however, is that his music is often the music of choice for those who don’t really like music all that much – something to play quietly in the background at a quiet dinner party for the middle-aged who think that modern music is “just noise”. It has been hijacked somewhat by the Phil Collins and Whitney Houston brigade.
How funny would it be, though, if some of these self-proclaimed Bob Marley likers (fans would be too strong a word) turned up at the Bob Marley Birthday Bash in Nine Mile, expecting a genteel concert? That’s be the last thing they’d see – if, of course, they could see the acts at all through the cloud of rather potent smoke.
Posted by David Whitley
The Community Shield (formerly known as the Charity Shield) is the traditional curtain-raiser to the English Football Season. In the past, the game has been a keenly-contested fight between the winner of the English Premier League (formerly the Football League) and the FA Cup.
In recent times, however, the game has been downgraded in importance, with the competing sides fielding below strength sides, preferring to keep their best players for the long domestic and European season instead.
It’s hard to blame clubs for this – the Community Shield is hardly a vital trophy to win, and doesn’t pull in the money like the Champions League or Premier League do, but many fans still feel cheated when they see weakened sides after paying a lot for tickets and travel to the game.
Two of the biggest culprits for this have been Chelsea and Manchester United, the two football clubs that will contest the Community Shield on August 5th, 2007. With this in mind, will the tickets be worth buying tickets for?
In this instance, they may well be. Manchester United and Chelsea fought a titanic tussle on three fronts in the 2006/07 season, and will be eager to draw first blood for the forthcoming campaign. It will also be the first Community Shield to be held at the newly revamped Wembley Stadium in London for seven years.
The 2000 Charity Shield, coincidentally, was a clash between Premier League champions Manchester United and FA Cup winners Chelsea. The Blues from Stamford Bridge won on that day, with goals from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Mario Melchiot securing a 2-0 victory.
Posted by David Whitley
Portuguese Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Faro, Algarve, Portugal: Rallye Biker
Faro, Algarve, Portugal: Feira de Santa Iria
Olhão, Algarve, Portugal: Festival do Marisco (Festival of Shellfish)
Lisbon, Portugal: Indie Lisboa (film)
Lisbon, Portugal: Festa de Santo Antonio
Lisbon, Portugal: Festa de Sao Joao
Lisbon, Portugal: Festa de Sao Pedro
Lisbon, Portugal: Half Marathon of Portugal
Tavira, Algarve, Portugal: Festa de Cidade
Posted by David Whitley
By the time this blog entry is online, we’ll probably have a fair idea of the outcome of the first cricket Test match of the English summer. England are taking on the West Indies at Lords, before three further Tests at Old Trafford in Manchester, Headingley in Leeds and the Riverside, Chester-le-Street, Durham. Hopefully it will be a cracking contest between two strong sides, but I fear otherwise.
England had a dreadful winter tour of Australia, and ignominious World Cup, but West Indies cricket is in a rather bad state at the moment. Brian Lara may not have been much of a captain, but he was arguably the best batsman since Don Bradman, and losing the record-breaking Test run-scorer leaves a massive hole in the batting order.
Whilst the West Indies have a few good players, such as Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, they don’t have a single player capable of striking fear into the opposition. Oh for the days of Viv Richards, Malcolm Marshall, Desmond Haynes, Courtney Walsh and Curtley Ambrose…
The West Indian side has also had ludicrously little preparation for this Test series. Aside from a severely rain-affected game against county side Somerset, the Ramnaresh Sarwan-led side has had no time at all to adjust to English pitches and conditions. While they may be talking things up, it’s difficult to see any other result than a total thrashing in this series.
England may not be as good as they’d like to have thought after their 2005 Ashes triumph against Australia, but they’re still a strong side, and are likely to prove too good for the West Indians. What should be an absorbing contest could prove to be a bit of a non-event.
Posted by David Whitley
Back in 2000, I learned a valuable lesson about booking accommodation in advance. It was my first day of an interrailing trip through Europe, and we had arrived in Amsterdam after a torturous ferry journey from Hull to Zeebrugge, a long, hot walk to Zeebrugge train station and a seemingly endless rail journey to Holland’s biggest city.
We arrived, assuming that it would be easy enough to find some budget accommodation just by using our guidebook’s recommendations and maps. Unfortunately, none of them seemed to have any spare beds, and it was getting rather late.
We must have walked for miles between dot on the map to dot on the map, our backpacks now beginning to seem like they contained a couple of elephants each. And then a group of ‘flamboyantly-dressed’ (ie. Nearly naked) men came round the corner to give us a clue as to where our problems lay.
“Let’s go get some arse!” one of them, in a fetching sailor’s cap, screeched at a frightening decibel level. We had arrived in the middle of one of the biggest of all Amsterdam festivals: Gay Pride. This colourful celebration of gay, lesbian and bisexual culture is one giant party, going for the whole weekend in early August, and people from around the world come to join the party. This means that the city is stretched for accommodation, so beds fill up, prices go up and those arriving late in the evening looking to just saunter into a hotel or a hostel may end up with a very nasty surprise.
We eventually found a little bed and breakfast, but ended up paying through the nose for it – not ideal for the first day of a month-long trip on a small budget.
The 2007 Gay Pride Festival runs from August 3rd to August 5th – be warned.
Posted by David Whitley
Spanish Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Avila, Castilla y León, Spain: Semana Santa (Holy Week)
Valencia, Spain: Las Fallas
Avila, Castilla y León, Spain: La Ronda De Las Leyendas
Pamplona, Navarre, Spain: Fiesta de San Fermin/ Running of the Bulls
Pamplona, Navarre, Spain: Running of the Nudes
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain: Grec Arts Festival
Buñol, Valencia, Spain: La Tomatina
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain: Festes de la Merce
Avila, Castilla y León, Spain: Medieval Market
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain: Dia di Sant Jordi (St George’s Day)
Avila, Castilla y León, Spain: Fiesta de Santa Teresa
Posted by David Whitley
I’ve recently come back from in Prague, the capital of Bohemia and the Czech Republic, and it doesn’t need me to add to the superlatives that various tourist brochures and guidebooks have spilled about the city. However, I got lucky while I was there, as the Prague Spring Festival was in full swing. This celebration of classical music kicks off in May every year, and attracts some of the finest musicians from around the world.
There was a palpable buzz in the streets, and it seems as though just about every other person was a man in traditional costume handing out a flyer for a Mozart’s Don Giovanni, performed at the National Theatre in which it had its original premiere, or an invitation to see a black light theatre show.
Just about every venue in town seemed to be hosting something, from the Art Nouveau Municipal House to the church of St Nicholas. The castle complex and the main square were also getting in on the act, with courtyards and areas near the famous Astronomical Clock being set aside for violinists attempting Vivaldi or cellists serenading with Dvorak.
The Prague Spring Festival is rightly regarded as one of the best classical music events in Europe, and it seems to infect the whole city throughout its duration. Even those who are far more interested in drowning themselves in cheap beer than Beethoven’s Unfinished Symphony can’t help but be drawn in to a little culture.
And this is good to see in a city that has unfortunately developed a reputation for stag party weekends and being overrun by tour groups.
Posted by David Whitley
Whether it’s flower displays in Australia, Shakespeare performances in Canada, music festivals in Denmark or traditional events in Switzerland, Suite101 has information on major carnivals and festivals across the world. Our 2007 International Events Calendar has these festivals and events listed by country, from A to Z.
-----------------------------
Travel direct! Quick link to festivals and events in: Anguilla, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belize, Bhutan, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Columbia, Congo, Cook Islands, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, United States of America, US Virgin Islands, Wales.
REGIONS: Asia, Eastern Europe, South America
-----------------------------
Anguilla Festivals, Cultural Events Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Anguilla: Anguilla Serenity Jazz Festival
Argentinian Festivals, Cultural Events Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Buenos Aires, Argentina: Buenos Aires Book Fair
Mendoza, Argentina: Vendimia Festival of Argentinian Wine
Australian Festivals, Cultural Events Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia: Henley-On-Todd Regatta
Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia: Alice Springs Beanie Festival
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia: Floriade
Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia: Beer Can Regatta
Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia: Darwin Seafood Festival
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: Boxing Day Test Match at the MCG (cricket)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: Australia Day
Sydney, New South Wales, Austalia: Sydney Festival (arts)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: Cracker Comedy Festival
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: Christmas on the beach
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: New Year’s Eve fireworks
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: Homebake (music)
Austrian Festivals, Cultural Events Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Vienna, Austria: International Music Festival
Vienna, Austria: Vienna Festival
Belize Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Belize: Garifuna Settlement Day
San Ignacio, Belize: La Ruta Maya Canoe Race
Bhutan Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Bhutan: Bumthang
Brazilian Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil: Rio Carnival
Burkina Faso Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: FESPACO - Pan African Film & Television festival
Cameroon Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Cameroon: Cameroon Sheep Festival
Canadian Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: Vancouver International Children’s Festival
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: Bard On The Beach Shakespeare Festival
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: Vancouver International Jazz Festival
Calgary, Alberta, Canada: Calgary Stampede
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Caribana
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: Celebration of Light Fireworks Competition
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: Vancouver Folk Music Festival
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Canadian National Exhibition
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Toronto International Film Festival
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Canadian National Exhibition
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Royal Winter Fair
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Bloor-Yorkville Wine Festival
Columbian Festivals, Cultural Events Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Bogota, Columbia: Ferio de Libro de Bogota/ Bogota Book Festival
Valledupar, Columbia: Vallenato Music Festival (music)
Congolese Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Democratic People’s Republic of Congo:Liberation Day
Cook Islands Festivals, Cultural Events Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Cook Islands: Tiare Flower Festival
Rarotonga, Cook Islands: Te Maeva Nui Festival
Rarotonga, Cook Islands: Vaka Eiva Canoeing Festival
Czech Republic Festivals, Cultural Events Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Prague, Bohemia, Czech Republic: Prague Spring Festival (classical music)
Danish Festivals, Cultural Events Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Roskilde, Denmark: Roskilde Music Festival
Copenhagen, Denmark: Copenhagen International Film Festival
English Festivals, Cultural Events Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Haworth, Yorkshire, England: Steam Gala Weekend
Bognor Regis, Sussex, England: Clown parade
London, England: Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race (sport)
England: St George’s Day
Aintree, Liverpool, England: The Grand National (sport)
Ashbourne, Derbyshire, England: Shrovetide Football (sport)
London, England: The London Marathon (sport)
London, England, UK: FA Community Shield
Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England: World Snooker Championships (sport)
Bentley Bridge Inn, Derbyshire, England: World toe-wrestling championships (sport)
Haworth, Yorkshire, England: 1940s weekend
London, England: Chelsea Flower Show
London, England: FA Cup Final (football)
London, England: Trooping The Colour
London, England: Wimbledon Tennis Championships (tennis)
Buxton, Derbyshire, England: Buxton Festival
Leeds, Yorkshire, England: Carling Weekend (music)
London, England: Notting Hill Carnival
Pilton, Somerset, England: Glastonbury Festival (music)
Bognor Regis, Sussex, England: Bognor International Birdman Competition
Egremont, Cumbria, England: World Gurning Championships
Wasdale, Cumbria, England: World’s Biggest Liar Contest
Leeds, Yorkshire, England: Leeds International Film Festival
Barnstaple, Devon, England: The Santa Run
Finnish Festivals, Cultural Events Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Sonkajärvi, Finland: World Wife-Carrying Championship (sport)
French Festivals, Cultural Events Carnivals and Sporting Championships
France: Tour De France (cycling)
Bayeux, Calvados, Normandy, France: Fêtes Médiévales de Bayeux
Cannes, Cote d’Azur, France: Cannes Film Festival
Deauville, Calvados, Normandy, France: Deauville American Film Festival (film)
Les Deux Alps, France: Mondial Du Snowboard
Metz, Lorraine, France: Pilgrimage of St Blaise
Metz, Lorraine, France: Mirabelle Festival
Metz, Lorraine, France: Christmas Market
Nice, Cote d’Azur, France: Carnaval de Nice (Nice Carnival)
Nice, Cote d’Azur, France: Les Nuits Musicales
Paris, France: Paris Marathon (sport)
Paris, France: Roland Garros/ French Open (tennis)
Paris, France: Bastille Day
Paris, France: Festival de Cinema en Plein Air (film)
Paris, France: Nouveau Festival International de Danse de Paris (dance)
Rouen, Seine-Maritime, Normandy, France: Rouen Armada
German Festivals, Cultural Events Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Berlin, Germany: Berlin Marathon
Berlin, Germany: Internationale Filmfestspiele (Berlinale)
Berlin, Germany: Christopher Street Day
Berlin, Germany: Christmas Markets
Berlin, Germany: Festtage in der Staatsoper
Berlin, Germany: Karneval der Kulturen
Munich, Bavaria, Germany: Fasching
Munich, Bavaria, Germany: Oktoberfest
Munich, Bavaria, Germany: Christkindlmarkt
Munich, Bavaria, Germany: Tollwood Music Festival
Munich, Bavaria, Germany: Starkbierzeit
Munich, Bavaria, Germany: Maidult Fair
Greek Festivals, Cultural Events Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Athens, Greece: Athens in Bloom
Athens, Greece: Hellenic Festival
Athens, Greece: Petra International Festival
Athens, Greece: Nights Under The Full Moon
Guatemala Festivals, Cultural Events Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Guatemala: Semana Santa
Hungarian Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Budapest, Hungary: Budapest Spring Festival
Icelandic Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Reykjavik, Iceland: Independence Day
Indian Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
India: Holi
Pune, Maharashtra, India: Ganesh Festival
Indonesian Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Bali, Indonesia: Nyepi
Irish (Republic of Ireland) Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Dublin, Republic of Ireland: St Patrick’s Day
Italian Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Camogli, Liguria, Italia: Sagra del Pesce (food)
Catania, Sicily, Italy: Festa di Sant Agata
Genoa, Liguria, Italy: Slow Fish (food)
Ivrea, Piedmont, Italy: Battle of the Oranges
Rome, Italy: Estate Romana
Rome, Italy: Primo Maggio (music)
Rome, Italy: RomaEuropa
Rome, Italy: December Toy Fair in Piazza Navona
Siena, Tuscany, Italy: Il Palio (horse-racing)
Syracuse, Sicily, Italy: Ciclo di Spettacoli Classici (Greek theatre)
Taormina, Sicily, Italy: Taormina Arte (arts)
Turin, Piedmont, Italy: Cioccolato Festival of Chocolate (food)
Ustica, Sicily, Italy: International Festival of Underwater Activities (sport)
Sassari, Sardinia, Italy: I Candelieri (The Candlesticks)
Nuoro Province, Sardinia, Italy: Festa di Sant’Antonio Abate
Sedilo, Sardinia, Italy: Ardia (horse race)
Cabras, Sardinia, Italy: Barefoot Race of the Festa Di San Salvatore
Jamaican Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Nine Mile, Jamaica: Bob Marley’s Birthday Bash
Japanese, Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Inazawa, Honshu, Japan: Hadaka Matsuri Naked Festival
Lithuanian Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Kaunas, Lithuania: Kaunas Jazz Festival (music)
Vilnius, Lithuania: Uzupis National Day
Vilnius, Lithuania: Carnival
Vilnius, Lithuania: Vilnius Festival (arts)
Vilnius, Lithuania: St Christopher Summer Festival (arts)
Mexican Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Mexico: Cinco De Mayo
Monaco Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Monaco: Monaco Grand Prix (sport)
Monaco: International Circus Festival
Moroccan Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Fes, Morocco: Festival of World Sacred Music
Dutch (The Netherlands) Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Gay Pride Festival
New Zealand Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Auckland, New Zealand: Ao Taeroa Hip-Hop Summit
Auckland, New Zealand: Auckland International Comedy Festival
Auckland, New Zealand: Auckland Cup Week (horse race)
Auckland, New Zealand: Polynesian Pasifika Festival
Auckland, New Zealand: Heineken Open Tennis
Wellington, New Zealand: Cuba Street Carnival
Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand International Film Festival
Wellington, New Zealand: International Rugby Sevens
Wellington, New Zealand: Summer City Festival of Free Outdoor Entertainment
Oman Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Muscat, Oman: Muscat Festival
Peru Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Cusco, Peru: Lord of the Tremors
Cusco, Peru: Cusco Beer Festival (drink)
Cusco, Peru: Inti Raymi
Puno, Lake Titicaca, Peru: La Diablada Festival
Polish Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Krakow, Poland: Lajkonik Festival
Portuguese Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Faro, Algarve, Portugal: Rallye Biker
Faro, Algarve, Portugal: Feira de Santa Iria
Olhão, Algarve, Portugal: Festival do Marisco (Festival of Shellfish)
Lisbon, Portugal: Indie Lisboa (film)
Lisbon, Portugal: Festa de Santo Antonio
Lisbon, Portugal: Festa de Sao Joao
Lisbon, Portugal: Festa de Sao Pedro
Lisbon, Portugal: Half Marathon of Portugal
Tavira, Algarve, Portugal: Festa de Cidade
Russian Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
St Petersburg, Russia: White Nights Festival
Scottish Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Balado, Kinross, Scotland: T In The Park (music)
Edinburgh, Scotland: Edinburgh Ghost Festival
Edinburgh, Scotland: Edinburgh Festivals, including Fringe
Glasgow, Scotland: Celtic Connections Music Festival
Glasgow, Scotland: Rangers vs Celtic Old Firm Derby (football)
Glasgow, Scotland: Glasgow International Comedy Festival
Glasgow, Scotland: West End Festival
Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland: Up Helly Aa Viking Fire Festival
Speyside, Scotland: Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
South African Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Durban, South Africa: Rathayatra/ Festival of the Chariots
Spanish Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Avila, Castilla y León, Spain: Semana Santa (Holy Week)
Avila, Castilla y León, Spain: La Ronda De Las Leyendas
Avila, Castilla y León, Spain: Medieval Market
Avila, Castilla y León, Spain: Fiesta de Santa Teresa
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain: Dia di Sant Jordi (St George’s Day)
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain: Festes de la Merce
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain: Grec Arts Festival
Buñol, Valencia, Spain: La Tomatina
Nava, Asturias, Spain: Nava Cider Festival
Pamplona, Navarre, Spain: Fiesta de San Fermin/ Running of the Bulls
Pamplona, Navarre, Spain: Running of the Nudes
Valencia, Spain: Las Fallas
Swaziland Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Swaziland: Festival of the First Fruit
Swedish Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Sweden: Midsummer Celebrations
Gotland, Sweden: Gotland Medieval Week
Swiss Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Appenzell, Switzerland: Landsgemeinde
Montreux, Switzerland: Montreux Jazz Festival (music)
Zurich, Switzerland: Zurich Street Parade (music)
Bern, Switzerland: Bern’s Onion Market (food)
Geneva, Switzerland: L’Escalade
Martigny, Switzerland: Combat des Reines (cow fighting)
Tanzanian Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Tanzania: Peasant’s Day
Thailand Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Bangkok, Thailand: Thailand Film Festival
Thailand: Songkhran
Thailand: Loi Krathong
Surin, Thailand: Surin Elephant Round-Up
Lopburi, Thailand: Lopburi Monkey Banquet
Turkish Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Erdine, Turkey: Erdine Oil-Wrestling Championships
American (USA) Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Aspen, Colorado, USA: Food and Wine Magazine Classic
Aspen, Colorado, USA: Aspen Music Festival (music)
Aspen, Colorado, USA: Aspen Summer Words (literary)
Aspen, Colorado, USA: Aspen Ideas Festival
Aspen, Colorado, USA: Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Festival
Atlanta, Georgia, USA: Atlanta Dogwood Festival
Black Rock City, Nevada, USA: Burning Man
Daytona Beach, Florida, USA: Daytona 500 (NASCAR racing)
Denver, Colorado, USA: 9News Parade of Lights
Denver, Colorado, USA: National Western Stock Show
Denver, Colorado, USA: The Great American Beer Festival
Denver, Colorado, USA: Cherry Creek Arts Festival (arts)
Denver, Colorado, USA: Taste of Colorado (food)
Key West, Florida, USA: Fantasy Fest
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA: Indy 500 festival (sport)
Louisville, Kentucky, USA: Lebowskifest (film)
Newry, Maine, USA: North American Wife-Carrying Championship
New York City, New York, USA: Restaurant Week
New York City, New York, USA: Coney Island Mermaid Parade
New York City, New York, USA: New York Marathon (athletics)
New York City, New York, USA: Tribeca Film Festival (film)
Perdido Key, Florida, USA: Interstate Mullet Toss
Pleasure Island, North Carolina, USA: Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-Off (food)
Punxutawney, Pennsylvania, USA: Groundhog Day
San Francisco, California, USA: San Francisco ZAP festival (wine)
Telluride, Colorado, USA: Telluride Bluegrass Festival
Telluride, Colorado, USA: Telluride Jazz Celebration
Telluride, Colorado, USA: Telluride Festival of the Arts
Telluride, Colorado, USA: Telluride Mushroom Festival
Telluride, Colorado, USA: Telluride Film Festival
Thomasville, Georgia, USA: Thomasville Rose Show and Festival (flower)
Wilmington, North Carolina, USA: North Carolina Azalea festival
US Virgin Islands, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
St Thomas, US Virgin Islands: Virgin Islands Carnival
Welsh Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Cardiff, Wales: St David’s Day
Llantrwyd Wells, Wales: World Bog Snorkelling Championships
Posted by David Whitley
Italian Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Camogli, Liguria, Italia: Sagra del Pesce (food)
Catania, Sicily, Italy: Festa di Sant Agata
Genoa, Liguria, Italy: Slow Fish (food)
Ivrea, Piedmont, Italy: Battle of the Oranges
Rome, Italy: Estate Romana
Rome, Italy: Primo Maggio (music)
Rome, Italy: RomaEuropa
Rome, Italy: December Toy Fair in Piazza Navona
Siena, Tuscany, Italy: Il Palio (horse-racing)
Syracuse, Sicily, Italy: Ciclo di Spettacoli Classici (Greek theatre)
Taormina, Sicily, Italy: Taormina Arte (arts)
Turin, Piedmont, Italy: Cioccolato Festival of Chocolate (food)
Ustica, Sicily, Italy: International Festival of Underwater Activities (sport)
Sassari, Sardinia, Italy: I Candelieri (The Candlesticks)
Nuoro Province, Sardinia, Italy: Festa di Sant’Antonio Abate
Sedilo, Sardinia, Italy: Ardia (horse race)
Cabras, Sardinia, Italy: Barefoot Race of the Festa Di San Salvatore
Posted by David Whitley
French Festivals, Cultural Events Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Metz, Lorraine, France: Pilgrimage of St Blaise
Paris, France: Paris Marathon (sport)
Cannes, France: Festival de Cannes (film)
Paris, France: Roland Garros/ French Open (tennis)
France: Tour De France (cycling)
Les Deux Alps, France: Mondial Du Snowboard
Paris, France: Bastille Day
Paris, France: Festival de Cinema en Plein Air (film)
Metz, Lorraine, France: Mirabelle Festival
Paris, France: Nouveau Festival International de Danse de Paris (dance)
Metz, Lorraine, France: Christmas Market
Rouen, Seine-Maritime, Normandy, France: Rouen Armada
Bayeux, Calvados, Normandy, France: Fêtes Médiévales de Bayeux
Deauville, Calvados, Normandy, France: Deauville American Film Festival (film)
Posted by David Whitley
Canadian Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: Vancouver International Children’s Festival
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: Bard On The Beach Shakespeare Festival
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: Vancouver International Jazz Festival
Calgary, Alberta, Canada: Calgary Stampede
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Caribana
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: Celebration of Light Fireworks Competition
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: Vancouver Folk Music Festival
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Canadian National Exhibition
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Toronto International Film Festival
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Canadian National Exhibition
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Royal Winter Fair
Posted by David Whitley
English Festivals, Cultural Events Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Haworth, Yorkshire, England: Steam Gala Weekend
Bognor Regis, Sussex, England: Clown parade
London, England: Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race (sport)
England: St George’s Day
Aintree, Liverpool, England: The Grand National (sport)
Ashbourne, Derbyshire, England: Shrovetide Football (sport)
London, England: The London Marathon (sport)
London, England, UK: FA Community Shield
Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England: World Snooker Championships (sport)
Bentley Bridge Inn, Derbyshire, England: World toe-wrestling championships (sport)
Haworth, Yorkshire, England: 1940s weekend
London, England: Chelsea Flower Show
London, England: FA Cup Final (football)
London, England: Trooping The Colour
London, England: Wimbledon Tennis Championships (tennis)
Buxton, Derbyshire, England: Buxton Festival
Leeds, Yorkshire, England: Carling Weekend (music)
London, England: Notting Hill Carnival
Pilton, Somerset, England: Glastonbury Festival (music)
Bognor Regis, Sussex, England: Bognor International Birdman Competition
Egremont, Cumbria, England: World Gurning Championships
Wasdale, Cumbria, England: World’s Biggest Liar Contest
Leeds, Yorkshire, England: Leeds International Film Festival
Barnstaple, Devon, England: The Santa Run
Posted by David Whitley
American (USA) Festivals, Cultural Events, Carnivals and Sporting Championships
Aspen, Colorado, USA: Food and Wine Magazine Classic
Aspen, Colorado, USA: Aspen Music Festival (music)
Aspen, Colorado, USA: Aspen Summer Words (literary)
Aspen, Colorado, USA: Aspen Ideas Festival
Aspen, Colorado, USA: Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Festival
Atlanta, Georgia, USA: Atlanta Dogwood Festival
Black Rock City, Nevada, USA: Burning Man
Daytona Beach, Florida, USA: Daytona 500 (NASCAR racing)
Denver, Colorado, USA: 9News Parade of Lights
Denver, Colorado, USA: National Western Stock Show
Denver, Colorado, USA: The Great American Beer Festival
Denver, Colorado, USA: Cherry Creek Arts Festival (arts)
Denver, Colorado, USA: Taste of Colorado (food)
Key West, Florida, USA: Fantasy Fest
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA: Indy 500 festival (sport)
Louisville, Kentucky, USA: Lebowskifest (film)
Newry, Maine, USA: North American Wife-Carrying Championship
New York City, New York, USA: Restaurant Week
New York City, New York, USA: Coney Island Mermaid Parade
New York City, New York, USA: New York Marathon (athletics)
New York City, New York, USA: Tribeca Film Festival (film)
Perdido Key, Florida, USA: Interstate Mullet Toss
Pleasure Island, North Carolina, USA: Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-Off (food)
Punxutawney, Pennsylvania, USA: Groundhog Day
San Francisco, California, USA: San Francisco ZAP festival (wine)
Telluride, Colorado, USA: Telluride Bluegrass Festival
Telluride, Colorado, USA: Telluride Jazz Celebration
Telluride, Colorado, USA: Telluride Festival of the Arts
Telluride, Colorado, USA: Telluride Mushroom Festival
Telluride, Colorado, USA: Telluride Film Festival
Thomasville, Georgia, USA: Thomasville Rose Show and Festival (flower)
Wilmington, North Carolina, USA: North Carolina Azalea festival
-----------------------------
Travel direct! Quick link to festivals and events in: Anguilla, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belize, Bhutan, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Columbia, Congo, Cook Islands, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, United States of America, US Virgin Islands, Wales.
REGIONS: Asia, Eastern Europe, South America
-----------------------------
Posted by David Whitley
While Rugby League attempts to project itself as an international sport, realistically only Australia, Great Britain and New Zealand have sides of any real quality. Of those, Australia are the strongest by far, so the closest the sport gets to a proper world class rivalry are the annual State of Origin clashes between the New South Wales and Queensland Maroons.
The State of Origin is a series of three clashes between the two states, with eligibility for the two sides determined by which state a player first played senior level football in. Players must also be eligible for Australian selection.
In 2007, the three clashes take part at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on May 23rd and July 4th and Telstra Stadium in Sydney on June 13th. As always, the clashes promise to be tight. Since the series’ inception in 1980, Queensland have won 38 matches to New South Wales’ 37, with two games being drawn.
One argument that resurfaces every year, however, is whether Queenslanders care more about the games than their southern neighbours. The general gist is that it means more to Queenslanders because New South Wales has a bigger population and more clubs while much of the country’s economy is centred in Sydney rather than Brisbane. Bizarrely, both camps tend to deny this, New South Wales because it suggests they don’t try as hard, and Queensland because it indicates a parochial mentality.
I’d hate to stereotype the population of two states, but what I will say is that I’ve watched the games in both Sydney and Brisbane, and there is a far bigger buzz when viewing proceedings in a Brisbane pub than a Sydney one. And, if I had a choice of getting tickets for either stadium, it’d be the Suncorp everytime.
More sporting events.
Posted by David Whitley
The 2007 Tour De France will take place over 20 stages from July 7th to July 29th, and it’s not called the world’s biggest, most gruelling cycle race for nothing. During the course of the race, competitors will pedal a fearsome 3550.4km, starting in London, England, and ending up in Paris, France. On the way, the world’s best cyclists will stream through Belgium, and make their way round most of the French map. Some stages, such as the 236km monster between Waregem and Compiegne seem absolutely terrifying to anyone who doesn’t particularly enjoy getting saddle rash.
But in order to keep the Yellow Jersey – which the race leader is given the honour of wearing – the best of the best has to encounter far tougher prospects than mere distance. The hardest parts of Le Tour (as it is colloquially known) come in the mountains. Cycling in the Pyrenees and the Alps is an exercise in masochism, with any joy gained from freewheeling down peaks easily outweighed by having to painstakingly pedal up them. In 2007, no fewer than six stages will be held in the mountains. The Alpine stages are Bourg-en-Bresse to Le Grand-Bornand (Stage Seven), Le Grand-Bornand to Tignes (Stage Eight) and Val-d’Isère to Briançon (Stage Nine). The Pyrenees stages come not long afterwards, with the racers going from Mazamet to Plateau-de-Beille (Stage 14), Foix to Loudenvielle - Le Louron (Stage 15) and Orthez to Gourette - Col d’Aubisque (Stage 16).
To attempt even a day of doing this is somewhat brave/ foolhardy, so you can only sit back and appreciate the efforts of American Lance Armstrong, who somehow managed to win the Tour De France an astonishing seven times. To win any major sporting event that many times is incredible, this one more so.
Posted by David Whitley
January International Film and Music Festivals
Glasgow, Scotland: Celtic Connections Music Festival
Bangkok, Thailand: Thailand Film Festival
February International Film and Music Festivals
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: FESPACO - Pan African Film & Television festival
Nine Mile, Jamaica: Bob Marley’s Birthday Bash
Glasgow, Scotland: Celtic Connections Music Festival
March International Film and Music Festivals
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: FESPACO - Pan African Film & Television festival
Budapest, Hungary: Budapest Spring Festival
April International Film and Music Festivals
Valledupar, Columbia: Vallenato Music Festival (music)
Budapest, Hungary: Budapest Spring Festival
Kaunas, Lithuania: Kaunas Jazz Festival (music)
Lisbon, Portugal: Indie Lisboa (film)
May International Film and Music Festivals
Vienna, Austria: International Music Festival
Vienna, Austria: Vienna Festival
Prague, Bohemia, Czech Republic: Prague Spring Festival (classical music)
Cannes, France: Festival de Cannes (film)
Rome, Italy: Primo Maggio (music)
June International Film and Music Festivals
Vienna, Austria: International Music Festival
Vienna, Austria: Vienna Festival
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: Vancouver International Jazz Festival
Athens, Greece: Hellenic Festival
Athens, Greece: Petra International Festival
Vilnius, Lithuania: Vilnius Festival (arts)
St Petersburg, Russia: White Nights Festival
Aspen, Colorado, USA: Aspen Music Festival (music)
New York City, New York, USA: Tribeca Film Festival (film)
July International Film and Music Festivals
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: Vancouver Folk Music Festival
Roskilde, Denmark: Roskilde Music Festival
Buxton, Derbyshire, England: Buxton Festival
Paris, France: Festival de Cinema en Plein Air (film)
Athens, Greece: Hellenic Festival
Athens, Greece: Petra International Festival
Taormina, Sicily, Italy: Taormina Arte (arts)
Vilnius, Lithuania: St Christopher Summer Festival (arts)
Montreux, Switzerland: Montreux Jazz Festival (music)
Aspen, Colorado, USA: Aspen Music Festival (music)
Louisville, Kentucky, USA: Lebowskifest (film)
August International Film and Music Festivals
Copenhagen, Denmark: Copenhagen International Film Festival
Leeds, Yorkshire, England: Carling Weekend (music)
London, England: Notting Hill Carnival
Pilton, Somerset, England: Glastonbury Festival (music)
Paris, France: Festival de Cinema en Plein Air (film)
Athens, Greece: Nights Under The Full Moon
Athens, Greece: Hellenic Festival
Athens, Greece: Petra International Festival
Taormina, Sicily, Italy: Taormina Arte (arts)
Edinburgh, Scotland: Edinburgh Festivals, including Fringe
Zurich, Switzerland: Zurich Street Parade (music)
Aspen, Colorado, USA: Aspen Music Festival (music)
Aspen, Colorado, USA: Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Festival
Black Rock City, Nevada, USA: Burning Man
September International Film and Music Festivals
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Toronto International Film Festival
Deauville, Calvados, Normandy, France: Deauville American Film Festival (film)
Athens, Greece: Hellenic Festival
Athens, Greece: Petra International Festival
October International Film and Music Festivals
November International Film and Music Festivals
Leeds, Yorkshire, England: Leeds International Film Festival
December International Film and Music Festivals
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: Homebake (music)
Posted by David Whitley
A couple of weeks ago, your International Events feature writer had the pleasure of visiting Luxembourg’s capital city, which is currently the European Capital of Culture. This means that there are art installations and exhibitions all over the city – the gypsy exhibit at the city’s history museum is particularly good, for example – but what struck me was how beautiful the city is.
Luxembourg largely has a reputation for being a dull city full of bankers and politicians, but to say this gives it a monumentally unfair rap. Try walking along one of the bridges that span the gorges of the Alzette and Petrusse rivers and not be amazed at how stunningly green and well positioned Luxembourg is. It has been a defensive fortress for over 1,000 years, and the fortifications have been built into the natural landscape.
A fine example of this is the Bock Casemates, a huge network of underground tunnels built into the Bock Promontory by the Spanish occupiers in the 17th century. These can still be explored today (so long as you’re not the claustrophobic type), and amongst the dark underground passageways are various look-out points that give fine views of the valleys and the city’s buildings.
You can also see the suburb of Grund from there, and this is arguably the nicest area of the city. Right by the Alzette are a couple of cracking pubs that have a real multi-national feel to them – Scott’s Bar and Oscar Wilde’s, in particular, have a great vibe.
I’m not usually the sort to rave on about a city, but Luxembourg is one that’s well worth visiting, irrespective of its current European Capital of Culture status.
Posted by David Whitley
Only Glastonbury is bigger than Denmark’s Roskilde Music Festival, which is held every July in Roskilde, 35km from Copenhagen.
Every year, nearly 100,000 music lovers buy tickets to camp out at the site, listening to four days of concerts from some of the best bands and artists in the business.
The 2007 line-up is looking absolutely incredible so far, and more bands will be added before things get underway.
The headline acts at the moment are the Beastie Boys, British rockers Muse, Icelandic weirdo Bjork, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Who, DJ Tiesto and Queens of the Stone Age. That’s a good selection on its own, but take a look at the talent that’s on the second rung of the poster and you’ll see bands that would be worth the ticket price on their own.
They include arguably the hottest two bands in the world right now – Montreal’s Arcade Fire and Sheffield’s Arctic Monkeys.
Joining them will be The Killers and My Chemical Romance from the United States, two acts who have sold phenomenal amounts of records even though the first are rather average and the second an affront to the ear.
But the test of a truly great line-up is the bands that are included in the small print. For Roskilde 2007, these include Cansei De Ser Sexy from Sao Paulo, Brazil, English new rave pioneers The Klaxons and legendary DJ Lee Scratch Perry. That’s going to be one festival worth going to if you can get to Denmark at the time.
Denmark Events: Roskilde Music Festival 2007 Dates
The Roskilde Music Festival in Denmark will be held between July 5th and July 8th.
Posted by David Whitley
I loved living in Australia, but the one thing I missed about the northern European summer was the way that the days seem to go on forever and the sun set very late in the evening. Those of a similar mindset, therefore, will love White Nights in St Petersburg, Russia.
Russia’s cultural capital is at its best during the height of summer, and because it’s so far north, it never gets properly dark enough to be called night time.
To celebrate this natural phenomena – as written about by Dostoyevsky in his book White Nights – the city throws a festival of theatre, ballet, music and culture during June and July.
Throughout the three weeks of the event, various shows, productions and performances are put on in venues across the city. The concerts attract top class musicians from over the world, while the dance extravaganzas at the Marlinsky Theatre are rightly renowned for the sheer spectacle.
For those more interested in the party side of a festival, rather than the cultural side, the bars and restaurants get into the spirit too, and most never seem to close.
While it’s never properly night-time, the sun still rises every day, usually at around 2am. This is greeted by cheers from revellers, and plenty of fireworks. After all, if the day isn’t going to go to sleep, why should the people?
Be warned, though – after three weeks without darkness, treating the White Nights festival as a great excuse to party – you’ll probably be glad to close the curtains and have a good night (and day) asleep.
Posted by David Whitley
It is astonishing how traditional celebrations get passed down throughout the years, only to suddenly morph into a good excuse for a drinking session. This is pretty much the case with the Lajkonik Festival in Krakow, southern Poland.
The historic city, in which Pope John Paul II was born, was in severe danger during the 13th century. The Mongol hordes had crossed Asia, and had made their way into Europe.
There was a real danger that Krakow would fall in 1241, but the city managed to hold firm when the Mongols were at the gates. A short siege was followed by a resounding defeat, and the people of Krakow were saved.
A traditional event, held every year on June 1st, was created to celebrate this. It is called the Lajkonik Festival, and it generally involves a man dressed as a Mongol warrior and riding a fake horse being followed around the city. The big parade includes musicians and street entertainers as well as the local people.
However, despite all the festivities and family-orientated fun, the main reason that most people appear to love the Lajkonik Festival is that it’s a convenient excuse to hit the bars.
On the evening and night of the festival, Krakow is buzzing, whether it’s in the terrace bars of the city’s main square or the underground cellar bars that dot the city.
Let’s face it, though – the attempted Mongol invasion of 1241 is hardly relevant to the people of Poland these days. They can hardly be blamed for not treating things solemnly – and it’s as good a reason as any to indulge in plenty of Polish beer (such as the delicious Zywiec) and vodka.
Posted by David Whitley
The French Open (officially known as Roland Garros) is the second of the major tennis tournaments to be played during the year, following the Australian Open and preceding Wimbledon and the US Open. It is held in Paris, France at the end of May and beginning of June every year – although tickets for 2007’s event went on sale long ago - and it is the only one of the majors to be played on a clay court.
From a personal point of view, this makes it my least favourite of the tennis Grand Slam events to watch. The ball is slowed down by the surface, and this benefits the type of player that prefers to slug it from the baseline.
This also means that certain players do far, far better in the French Open than in the other Grand Slam events. Clay court specialists such as Gustavo Kuerten, Albert Costa, Gaston Gaudio and Juan Carlos Ferrero have never really shone in the other big events, but all have won Roland Garros.
In the meantime, some genuinely great players have never won the French Open. These include Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg. Astonishingly this era’s great player, Roger Federer from Switzerland, has never won Roland Garros either. In the last two years it has been Rafael Nadal from Spain who has outplayed him on clay to take the title. Will 2007 finally be the year in which Federer manages to take the only Grand Slam title in the sport to so far elude him?
France Events: Roland Garros (French Open Tennis Championships) 2007 Dates
The 2007 tournament will be played from May 27th to June 10th.
Posted by David Whitley
The World Snooker Championships are held at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England every April/ May and each year produces its fair share of surprises. In 2006, for example, unfancied outsider Graeme Dott walked away with the title, but in 2007 he crashed out in the first round.
The biggest surprise for me, however, in the first round of the 2007 tournament was seeing who was lining up against seven times winner Steve Hendry. According to blurb in the press, David Gilbert was the world’s 86th ranked player, he comes from Tamworth in Staffordshire and he helps out on his father’s potato farm to supplement his income from playing snooker. Not especially exciting, huh?
Well, for me it was, as I grew up in the same village (Donisthorpe, Leicestershire) as the very same David Gilbert, and he was a friend of my brother. In fact, I remember him coming round to our house as a kid, and playing on our cheap and nasty miniature snooker table. Strangely enough, he usually won.
What is striking about this is that even from an early age – we’re talking nine or ten years old here – David was determined that he was going to be a professional snooker player. I never quite believed him, and had assumed that the fad would pass. I left the village at the age of eleven, never heard of him again, and assumed that he would have become and accountant or something.
To see him on TV taking on Stephen Hendry at the Crucible in snooker’s biggest tournament, therefore, came as something as a shock. He really had made it after all – which shows that dedication really can pay off when you want to make it to one of the world's biggest sporting events.
And, as I’m sure I must have beaten him once on that creaking table with tiny balls and a rumpled baize, does that mean I’m one of the world’s top 100 snooker players?
Posted by David Whitley
On May 20th, English clubs Leicester Tigers and London Wasps will face each other at Twickenham Stadium in London to decide who will be crowned the winners of the Heineken Cup. This, in effect, means they will be the European club champions in Rugby Union. Both have got pedigree, with Leicester beating Munster in 2002 and Stade Francais in 2001, while Wasps beat Toulouse in 2004.
Whatever the result, though, there is a severe chance that neither side will be involved in next year’s competition, as England’s elite clubs have threatened to pull out. The row between the English clubs and the English Rugby Football Union is over whether the clubs should be allowed to be stakeholders in the tournament. The RFU is obviously not happy with this, as it is a clear conflict of interests for the competition as a whole. Unfortunately, the clubs have thrown their toys out of the pram and decided that if they’re not allowed such a huge say in the running of the Heineken Cup, they will boycott it.
The RFU, unfortunately, hasn’t got much of a leg to stand on, although it is threatening to enter clubs from the second tier – Division One – rather than those from the Guinness Premiership.
Irrespective of whether the English clubs do stay, the 2007/2008 competition is likely to be something of a farce – if, indeed, it takes place. The French clubs, who account for four of the eleven previous winners of the trophy, have already pulled out, saying that there will be too much fixture congestion following the Rugby World Cup in September and October. With no entrants from France, and poor quality ones from England, the tournament simply can’t stand up to scrutiny as being the best.
The attitude is all wrong here, and matters of fixture congestion and stakeholding put to one side. Following the Rugby World Cup, there should be a massive upsurge of interest in Rugby Union, and the idea should be to expand the game’s reach as effectively and as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, the chances of the game getting a strong sporting event equivalent to football's UEFA Champions League final in 2008 seem very slim indeed.
Posted by David Whitley
The Edinburgh Festivals, held every year in August are an undoubted highlight of the international cultural calendar. However, with (deep breath…) the Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Edinburgh International Film Festival, Edinburgh International Television Festival and Edinburgh International Book Festival all held in the same month, accommodation can be expensive and hard to come by.
This shouldn’t put potential visitors off going in 2007, though. From a personal point of view, I have spent some of the best weeks of my life seeing various theatre shows, stand-up comedy gigs, classical concerts and dance productions in Scotland’s capital. The secret is booking early, and looking a little outside the box for accommodation.
Hotel rates in Edinburgh are expensive anyway, but not nearly as steep if you get in early – the sooner you can book, the more availability there is, and the cheaper rooms are.
However, hotels aren’t the only accommodation option. Plenty of locals disappear for the month while the festivals are on, renting out their apartments. It’s well worth hunting on the internet to see if you can pick out a bargain, bearing in mind that location is important when you want to see as many shows as possible.
Arguably the best value option, however, is to search for student flats. The festivals are on during the university holidays, which means the students aren’t there, and their accommodation is available. Most of these flats are rented out to visitors, and whilst not luxury, they certainly fit most people’s needs for a week at The Fringe.
But I’m not joking about booking early – leave it until late July or early August, and there will be a lot more competition.
Posted by David Whitley
Tuscany in Italy has many treasures, from Chianti wines to Leonardo Da Vinci and the art of Florence, but for sheer excitement, it’s hard to beat the Il Palio event in Siena.
This is an ancient festival, steeped in tradition and going back nearly 1,000 years, and involves bareback horse racing amongst much pageantry in Siena’s main square, Piazza Del Campo. It takes place twice a year, on July 2nd and August 16th.
Whilst great for tourists to watch, this spectacle is a contest between the districts – or contrade - of the city. Each has its own colours and banner, and the Sienese take it all very seriously, with arguments often resulting about the allegiance of offspring coming from members of two different contrade.
Pomp and ceremony aside though, it is the racing itself that is the real adrenalin rush. A makeshift – and highly dangerous – course is made around Piazza del Campo. With a slippery surface and lots of tight twists and turns, often half of the riders don’t make it to the end. ‘
The riders – most of whom have been hired for their skills from elsewhere in the country – take incredible risks in getting their horses around the track as quickly as possible.
The results are often brutal, with no rules restraining the riders from using violence and whips against other riders and horses. It’s certainly not pretty to watch, and it’s quite cruel, but it’s an undeniably great spectacle, and one well worth shelling out the money to get the best seats in the arena for.
Posted by David Whitley
January Events, Festivals and Sporting Championships
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: Australia Day
Sydney, New South Wales, Austalia: Sydney Festival (arts)
Munich, Bavaria, Germany: Fasching
Nuoro Province, Sardinia, Italy: Festa di Sant’Antonio Abate
Inazawa, Honshu, Japan: Hadaka Matsuri
Muscat, Oman: Muscat Festival
Auckland, New Zealand: Heineken Open Tennis
Wellington, New Zealand: Summer City Festival of Free Outdoor Entertainment
Wellington, New Zealand: Cuba Street Carnival
Glasgow, Scotland: Celtic Connections Music Festival
Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland: Up Helly Aa Viking Fire Festival
Bangkok, Thailand: Thailand Film Festival
Denver, Colorado, USA: National Western Stock Show
More international events and festivals by month
January; February; March; April; May; June; July; August; September; October; November; December
Posted by David Whitley
February Events, Festivals and Sporting Championships
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil: Rio Carnival
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: FESPACO - Pan African Film & Television festival
Haworth, Yorkshire, England: Steam Gala Weekend
Metz, Lorraine, France: Pilgrimage of St Blaise
Nice, Cote d’Azur, France: Carnaval de Nice (Nice Carnival)
Berlin, Germany: Internationale Filmfestspiele (Berlinale)
Munich, Bavaria, Germany: Starkbierzeit
Catania, Sicily, Italy: Festa di Sant Agata
Ivrea, Piedmont, Italy: Battle of the Oranges
Nine Mile, Jamaica: Bob Marley’s Birthday Bash
Wellington, New Zealand: International Rugby Sevens
Wellington, New Zealand: Cuba Street Carnival
Wellington, New Zealand: Summer City Festival of Free Outdoor Entertainment
Glasgow, Scotland: Celtic Connections Music Festival
Daytona Beach, Florida, USA: Daytona 500 (NASCAR racing)
New York City, New York, USA: Restaurant Week
Punxutawney, Pennsylvania, USA: Groundhog Day
More international events and festivals by month
January; February; March; April; May; June; July; August; September; October; November; December
Posted by David Whitley
March Events, Festivals and Sporting Championships
Mendoza, Argentina: Vendimia Festival of Argentinian Wine
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: Cracker Comedy Festival
San Ignacio, Belize: La Ruta Maya Canoe Race
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: FESPACO - Pan African Film & Television festival
Bognor Regis, Sussex, England: Clown parade
London, England: Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race (sport)
Munich, Bavaria, Germany: Starkbierzeit
Guatemala: Semana Santa
Budapest, Hungary: Budapest Spring Festival
India: Holi
Turin, Piedmont, Italy: Cioccolato Festival of Chocolate (food)
Dublin, Republic of Ireland: St Patrick’s Day
Auckland, New Zealand: Auckland Cup Week (horse race)
Auckland, New Zealand: Polynesian Pasifika Festival
Avila, Castilla y León, Spain: Semana Santa (Holy Week)
Valencia, Spain: Las Fallas
Cusco, Peru: Lord of the Tremors
Glasgow, Scotland: Glasgow International Comedy Festival
Cardiff, Wales: St David’s Day
More international events and festivals by month
January; February; March; April; May; June; July; August; September; October; November; December
Posted by David Whitley
October Events, Festivals and Sporting Championships
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia: Floriade
Haworth, Yorkshire, England: Steam Gala Weekend
Les Deux Alps, France: Mondial Du Snowboard
Paris, France: Nouveau Festival International de Danse de Paris (dance)
Munich, Bavaria, Germany: Oktoberfest
Rome, Italy: RomaEuropa
Auckland, New Zealand: Ao Taeroa Hip-Hop Summit
Faro, Algarve, Portugal: Feira de Santa Iria
Avila, Castilla y León, Spain: Fiesta de Santa Teresa
Martigny, Switzerland: Combat des Reines (cow fighting)
Denver, Colorado, USA: The Great American Beer Festival (drink)
Key West, Florida, USA: Fantasy Fest
Newry, Maine, USA: North American Wife-Carrying Championship
Posted by David Whitley
November Events, Festivals and Sporting Championships
Anguilla: Anguilla Serenity Jazz Festival
Belize: Garifuna Settlement Day
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Royal Winter Fair
Cook Islands: Tiare Flower Festival
Rarotonga, Cook Islands: Vaka Eiva Canoeing Festival
Wasdale, Cumbria, England: World’s Biggest Liar Contest
Leeds, Yorkshire, England: Leeds International Film Festival
Berlin, Germany: Christmas Markets
Munich, Bavaria, Germany: Christkindlmarkt
Rome, Italy: RomaEuropa
Puno, Lake Titicaca, Peru: La Diablada Festival
Bern, Switzerland: Bern’s Onion Market (food)
Thailand: Loi Krathong
Surin, Thailand: Surin Elephant Round-Up
Lopburi, Thailand: Lopburi Monkey Banquet
Denver, Colorado, USA: 9News Parade of Lights
New York City, New York, USA: New York Marathon (athletics)
Posted by David Whitley
December Events, Festivals and Sporting Championships
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: Boxing Day Test Match at the MCG (cricket)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: Christmas on the beach
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: New Year’s Eve fireworks
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: Homebake (music)
Barnstaple, Devon, England: The Santa Run
Metz, Lorraine, France: Christmas Market
Berlin, Germany: Christmas Markets
Munich, Bavaria, Germany: Christkindlmarkt
Rome, Italy: December Toy Fair in Piazza Navona
Swaziland: Festival of the First Fruit
Geneva, Switzerland: L’Escalade
Denver, Colorado, USA: 9News Parade of Lights
Posted by David Whitley
Next week I am going to be in Spain, so please don’t be too surprised if I don’t respond instantly in discussions or to e-mails at the start of May. On the plus side, I will be doing plenty of research into events and parties in Madrid, fiestas in Segovia, celebrations in Avila and festivals in Toledo. All in all, I’m very much looking forward to it, as I am every time I go to Spain. There’s something remarkably infectious about the country as a whole, which is probably why it has some of the world’s greatest events – take Las Fallas in Valencia for example.
Aside from researching the events and festivals of Madrid, Castilla Y León and Castilla La Mancha, though, I am looking forward to two things in particular. The first is eating a meal in the world’s oldest restaurant – La Casa Botín in Madrid. Apparently they do a suckling pig to die for, and that has my name all over it.
The second place I’m looking forward to venturing to is Alcala De Henares, the birthplace of Miguel De Cervantes. I’ve been reading his masterpiece Don Quixote recently, and it’s inspired me to get up to a bit of knight errantry. Well, travel writer errantry anyway. I am sure there will be some damsel in distress, or gentleman that has fallen on hard times that will be in dire need of my noble assistance. Or, at least I might think there will be after knocking back a couple of sangrias, anyway.
So, if I don’t get back for a few days, you’ll know why – I’ve found my Sancho Panza, attacked the odd windmill and gorged myself on pork.
Posted by David Whitley
April is a great month across the world for cultural events, strange festivals and sporting championships. Plenty of the best ones are covered by Suite101's International Events Topic. Here are the ones we currently have articles and blog entries about, and more are being added all the time.
April Events, Festivals and Sporting Championships
Buenos Aires, Argentina: Buenos Aires Book Fair
Bogota, Columbia: Ferio de Libro de Bogota/ Bogota Book Festival
Valledupar, Columbia: Vallenato Music Festival (music)
England: St George’s Day
Aintree, Liverpool, England: The Grand National (sport)
Ashbourne, Derbyshire, England: Shrovetide Football (sport)
London, England: The London Marathon (sport)
London, England: Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race (sport)
Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England: World Snooker Championships (sport)
Europe: Heineken Cup Final (rugby union)
Paris, France: Paris Marathon (sport)
Berlin, Germany: Festtage in der Staatsoper
Skiros, Greece: Feast of St George
Budapest, Hungary: Budapest Spring Festival
Kaunas, Lithuania: Kaunas Jazz Festival (music)
Vilnius, Lithuania: Uzupis National Day
Cusco, Peru: Lord of the Tremors
Lisbon, Portugal: Indie Lisboa (film)
Avila, Castilla y León, Spain: Semana Santa (Holy Week)
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain: Dia di Sant Jordi (St George’s Day)
Durban, South Africa: Rathayatra/ Festival of the Chariots
Appenzell, Switzerland: Landsgemeinde
Thailand: Songkhran
Atlanta, Georgia, USA: Atlanta Dogwood Festival
Perdido Key, Florida, USA: Interstate Mullet Toss
Pleasure Island, North Carolina, USA: Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-Off (food)
Thomasville, Georgia, USA: Thomasville Rose Show and Festival (flower)
Wilmington, North Carolina, USA: North Carolina Azalea festival
St Thomas, US Virgin Islands: Virgin Islands Carnival
More international events and festivals by month
January; February; March; April; May; June; July; August; September