Rock Music 4 ALL

When choosing a travel destination, it is easy to become overwhelmed with the vast number of choices. There are so many historical, beautiful, interesting places on this Earth, it is easy to see why many people become frustrated.

Greece, and the Greek islands are by far, one of the top travel destination choices by cultured and choosy travelers. Not only is Greece a wonderland of blue ocean vistas it is also the home of many exciting cultural events.

The Hellenic Festival

This extremely popular festival offers a huge range of performances. Classical music, ballet, opera, both ancient and modern theater, singers, dances and more are featured at this festival that takes all summer to exhaust its supply of entertainment. The festival encompasses the entire city, with many theater performances taking place at the Lykavittos Theater set atop Lykavittos Hill. Neither buses or taxis will take you to the top of this hill, so it is best to leave early to walk the ten or fifteen minutes you will need to get to Lykavittos Theater.

The Epidaurus Festival

This festival takes place annually during the summer months. Held at the ancient (and acoustically perfect) theater of Epidaurus, this festival is held as a part of the larger Hellenic Festival. The Epidaurus Festival is an opportunity to witness plays just as the ancient Greeks did. Adding to the flavor is the fact that the performances are in Greek. Theater goers are provided with programs that translate major languages.

Some tips for enjoying the Epidaurus Festival include dressing warm and bringing a blanket. The theater is outside with most programs starting at 9pm and weather unpredictable, even in the summer months. Best to be prepared. Many of these shows sell out quickly and can only be bought 3 weeks in advance.

The Icarus Festival of Dialogue Between Cultures

Overwhelmingly, Greek cultural events are rooted in the love of music. The Icarus Festival for Dialogue Between Cultures takes place annually on Ikaria, Greece. Traditionally held during the summer, this event hosts performances by artists whose music has been inspired by many cultures. Every year the event is dedicated to a single instrument, 2008 was dedicated to the violin, as it is the favored instrument of the island Ikaria.

The August Moon Festival

Annually, whenever the full moon decides to make its appearance, many sites around Athens are open to the public for free entertainment. The Odeion of Herodes Atticus, the Acropolis, Roman Agora, provide the city with Greek dances, classical music and opera performances. What a spectacular site to behold by the light of the full moon!

Rockwave Athens

The largest rock and roll festival in Greece takes place in July, during the intense heat of summer, and provides the city with some of the hottest international rock bands. This musical event has taken place since 1996 and is still going strong.

Not to be outdone, the Island of Cyprus holds many exciting cultural events as well. As the third biggest island in the Mediterranean sea, this island has direct ties to Greece and many of its festivals are based in the Greek culture.

The Wine Festival in Lemoses attracts thousands of tourists each September to take part of this event. Cyprus, an island known for its extraordinary wine, offers this festival as a means to pay tribute to Dionysus, God of Wine as well as Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and Beauty.

The Lemesos Carnival Parade takes place in February, or approximately 50 days before Easter. Highlights of this annual event include the Children’s Carnival Parade, Grand Carnival Parade of groups and chariots, King Carnival and Serenader’s Parade. This carnival is held to celebrate the last week of meat-eating before the Apokria or what is referred to as the fasting before Easter. Costumes are prepared for the entire family for this event, and at the end of the event, more than fifty floats parade through the city.

The Festival of Ancient Greek Drama is held during the summer months in Cyprus. The performances are held in three separate theaters throughout Cyprus, each sharing the ancient Greek traditions of tragedy, comedy, treachery, adventure and more with the audience. This festival attracts thousands of people internationally and the venues include: Paphos (Ancient Odeon), Limassol (Kourion Ancient Theater) and in Nicosia (Makarios III Amphitheater).

When it comes to festivals and cultural events, the Greek and Cyprus communities are unmatched throughout the world. These ancient lands are steeped in traditions of beauty, art, culture, wine and drama. There really is no other choice when it comes to choosing this travel destination spot.

Chatham is settled on the Thames river in Southwestern Ontario.  It is predominantly rural and agricultural but it is still home to over 108 000 residents.  Farming surrounds the city but there is industry found in the larger urban areas.

Chatham was founded as a naval dockyard back in the 18th century.  It was named after a city in England which was also a dockyard.  In 1998 the county of Kent was amalgamated with Chatham giving us the municipality of Chatham-Kent.

The area has a rich and interesting history, here are a few specific reasons to visit it:

1.  Paranormal Activity: Are you into ghost stories and mysteries?  If you are, Chatham is a great spot for you.  People come from across Canada to try and get a glimpse of the paranormal in this city.  Downtown Chatham is rife with ghost stories and other unexplainable phenomena.  

The city actually plays host to an annual Spook Walk, where paranormal author Sheila Gibbs leads a tour through the downtown core sharing the ghost stories of local businesses and residents.  Every town has it’s share of weird stories, but Chatham had enough that Gibbs was able to write a book about it:  The Ghosts of Chatham-Kent.

2.  Erieau: This small community located in south-central Chatham is a popular tourist destination.  Located on the shores of Lake Erie, cottagers, boaters and fishermen flock to this area in the summer to enjoy their leisurely pursuits.

Erieau has a full service boat marina to cater to all your boating needs.  It is also home to some of Ontario’s nicest sandy white beaches.  There are an abundance of cabins and cottages to rent in this area all summer long.

3.  ROCKSTOCK: A relatively new attraction to the city is this rock festival.  2008 saw the inaugural event draw some big names in Canadian rock music.  Finger 11, Sloan and The Trews headlined the event that took place at the Chatham Municipal Airport.

The first year was such a success that event organizers are planning for an even bigger show this year.  They are planning on making the festival a 2 day event with one day devoted to rock and one day devoted to country.  Hopefully this change will help ROCKSTOCK continue to grow and impress.

Chatham is a wonderful place to spend some time.  It is also full of history, if the above reasons weren’t enough to interest you I will throw in an extra tidbit.  Chatham was actually one of the stops on the legendary Underground Railroad.  Some residents say that explains why their is so much paranormal activity.

Come to Chatham to have a great time, relax on the beach or learn about the history of this great Country.  One thing is for certain, no matter why you come, you will be happy you did.

For More Info: Ontario

It’s been described with such superlatives as “Mad Max meets Disneyland”. Many have tried, and failed, to liken Burning Man to other festivals around the world; parallels have been drawn to Woodstock, the legendary rock festival that famously got out of hand when thousands crashed the gate and the heavens opened to douse the whole event with heavy rain.

England’s much celebrated three day festival of music and arts – Glastonbury, has also been compared to Burning Man, and though it is probably the closest contender that exists, the concept is very different to that of Burning Man. The truth of the matter is that Burning Man is a completely unique event, the likes of which the world has never seen before.

Every year, for five days, some 50,000 people make their way to the flat, parched playa of the Black Rock Desert, 120 miles north of Reno in Nevada. They come to form a temporary community, named “Black Rock City” that is dedicated to self expression and radical self reliance. Unlike other festivals – Burning Man is a commerce-free event; there are no burger vans, no bars, and no shops, in fact there are only two things for sale in Black Rock City: coffee, and ice, both of which are found in the Centre Camp. Everything else (food, water, and shelter) has to be brought in, or traded for.

Black Rock Desert can be an unforgiving place and is subject to extremes; by day temperatures can exceed 37C, yet by night they can drop down to around freezing. Thunderstorms and dust storms can arise with little notice, transforming the playa into one massive mud puddle in a few minutes. With no trees or natural shelter, winds average 25mph under normal conditions and can rise to 70mph during a storm.

Unlike other festivals where the entertainment is laid on by the organiser – at Burning Man it’s the festivals’ own punters that are the entertainment. There is no main stage, no comedy tent, no dance arena. Visitors are encouraged to participate in the creative culture of Burning Man by providing entertainment for others, whether it is in the form of amplified music, theatre, performance art, sculpture – at Burning Man – pretty much anything goes.

Travellers from all over the States, and the rest of the world, descend on Nevada every year to be part of this bizarre festival. En route – many spend a night in hotels in Carson City, Reno or other nearby settlements, grabbing their chance for a night in normal civilisation before heading deep into the desert the following day.

What the future holds for Burning Man is unsure, but the steady growth of this unique event is likely to continue to attract tens of thousands each year, as long as the motto of the festival remains true:

“We will always burn the man”.

When most people think of holidaying in Egypt, they likely picture themselves visiting the Pyramids of Giza, setting their eyes upon the Great Sphinx, or perhaps taking a camel ride through the desert. However, there’s much more to Egypt than its most quintessential tourist offerings, with one example being the country’s fantastic festivals and events.

Egypt’s festivals and religious carnivals – also known as mulid – are often associated with a specific Sufi or Coptic saint. However, many Egyptians seem to get involved in all of the events, regardless of their own religious beliefs. The ancient springtime festival of Sham en Nisim (associated with a Coptic saint) has been celebrated by Egyptians for thousands of years, usually between the months of Paremoude (April) and Pashons (May), after Easter Sunday. Alternatively, Ramadan has long been celebrated with music and lights from lanterns called fawanees. Music festivals are also abundant in Egypt, with the country becoming one of the strongest in the Middle Eastern music industry. Rock and metal music are also becoming fashionable alongside oriental jazz and traditional Egyptian folk music.

One of Egypt’s most popular festivals is the Abu Simbel Festival, a sun festival held in February and October of each year. During this event, crowds fill the Abu Simbel Temple at sunrise to witness the light moving across the temple’s inner stone, in turn illuminating the statues of Ramses, Ra and Amun.

The story is told that the Egyptian King Ramses II precisely angled this temple so that the inner sanctum would light up twice each year – once on his birthday, and once on the anniversary of his rise to the throne. Interestingly enough, only the inner sanctum of the temple lights up, while the statue of Ptah (the god of darkness) remains in the shadows.

However, the sun now strikes the stone one day late each year. The reason being that in the early 1960s Lake Nasser rose and flooded the area and the entire temple was moved to higher ground. Since then the sun has struck the stone a day later than Ramses had originally planned. Even so, this festival attracts countless people each February and October to experience the intriguing effect of the sun on the stones.

So, consider planning your Egypt holidays around something like the Abu Simbel Festival and enjoy what so many have witnessed before. You’re guaranteed to come away with a truly exceptional experience of Egypt.

Newcastle is a city that knows how to party – and you can discover this for yourself by visiting the city during one of its many annual celebratory events. Newcastle plays host to a plethora of different festivals throughout the year and there’s always bound to be one that takes your fancy.

As well as being a welcoming city in the north east of England, Newcastle has the charm of being a destination where something’s always happening, meaning it’s a fantastic place to visit at any time of the year. For example, why not head on a wintry trip to the city to experience Chinese New Year being seen in in style? Every February, Newcastle’s Chinatown area transforms into an explosion of colour and celebration as the area welcomes in the New Year amidst massive parties and events.

Continuing down the cultural route, the Newcastle Mela takes place in August and involves two days of music, food and theatrical events celebrating Punjabi, Pakistani, Hindu and Bengali cultures – an excellent opportunity to get a distinct flavour of new customs and traditions whilst staying close to home.

For those who like their big events to centre around one of Britain’s favourite customs – drinking – the Newcastle Beer Festival is sure to please. This event occurs every April and is organised by CAMRA – the Campaign for Real Ale – so you know you’ll be in good hands. You’ll be able to sample a staggering array of delicious ales during your visit, making the trip a memorable one packed with new experiences.

Music fans also won’t be disappointed, with plenty of opportunities like the Evolution Festival – a musical extravaganza bringing together a host of acts from the rock, indie and pop worlds over the spring Bank Holiday – taking place throughout the year.

On top of this, Newcastle also plays host to a plethora of sporting festivals, like the annual cycling festival, the race week and the Ouseburn Festival, which dedicates itself to healthy family fun over two days.

Newcastle festivals are certainly some of the best the UK has to offer and, with such a wide variety of celebrations to attend – such as the NewcastleGateshead Comedy Festival in March and the EAT! food and drink festival in May – you’re bound to find one to suit your tastes.

No matter what kind of festival you are visiting Newcastle for you can be sure the many Newcastle Newcastle hotels , bars and restaurants throughout the city will be only to happen to welcome you into their establishments as you explore their festival-loving city.

Every June, for three nights and three days, the bars, clubs, pubs and streets of Barcelona become even more busy than normal, as people from all over Spain, Europe, and the rest of the world descend upon the city to experience Sónar, an Advanced Music and Multimedia Art festival. The official website describes the festival as “the essential meeting point for an alert public, cutting-edge artists and the most influential professionals from the sectors of music and modern arts.”

Sonar has been running for the last 15 years, and now attracts 80,000 people to the city annually. Unlike many other music festivals that have popped up over the last decade, Sónar is completely city based, meaning no mud, no portaloos and no camping. For those that prefer their festivals to be situated in a civilised, urban environment, rather than out in the not-so-great outdoors, Sónar is the festival for you.

Though Sonar embraces many forms of music, the emphasis is definitely on electronic styles; artists that have appeared in the last few years include: Aphex Twin, Cut Chemist, DJ Yoda, Kraftwerk and The Chemical Brothers.

The festival has two distinct components; “Sonar by Day” takes place in the centre of contemporary culture and the Museum of contemporary art, which is very close to the La Rambla. Here, visitors will find live music performances, DJs, multimedia art, record and clothes fairs, technology demonstrations, cinemas and other activities, split into a number of official areas known as SonarVillage, SonarCinema and Sonarama amongst others.

At around about 10pm each day, as the heat of the day starts to give way to slightly cooler night air, “Sonar by Night” begins. This takes place outside of the city centre and special coaches are laid on to transport festival goers to the main arena, which is split into four areas.

As Britain’s biggest festivals such as Glastonbury and Reading become increasingly more difficult to get tickets for, more people are looking further a-field to get their festival fix. Foreign festivals make ideal short breaks, offering music fans the chance to see their favourite artists, and also enjoy a cultural adventure, not to mention warmer, dryer weather!

The are now hundreds of big music festivals throughout the world, including Fuji Rock Festival in Japan, Exit Festival in Serbia, Mera Luna in Germany, Southbound Festival in Australia and EuroSonic Festival in Holland, to mention just a few, so maybe you should head further a field this summer and explore the wide world of festivals outside of the UK.

Enclosed by the Gulf of Mexico and the Intracoastal Waterway, Indian Rocks Beach is a waterfront haven that is brimming with recreational pursuits and utter relaxation. Whether you want to soak up the splendor of this little piece of heaven or use it as a jumping off point for enjoying the attractions of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area, Indian Rocks Beach is bound to offer a few welcome surprises during your stay.

Indian Rocks Beach is located on a three mile long barrier island that houses Belleair Beach and Belleair Shores to the North along with Indian Shores and Redington to the South. The perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, this quaint beach community offers a relaxed atmosphere that highlights the simple pleasures in life. Sit along a stunning white beach and sink your toes in the sand; take a sunset stroll along the water’s edge; or simply spread out and soak up some of that warm Florida sunshine. Breathtaking beauty is waiting around every corner to calm your nerves and alleviate any stress you brought into this island paradise, so follow its lead to pure bliss.

Although moving at a slow pace and letting the day occur naturally are perquisites for any Indian Rocks Beach getaway, there is also ample opportunity to participate in a few waterfront adventures. West of Gulf Blvd. on the Gulf of Mexico side, sugar white sand and turquoise water invite visitors out for an afternoon of swimming, beachcombing, sunning, and snorkeling. Along the Intracoastal Waterway, fishing is always a popular choice as is cruising the canals and viewing the beautiful homes. Along your travels you may also come across a couple of county parks, where hiking along the nature trails and fishing from the piers are possible options.

If you need a break from the water or want to soak in the delights of a Florida beach community, there are various shopping options in town in addition to some excellent restaurants. Guppy’s on the Beach is a favorite with locals and visitors alike for its exceptional seafood, while the Tacky Turtle offers a quick bite to eat should your stomach call out during your wanderings. Other seafood restaurants to consider include Crabby Bills and P.J.’s Oyster Bar and for those who lean towards Italian cuisine, Villa Gallace is the one to try.

Like any other small community that wants to create a welcoming feel, Indian Rocks Beach features various special events throughout the year that visitors are welcome to attend if they happen to be around. The Beauty and the Beach Festival, held in the beginning of April, is both entertaining and delicious, while Oktoberfest and the Fall Arts Festival are ideal for enjoying the pleasant October weather and the local excitement.

Since Indian Rocks Beach is only a few miles from Clearwater, many people make it their jumping off point for enjoying the many attractions of this popular Florida city. While staying away from the crowds, those in Indian Rocks Beach can take the short drive to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and learn about dolphin, otter, and sea turtle conservation, participate in the dolphin encounter, or view the sea turtle, otter, shark, and stingray exhibits. Pier 60 is another favorite Clearwater attraction with its children’s playground, street performers, local artisans, and pier fishing.

Indian Rocks Beach is more than just a quiet community located near Clearwater, it is a place where you can enjoy the waterfront wonders of the Gulf and relax to your heart’s content. Surrounded by pristine water and sparkling beaches that will take your breath away, condo rentals in Indian Rocks Beach Florida offer all of the amenities of home along with easy access to your favorite restaurants and sunning spots. Indian Rocks Beach vacation rentals make your stay as convenient and enjoyable as possible, meaning you have nothing to worry about except whether you want to swim or surf today.

Paris the Capital City of France is in the Ile De France region and is an international capital for art, fashion, style and romance.

With the romance that Paris perceives, it is the number one destination for UK tourists and with over 30 million travellers per year from around the world, it is no wonder that this city has so much to offer.

Paris entertainment has always been at the forefront of the world in terms of quality and variety and from film, dance, opera, jazz, concerts, ballet, rock festivals and cabaret, there is always some form of entertainment on offer to suit all tastes, no matter what the time of year you decide to visit this vibrant and cultural city in France.

There are two opera houses in Paris – the Opera Bastille and the Palais Garnier that hosts the Opera National de Paris. There are also many different rock venues in Paris that play host to a large number of international performers and Paris is also popular for its many dance clubs, nightclubs, and cabaret shows such as the Moulin Rouge, which has become famous throughout the world for its can-can, plus a multitude of different festivals that are held in Paris every year.

Of course, there are the usual monuments and attractions which we all go an see when visiting Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Notre Dame Cathedral, walking along the Avenue de Champs-Elysees with all its glitz and glamour and visiting the Bastille Square.

There are also some more recent landmarks that attract millions of visitors each year to Paris, such as La Grande Arche in the business district of La Defense or The Center Nationale d’Art et de Culture Georges Pompidou, also known simply as the Beaubourg or the Pompidou Centre.

Another attraction are the Catacombs of Paris, which are a famous burial place with its network of subterranean tunnels and rooms located underneath Paris and you can go on an official tour through the old quarries.

And the banks of the River Seine in Paris will offer visitors an unforgettable experience by being able to get to see the sights from a completely different perspective, while cruising in a boat and perhaps sampling the French cuisine at the same time.

However, for those of us who would like to get away from it all, the Ile de France region of which Paris is at the centre becomes an ideal place, offering a multitude of nature, history, art and culture, but all within only a short distance from the periphery.

So, within the Ile de France region, you be able to discover more than 500km of navigable waterways, as well as many more kilometres of footpaths and historic sites along its beautiful rivers and canals.

But not far from Paris in the Ile de France region you will discover rich picturesque countryside and forests all within a short distance of the periphery and it boasts three National Parks and four National Forests that allow you to get away from it all and enjoy the natural beauty of France along with the slow pace of French country life.

With stunning scenery, idyllic towns, peace and tranquillity, along with the abundant wildlife that await its visitors, it is the perfect setting for a drive in the country, an invigorating walk or a typical French picnic lunch in the open air.

And although Paris still tends to have that allure as a destination for lovers, there is also an enormous amount to do for children of all ages and the adults alike! Disneyland Paris with all of its magic is obviously one of those destinations, along with Parc Asterix, but there are also some great modern museums that provide interaction, making learning fun.

And from interesting, historic towns, to the centre of Paris, back to the forests and national parks, to amusements or glitz and glamour, Paris has something for everyone to enjoy, but make sure that you allocate enough time to experience this incredible region of France.

Author Martyn Davis

Paris Capital City of France

Visit Stockholm for their great cuisine and festivities. Stockholm is well known for it fine cuisine and all its festivities. It seems that no matter what time of year you go to Stockholm there is some festival going on. If you are looking for a great place to enjoy some nightlife Cafe Opera is the place to go they have dancing music and plenty of drinks for everyone. The one thing to keep in mind is in Sweden you cannot smoke indoors you will have to use the outside tent village at the Cafe Opera has set up.

You may want to take some day trips while in Stockholm. One particular place to go is Vaxholm. This city is by the sea and it has an old time fortress that you can explore. Another day trip is a boat ride to see the archipelago. You will see so many islands with so much beauty. There is always something to do when you plan your holiday to Stockholm. You may want to take a day and relax at the day spa or do some shopping in one of the fine little stores they have everywhere.

Skansen open air Museum is a great place to take the family. It is a zoo, park and a museum. If you go to Skansen around sunset, you will see a beautiful sight. You can also visit the Aquaria Water Museum where you will see many different types of Marine life. This is a museum that has a rain forest, sea creatures and many different exhibits. As you can see, your holiday to Stockholm is going to be enjoyable. There is so much to do besides the aquariums, museums, nightclubs and restaurants and shopping.

If you want some real fun for the family, you can go to Grona Lunds Tivoli, which is an amusement theme park. They have concerts, water slides and everything you can want to have fun. Another great place to go is the Junibacken, which is another amusement park where they have many different things to do. You will find that your cheap holidays to Stockholm are going to be fun and exciting. Take some time to some shopping and relax by the poolside. The weather in Stockholm is beautiful during the summer and spring.

If you are looking for somewhere nice to eat, visit Hard Rock Cafe. They have some fine cuisine and some great drinks. Gamla Stan is a place to take a walking tour. This historical neighborhood has charm and beautiful old buildings. The architecture is amazing. You will wonder how somebody could build all these beautiful buildings. The detail that goes into the buildings inside and out is just amazing. If you get a chance while you are spending your holiday in Stockholm, check out the Ice Bar. It is nothing really special but it is unique to see. You will enjoy yourself.

The Bath Fringe Festival is an annual celebration of arts that is hosted in the town of Bath in England. This festival takes place during the end of May/beginning of June every year and is usually a 17-day event. The Bath Fringe Festival showcases various forms of artistic talent with over 170 events taking place across these 17 days. The art forms featured in this wonderful event range from mainstream arts to marginal arts with Stand-up Comedy being at the forefront.

The first Bath Fringe Festival began in the year 1981 and evolved from the earlier community festivals. In the past, in terms of hosting events, Bath was famous for the Bath Music Festival, which was popular only among the upper class. To balance this out, the people of Bath decided to organise the Bath Fringe Festival. This festival was designed to appeal to a larger cross-section of the population of Bath, specifically targeting the younger local crowd who did not appreciate the more classical dominated music showcased at the Bath Music Festival.

Among the various forms of art that are portrayed in this wonderful 17 day event are Cabaret, indoor theatre, digital arts, street theatre, dance, circus arts and film. The Bath Fringe Festival also has a large musical element to it that includes an eclectic mix of various forms of music like folk, world music, Latin jazz, rock and pop. Through the years, various artistes, both local and international have taken great pride in performing at this event. The most famous of these are Arthur Smith, Jeremy Hardy, Ken Campbell, Mark Thomas, Bill Bailey, Julian Clary, Rory Mcleod, Billy Childish and Howard Marks.

The Bath Fringe Festival is said to have evolved directly from the Walcot Festival, which was a popular festival in the 1970s and early 80s. Today, the Bath Fringe Festival is the largest and oldest continually operating fringe festival in the world, which is a remarkable achievement considering its humble beginnings.

The events that take place in Bath Fringe Festival are varied and targeted at the different age groups. There are many events that appeal to adults of all ages, and others directed specially at the children. Some of the most popular events at the Fringe Festival include “The Wheel Thing” which is a pedal power festival, the Bath Community Carnival, the Bedlam Street Fair and the Outdoor Arts Festival. Along with the regular events, there are other new events added every year including several theme based events as well.