Glastonbury festival in the UK

I thought it would be best if I started off with the Glastonbury festival in the UK. This festival is not based on one particular genre but is built around a couple of different genres and therefore if you are a person looking for spending some quality time in the English countryside in late June, this would be an excellent place to hang out. It would be right to say that Glasto is nothing less that legendary and that it is a must for all music lovers. The festival is very famous for different themes which are segmented and there won’t be a single moment you would be musically isolated. Probably it is the biggest music festival in the planet and there are thousands of people who are attracted to these grounds seeking to enjoy a variety of genres. You may have heard about the most recent headliners which included Beyonce and Jay-Z.  However the whole festival as a whole could be pre-dominantly considered as rock event.

Glastonbury festival, UK by Edward Simpson

Sonar festival in Spain

The next most mention worthy music festival in my opinion would be Sonar in Spain. The items are mainly and most commonly electronic and there are always some spicy differences to mix it all up and give a diversified output. The festival is held in mid-June and it is held in one of Europe’s finest cities. The festival runs in two modes as Sonar by night and Sonar by day. The latter contains upcoming and new artists and the night is best if you want to see some of the most amazing top DJ’s and electronic bands in the world. If you are a hardcore fan of electronic then you could rave pretty much nonstop starting on Thursday till Sunday morning. There are also a lot of amazingly free events and parties and it would certainly be easy on your pockets.

Iceland Airwaves festival

In late October/ November there is a festival called Iceland Airwaves that promotes a lot of upcoming bands and also a lot of native bands in Iceland. If you go through the history of this festival, it was pretty interesting because the first airwaves festival was said to have been held on an airplane hangar as far back as in 1999 and from then it has grown and expended into a huge event.

Other popular festivals

Among the other popular festivals are the Parks and Leeds and Reading festival, Exit festival in Serbia, Benicassim in Spain, Sziget Festival in Hungary, Roskilde in Denmark, Open’er in Poland and last but not least the Tomorrowland in Belgium.

Sziget Festival, Hungary by Paul Williams

These festivals are undoubtedly the top in Europe and I would not advice any music lover to miss them unless you are really otherwise occupied.

About the author:

Melissa Welsh is a freelance writer who enjoys the challenges of creativity and attention to detail. At the moment she is writing some interesting articles about flights to Male Maldives.

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Cheddar Gorge

Cheddar has fascinating history – both ancient geology and more recent discoveries.  Set in a huge limestone gorge, this is where the remains of Britain’s oldest complete human skeleton were found.  Excavated in 1903 the remains are kept by the Natural History Museum in London. If you and the family are interested in seeing a replica of the skeleton though, a replica is exhibited in the “Cheddar Man and the Cannibals” museum in Cheddar village.

The Cheddar Gorge is Britain’s biggest canyon; a beautiful scenic place that will be interesting to the whole family. There are many caverns, caves and hidden features to explore and countless opportunities for great photos. The Cheddar Man is estimated to be around 9000 years old.

Cheddar Gorge, Somerset, England, UK by Paul Lewin

Myths and Legends

Kids love myths and Glastonbury is filled with them. From UFO sightings to ghosts appearing in old churches, shops and pubs there is definitely something extraordinary going on in this charming little town. One of the most famous legends in English history is King Arthur who, according to medieval histories, led the British defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6^th century. In Arthurian legend, the island of Avalon is where King Arthur’s sword Excalibur was forged and later, where Arthur was taken to heal from his wounds after battle. In 1190 Avalon became associated with Glastonbury as Monks at Glastonbury Abbey claimed to have discovered Arthur’s bones. What is now known as Glastonbury used to be The Isle of Avalon. To explore these legends I’d suggest staying at local Premier Inn so that you will be able to take your time around these beautiful sights.

(The below is the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey – legendary resting place of King Arthur and his Queen Guinevere)

Glastonbury Abbey, Somerset, England, UK by Jim Linwood

Roman Baths

This complex is of historical interest in the city of Bath. These are a major tourist attraction and receive more than 1 million visitors a year. The baths were used as public bathing but visitors are not allowed in anymore however, you can still view the baths and enter the museum which are both spectacular. The museum is of particular interest as it holds artefacts from the Roman period including objects which were thrown into the Sacred Spring. Among these objects include 12,000 Roman currency coins – the largest collection from Britain.

Roman Baths in Bath, Somerset, England, UK by Heather Cowper

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Glastonbury: UK

Whilst festivals such as Reading/Leeds and T in the Park have mounted serious claims to being the UK’s ultimate festival, the history which precedes Glastonbury and its huge attendance still lands it as the number one UK festival. Known for bringing in the biggest headliners, (some of them much unexpected) there is always an eclectic mix of music and performances on display. Rumours for the 2013 headliners include veterans Fleetwood Mac and The Rolling Stones. Tickets are known to sell out as quickly as you can blink, so it is worth monitoring the site to find out when tickets go on sale. You should also pack some wellingtons or heavy duty footwear as it is known to be a victim to torrential rain.

Mud at Glastonbury festival, UK by Joanne and Matt

Benicàssim: Spain

One distinct advantage of attending a music festival in Spain in the summer is the opportunity to watch some of your favourite bands in near perfect conditions. Whilst Spain does get very hot in the summer the festivals close proximity to the coast provides strong breezes to alleviate the intensity of the heat. It has continued to gain popularity over the past few years and people from all over Europe travel to attend the festival. It takes place in a town on the outskirts of Valencia and most people tend to fly in, but a road trip through Europe and over the Pyrenees mountains is also an option for those who want to visit other places en route. Most recent notable acts include The Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, Kings of Leon, Sigor Ros and Bob Dylan.

Benicàssim Festival, Spain by Renzo Giusti

Outlook Festival: Croatia

Croatia has become a popular European destination mainly due to its great summer climate and the fact it has its own domestic currency which makes local products cheaper for European travellers. Outlook festival has become one of the biggest dance festivals in the world and is renowned for having a diverse range of dance music represented across its stages. It is located in Pula, Croatia which rests on the southwest of the country. There are a number of beaches near the area which makes it a popular festival choice.

Before you begin your journey overseas it is worth investing in a prepaid travel card. Unlike cash you get the benefit of extra security and the ability to monitor your finances online and plan your holiday budget.

About the author: Adam Porteous writing on behalf of ICE. Click here for more information on their prepaid travel cards and travel money offers.

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