what’s on: Newquay
The energetic five-a-side game of beach rugby can be played by anyone over the age of five – as long as you have a beach to work on. Each match consists of two five-minute halves, and the ball can only be passed sideways or backwards through the air, and not handed to another player. The object of the game is to transport the ball across your opponent’s goal line and then place it firmly on the ground – that’s called a try and is worth one point. Every player wears a belt with two tags or ribbons on it. If an opposing player removes your ribbon, you have just three seconds to pass the ball on.
To watch the experts, head to THE LUSTY GLAZE BEACH RUGBY FESTIVAL, held on the last bank-holiday weekend of the year (23-25 August) on Lusty Glaze beach, NEWQUAY. www.beachrugby.co.uk
what’s on: Madrid & Barcelona
It’s expected to be the biggest-selling album this year, and you can catch COLDPLAY touting Viva La Vida when they play two dates in Spain this September. Chris Martin [right] and the gang will be at Palau Sant Jordi in BARCELONA on 6 September, and the Palacio de Deportes MADRID on the following night. For tickets, go to: www.coldplay.com/site.php
what’s on: Rome
Get up close and personal with one of ROME’s best-known sons, JULIUS CAESAR, at the Chiostro del Bramante gallery. This massive new exhibition, Giulio Cesare, running from 24 October to 5 April 2009, will cover everything from sculptures that survived from Caesar’s lifetime, to more modern depictions of the Emperor on film by the likes of Claude Rains and Rex Harrison. www.chiostrodelbramante.it
what’s on: Bordeaux
It’s not every marathon that welcomes its runners over the finishing line with a nice bottle of wine, but then the MARATHON DU MEDOC (near Bordeaux) is the only race with a route running through the grounds of 50 chateaux! Competition for the 8,500 places is always fierce, but there’s plenty of fun to be had by cheering on the winners – many of whom do the race in fancy dress. And, in typically French gastronomic fashion, there are plenty of foodie stalls to enjoy a bite while you’re watching others do all the hard work. This year the event takes place on 6 September. www.marathondumedoc.com
what’s on: Midlands
For a day of family fun, head to Drayton Manor Theme Park, easily accessed from both BIRMINGHAM and EAST MIDLANDS airports. It has Europe’s first and only Thomas Land, home of Thomas the Tank Engine and all his friends, with 12 themed rides, play areas, a café and shop. For the bigger kids, the park also boasts big, wet and scary rides! There’s also a zoo with over 100 animal species, including big cats, monkeys, primates, reptiles and birds of prey. www.draytonmanor.co.uk
