Things to do this Summer
Travel is adventure – and what’s more adventurous than trying something new? Here’s a half-century worth of ideas to get you started
BY SARAH WARWICK & MARTA PUIGDEMASA
PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY, CORBIS
01 ALGHERO
GO CAVE DIVING
Sardinia is the European capital for cave diving. Sample the delights of underwater cavern exploration at the Pool Diving School in Alghero. 1 Via Vittorio Emanuele, www.pooldiving.com
02 ALMERIA
TELEPORT TO THE DESERT
Watch a circus or a belly-dancing show in La Haima, two Moroccan tents located all summer amid desert scenes like those in the Sahara – if it wasn’t for the Mediterranean just two feet away. 49km east of Almeria, Playa del Arco, Los Escullos (Níjar), www.haimaescullos.com
03 ALICANTE
LOOK UP
Orion, Andromeda, Urano, Casiopea… Alicante has about 50 streets with astronomical names. For the annual Perseids meteor shower (this year the peak night is between 12-13 August) the local astronomy society organises an outdoor stargazing event. Find the street names mirrored in the sky. www.ciaa-alicante.org, tel: +34 610 011243
04 AMSTERDAM
CYCLE NAKED
Break the pollution cycle and endorse renewable energies with your naked body in Amsterdam’s celebration of the World Naked Bike Ride! Meet at 1pm on12 June at Amstel Railway Station. www.worldnakedbikeride.org
05 AMSTERDAM
RENT A HOUSEBOAT
Why spend your holidays in an ordinary hotel in Amsterdam, when you can stay in a houseboat and sail along the canals, while having breakfast, for about the same price? www.houseboatamsterdam.nl
06 BARCELONA
SHOOT ‘EM UP
Start your boozy night with a “panther milk” shot (made of gin and milk) in Carrer de la Mercè (look for leche de pantera on the blackboards of the street’s bars). Then head towards Las Ramblas and reach Kiosco La Cazalla (at the crossroads of Arc del Teatre and Las Ramblas), the only place in Barcelona where it’s still legal to drink in the street. Their speciality is the cazalla shot (a dry anise liqueur). Short but sweet. Finally, dive into Raval quarter to drink up an absinthe shot at Bar Marsella (65 Calle Sant Pau). After that, expect the unexpected!
07 BARCELONA
KNIT IN THE PARK
All you knit is love, yarn and a pair of knitting needles. They will provide you with cookies, tea and help with your stitches, either in their weekly meetings at their workshop or in Barcelona Knits’ summery meet ups in bars, terraces and parks. On 12 June (World Wide Knit in Public Day) they’re running an outdoor knitting marathon in the city streets. All You Knit Is Love, 8 Calle Barra de Ferro, tel: +34 93 310 7180, www.Lallana7.blogspot.com, barcelonaknits.blogspot.com
08 BELFAST
CAPTURE THE CASTLE
You can be king of the castle with your dirty rascals, at Belfast Castle’s Adventurous playground for 3–14 year olds, with its conquerable replica castle, zip-line and scramble nets. www.belfastcastle.co.uk
09 BELFAST
EXPLORE YOUR CREATIVITY
The re-opening of the much-loved Crescent Arts Centre has given visitors a chance to experience taster sessions in everything from body poppin’ and cheerleading, to script writing and comedy improv. 2-4 University Road, www.crescentarts.org
10 BIRMINGHAM
GET THE KIDS INTO SHAKESPEARE
To go or not to go? There’s no question about it when you can catch the specially edited Young Person’s version of Shakespeare’s Hamlet at The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. The play is performed on various dates during August and September, just a 40-minute drive from Birmingham airport. www.rsc.org.uk
11 BIRMINGHAM
LEARN TO FISH
Ever longed for a day by the water’s edge, casting your line and waiting for a bite, but don’t know one end of a fishing rod from the other? Try a beginner’s fly-fishing course at the Pitsford Reservoir, an hour from Birmingham Airport. www.flyfishingacademy.co.uk
12 BOURNEMOUTH
SALUTE THE RED ARROWS
The RAF’s famous acrobatic display team is just one of the high-flying highlights of Bournemouth’s free annual Air Festival, 19–22 August. www.bournemouthair.co.uk
13 BOURNEMOUTH
EAT NETTLES (OR MAYBE JUST WATCH!)
Missed British National “Be Nice to Nettles Week” (we’re not joking)? Pay a visit to Dorset’s annual nettle-eating contest on 19 June at The Bottle Inn in Marshwood, near Bridport (54km from Bournemouth Airport). Ouch! The B3165, Marshwood, Dorset, tel: +44 (0)1297 678254.
14 BORDEAUX
GLUG A LOAD OF WINE
When in Bordeaux, sample some of its namesake vintages at this year’s Fête le Vin (24-27 June). Two tasting tickets cost €20, which includes 12 tastings, and two souvenir glasses and glass holders. www.bordeaux-fete-le-vin.com
15 BORDEAUX
LEARN MODERN DANCE
From 21-26 September, the sleepy beach town of Arcachon, 65km west of Bordeaux, goes modern-dance crazy. The Cadences Festival has workshops for all abilities, with classes conducted out on the beach. Don’t forget your jazz hands! www.arcachon.com
16 CARDIFF
Junior eco-lovers will enjoy the Family Bat Walk at Cardiff’s St Fagans Museum (7.30-9.30pm, 3 September). Bring a torch, flask and sensible shoes for this trek through the museum’s woodland in search of the little guys. Booking essential! www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/whatson
17 CARDIFF
GET WET AND WILD
When the British summer gets hot (we hope!), cool off by thundering through the rapids at the newly opened Cardiff International White Water sports centre in Cardiff Bay. www.ciww.com
18 DUBROVNIK
TALK LIKE A PIRATE
Avast, me hearties! Celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day on 19 September with a visit to the Dubrovnik Aquarium and Maritime Museum at St John’s Fortress. You can check out the fish and the ancient collections of maps, knives, duelling pistols and other pirate booty. Arrrrrrrr. www.dubrovnik-online.com/english/museum.php
19 EAST MIDLANDS
STROLL BAREFOOT
Kick off those socks and shoes and check out the new barefoot walk at the Conkers Discovery Centre in the National Forest, 10km from East Midlands Airport. The B586, near Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Derbyshire, www.visitconkers.com
20 EAST MIDLANDS
RELEASE YOUR INNER GODDESS
For those in search of pure relaxation, Goddess Camp is the way forward. With workshops in healing, crafts and dance, you can Charleston or massage your worries away. It takes place from 13-15 August in the Soar Valley, near Mountsorrel, half an hour from East Midlands Airport. www.goddess-camp.com
21 EDINBURGH
WORK ON YOUR NOVEL
Literary-minded folk won’t want to miss the Edinburgh International Book Festival (14-30 August), with daily workshops on poetry and novel writing. Perhaps you could be the next Ian McEwan or Zadie Smith? www.edbookfest.co.uk
22 EDINBURGH
MAKE A BRASS RUBBING
The Edinburgh Brass Rubbing Centre, in a 15th-century church and hospital, offers a great range of monumental facsimile brasses from which to choose, including medieval knights, Scottish Pictish symbols and Celtic designs. No previous experience required! Open April to October, 10am-5pm, Monday to Saturday (and 12-5pm on Sundays in August). Trinity Apse, Chalmers Close, Royal Mile, tel: +44 (0)131 556 4364, www.edinburgh.gov.uk
23 FARO
PIMP YOUR SANDCASTLE
Scientists say the magic formula for making a sandcastle is eight parts sand to one part water. Sound easy? Have a go during the FIESA mega sand-art festival, held annually at the village of Pêra, about 20 minutes from Faro. This year’s theme is the fauna and flora of the five continents, so dig up your kids’ natural history book and get to work. From 22 May to 22 October there are sand sculptures and activities for all ages every day from 10am-8pm. Adults, €8; children, €4.50. www.fiesa.org
24 FARO
WEAR LEATHER TROUSERS
Come for rock ‘n’ roll music, tattooed bodies, leather waistcoats and motorbike rumbles. Roger Hodgson (ex-Supertramp) is topping the music bill of the Faro International Motorcycle Rally (15-18 July), renowned in Europe for being one of the biggest of its kind. Expect erotic shows, tattoo and Miss Wet T-Shirt contests, and the long-awaited show of the most bizarre and pampered motorbikes ever. Dude. www.motoclubefaro.pt
25 GLASGOW
JOIN A LITERARY TREASURE HUNT
Each week, new books are released in Glasgow’s streets, tube stations, parks and other public spaces for you to grab. Track down one you like, pick it up, read it and pass it on! The whole city is a library. www.bookcrossing.com
26 GLASGOW
GO JUGGLING FOR FREE
Throw the ball up. Catch it. And toss it up again. Right, you’ve got it. Now, grab another ball and toss that up too. It’s getting tricky, right? It’s just a matter of practice. The Glasgow Juggling Club is open to everyone, from juggling virgins to real live circus performers. There’s always someone to give you a hand and they have all sorts of books and props to help you out. It’s open 7.30–9.30pm every Wednesday – there’s a £2 charge (£1 for under-16s), but your first time is free! 76 Kelbourne Street, www.glasgowjugglingclub.com
27 JERSEY
TAKE IT OUTSIDE
Like no other film festival, Jersey’s boutique Branchage Festival (23-26 September) pushes the definition of a cinema, with film screenings anywhere and everywhere, including some of the island’s most iconic landmarks. www.branchagefestival.com
28 KNOCK
GO TO THE RACES
Get an authentic equestrian experience at one of West Ireland’s local courses. County Mayo’s Ballinrobe racecourse, set in beautiful countryside, is just hour from Knock Airport and holds races twice a month. Entry costs €15. www.goracing.ie
29 LISBON
GO SKINNY-DIPPING
Reachable by a half-hour train journey from Cais do Sodré Station in Lisbon, Praia Santo Amaro de Oeiras hosts beach volleyball and football, and has a couple of snack bars fringing the beach. However, it’s the beach’s night-time illumination and proximity to Lisbon that makes this spot your best bet for an underneath-the-stars bathe (with or without your cossie).
30 LISBON
MAKE A HORROR MOVIE SOUNDTRACK
The guys from the MotelX horror film festival know the power of an eerie soundtrack, so they’re introducing kids to the concept in horror music workshops. The festival takes place from 29 September to 3 October (the soundtrack workshops take place from 30 Sept) and all films are subtitled. Cinema São Jorge, 175 Avenida da Liberdade, www.motelx.org
31 LOURDES
SQUEAL LIKE A PIGLET
At La Pourcailhade: La Fête du Cochon on 8 August, people can eat huge quantities of saucisson, watch piglets race and even compete to win a squealing championship! Head for the tiny French village of Trie sur Baise, just an hour north-east of Lourdes Airport. www.pourcailhade.com
32 MAHON
GIDDY-UP!
So, you’ve been inspired by Mare de Deu de Gràcia, Menorca’s famous equestrian festival (3-12 September), where the island’s experienced horsemen joust and dance on horseback? Then why not explore the island on horseback yourself? Santa Rita, a finca (farm) in the island’s centre, runs custom tours geared to your ability. www.menorcaacavall.com
33 MALAGA
WALK ON WATER
Come and try it at the Lake of Istan (66km from Málaga) on an aquaskipper, a human-powered hydrofoil. All you have to do is bounce to go across the lake! 46 minutes from Málaga, The Safari Shop, Avenida Naciones Unidas, Cristamar Shopping Centre, Puerto Banus, Marbella , www.thesafarishop.com
34 MALAGA
VISIT THE LAKE DISTRICT
No, not the one in Cumbria, but Málaga. Andalucia’s stunning El Chorro Gorge is just a scenic, 45-minute train ride from Málaga Station and is a great spot for climbing, kayaking, wildlife watching or just taking in the amazing scenery. www.andalucia.com/antequera/chorro/home.htm
35 MALTA
SPEND A NIGHT IN A MUSEUM
The night of 25 September will be a sleepless night for Malta’s capital city, Valletta. All museums, art galleries and cultural institutions will be open and free of charge until the early hours, ensuring entertainment in every corner of town. www.nottebiancamalta.com
36 MALTA
HAVE A MIDNIGHT FEAST
On 29 June, join the all-night party at Buskett Gardens in Rabat, 15 minutes west of Malta’s airport, where people will gather for Imnarja, the local festival of St Peter and St Paul, to dance and feast all night on fenkata (rabbit stew). www.carnaval.com/malta/festivals
37 MANCHESTER
STEP BACK IN TIME
Attend a Victorian tea party in a beautiful park, where 19th-century dress is the favoured attire, musicians play classical tunes and Victorian party games are played. It all awaits visitors to the Strawberry Tea Party in Platt Fields Park, Manchester, 2-5pm on 19 June, on the lawns in front of Platt Hall. www.plattfields.org
38 MANCHESTER
GO RHINO CRAZY!
In recent years the world has gone cow crazy, with life-sized statues taking over towns in public art events. Following in the hooves of these brilliant bovines, the streets of Chester (40 minutes from Manchester) will play host to a rhino parade, with up to 70 painted rhino statues on display from 5 July to 12 September. Join the herd and track down the rhinos using the trail map. www.rhinomania.co.uk
39 MURCIA
DO SOMETHING WHEELY GOOD
Visit Salinas Natural Park, one of Spain’s most important wetland areas for local and exotic birds, on board a Segway: a two-wheeled, self-balancing electric vehicle. Fun guaranteed! Natoural Segway, tel: +34 659 255176, www.natouralsegway.com
40 NEWQUAY
TOUR A NATIONAL TREASURE
Cornwall’s Minack Theatre (about 80km from Newquay) is known for its sensational cliff-top setting, where audiences can enjoy productions with sun and sea as backdrop. The recent addition of a museum and teashop means that even those without a show ticket can now enjoy the view – and a Cornish cream tea too! Porthcurno, near Penzance, www.minack.com
41 NEWQUAY
LEARN TO SURF
Cornwall is Britain’s surf capital, but if you’re more of a spectator, Boardmasters – Newquay’s surf-skate-music festival (4-8 August) – gives all the excitement with none of the wipeouts. Rad. www.relentlessboardmasters.com
42 NICE
STROKE A DOLPHIN
Get up close to these bottlenosed beauties at France’s biggest water park, Marineland Côte d’Azur – 12km from Nice – with one of its Meet the Animals programmes. The park, famous for its aquariums and animal shows, is celebrating its 40th birthday this year with two new additions to its menagerie – polar bears Raspoutine and Flocke. Antibes, www.marineland.fr
43 PALMA DE MALLORCA
GO TOTALLY QUACKERS
Do you take to swimming like a duck to water? Every year in Mallorca, more than 3,000 yellow toy ducks are thrown into the sea for locals to grab. Dive into the Mediterranean waters and capture one of these trophies – years ago they used live ducks, but these have been replaced with plastic ones – less fun but easier to catch! The event takes place at midday on 15 August in C’an Picafort, in front of the Mar y Paz Hotel, 2 Calle Isabel Garau, 60km north-east of Palma, www.canpicafort.costasur.com
44 PALMA DE MALLORCA
MAKE A WATERMELON LANTERN
Empty out a watermelon, etch an original drawing on the outer rind, place a candle inside… and then join the popular Festa de les Llanternes parade that takes place every year in the town of Alcudia (40 minutes from Palma). Local children walk through Alcudia’s streets singing traditional songs and carrying their DIY lanterns in honour of St Bartolome. This year’s parade starts at 9.15pm on 24 August. If you don’t have enough time for doodles, a quick and effective alternative is to stick a candle in a red pepper! Once lit, the effect is gorgeous. Meet in front of Alcudia’s town hall, 9 Calle Major, www.saraualcudienc.cat
45 PARIS
DANCE WITH A FIREMAN
Bastille Day, France’s national holiday, always goes off with a bang in Paris. This year, a military parade (with jet fly-by), fireworks, Gay Ball and the “Incredible Picnic” along the Champs-Elysées, are just some of the spectacular events planned for 14 July. But the hottest Bastille Day bashes would have to be the parties held by the fire brigade at fire stations all around the city. Get there at 8pm on 13 or 14 July… and frolic with French firemen until dawn the following day! www.pompiersparis.fr
46 PARI S
PLAY DRESS UP
Fashion Freak, coming in July, is a fashion show that’s something between a catwalk, a circus, a nightclub and a dance show. It’s also a styling session: let make-up artists and hairstylists make you over, before a photographer captures the pimped-up you on film. www.fashionfreak.es
47 PERPIGNAN
JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE UNIVERSE
In 1963, on a visit to Perpignan, surrealist artist Salvador Dali declared that the city’s railway station was the centre of the universe, as he always got his best ideas while sitting in the waiting room. Pay a visit to this inspirational spot and pay homage to the monument in Dali’s honour and the sign on one of the main platforms, which reads, “Perpignan: Centre du Monde” (Perpignan: Centre of the World). 1 Avenue du Général de Gaulle.
48 PRAGUE
GO ALL HIGHBROW
A soprano opera singer is hosting a musical party at 8pm on 9 July at her splendid 20th-century salon, Villa Amerika, and you’re invited. This is the storyline behind an evening of musical riches, in which beautiful arias and melodies by Czech composer Dvorak will ring out in the baroque summer palace that also houses a museum dedicated to him. Tickets cost 575CZK (€22.50). Villa Amerika, Dvorak Museum, 20 Ke Karlovu, tel: +42 (02) 298 214.
49 TOULOUSE
BE PASSIONATE
Grab your partner, stick a rose between your teeth and cut a rug with a passionate tango. If the idea appeals but you don’t know your salidas from your sentadas, head to Toulouse from 7-11 July. The city’s tango collectives will be giving free lessons (among other activities) in the streets of the city every day from 4-7.30pm during the Tangopostale festival. www.tangopostale.com
50 VENICE
GO JOGGING
There’s no excuse to let a pasta-happy Italian holiday ruin your fitness regime! See a new side to Venice with an early morning running tour and catch all the sights before other lazy tourists are out of bed. www.runningtouritaly.com
