Top European Festivals this July
siddlobo
| 27 June, 2008 11:31
The sun is shining, the hem lines have risen, the beaches
are packed and the holidays have begun. Summer is here and there are loads of
festivals happening all across Europe. Here are some of
the famous ones.
Barcelona Summer Festival
1st June –
30th August
Popularly known as the Grec, this festival takes place in a
Greek-styled amphitheatre near Barcelona’s
Olympic Stadium. It is one of the most famous art festivals in the world. It
hosts well-acclaimed dance, theatre and music performances ranging from
contemporary music and performance arts to classical and traditional acts.
Popular among local and international visitors.
http://www.barcelonafestival.com/cat/
Festival d’Avignon
4th July –
26th July
A fusion of avant-garde theatre, drama and dance, Festival
d’Avignon is one of France’s
oldest and most prestigious cultural festivals. It was founded in 1947 by Jean
Vilar, a controversial French director and
has now gained international acclaim. Performances take place all across the
city – in churches, cloisters, squares and the Palace of the Pope. If you’re
interested in modern theatre, dance and drama, it doesn’t get better than this.
http://www.festival-avignon.com/index.php?lg=en
ImpulsTanz, Vienna, Austria
10th July
– 10th August
ImpulsTanz is a major contemporary dance festival held in Vienna
every year. Thousands of dancers, choreographers and teachers from around the
world come together at ImpulsTanz making it an event you’re unlikely to forget.
If modern, bold, unconventional and contemporary describe the kind of event you’re
looking for, look no further.
http://www.impulstanz.com/news/headlines/en
Love Parade, Dortmund, Germany
19th July
Love Parade is the largest techno gathering in the world. About
1.5 million ravers joined this mobile party in previous years. This year, the
party is scheduled to take place in Dortmund.
So
book your tickets now and join one of the world’s largest street parties.
Salzburg Festival
26th July
- 31st August
The Salzburg Festival is a show for the classics lovers.
This year’s show is set to host well acclaimed names in opera, concert and
drama. Held in Mozart’s birthplace of Salzburg,
there’s hardly a more fitting location for it. During the festival, for five
continuous weeks, the city attracts world class talent and audience alike.
http://www.salzburgerfestspiele.at/
Medieval Spectacle, Carcassonne, France
7th July –
29th August
As the name says, the Medieval Spectacle is in fact, just
that. Set against the backdrop of UNESCO’s World Heritage site of Carcassonne,
this event lets you experience the old days as it once was. Artists and
troubadours entertain visitors in the walled city - jousting, fencing and
acrobatics performances abound. For a day trip back in time, this might be the
perfect option.
Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland
4th July –
19th July
This star-studded jazz festival boasts of big names in the
business from R.E.M to Quincy Jones. If you’re planning to hit some of the main
performances, be sure to book tickets well in advance. For some free fun, join
the street parties and free entertainment that sprouts up all over the city.
www.montreuxjazz.com
Festival of the Near
Death Experience, Las Nieves, Spain
29th
July - to be confirmed
Now, here’s a weird one. Ever have a near death experience?
Well, these guys in Spain
have a rather bizarre way of sharing their tale and expressing gratitude. Every
year, at the Festival of Near Death Experiences, people who’ve had near death
experiences attend church in a coffin carried by their family members. The perfect
time and venue to discuss and exchange stories, don’t you think? This strange festival takes place in the little town of Las Nieves on the border of
Portugal. After service at the packed church, a procession carries the statue
of Santa Maria to the cemetery and
back.
Please note that there may be changes to the dates, events
and line-ups at the festivals. For detailed information, check the official
websites.
Dining with a difference
siddlobo
| 19 June, 2008 13:00
We’ve all had those dinners we’ll never forget. Maybe it was
the delicious food, the incomparable company, the superb service or the
stunning setting… either way it was a meal to remember. And here are five more unique
dining experiences from across Europe you’re not likely
to forget in the near future.
Dans le Noir, London
Imagine having your dinner and the lights go out. If you’re dining at Dans
le Noir, chances are that the lights will
stay out throughout your meal. Dans
le Noir is a ‘Dine in the Dark’ experience started
by the Paul Guinot
Foundation, an organization that supports
the blind in France.
The main aim of the restaurant is to promote awareness of what it is to be
blind. As a result, all waiters are visually impaired and in an ironical
fashion, they are the ones that guide the guests through the pitch black
restaurants. Diners are asked to leave all potentially light-emitting gadgets
outside the restaurant. The complete blackness of the setting tunes up your
sensory experience and the rest of the meal is a guessing game as you grope
around figuring out what you’re eating. The concept has become a hit and a
chain of Dans le Noir
restaurants have opened in France,
London and Moscow.
If you’re up for the experience, log onto http://www.danslenoir.com/london/
‘s Baggers, Nuremberg
Isn’t it really annoying when the waiter gets your order
wrong? Or seems to ignore you completely? If you're in ‘s Baggers, you won't have that problem. That’s because it doesn’t have any waiters. ‘s Baggers
is the first automated restaurant. Customers simply use touch screen TVs to
browse the menu and choose their meal. The order is sent real time to chefs
upstairs (still of the old-fashioned human kind) who prepare the fresh,
delicious meals. Once ready, the meal is put in a pot, given a sticker and a
colour to match the customer’s seat and then sent sliding down a
rollercoaster-like conveyor belt to reach the correct table.
To experience a prime example of German food and engineering, head to ‘s Baggers.
http://www.sbaggers.de/mainger/?sid=restaurant&lang=en
De Kartofelkeller, Berlin
Here’s one for all you potato lovers. This restaurant pays
homage to the humble spud. Potatoes have a starring role in all of the
Kartofelkeller’s dishes. And there are almost a 100 of them to choose from.
So if
you’re a potato fan, you’ll find nirvana at De Kartofelkeller,
Berlin. http://www.kartoffelkeller.com/
Absolute Ice Bar, Stockholm, London
The Absolut Ice Bar is quite a cool experience and I mean
that literally. Temperatures in the Ice Bar are well below zero. You’ll be given
a cape and a fur coat to stay alive for the forty minutes or so that you’ll be
in the ‘Below Zero’ zone. Drinks are served in fist-sized hollow ice cubes and
you can pick them up from the ice blocks that make up the bar. In fact, all
furniture is made of ice and once your forty minutes are up, you’ll be escorted
to the warmer zone. Ice bars are gaining popularity and have opened up in London
and Amsterdam too.
http://www.nordicseahotel.se/en/The-hotel/Food-and-drink/Absolut-Icebar-Stockholm/
Archipelago, London
Feeling a little adventurous? Then Archipelago is for you.
Featuring an exotic menu including gnu, crocodile, locusts and kangaroo- just
to name a few, this restaurant is definitely a walk on the wild side. For the
more faint hearted, chicken, lamb and an extensive vegetarian menu is also
available. Weird ingredients, crazy combinations and eclectic décor make this
dining experience one you’ll remember long after.
http://www.toptable.co.uk/venues/restaurants/?id=993
Malaysia, my second home- enjoy a ten year holiday in Malaysia
siddlobo
| 16 June, 2008 18:41
Malaysia
is a tropical paradise – sunny days, warm evenings, sandy beaches and an easy
lifestyle – all at a very affordable price. And to make it even more
attractive, the government has introduced the Malaysia My Second Home
programme. Commonly known as the MM2H programme, this is an international
residency scheme that allows foreigners to live in the country on a multiple
entry visa that can be renewed every ten years.
The MM2H programme has become a choice option for many
seniors in western countries looking for a relaxed and comfortable retirement
in a warm country. So far, over 8000 people have chosen this option and made Malaysia
their new home. Read on and find out how you can enjoy a luxurious lifestyle at
a fraction of what it costs in the west.
Who is eligible for the programme?
This programme is available to citizens of all countries
except Israel, Serbia
or Montenegro.
Successful applicants are entitled to bring their spouse and unmarried children
below the age of 18 years. Living in paradise does come at a certain cost. Applicants
need to meet certain financial requirements.
Applicants below 50
years old are required to open a fixed deposit account of RM300,000 at any
international bank with a local branch. After one year, the participant can
withdraw up to RM240,000 for expenses, investment, children’s education and
medical purposes. A minimum of RM60,000 must be maintained for the remaining
stay in Malaysia.
Applicants above 50
years of age have to choose one of two options:
- They
need to invest a minimum of RM150,000 in a fixed deposit account at any
international bank with a local branch
- The
need to show proof of a monthly off-shore income of at least RM10,000
At the end of one year, the participant can withdraw up to
RM240,000 for expenses, investment, children’s education and medical purposes.
As in the case of younger participants, a minimum of RM60,000 must be
maintained for the remaining stay in Malaysia.
What are the main benefits?
Apart from the obvious benefits of sun and sand at an
affordable price, there are some additional incentives for joining this
programme. Chief among them are:
- You are allowed to purchase residential property.
Certain conditions and terms apply. Check the link below for more details
- Love your wheels? No problem. You can bring in your car
from home or purchase a local car without paying import duty, excise duty or
sales tax
- For those who want a little help at home, here’s some
good news. Each participant is allowed to apply for one domestic helper in
accordance to the rules and regulations set by the Immigration Department of
Malaysia
- And lastly, you can apply for an ID card which allows you
to cross borders as a local instead of a foreigner. It must be noted that this
card does not give you participant permanent resident status
Restrictions and things to watch out for
There are however some restrictions. If you’re a MM2H participant,
you’re not allowed to work or be employed during your stay in Malaysia.
Also, the government takes security very seriously. Any security threat or
anti-government action can get you on the fast track out of the country.
How to apply
The first step to applying for your MM2H is to find an
authorized ‘sponsor’. These ‘sponsors’ are private Malaysian companies that
offer application and follow-up services to foreigners. Make sure you only use
authorized sponsors as they are the ones licensed by the Ministry of Tourism.
Charges for this service vary dramatically and it is wise to check with a few
‘sponsors’ before deciding on the right one for you. Below are links to some
authorized ‘sponsors’ to help you get started.
http://www.mysecondhome.com.my/
http://visahome.com.my/
Want to find out more about the MM2H? Click here for more
detailed information on moving to Malaysia:
http://www.mm2h.gov.my/index.php
June: End of the paper airline ticket, welcome to electronic boarding pass for everybody
easyexpat
| 09 June, 2008 14:55
As of June 1, IATA (International Air Transport Association) will no longer supply paper ticket stock to 60,000 travel agencies in 125 countries around the world. OK, most of you frequent traveller think already that paper airline tickets are past (for example, British Airways issued 790,000 airline tickets in March, of which 8,000 were paper), but in many other countries it is quite frequent, especially for long distance including different itinary and flights. Now the rules will be that you can just register with your passport (registration number might be requested, but not necessary).
In the urge of reducing costs everywhere, from baggage allowance to food on board, the elimination of paper airline tickets stands to reduce airline costs by as much as €2 billion worldwide and cut the cost of issuing a ticket from €6 to less than €1, according to Bryan Wilson of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Whereas in June 2004, only 18% of tickets issued were e-tickets, by the end of March2008, the number had risen to 94%.
But paper tickets won't disappear immediately. In theory, the traveler holding the last paper ticket issued has up to one year to commence their journey and another year to use the return ticket before that ticket is no longer valid. Therefore, it is possible a paper ticket could still be floating through the system until May 31, 2010. In addition, not every airline is subject to IATA's electronic ticketing rules (it affects approximately 240 company members).
Anyway, it should trigger passagers to choose even more their booking through the Internet or directly with the airline company, rather than with travel agencies.
Easyexpat, with information from USAToday, Yahoo!, EuroNews and IHT.
Top Spring Festivals in Europe this June
siddlobo
| 02 June, 2008 10:23
Spring is in full bloom and summer holidays are just around
the corner. For those of you who are looking out for fun ways to spend this June,
here are a couple of my favourite festivals all over Europe.
International Festival
of Music and Dance, Granada, Spain
20th June – 6th July
Set against the jaw-dropping architecture of the Alhambara,
the international festival of Music and Dance is a must visit for anyone who
loves music with a generous helping of exquisite architecture. The city of Granada
comes alive during the festival and the streets are filled with guitarists,
Flamenco dancers and music lovers from around the world. Music ranges from the
classical to world music. Definitely worth a visit.
http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=13439
Music Festival, Paris
21st June
Fete de la Musique or the Music Festival in
Paris is a
fantastic way to enjoy free cheer in the city of lights. Hundreds of musicians
gather in cafés, streets, bars to show off their skills to obliging locals and
tourists. An air of camaraderie and merry-making pervades. Performances include
everything from jazz to hip hop, rock to classical.
http://fetedelamusique.culture.fr/
Kiel Week Sailing Regatta, Germany
Last full week of June
If you love sailing, this is the event for you. Kiel Week is
an annual sailing event held in Kiel
and is the largest sailing event in the world. The party begins on the Friday
before the official opening of the event with Soundcheck, a music festival with
stages all across the city. The event boasts of international competitors,
renowned regatta and non-stop celebrations.
http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/germany/festivals-&-events-in-germany/kiel-week-sailing-regatta.html
International Viking
Festival, Hafnarfjordur, Iceland
12th -18th June
This Viking Festival takes place annually in Hafnarfjordur,
a small town near Reykjavik. This
is a chance for Vikings both native and those visiting from abroad to get back
to their roots. The festival is a fun way to take a peek into the Viking
lifestyle. You can pick a fight with burly Vikings, check out ancient arts and
crafts and enjoy a traditional Viking feast. Too much schnapps? No problem,
crash at one of the hotels nearby.
http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=18126
Kuopio Dance Festival, Finland
12th – 18th June
This is the oldest and most extensive dance festival in the
Nordic region. It boasts of classic premieres, over 100 dance events, courses,
performances, club nights and cruises.
Time to put on those dancing shoes and head north.
http://www.kuopiodancefestival.fi/indexe.html
Glastonbury Festival, England
27th- 29th June
This is an annual festival of music, dance, theatre, cinemas,
circus, poetry, food and an overall celebration of life. An
entertainment-packed three days but book in advance to make sure that you’ve
got a spot on this hot ticket. Find out more and reserve your tickets here. http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/
Please note that there may be changes to the dates, events
and line-ups at the festivals. For detailed information, check the official
websites.
