With the festival season fast approaching, Cheapflights.co.uk advises that now is the time to book and ensure your ticket to one of the hottest European gigs. Whether you’re looking for a party on the beach or revelry at a lively campsite, there is something on offer for everyone this summer.
Hove Festival, Norway (28 June – 1 July 2011)
Hove is an eco-friendly festival that combines the very best of live music with beautiful scenery, beaches and idyllic surroundings. The unique location of Hove festival on an island outside Arendal city, and the fact that the sun only sets for two hours each night makes it an unparalleled festival experience. Hove Festival mixes Norwegian bands with large international acts, which include TinieTempah, Kasabian, The Strokes and Linkin Park this year. Festival-goers can also share experiences from the quirkiest art scenes, watch yet-to-be released movies and feast on scrumptious eco-nosh. Flights to Oslo, Norway, start from £119 return.
EXIT, Serbia (7-10 July 2011)
Exciting – Xtraordinary – Inspiring – The must-go-to festival. Taking place in the picturesque setting of a 17th century fortress, overlooking Serbia’s second city of Novi Sad with incredible sunset views over the Danube, EXIT, one of Europe’s leading festivals, will be celebrating its 10th year in July. EXIT is famed for its unique vibe, bringing people together and connecting them through funky music. Party people dance in the fortress arena and watch the sun rise over its high walls. An exciting line-up of acts has already been announced for this year’s gig, including Groove Armada, Jamiroquai and Pulp. Beloved by hardcore dance fans, four days at EXIT is somewhat of an endurance test, but you will certainly have an amazing time. Flights to Belgrade, Serbia, start from £172.
Garden Festival, Croatia (6-13 July 2011)
Croatia’s Garden Festival in Zadaris all about funky beats and sun-kissed vibes. Set in a stunning costal fishing village, the festival takes place in a wooded peninsula over two weekends in early July, with chill-out days in between. Festival-goers frolic in the warm Adriatic waters during the day and lose themselves to the pumping dance music by night as local and international house and electro talent perform across three stages. If you are a dance music lover, then this is the festival for you. Flights to Zadar start from £79 return.
Benicassim Festival, Spain (14-17 July 2011)
Benicassim Festival is ideal for those who want to combine a festival experience with a summer holiday. The festival campsites, which are next to one of Europe’s most beautiful beaches, are open from 11 July, so guests can relax to the max and soak up the sunshine before the four-day music explosion kicks off on 14 July. Be warned, this festival is not for the faint-hearted – headline acts hit the stage at 1 a.m. and party lasts through to 8 a.m. There is a wide range of music on offer from electro to pop, from indie to rock. This year’s acts include The Streets, Paolo Nutini, Pendulum and The Arctic Monkeys. Flights to Valencia, Spain start from £79 return.
Sziget Festival, Hungary (8-15 August 2011)
Students and young adults from all around the globe will flock to this week-long party extravaganza in August. Originally, Sziget was a Hungarian music event that was created to give the summer festival scene a boost (ie, a lack of government funding after the fall of Communism in 1989). Over the years, it has developed into one of the most exciting festival experiences around, showcasing an eclectic mix of musical styles from all over the world. Famous names from this year’s line-up include Amy Winehouse, Dizee Rascal, Good Charlotte and The Chemical Brothers. Day trips into the centre of Budapest also add to the Sziget experience. Flights to Budapest start from £73 return.
(Images: Hove Festival – www.hovefestival.com; EXIT – Ratko Bozovic; Garden Festival – premus; Benicassim – shaunjones_72; Sziget – opethpainter)
