SHORT BREAKS ONE-OFF WEEKENDS DESTINATIONS


Tomato fights, midnight marathons, military parades and beer-drinking extravaganzas; when it comes to festivities, Europe has some corkers. We’ve selected 10 of the


best to help sell short breaks to everyone from hip young party lovers to classical music connoisseurs.


1


LA TOMATINA Where? Near Valencia, Spain When? August 29


Why? More than 100 tons of tomatoes are thrown each year at what is the world’s biggest food fight. The streets of Bunol are coloured bright red on the last Wednesday in August as soon as one brave soul climbs the pole in the town centre to reach a ham, thus kicking off the festivities. Owing its origins to a food fight that kicked off in the town in 1945, it attracted up to 50,000 visitors until a few years ago, but is now a ticketed event with numbers capped at 20,000. Most visitors choose to kip in nearby Valencia, about 25 miles away, where pre and post-festival parties draw in youngsters after a Spanish getaway with a difference. Book it: G Adventures offers its 18-to-Thirtysomethings four-day trip from £299 including hostel accommodation in Valencia, an orientation walk in the city, entry to the festival and transport, departing August 27. gadventures.co.uk


2


VENICE CARNIVAL Where? Venice, Italy When? February 23 to March 5, 2019


Why? Venice wouldn’t be Venice without its legendary masquerades, and nowhere are these glitzy affairs more prominent than during the 11-day carnival leading up to Shrove Tuesday. Said to date back to the 12th century, this historic festival – banned in the 18th century and not reintroduced officially until 1970 – combines the iconic Feast of the Venetians with music, dancing, processions, street shows, costume competitions and colourful boat parades on the Grand Canal, alongside the iconic Flight of the Angel, when a costumed figure zips along a rope from San Marco bell tower down into the square. Book it: Kirker Holidays offers three nights’ B&B at the four-star boutique Liassidi Palace Hotel from £1,048 per person based on two sharing, including BA flights from Gatwick, water taxi transfers and concierge services, departing February 25, 2019. kirkerholidays.com


3


MIDNIGHT SUN MARATHON Where? Tromso, Norway When? June 16


Why? There are sports events, and then there’s this – the northernmost marathon in the world, taking place during the polar night nearly 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle in


the Norwegian city of Tromso. Thousands of runners from far and wide come to experience the never-setting sun against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and crystal-clear waters, with half, 10K and mini- marathons organised for those less keen on the full whammy. Families can also get involved thanks to a special children’s run, and when the fitness fun’s over there’s plenty more to do in the region, from kayaking, cycling and fishing to wildlife safaris and fjord cruises. Book it: Osprey Holidays offers a three-night break during the Midnight Sun Marathon staying B&B at the four-star Clarion Hotel The Edge, with Norwegian flights from London via Oslo, departing June 15. Prices start from £789. ospreyholidays.com


4


TOUR DE FRANCE FINALE Where? Paris, France When? July 29


Why? For cycling enthusiasts, nothing quite beats the Tour de France, and there’s something quite enthralling about witnessing the 200-or-so participants finish at the Champs Elysees after their three-week, 2,200- mile race. Visitors can expect plenty of buzz as the 105th race comes to its end this year with the usual caravan of floats and celebrations – book early as hotel availability gets tight. Shearings Holidays and Leger Holidays will both be offering tours timed to


coincide with the finale, worth suggesting to those wanting to combine sports time with Parisian explorations. Book it: Shearings offers a Paris and the Tour de France Finale trip from £274, departing from various pick-up points around the UK on July 27. The price includes three nights at the three-star Ibis Styles Paris Bercy Hotel, a guided city tour and a full day at the event. shearingsagent.com


5


OKTOBERFEST Where? Munich, Germany When? September 22 to October 7


Why? The world’s biggest beer festival sees more than six million litres of the stuff served every year alongside mounds of bratwurst, pretzels, pork schnitzel and other Bavarian delicacies in the Theresienwiese area in Munich. Traditional costumes, parades, live music and a giant funfair fill the streets, marking a festival that first began as a wedding celebration in 1810. Contiki, Topdeck Travel and Busabout all offer tours – with the last throwing in an optional day trip to the fairytale-like Neuschwanstein Castle – making a good option for solo travellers wanting to join a group with walking tours and tips from guides in the know. Book it: Topdeck Travel’s four- day Oktoberfest Braumeister trip costs from £315 including a walking tour of Munich, three breakfasts, three nights in a


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