Europe's Summer Hotspots
Summer Hotspots
by Cindy Callow
by Cindy Callow
Nothing can compare with Europe in the summer. From the glittering Cote d’Azur and the beaches of Spain, to the canals of Venice and the boulevards of Paris, there is something for everyone. And if you tire of the beach or the countryside, you can hit the cities and shop till you drop or visit some amazing galleries. Or you could dine out with the gourmands and the trendy and stay in some of the world's finest hotels. The list of Europe’s summer favourites is virtually endless, here are some of the hotspots this high season:
Valencia is the place to be in Spain this summer. For once, Barcelona must take a back seat as its smaller rival basks in the limelight. As host city of the 32nd America’s Cup, visitor numbers have been skyrocketing and it is now the fastest-growing tourism destination in Europe. Better airline connections and new hotels, galleries and restaurants have swung open their doors. About one million of the two million visitors expected this year will be drawn by the Cup, which begins on June 23.
The tourists may come for the race, but they will linger – and come back – for the magnificent Palace of the Arts. This $334 million palace is part of a complex of museums and other attractions called the City of Arts and Sciences. It includes a planetarium, an aquarium, and the arts palace, which is an opera house. It is stunningly modern - and has proved very popular.
The Greek Islands are top of the pops again, with a host of new designer resorts and nightspots attracting the wealthy, young set. While the young Athenians pack out the island of Milos, to see and be seen you can't beat Santorini with its spectacular cliffside resorts and exquisite views. The ever-trendy Mykonos remains a hit. Have your first drinks at Caprice Bar on the Mykonos harbour front to rub shoulders with the beautiful people.
Years ago everyone made sure not to linger in Athens en route to the islands, but this is no longer the case. The Olympic Games makeover of the city has given it a new international airport, an extended metro and new tram system. The city is less polluted and you can now stroll around the Acropolis and Agora on traffic-free streets. This is Athens as you never knew it.
As the world’s leading tourism destination, France is always a big hit with travellers from all continents. Paris is the crown in the jewel and now there’s a new reason to visit the city’s famous Eiffel Tower. Multi-Michelin star chef Alain Ducasse has added the restaurants in the tower to his empire, giving a new meaning to the term haute cuisine. Of course, dinner at Ducasse's flagship restaurant in the Hotel Plaza Athenée remains one of the city's gastronomic delights.
While you are at the Eiffel Tower, pop into the museum located right next door, the Musee du Quai Branly. A new attraction in the Romantic City, it is home to some great ethnic treasures such as elephants masks from the Cameroon and funeral canoes from the Solomon Islands. Don't be put off by the boring box-like exterior, inside it is veritable wonderland.
If you are a golfer, you will know that the world's ultimate tournament and the one that all the professionals dream of winning, is the British Open. This year it is being held at Carnoustie in Scotland from July 19-22. Tiger Woods has won the Open for the last two years and hopes to become the first man since Peter Thomson (1954 - 1956) to win the world’s oldest Championship three times in a row. In the evenings, rub shoulders with the captains of industry over a few of the finest local single malt whiskeys.
Berlin is blessed with more attractions than any other city in Germany and this summer it scores a big hit with a blockbuster art exhibition. The New National Gallery at 50 Potsdamer Platz will host New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibition of 19th-century French masters from 1 June to 7 October.
More than 140 works, including masterpieces by Ingres, Monet, Corot and Cézanne will feature. Expect long queues, so arrive early. If this doesn't satisfy your artistic appetite, visit the Picasso exhibition at the New National Gallery's Berggruen Museum. This exhibition also features works by Paul Klee and Henri Matisse.
The most sought-after music festival, in a sea of events in Europe this summer, is the annual Glastonbury Festival in England, which runs from 22-24 June this year. Performers expected to perform this year are as diverse as The Kooks, The Who and Kaizer Chiefs to Shirley Bassey and Bjork.
If that's not your scene, take in a day's play at the greatest tennis tournament in the world, Wimbledon (the event known for chilled champagne, strawberries and cream and celebrity-spotting) or watch the drivers do their thing at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on July 9. Get back to nature with a ramble through the gardens of Hampton Court Palace during the Flower Show (3-8 July).
If you like a little culture on your holiday, you could do worse than spend some time at the Salzburg Festival, from 2 July to 31 August. This annual event showcases the highest calibre of classical music in this very beautiful Austrian city. New director Jurgen Flimm has compiled a five-week programme, ranging from Mozart's 'The Marriage of Figaro' and Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' to the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. For a break, take a "Sound of Music" tour or visit the city's fascinating Toy Museum.
If you're visiting Italy, you can try out the first mozzarella bar in Rome - and maybe the world. Obika, which now has branches in Milan and London, serves three varieties of the cheese, along with salads, meats and other side dishes. There are also some great Sicilian and Campanian wines to sip as you check out the establishment's hip clientele.
If you visit Venice, check out the Venice Film Festival (30 August - 9 September). Arguably the biggest summer event in Italy, it which brings celluloid superstars and the bigwigs of the film industry to the floating city. This year will feature a special retrospective of the Spaghetti Western genre of films, so expect the Hollywood brigade to be out in full force.
For other reports about Italy, go to our archive
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