Backpacking is one of the coolest ways to travel, you gain masses of knowledge about the World we live in and meet the best and worst of the human race, not to mention the amazing sites you see….
5 Music Festivals in Europe You MUST Visit Before You Die
Music festivals are, in my opinion, the single greatest way of blowing off all of that built up steam from our daily lives. What better way to spend a weekend than getting back to nature and camping in a field, meeting like minded strangers and enjoying some of the best live music on Earth.
You have to choose carefully if you want the best experiences, with that in mind here are 5 fests you just have to visit before you shuffle off this mortal coil.
Glastonbury
The epitome of everything that a music festival should be, awesome live music morning until night, sprawling fields of tents, amazing energy and more weirdness than you’ll ever experience. The festival takes place at the end of July and people from all over the world hit the road to visit the world’s biggest music festival. As well as the music you can easily spend the weekend getting lost in the Green Fields where there are hater performances, people speaking and preaching and all sorts of hippy craziness taking place. The best festival the World has ever seen.
Take a road trip and allow the anticipation to build up so you can earn Glastonbury. Look after your autocare needs by investing in halfords tyres – the last thing that you want is a flat tyre so you miss the festival!
Hideout Festival
The Hideout Festival is an electronic dance festival that takes place in Zrce in Croatia on the beautiful shores of the Adriatic Sea. The festival has won numerous awards and arguably has one of the best settings for a festival in the World. The festival utilises many beach locations for it’s stages and even throws pool parties into the mix. The sun, the music and the location make this festival an absolute must to visit.
Roskilde
This festival is akin to Glastonbury in it’s charitable make up, the proceeds from the festival go on to help hundreds of charities worldwide. Roskilde festival pulls in the best of the best when it comes to musicians and displays an eclectic mix of genres across it’s stages. The Danish city plays host to around 160,000 people every year and has won accolade after accolade for it’s near perfect festival experience.
Creamfields
Creamfields is a festival which was borne from the Cream nightclub in Liverpool and, although relatively new, has become a staple part of any dance music fans’ Summer. There really is no artist that this festival cannot get, ensuring revellers get to see the best of the best. The lightshows and the rave like make up of the festival is reflected by the festival goers who drape themselves in neon and dance hard into the night. If you’re a dance music aficionado then this is one festival that shouldn’t be missed.
Sziget Festival
This Hungarian festival is the current holder of the Best Major Festival award and rightfully so. Firstly the location is stunning, the festival takes place on a leafy island on the River Danube. The festival is one of the biggest music and cultural festivals in the world, better still it lasts an entire week. The festival has it’s roots in Rock music but currently has tents that have Jazz, Soul, Dance, Pop and Punk. This phenomenal festival in this stunning city should not be missed.
5 Things to See and Do in Palestine
Palestine is notorious the World over but very rarely for the right reasons despite what you may think it is a wonderful place to travel to. There is much to see and do in Palestine so we’ve whittled it down to the top 5 activities to take part in if you decide to spend some time in this history soaked region.
Oktoberfest
Yes, you’ve read it right, there is a village called Taybeh in Palestine that has a family run brewery who l learned their craft in Germany. Not wishing to forget their roots the family put on their very own Oktoberfest each year. Naturally they can’t get hole of lederhosen but put plenty of other entertainment with bands and dancing and of course beer.
Visit Bethlehem
Bethlehem is recognised as the birth place of Jesus Christ and a wonderful place to visit and have your eyes opened to the culture. Bethlehem’s largest attraction is undoubtedly the Church of the Nativity, a large citadel built on top of the cave where it is believed Mary gave birth to Jesus. The whole town of Bethlehem is steeped in religion and the activities that take place throughout the town are to this end. So much as been written and spoken about Bethlehem that for me it is a must visit place within Palestine
Take a Tour Through The Gaza Strip
The Gaza strip is a notorious location around the world and never for good reasons, the struggle between Palestine and Israel is often centred around the strip. However, Gaza used to be a bustling town of tradesmen and markets, it’s position on the Mediterranean coast meant it played a huge part in the incense trade route from South Arabia to the Mediterranean, and much of this spirit and market business till operates today. Despite the damage that Gaza has sustained from the troubles, it is still a wonderful place to visit, providing of course it is peace time.
Visit Haram al-Sharif
Haram al-Sharif or the Temple Mount is one of the most important religious sites in Jerusalem. It is the holiest site in Judaism, this where they believe that God is at his most present and they believe this to be the place where God gathered the dust which he made into Adam, from this location, they believe the World began. The flat area of land looks out towards Gethsemane and the Mount of Olives and is believed to be the location where Abraham was ordered to sacrifice his son Isaac. Occupied on the Mount is the first and second Temples that ever existed in Judaism and the last location of Muhammed before he went on his journey to heaven. A place steeped in religious history and a real bucket list item for any traveller.
Bike Tour
Bike tours are a perfect way to see a city and Palestine is no different. In order to truly appreciate the landscape and visit all the small areas of ruins in the region a bike tour can get you about quickly and on your on time. There is also a plethora of small villages and towns in the region which you may miss without hopping on your bike and hitting the tracks.
5 Criminally underrated destinations in Europe
Europe is a mind blowing continent to visit, it offers everything for everyone and the explosion of culture owing to the free movement of people provides visitors with experiences that no continent can match.
The only problem I have is that far too often, the continents’ big boys like London, Paris, Milan, Barcelona and Munich often steal the thunder from some of the most beautiful cities on Earth, like these criminally underrated destinations.
Edinburgh
The capital of Scotland is one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. The city manages to combine the countryside and city-life all under one sky. Calton Hill resides right in the centre of the city and from the top you can the city’s full panorama. There are two main streets in the centre of Edinburgh is the Royal Mile, a street filled with whisky shops, tartan shops and the outlets that offer the best of Scotland. The second street is Princes Street, a bustling street filled with bars, chic treats such as tiffany lamps, restaurants and shops. By far the best month to visit Edinburgh is in August where they dedicate the entire month to comedy and theatre with thousands of gigs taking place in hundreds of novel locations across the city.
Warsaw
Poland is far too often disregarded as a destination worth visiting in Europe and having been there and seen what the country has to offer I am not entirely sure why. Warsaw in particular is a lively city that is filled with tradition and sheer beauty, both in body and soul. The women in Poland are some of the most beautiful I have seen on the planet, real classic beauty with amiable personalities. The City of Warsaw has a really relaxed feel to it and there is so much to see and do, museums, art galleries, historic parks and plenty of sports and music events to indulge in.
Newcastle
Newcastle, in the North East of England is a city often forgotten by visitors to the British Isles. The city itself is vibrant and steeped in the heritage of it’s shipbuilding roots, in the last 20 years the City has really stepped up to the cultural plate and possesses many iconic buildings and landmarks. The river Tyne sweeps through the city and the bridges that adorn are stunning, the grand Tyne Bridge is the main thoroughfare from Newcastle to neighbouring Gateshead and the newly built ‘Millennium’ footbridge operates like a closing eye when ships pass through.
The Sage arts building is a sight to behold, purpose built music centre with acoustics in mind The Sage plays host to some of the biggest names in the music world. Newcastle offers many historical and art museums and the Centre of Life is a museum that explores the world of science. Just 10 miles outside of the city is some of the most beautiful coastline that Britain has to offer, unfortunately this part of England can’t offer the warm weather of it’s southern counterparts but don’t let that put you off.
Croatia
The entire country of Croatia is massively underrated as a travel destination, it really offers something for every type of tourist out there, sun, snow and beauty. In it’s northern and eastern parts Croatia offers plenty of opportunities for snow lovers, with some fantastic pistes in areas near Split and Zagreb, during the Winter there is few better places to ski in the continent. The city of Zagreb is a pleasure for those who love their history, the city is filled with Gothic buildings and a medieval-esque skyline. Further to the South West of the country Croatia becomes a warm beach destination where the country meets the azure Adriatic Sea. Whatever your bag is, you are sure to find it in Croatia.
Budapest
The Hungarian city of Budapest has finally started to gain some respect amongst travellers in recent years as many flock to the city to witness what many describe to be the most beautiful city in Europe. The architecture is breathtaking and it’s proximity to the Danube River presents an astonishing back drop. Hungarian cuisine is also often overlooked, the mixture of slow cooked meat, stews and use of spices and traditional cooking methods leave a wonderful after taste. Budapest even offers over 100 thermal spas that occupy much of the cities, the perfect way to relax and take in the views.