Overseas festivals
Fed up with moshing in the mud? Do you want to go to a great outdoor gig without getting soggy or spending hours queuing for a chemical loo? Then read on, because weve tracked down some of the worlds best music and dance festivals for this summer, all of which are in top destinations with fantastic weather. And absolutely no mud. Guaranteed.
Sacred Music Festival, Fes, Morocco
Travellers from all over the world will congregate in Fes from June 6 to 14 for the 14th annual World Sacred Music Festival, which brings together leading musicians from both east and west. Afternoon concerts are held in the sumptuous Moorish Palace of Dar Batha and in the Roman Ruins of Volubilis; evening gigs are in the court of a 14th century Kings palace. For flights try Royal Air Maroc, Expedia and hotelclub have a range of budget hotels in Fes. For more information about the festival, go to fesfestival official website .
FIB Heineken Festival of Benicassim, Spain
Offering an unbeatable mix of music, film, sun, sea and sand, the location of this festival gives it a chilled out summer vibe. This years line up includes My Bloody Valentine, Siouxsie, Babyshambles, Roisin Murphy and Leonard Cohen. You can camp in one of three designated areas or stay in a hotel or apartment in the town centre. A 4-day ticket, which includes up to 9-days camping, from July 14 to 22, costs £131 through lastminute.com. For more information go to fiberfib.com For flights to Alicante and Valencia try Ryanair. Also try Clickair for flights to Valencia.
Distant Heat
Distant Heat is a unique two-day concert and dance festival held in two venues in Jordan. It kicks off on July 31 with an all-night party in Wadi Rum in the Jordanian desert and continues the following day in the Red Sea resort of Aqaba, 40 kilometres away. Transport between the two venues is provided and party-goers can pay extra to camp overnight in the desert. Get your tickets from distantheat, prices are not yet available but last year they cost about £50 for two days. For flights to Aqaba try Royal Jordanian for hotels try Longwood Holidays.
Fiesta del Fuego, Cuba
A steady supply of Havana rum keeps everyone dancing all night at this week-long free street party in Santiago, on the east coast of the island. Like the Notting Hill Carnival, only bigger, it serves up a heady mix of traditional bands and international music, processions of multi-coloured floats, lots of street vendors selling (largely pork-based) snacks and, of course, plenty of beer and rum. The best days are usually July 24 to 26. For flights to Santiago, try Cubana, which operates from London via Havana. Virgin has flights to Havana. For packages with accommodation, try Captivating Cuba.
Sziget Festival, Hungary
This five-day event, which takes place every year on an island near Budapest, is Eastern Europes answer to Glastonbury. So far, the line up for this years gig is a little short, with REM and Iron Maiden the only confirmed international bands, but the events organisers promise the list will grow. Tickets cost €100 for entry from August 13 to 18 and €120 with camping from Sziget Festival official website. One-day tickets are also available, from €32. The official website includes lists of nearby hotels with contact details. For flights to Budapest, try Ryanair.
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