Europe is home to some of the greatest and most attended street festivals in the world, with people flocking to cities to celebrate art, literature, culture and music in their droves. Street festivals make for great entertainment for families, art enthusiasts and young party goers alike, and can also be incredibly culturally rewarding. Here are some of the best street festivals Europe has to offer.

Notting Hill Carnival, London

Arguably one of the most famous street festivals in the world, and the biggest street festival in Europe, London’s annual Notting Hill Carnival is always one to remember, and is guaranteed to make many happy memories. Taking place every August Bank Holiday, the festival sees the capital forget all its worries and really let loose for an entire weekend, wreaking havoc on the upmarket and normally quiet West London Notting Hill district in a celebration of life, music and culture. The Caribbean carnival, consisting of floats, loud sound systems, exciting cutting edge DJs, alcohol and eclectic food stalls, sees not only half of London take to the streets but also attracts millions of tourists from overseas who are keen to observe the madness and join the party.

Distortion, Copenhagen

Taking place in Denmark’s capital of Copenhagen at the beginning of June, Distortion is a weeklong street festival and party that needs to be seen to be believed. There are few sights more astounding and few experiences as exciting as this to be had, with an estimated 90,000 people taking part in the seemingly endless rave. This is a celebration of club life, partying and music, and gets pretty wild, with dancing, flash mobs, loud music and drinks flowing in abundance, though there is something for everyone, not just the youthful, high on life ravers. If you are planning on going on a 72 hour bender, it could be worth checking your travel insurance policy before heading out to make sure you are covered for any loses or injuries.

Festa Major de Gràcia, Barcelona

Around one and a half million people head to Barcelona in August for the Festa Major de Gràcia, a free street festival taking place in the height of summer. Everyone knows that the people of Barcelona know how to party, but you haven’t seen Spaniards really get wild till you attend this explosive festival that combines partying with a celebration of culture, art and music, with exhibitions, live performances and family entertainment on offer as well as more than enough crazy to keep the enthusiastic ravers busy. It is a street festival full of surprises and unexpected events, and literally anything can happen. This is a great opportunity to truly immerse yourself in Spanish culture and enjoy the spirit of Barcelona.

If you’re fed up with the winter weather, you may be planning a getaway. Or perhaps you already have a holiday booked. Either way, lucky you! The Caribbean is a safe bet for sunshine, and there’s always plenty to do.

You may be worried about the cost of your stay. Luckily, holidays to the Caribbean are luxurious and affordable at the same time, if you plan ahead and look for budget-friendly deals. The region does have the advantage of a stable currency, and there are plenty of activities that won’t eat deeply into your travel money.

Explore Barbados

For instance, stay away from the south and west coasts of Barbados, and as well as saving on accommodation, you’ll discover hidden churchyards, old colonial buildings, and local markets with authentic food and crafts. Join free hikes by the Barbados National Trust, for access to tropical rainforests, cane fields, gullies and coastal communities.

Rainforests in Dominica

Large parts of Dominica are covered by rainforests, making it a hiker’s paradise. Or try canyoning, which involves climbing up waterfalls and across rivers, in a harness and wet suit. Dominica is also popular for kite boarding and wind surfing, and whale and dolphin watching.

Underwater in Antigua or the Caymans

The warm clear waters of the Caribbean are ideal for snorkelling. Equipment hire rates are reasonable, but bring what you can in your suitcase. Choose an island with sheltered bays for this, such as Antigua. Diving allows you to see more at deeper levels, but involves greater expense, so a package may be the best option. Dive around the Cayman Islands at night to catch sight of underwater orange ball anemones and basket starfish. For a complete change, fit in a game of tennis during the day!

St Lucia and more

St Lucia’s volcano is no longer active, but steam still shoots from the ground among the sulphur and mineral pools, so it’s worth a visit. You can also go ziplining on a wire through the extensive rainforests. Who knows, you may spot the endangered St Lucia parrot. If you want more, Jamaica is the place for river tubing or paddle boarding, or nautical types can get away from it all by sailing off the British Virgin Islands.

After all that activity, you’ve earned the right to chill out on a beach. Most are free, but transportation and extras aren’t, so negotiate with your taxi-driver, and sit on your towel! Alternatively, book a sea front hotel with its own stretch of sand and amenities, and make the most of that sun.

Sometimes you may feel like you may have had enough of the bustling city life with its noisy and smoky atmosphere. All you want is to retreat to a pleasant tranquil environment to recharge or simply to get away from it all. Here are our handpicked destinations for the very best rural escapes.

VILLA HOLIDAY IN TUSCANY

Tuscany has become synonymous with the quintessential rural Italian escape and for good reasons; it combines laid back lifestyle with rolling hills, medieval hill top villages, historic centers of renaissance art and mouth watering cuisines.

A villa holiday in Tuscany will leave you rejuvenated by the pleasures of rural charm and relaxation. There are idyllic villas situated between medieval villages where you have to delve deeper off the beaten track to reach your destination. Some of the best regions for villa holiday in Tuscany include: Volterra the hill top town overlooking vast expanse of the famous Tuscan landscapes; the peaceful little village of Palaia Pisa and near the town of Pontedera in Pisa Province where you can witness the leaning tower of Pisa; Cortona Arezzo which has a fantastic history and Castelmuzio which is ideal of off the beaten track rural experience.

DARJEELING, INDIA

Darjeeling in India has served as a rural escape since time immemorial. It was set as a hill station where Britons escaped from the hot summer heat in Calcutta. It is also known as ‘the Land of the Celestial Thunder Bolt’. It is cooler than the plains but also decidedly wet during the rainy seasons.

Darjeeling is nestled on the Himalayas and is famous for its rolling tea plantations and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you are a tea connoisseur, then Darjeeling will seduce you with its world renowned tea. It continues to be a popular destination for tourists seeking to taste the quality tea, enjoy panoramic mountain views and those seeking peace and relaxation. This region will give you the perfect rural experience that you are after, though still offering some of the best luxury hotels India has to offer; it is a place with a mix of cultures, history and peace.

WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND

If you are looking for inspiration from nature away from the city, then the West Coast of Scotland may be just what you are looking for. It has the most jagged and dramatic coastline in Great Britain not forgetting the mystifying lochs and the majestic highlands. It is not enough that this region has appeared on numerous postcards but it is also a place that gives you relaxation as you explore its magical treasures.

The West Coast of Scotland is crowned by spectacular isles anchored off the rugged coastline and is open for exploration. This beautiful unspoilt chain of islands have a lot to offer, each is unique in its own way; the Isle of Skye is popular for its beauty, Isle of Mull for its historic importance as burial ground for kings, Islay for its whisky and Jura for wildlife and inspiration. If you choose to stay on the mainland, then one of the many holiday cottages in Oban will provide the perfect place to explore the region.

Whether you choose the mainland or the isles, the west coast of Scotland is sure to provide you with the best rural escape.

BRITTANY

Brittany is one of the great historic provinces of France, proud of its Celtic heritage which sets it apart from all other French regions. It enjoys a mild climate, warmth and sunshine which make it ideal for longer or shorter stays. If you love history, it is a great place to venture into a historical adventure. Its name Brittany is derived from the Britons who sought refuge here back in the dark ages as they were running away from the Anglo Saxons who were pushing them away from the major Britain Isle; it is therefore the reason why it shares a historic culture with the other Celtic regions of northwest Europe.

Despite its limited size, Brittany is quite a diverse region with gorgeous coastlines with rugged and rocky cliffs, beautiful sandy coves and fantastic beaches. It is the coastal regions however that attracts lots of visitors on short stays. However, for others who fall in love with the tranquil countryside, they usually opt to search for Brittany property for sale and own second homes where they can stay longer in the area.

NORMANDY

Normandy has many charms that will intrigue the avid explorer; it is a place of tranquility if you are seeking rural countryside experience. For the keen eye you will notice the local impressive architecture and historic fanatics will have their eyes glued to the ancient yet magnificent Mont Saint Michel well perched on a towering cliff, not forgetting the Chateau Guillard. Other interesting attractions are the popular landing beaches of Normandy and the Bayeux tapestry making this region stand differently in its own right.

You will definitely enjoy Normandy holidays as you experience authentic France from the picturesque villages in the countryside to the beautiful sceneries along the coastal region. In Calvados you will get an insight in history and learn about the turning point of the WW2 as you have the pleasure of staying in luxurious beach resorts. Manche is home to the Mont Saint Michel Cathedral which attracts more visitors than any other region outside Paris; here you can explore the most beautiful village in France Barfleur.

ALPS

The Alps offer an incredible destination for sporting activities such as snowboarding and skiing and also exciting off piste activities such as relaxing in luxurious self catered chalets with a hot cup of chocolate or dining in high end restaurants. You can also explore the neighboring villages in near your ski resort and get acquainted with culture and indulge with locals. Courchevel chalets are some of the most renowned in the industry and a guaranteed pleaser no matter how long you stay for.

You can explore the Alps during the peak season in winter when almost everything is covered in snow or enjoy a cost effective stay during summer and enjoy mountain activities without the snow while still taking in the scenic beauty. There are regions around the alps that offer all-year skiing, a pleasant break for those escaping the torrid summer heat. Ski chalets are available in the resort villages and you can stay for as long as you like. Depending on the resort that you choose the prices differ based on popularity, service, among many other factors. The beauty is that the resorts are well connected with efficient lifts wherever you choose to stay.