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January / February 2007 Article

Good Times to Have a Good Time in Europe

A visit to Monaco, one of the world’s most glamorous destinations, represents in itself an exquisite travel experience.  But time that visit with the Grand Prix weekend and the exquisite becomes extraordinary. Nothing can compare with viewing the cars at close range with engines screaming, brakes glowing, and tires smoking as drivers demonstrate their Formula One skills. 

Since the Grand Prix and most of the other suggestions that follow are annual events, you can plan now for 2008 if 2007 is too soon for you.  Here’s a country-by-country calendar of happenings to consider.

SPAIN

America’s Cup, Valencia.  April 3 – July 4, 2007

For the first time since 1851, the race for the oldest trophy in sport will be contested in Europe.  The Swiss team, Alinghi, the most recent winner, selected Valencia as the venue where it will defend its title. Eleven challengers from nine countries will compete. The competition opens with the 11 challengers who race to determine 4 semi-finalists and then the finalist to face Alinghi June 23 to July 4 for the Cup.

Also in Spain:

• Running of the Bulls in Pamplona from July 6 - 14

• Las Fallas in Valencia the week of March 19

• The Fair of April in Sevilla in April or May depending on Holy Week celebration.

GEP’s partner in Spain is Creatur.

FRANCE and MONACO

Monaco Grand Prix May 24- 27, 2007.  Annually in late May.
One of the only remaining street courses on the Formula One schedule. The super scenic course twists and turns, climbs, and falls in semi-mountainous territory through curving tunnels at 140 mph, downhill plunges, and relative straight-aways at 174 mph. Monaco offers atmosphere, history, glamour, casinos, discos, and a magnificent harbor…for starters.

Cannes Film Festival May 16-27, 2007.  Annually in mid May
Billed as the most important film event in the world, the Festival de Cannes draws 30,000 professionals including directors, actors, producers and journalists. Showcasing international films, it culminates in awards for best actor, actress, director and more including the Palme d’Or.  Some al fresco screenings are open to the public.

Paris: French Open May 27-June 10, 2007. Annually in late May-early June.
The second of the Grand Slam tournaments on the annual tennis calendar, the French open is the premier clay court tennis tournament in the world and offers equal prizes to both men and women singles winners.

Paris Air Show. June 18-24, 2007.  Held every odd year.
The Paris Air show is an international trade fair for the aerospace industry held at Le Bourget airport every odd year. All major international manufacturers, as well as the military forces of several countries, attend.  Flying demonstrations are held every day. The main purpose is to display military and civilian aircraft to potential customers. Major newsworthy sales are made.

Bastille Day, Paris, July 14, 2007. Every July 14.
A French National holiday, Bastille Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. Day includes a parade, fireworks, and lots of celebration of liberté, égalité, fraternité.

24 hours at Le Mans, June 16-17, 2007.  Held each June.
A world famous sports car endurance race, held annually near Le Mans, where the winner is the car that covers the greatest distance in 24 hours of continuous racing. Usually around 50 cars race simultaneously in a number of different categories and classes. Each car has three drivers.

The GEP partner in Northern France and Paris is Lafayette Travel, and in Southern France and Monaco, LSO International

UNITED KINGDOM and IRELAND

Royal Meeting Week, Ascot.  June 19-23, 2007.  Annually in June
Royal Ascot is the world’s most famous race meeting, steeped in history and tradition dating back to 1711. Within easy reach of London, Ascot provides an exciting day of the “Sport of Kings” complete with watching pedigree thoroughbred horses charging round the course at speeds greater than 30 mph, spotting the best hat in the crowd, a bit of wagering, and fine dining.

Wimbledon, June 25 – July 8, 2007.  June-July annually.
The Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon have developed from the garden party atmosphere of the first meeting in 1877, witnessed by a few hundred spectators, to a highly professional tournament attracting an attendance of close to 500,000 people. Players from over 60 nations regularly compete in what’s considered the premier tennis tournament in the world.

St. Patrick’s Day, Dublin.  March 17, 2007 and every year.
St Patrick’s Day Festivities extend at least four days. During the days of the Festival, guests enjoy music, fireworks, street theatre, dance, treasure hunts and of course the best and most eagerly anticipated St. Patrick's Day Parade in the world.

Bloomsday, Dublin, June 16, 2007 and every year.
Bloomsday is a holiday observed annually on June 16 to celebrate the life of Irish writer James Joyce and commemorate the events in his novel Ulysses, all of which took place on the same day in Dublin in 1904. The event is commemorated with a range of cultural activities including academic conferences, Ulysses readings and dramatizations, pub crawls, and general merriment.

Also in Ireland:

• The Galway Races - last week July every year.

• Guinness Galway Oyster Festival - September every year.

The GEP partner in the United Kingdom is Sterling Travel Associates and in Ireland, the Wallace Travel Group.

AUSTRIA

Vienna Festival, May 11- June 17, 2007. Annually in May and June.
Vienna Music Festival, May 5-19, 2007.  Annually in May
The world’s top opera and theatre directors, conductors and choreographers present modern dramatic arts: trend-setting, contemporary productions of the classics as well as international new works. The art, music, dance, theater and opera are presented in venues around the city.  The International Music Festival coincides with the Vienna Festival and traditionally opens with the Vienna Philharmonic.  Featured are top-flight international orchestras, world class conductors and soloists and great works.

Also in Vienna

• The Opera Ball every February

• The Vienna City Marathon in April.

GEP’s partner in Austria is Panorama Tours & Travel.

Prague Spring International Music Festival. May 12- June 3 2007. Annually in May and June
The Prague Spring International Music Festival is a permanent showcase for outstanding performing artists, symphony orchestras and chamber music ensembles of the world.  In the course of 28 days a total of 46 concerts and 9 theatre performances will be held at 17 venues in Prague and one outside the city. The Prague Spring International Music Competition is also held during the Festival month.

GEP’s partner in the Czech Republic is Motiv Prague.

ITALY

Carnevale, Venice.  January 25 – February 5 2008. Annually 10 days before Ash Wednesday)
Carnevale is a city-wide celebration with concerts of jazz, classical and rock music, theater of comedy and drama, acrobats and circus acts, masked balls, cakes and chocolate, fireworks, and costume parties in St. Mark’s Square.  All culminating with grand finales on Mardi Gras.

Redentore Festival.  Venice, July 20, 2007.  Third Saturday in July
Boats congregate in front of the Doges Palace and the Danieli with music and feasting on board and a magnificent fireworks display.  Afterwards, everyone sails to Venice Lido for parties on the beach.  The next day gondola races are held.

Palio di Siena – July 2 and August 16, 2007. Annually in July and August.
One of Tuscany's, if not Italy's, most dramatic and colorful folk festivals. It is a unique horse race, with each horse running for one of the 17 neighborhoods of Siena. There are processions, huge feasts the evening before the race in each contrada (neighborhood), and the roar of the crowd as the horses careen around the piazza which becomes a racetrack for the day. VIPS view from vantage points in private palaces around the Piazza.

GEP’s partner in Italy is Newtours S.P.A.

GERMANY

Oktoberfest, Munich. September 22 – October 7, 2007.  Annually Late September early October
The original celebration complete with The Tapping of the Keg ceremony, sausage and sauerkraut, pigs knuckles, and lots and lots of beer.  Festivities are scattered over 14 tents in a fairground near the city center.  Events include the Costume Parade and Riflemen’s Parade, Landlords and Brewers Parade, a mass, a carnival, and even wine and fine food.

City Foundation Day, Munich.  June 14-16, 2007 and every June
The city foundation day celebrations are held each year to mark the founding of Munich, which took place on June 14, 1158. Every year on June 14 the city hosts a large party during which much beer and huge quantities of delicious traditional Bavarian food are consumed. The serious business of the food and drink is accompanied by live music and entertainment. The event is held in the pedestrian area between Marienplatz and Odeonsplatz, which was the original town center.

• Kieler Week – June 16-24, 2007

• Kaltenberg Knight Tournament (Bavaria) – End of June/Beginning July 2007

• Rhine in Flames – May-September 2007

GEP’s partner in Germany is Icontas Service. 

To verify that dates and places are current, or for more information on these events or other happenings to enhance your meeting or incentive, contact your GEP representative or e-mail newsletter@theeventinsider.com