Actually, I’m exhausted after yesterday’s feast of festivals. I had high hopes of taking things more easily today, but a glance at the calendar tells me that’s not going to happen. There are decisions to be made. Festival decisions, North American decisions, European decisions. The first of these is: Montréal or Chicago? Or both? Read on.
Photo by Slasha
Route 1: North America and Japan
Make tracks for Canada's very French province, Quebec, in June, and catch the Festival de Jazz de Montréal (26 June to 6 July). This fantastic fortnight of music takes place in the city’s cultural heart, the Quartier des spectacles. If you’re a jazz-lover, just don’t miss it. It’s the biggest in the world and certainly one of the best.
But running concurrently down in the USA, and equally appealing, is Taste of Chicago. This one is heaven on earth for foodies, and that’s not all. There are free concerts from big-name US and international music stars, cooking demos, sport and heaps more. No wonder it draws visitors by the million.
Can’t decide between the two? Okay, here’s another piece of news: Montreal and Canada are only two and a half hours apart by air. The solution is self-evident.
Next, having shaken yourself free of food and jazz, fly back across the Pacific to Japan, for the country’s most famous festival, Gion Matsuri (1 – 31 July). This showcase of Japan’s rich and colourful culture takes place in Kyoto, and is simply wonderful. The best time to be there is between 14 and 17 July; there’s a spectacular parade on 17th. But there’s plenty happening throughout the month, and you’ll find food stalls, crafts and colour on literally every street corner. You couldn’t have a better introduction to Kyoto or Japan.
Photo by MShades
Route 2: Europe
Now, for those who fancy food not at all, and don’t care for jazz either, I have an alternative: head straight to Eastern Europe. That’s the hot travel destination for Aussies this year anyway, so you’ll be in good company when you arrive in Hungary for the Győr Summer International Cultural Festival (8 June – 6 July). This is great; forget the slightly stuffy name. If you like dance in any form, be there. There’s also food, handcrafts, street theatre, puppetry, folk music, jazz, classical music and more. Gyor (it's pronounced something like "jyur") is half way between Budapest and Vienna, at the meeting-point of three rivers - one of which is the Danube. It's a scenic old town, with plenty to see and do besides its festival.
Once Gyor’s over, you have plenty of time to gather steam for your next festival, which takes place in Spain. You don’t have to be there until August 27. So, before you rush and book tickets, consider this: You might like to divert to France and the stunning festival at Aix-en-Provence, (27th June - 23rd July) en route, or to Italy for the running of the Palio (2 July or August 16).
Your ultimate destination, heaven help you, is Valencia in Spain between August 27 and September 3, for La Tomatina. This is when streets swill with squashed tomatoes, and sane people turn insane. Don't believe me? Do NOT pack good clothes for Tomatina, but do pack plenty. Just make sure they’re not things you care about. Once you arrive, don’t bother washing your hair, putting on cologne, putting on makeup or putting on airs and graces. Get ready to lose every vestige of dignity you ever had. And to laugh yourself silly. And to have fun. And, as I said a moment ago, heaven help you.
Well, I’m off to make a tomato pasta and listen to some jazz.
Photo by grahammclellan