Go Away to Europe

Ok, not exactly a sport, but the International Bathtub Regatta is a seriously bizarre race involving bathtubs

Feature by Melissa Thomson | 15 Jul 2006

Go Far Far Away!

Hey, we're not going to patronise you and tell you that if you want to travel to cool festivals in Scotland this month why not try Balado. So, instead, here's Go Away's undeniably colourful guide to the most intriguing events in the most fascinating places outside of Scotland. Use the suggestions to shine socially with your unique holiday plans, and thank us for it by sending postcards and exotic alcohol.

If you're into theatre…

Sztuka Ulicy street art festival in Warsaw, Poland is like a renegade Fringe. The exact where and when of events is only known to performers, who will "attack the streets using energizing music and performances, which you will definitely not see in institutional theatre." Golly. Lasting from June 30 to July 8 there are planned performances and art installations as well, and to give you a tip, the old town is where most of the sporadic action happens. Using the urban area to host art (which until about 10 years ago was still forcing its way out of dusty institutions in this country) is part of the youthful and vibrancy of Poland.

Go Travel:
Ryan Air flies Glasgow Prestwick to Krakow (around £80 return) and then it takes 2 1/2 hours by express train to Warsaw. Find timetables on www.pkp.pl/english

Go Sleep:
For sleeping in both Krakow and Warsaw try the cheapy friendly www.nathansvilla.com
Go Festival:
www.sztukaulicy.pl

If you're into film…

Motovun independent film festival, in the small medieval town of Motovun in Croatia, has both indoor and outdoor screenings from 10am to 4pm every day from July 24 – 28 (programme announced shortly). With a truly international programme the streets are lined with thousands who are passionate about film, and with views across the forests what you see off screen is as magical as on sceeen. If you can't make it there's even Motuvn online during the festival showing a series of fifteen minute shorts: considerate or what? Dubbed the 'Film Woodstock', the atmosphere is assisted by local wine-makers who open their cellars for tastings throughout the festivities.

Go Travel:
The cheapest but longest way to get there is Megabus to London then a Ryan Air Stanstead to Trieste (Italy) flight for around £40 return. Trains from Trieste (Italy) run to Pazin (25km from Motovun) and then it's a local bus/shared taxi from there…

Go Sleep:
You can camp at Motovun Eco Camp for free during the festival!
Go Festival:
www.motovunfilmfestival.com

If you're into sounds…

With day tickets costing £39, inclusive of camping and train travel from anywhere in Belgium (no really!), Pukklepop festival (Aug 17 – 19) is as cheap as a weekend on the sauce here. The line-up includes Radiohead, Beck, Raconteurs, Placebo, Massive Attack, Snow Patrol, Babyshambles and hunners of smaller names and attracts a crowd of over 130,000. On the way there hang around in Brussels for the day - the Grand Place boasts a breathtakingly ornate gothic main square and the side streets have wicked vintage clothes shops. Plus, cherry beer and chocolate, oh yes please.

Go Travel:
Ryan Air flies Glasgow Prestwick to Brussels for around £40 return then get a free train to Kiewit station, ten minutes walk from the site!

Go Sleep:
Camping pass included in ticket price
Go Festival:
www.pukklepop.be

If you're into beats…

If you're bored of the amount of Scottish accents to be heard on the streets of Barcelona during Sonar, then try the lesser known 5 Days Off Festival (July 12 - 16) in Amsterdam for a bit of anonymity. It's got the same feel, with a day programme in one venue, then a night programme in another, and has a host of cutting-edge electronica artists as well as multimedia art exhibitions at the Media Art Institute. Highlights include DJ Food, Justice, LTJ Bukem and MC Conrad, Richie Hawtin and Glasgow's own New Rave faves Shit Disco. Get this, tickets are from £10 for a night ticket and £19 for a day ticket! Go gallery spotting in town before the festival, as you aint gonna be doing much afterwards…

Go Travel:
easyJet fly Edinburgh to Amsterdam for about £70 return or local travel agents often have cheaper deals than you'd ever find online.

Go Sleep:
If you feel the need to sleep try the funky Flying Pig hostels (www.flyingpig.nl), there's three to choose from and all are about £9 a night

Go Festival:
www.5daysoff.nl

If you're into extreme sports…

Ok, not exactly a sport, but the International Bathtub Regatta is a seriously bizarre race involving bathtubs. Every year on August 15 these crazy Belgians in the pretty little citadel of Dinant "sail" their customized baths down the River Meuse while the crowd whips up a frenzy. Go to laugh, compete, or just chill out in the surrounding towns southeast of Brussels. Hiking and cycling are big here, and the city is surrounded by mountains if you're not into bathtubbing. Adolphe Sax who invented the saxophone was born here and so jazz is everywhere, including a festival throughout August…

Go Travel:
Travel by Ryan Air to Brussels then take the train via Namur (around 1 1/2 hours - frequent departures)

Go Sleep:
Aquatel (from £10 per night) is used by canoeists and cylists in the region and is in the nearby village of Anseremme. Try this link to book: www.ansiaux.be/hotel_uk.htm

Go Festival:
www.dinant-tourisme.be
www.trabel.com