A fusion of many exciting elements, with a great mix of competitive sailing and social activities, the 8,500 competitors range from Olympic and world class professionals to weekend sailors. It now stages up to 40 daily races for over 1,000 boats and is the largest sailing regatta of its kind in the world.

During the event, Cowes Parade provides a unique vantage point for the racing start lines.  Once the race is off enjoy street entertainment, live music, the Sail for Gold Bar & BBQ, and a showcase of the finest Island produce.

The party atmosphere spreads all round the island and glimpses of yachts racing can be see from vantage points all around the island.

To enjoy this fabulous summer event, book your Isle of Wight hotel now

The Festival launched in 2007 as an artist-led festival presenting new works from across the spectrum of performing arts, music, visual arts and popular culture. With a wide-ranging programme and more free events, the second Festival is designed to be exhilarating, thought-provoking and welcoming to all.

A handful of names from the inaugural Festival have returned to create brand new shows. They are joined by an array of other artists drawn from around the world and covering the cultural spectrum, joined by representatives of the wealth of talent right here in the city itself.

Among the 2009 Festival’s 20 world premieres are Prima Donna, Rufus Wainwright’s debut opera; a double-bill performance by pioneers of contemporary music Kraftwerk and Steve Reich and immersive theatre It Felt Like a Kiss, created by Adam Curtis and Punchdrunk, with music by Damon Albarn.

So why not give yourself a break and head for Manchester to enjoy cutting-edge fashion, excellent clubs, pubs and bars and find out more about what’s new in the world of the arts!

Book your Manchester hotel now

First held in 1921 it is now the highlight of Hampshire’s social calendar featuring all the attractions that have made it so popular for the best part of a century. Among the many excellent events to be held in the Main Ring this year, the Jamie Squibb Motorcycle Stunt Display will no doubt bring delight and plenty of ooh’s and aah’s from the crowd.

Top of my must-see list will be the Pony Club Mounted Games. Now if you have never seen a Pony Club event before, you have missed a treat. Over-excited ponies with even more excited riders take part in a series of races that make Grand Prix Motor Racing look tame!

Now if that hasn’t tempted you, I defy you to resist this next event, the 2009 New Forest Pig Racing Championships - imagine a line-up of perfect porkers, tails curled tight to avoid drag, nostrils flared to maximise oxygen intake and trotters treated to ensure maximum grip - absolutley pigtastic!

There will be all the usual livestock parades, ferret racing and equestian events plus marquees crammed with local arts and crafts, a beer tent or two and plenty of opportunity for a cup of tea.

To visit this wonderful county show, book your New Forest Hotel now.

Sample the unique atmosphere of Henley Royal Regatta by visiting the Regatta Enclosure which is open to non-members. No formal dress code applies although many people enjoy entering into the spirit of the occasion.

The Rowing Events can be grouped into a number of different categories. At the top level there are six open events for men and three open events for women. At the intermediate level there are three events for men, catering for the best of the Club and Student crews. The next level offers five men’s events for the majority of Club and Student oarsmen. Finally, there are two events for junior boys, under the age of 19

To experience this quintessentially English event book your Reading hotel now.

Among the many international artists to be performing at this year’s Eisteddfod is Barbara Dickenson singing a selection of her classic hits and folk-inspired songs including songs such as I know him so well.

The Classic Brit Award-winning, Blake are joined by wonderful Soprano Natasha Marsh in an exciting evening of music spanning opera, the classics, and popular music. Having performed at venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Wembley and Twickenham, Blake (baritones Stephen Bowman and Jules Knight, and tenors Ollie Baines and Humphrey Barney) are preparing to take to the Eisteddfod stage with their unique sound.

The day sessions are the formal competitive sessions of the Eisteddfod. They provide a fantastic oportunity to see a wide range of choirs and dancers performing at their best, in a riot of colour.

To attend this marvellous festival and see seasoned professionals performing alongside hugely talented amateurs, book a Llangollen Hotel now

Dozens of structures, installations and sculptures will be created by local and national artists and several Devon Community Project Groups and the one thing they will all have in common is, that they will all be constructed out of recycled materials.

To give a flavour of what to expect, previous works have included a giant ammonite fossil made from 1,500 old hub caps, a Tyre Rainbow and a huge sphere created entirely from  tin cans.

The Trail will pop up along the South Devon Coast from Shaldon to Dawlish and include a Gallery Show in Teignmouth.

For the first time this year there is to be a ‘Wearable Art’ show at the Carlton Theatre in Teignmouth on the 27th July.  With materials ranging from bubble wrap to bin liners, it’s going to be quite a show.

To see this unique and thought-provoking trail and explore some of the best countryside in Britain, book your South Devon Hotel now

This once-in-a-life-time celebration of all things Scottish will bring together cultural events, traditional heavy Highland Games events, food festivals, pipe bands, story-tellers and an Oatcake Hill Race plus much much more.

The Duechars World Highland Games Heavy Events Championships will include classic events such as Tossing the Caber (the aim being not who can throw it furthest but which caber lands the straightest); Putting the Stone, the stones being up to 26 pounds in weight and Throwing the Hammer.  If you cannot resist a swirling kilt, bulging biceps and the odd Gaelic grunt, then this is the event for you!

If you prefer swirling kilts without the biceps and grunts, the International Highland Dancing Championships will be much more up your street.  With categories for all stages and ages of dancer from the beginner to the experienced professional, this promises to be one of the more popular events.

The Live Music Arena will be featuring the leading Scottish band Capercaillie, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Gaelic Singer of the Year, Julie Fowlis and The Battlefield Band whilst in the Acoustic Tent performers such as Roddy Hart and Dàimh (pronounced Dive) are among many traditional and contemporary acts that will appear.

For a true taste of Scotland The Talisker Taste Experience will introduce visitors to the subtleties of classic malt whiskies but don’t miss the Food Fair where you will find a wonderful array of quality produce available from land and from sea.

With over 40,000 people from all corners of the world hoping to attend, you will need to book your hotel early to take part in one of the most spectacular events of the year.

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Using superb lighting and stunning laser displays, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing with massed choirs and soloists to bring you classics such as Nessun Dorma, Land of Hope and Glory and Rule, Britannia.

Bringing more than a hint of the last night of the proms to the proceedings the orchestra will perform their own take on The Hornpipe and the rumbustious 1812 Overture complete with thundering cannons, muskets and a spectacular array of indoor fireworks.

Packages include overnight accommodation at a nearby 4 star hotel with the choice of either top price stalls or upper circle seats.

Book a trip to Classical Spectacular at the Royal Albert Hall - November 2009 online, with tickets to Classical Spectacular at the Royal Albert Hall and hotel accommodation included in the price.

Numerous events take place around town, including traditional dances, street theatre and live music.

A varied programme includes the Bonzo Dog Band, the Bollywood Brass Band, Camborne Brass Band and Golowan favourites the Mid-Argyll Pipe Band. Irish punk-folkies Neck will be performing as will the  Falmouth Marine Band, Flava and the Bishbashbosh Theatre.

The festival culminates over the final weekend. Mazey Day celebrations take place with fireworks, music and the mock mayoral elections and the Mazey Boats Regatta.

Book your Penzance Hotel now for a great week of Celtic Fun

The oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, Windsor’s story embodies 1,000 years of royal history. You will view the magnificent rooms where the display of paintings from the Royal Collection rivals that of any art gallery. Today The Queen spends most of her private weekends at the Castle, which is also used regularly for ceremonial and State occasions. The tour takes place at 5.30 - 8pm on Saturday. After the tour you can enjoy a glass of champagne and visit the shop. Also included is an official guidebook per person.

Packages include 2 night’s accommodation at the 4 star Heathrow/Windsor Marriott Hotel located approximately a 10 minute drive away plus a private tour of Windsor Castle on the Saturday of your stay.

Book a trip to Windsor Castle - Private Evening Tour Weekend Breaks online, with tickets to Windsor Castle - Private Evening Tour Weekend Breaks and hotel accommodation included in the price.

Find out more about Windsor Castle