I've highlighted a few fesitvals and events in Europe and sprinkled in some of my own experiences as well. Now i would like to hear some of yours or anything you find relative.
Welcome to Monte-Carlo where class and speed are propelled to the limits and beyond. Monte-Carlo is home to the 6th stop on the Formula One World Championship Circuit.
The city streets will shut down for the better part of three days as racers practice runs through the city before they gear up for race day. Monte-Carlo is one of the premier stops on the circuit and for good reason. Glamour and bliss as well as a touch of paradise surround you.
And for those who fancy themselves risk takers it has one of the more famous and beautiful casinos in all the world.The Casino De Monte-Carlo seduces even the most self-controlled individual much like a women as the sights and smells of something so refined and unique overwhelms all of your senses.
From seeing these pictures supplied by the Casino De Monte-Carlo's website I have already packed two bags. A thing to remember though when going to this casino,Dress Code. Men jackets are required in the evening and proper footwear as well. But who wouldn't want to get dressed up and throw yourself into a Bond movie.
Make sure your bags are packed and you've got your dancing shoes.
Cannes during the film festival is a world like no other. It can drag you away from all your thoughts and bring you to a place of pure impulse and feeling. You will eat some of the best food you've ever tasted and dance it all away as you chase the rising sun.
There are a couple of places you need to check out.
First things first try and find the best place to stay and i suggest the College International De Cannes if you know someone who is going there. This is where i stayed when i went to the festival in 2007. The room rate was only 50 euro a night and was complete with breakfast and a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean no more than a 100ft away. You are a 1 euro and 5 minute bus ride away from the center of town. Or you could take a 20 minute walk along the Riviera and make it to the same place. Both options serve there purpose.
Second if you decided to take a walk along the Riviera by the time you make it to the downtown and port area you''ll be desiring an ice cold beverage possible a 1664 or Carlsberg. The place for that is most definitely the Quays Irish pub. You can enjoy a quiet pint here during the day and by night you will be chanting and singing with the rest of the hooligans tearing up the night.
Third you need to check out Baoli. This luxury restaurant's atmosphere changes as the evening turns to night and becomes a full fledged night club by nights end. Great food and parties await you here as well as a 3 foot tall mojito i shared during a party there. Unbelievable and unforgettable is what Baoli is.
Fourth for the tourist. Take a ferry ride over to Ile Sainte Margueritte to see the fort and prison cell that inspired the movie Man in the Iron Mask. Pack a lunch a bathing suit and maybe a few drinks and feel free to take your time to explore the island, swim and lay out on the beach. I enjoyed walking through the fort and looking over the fort walls down to the crashing waters below.
Now for the extremist there is VIP ROOM in Palm Beach. This club holds over 3000 people with multiple VIP sections and DJ stages. This is one of the ultimate dance spots in Cannes and will go late into the night with special guest performances ranging from rap icon Snoop Dogg to the sensational DJ Tiesto.
Cannes offers shopping, food and so much more it all depends on what you make it. And O don't forget it holds the worlds largest film festival and the red carpet and all the stars that come with it flood the city for 2 weeks in May. It is a must see event.
So you've made it through the Miami Airport and across the pond hopefully without drooling on yourself trying to sleep sitting up.
If you feel like spending the money go ahead and try and stay inside the city but you probably will not sleep much because the music is everywhere.
I'd suggest staying in a nearby city easily accessible by train and coming in around 10 or 11 in the morning after a good breakfast.
What can you expect? The unimaginable and probably one of the greatest European experiences you will have. The city absolutely EXPLODES!
The entire city dresses in orange so you can bring your own or buy some on the street. I'd suggest buying it on the street beause alongwith it being one of the greatest festivals it is the only day you are allowed to sell things on the street of Amsterdam. It is what we would recognize asa garage sale for residents. May i also suggest an orange helmet to go with the orange shirt if you've been known to get a little wild. haha.
There is not a street that is filled with people. It is the most foot traffic you will ever see with each street covered with more and more people and music from every corner of the city. Amsterdam is infiltrated by canals and if you have enough people you can rent a barge and cruise the city in style pulling over wherever you want for more provisions or if you hear some music you like.
Don't forget the parks where you can try and grab a seat and partake in some of the things that are legal in Amsterdam that aren't so much in other countries.
The police let you be so let it all hang out and make sure you catch the early train at 10 home as you don't want to take the chance of missing your train home and have your hangover concoction whatever it may be and probably a foot massage too because you will push your body and mind to the limit but will feel well rewarded as you have just partaken in of the greatest festivals in Europe.
Also don't forget you can also make your way over to the Museumplein where you can find artist such as Dj Tiesto playing as well as others on a larger concert stage.
P.S. The Museumplein also holds the Van Gogh Museum as well as two other museums if you want to check those out on an off day.
GET YOUR PASSPORT AND KEEP IT UPDATED!!! And dont forget to keep it safe and always know where it is. Nothing is worse than struggling to find your passport the days before you're suppose to be travel.
To save a little money especially with the exchange rate leave a little extra room in your carry on bag. Why? Because you need to hit up duty free for some magnum bottles of Belvedere vodka or Patron tequila at the Miami International Airport before takeoff. It will be either a great plane ride or money well saved.
P.S. Your going to be missing good tequila in some places of Europe but worst of all no limes some of them like to use lemons with tequila. But hey chalk it up to an experience.
My first adventure is not yet through an airport security checkpoint, that comes later, but instead is the beginning of this blog. Never before have I attempted anything like this but i will do my best to keep it tongue and cheek and you interested in both. To follow should be an adventure through Europe that only movies are made of and legends are born.
