Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

In the diary

Marathon fever hits Copenhagen, tennis stars take on Rome and Knokke is No.1 for beach polo: don’t miss May’s must-see events

Text Deborah Greenwood

18

Copenhagen
Glitnir Copenhagen Marathon

You don’t have to join in the race to join in the fun in Copenhagen. The marathon’s route planners have ensured that the race follows a spectator-friendly course that is lined with cosy cafés, live music and dancers. Treat yourself to a cold beer or a hot chocolate asyou cheeron the runners. www.copenhagenmarathon.com

1-5

Manchester
Futuresonic

A festival that dedicates itself to the digital age of music and culture, Futuresonic is unique. If you’re addicted to your iPod or can’t wean yourself off Facebook, head straight to Manchester for this “urban festival of art, music and ideas”. www.futuresonic.com

3-18

Rome
ATP Masters Series

This May sees tennis fever sweep through Rome. The only player to win three consecutive titles at Rome, Rafael Nadal, is chasing a fourth. With a staggering €2,270,000 prize money up for grabs, he certainly won’t be giving it up without a fight.www.masters-series.com

10-12

Knokke
Scapa Sports Beach Polo

Knokke is one of the few places in Europe where you can see beach polo, and the sport seems to shed some of its elitist airs with the change of scene. There’s an egalitarian feel to Scapa Sports’ annual tournament, which is open to the public and completely free. www.scapasports.com

11

Venice
Vogalonga

This annual boat race is one of Venice’s most colourful events. All kinds of boats descend on the waterways to complete the 30km course. While one contestant has swum the course for the past two years, we advise cheering from the sidelines if you don’t have a boat. www.vogalonga.it

12 (Until 4 June)

Prague
Spring International Music Festival

Some of the best orchestras from around the world come together in Prague for the city’s spring festival. Lasting almost a month, the 63rd festival’s programme runs the gamut from Beethoven to Mozart. Expect to hear some old favourites alongside plenty of new music. www.festival.cz

24

Geneva
Open House Day

Geneva’s wineries throw their doors open to the public for one day only. There are just under 100 to choose from and countless wines to be tasted. There is even a free shuttle bus to take you between the wineries – a sensible idea after all that tasting. www.opage.ch/lesvinsdegeneve

23-25

Brussels
Brussels Jazz Marathon

New Orleans comes to Brussels for three days in May. The descent into Dixieland means jazz lovers can party indoors and outdoors. And you’ll need to: with over 125 concerts taking place over three days, you won’t have time for anything else. www.brusselsjazzmarathon.be

30

Hamburg
Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival

In 1968, the Japanese community presented Hamburg with a gift of hundreds of cherry trees, which were planted along the Alster River. The festival that honours them also serves as a celebration of spring and is marked with fireworks and a Japanese market. www.hamburg-tourism.de

30 (Until 6 June)

Lisbon
Rock in Rio Lisboa

This hugely popular music festival has attracting some big names over the years and 2008’s confirmed acts include Bon Jovi, Lenny Kravitz and Linkin Park. The festival covers an area of 200,000m2 in Lisbon, and there’s a second leg in Madrid a month later. www.rockinrio-lisboa.sapo.pt

Book your plane tickets for…

15 June–26 July Warsaw 18th Mozart Festival, Warsaw Chamber Opera (www.operakameralna.pl) ++ 19–22 June Munich BMW International Open, PGA European Tour (www.europeantour.com) ++ 23 June Antwerp Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Sportpaleis (www.brucespringsteen.net) ++ 23 June–6 July London Wimbledon Championship, The All England Lawn Tennis Club, pictured (www.wimbledon.org)

Leave a Reply