| Bordeaux
SWEET SPOT FOR THE LOVE OF CHOCOLATE
05-17 Mar
Join the 19,000 cocoa-philes who flock to Bordeaux's Hangar 14 this month for the epically popular Salon du Chocolat.
On hand: 50 of the world's top pastry chefs and chocolatiers offering up a bevy of éclairs, truffles, and barres du chocolat. Best of all?
When you've satiated your sweet tooth, there's still plenty of local Cabernet on hand, ready for the drinking.
March 01, 2013
| Vilnius
IN THE SPOTLIGHT BALTIC BY DESIGN
22-23 Mar
Baltic design has been catching up to Scandinavia's scene for some time now, and much of that success is owed to Mados Infekcija - the region's preeminent fashion festival. Now in its 15th year, an edgy crop of sprightly young designers from the Baltic and beyond show their collections at Vilnius's central Contemporary Arts Centre.
March 01, 2013
| Marseille
CULTURE
Vibrant parades, museum openings, rock concerts and more - some of this month's highlights from two of 2013's cultural capitals
Marseille
European Capital of Culture 2013
Kengo Kuma's glittering FRAC centre opens on 22 March, with the thoughtfully curated La Fabrique des Possibles science and design expo kicking off an impressive roster of rotating shows throughout the year
French sculptor maqnifique Bernar Venet's seven-arch steel statue will be unveiled on 8 March in the seaside Parc du Pharo, to be admired until September
The 200 piece-strong Reflets de la Méditerranée is now on display at Regards du Provence - a shiny new cultural space housed in a former health spa on the waterfront
www.marseillecityofculture.eu
THEY SAY: "We are very proud that Kengo Kuma, one of the most famous architects in the world, came on board for this new cultural hotspot. It will be an attractive activity for our art-loving tourists."
Sylvie Allemand, Marseille Office of Tourism
Derry/Londonderry UK
Capital of Culture 2013
Ireland's most talented playwrights convene for the week-long drama festival during the first week of the month. Not to miss: the competition of Irish-language plays
Alternate rock gods Primal Scream (pictured right) unleash their trademark psychedelic-rock on 19 March at Ebrington Arena
A family-friendly St Paddy's day festival parades colourful kites and floats through hordes of party-goers along Queens Quay and Guildhall Square
www.cityofculture2013.com
March 01, 2013
APPS WE
Local Eats
Fact: no one wants to eat poorly on holiday. And yet, it would seem that many restaurants around top tourism sites often leave much to be desired. So download Local Eats, a free app that offers up a host of top eateries, as selected by locals in nearly all of Europe's key cities. Featuring built-in maps, downloadable menus and relevant discounts, use this and you're highly unlikely to have a bad meal while abroad. Their strict 'no chain' rule also means plenty of home-style cooking in every spot you find.
March 01, 2013
| Madrid
PLAYLIST MADRID
Some classics, some stars and some football chants. Download our Madrid playlist now!
Madrid
Holden
Pongamos Que Hablo...
Porretas
Te Dejo Madrid
Shakira
Smash Tv
Sergio Fernandez
Me Gustas Tu
Manu Chao
Nessun Dorma
Luciano Pavarotti
La Raja De Tu Falda
Estopa
Retiro Park
The Clientele
Madrid, Madrid
Hombres G
Hala Madrid
José De Aguilar
March 01, 2013
| Paris
INDIE FESTIVAL FEVER
01 Nov 2012-03 Nov 2012
Boasting a lip-smacking line-up which will make die-hard indie fans lightheaded — Grizzly Bear, The Walkmen, M83 and the latest next big thing in the pseudo-pop world, Jessie Ware (pictured) — this is a new music festival to fall head over heels in love with. Only a year old and curated by US music website Pitchfork, it takes place at the Grande Halle de la Villette.
YOU SAY... "Pitchfork pulls together a fab line-up in one of the coolest cities on the planet. It's a great combo and I'm already booking my flight."
James Drury, via Facebook
October 01, 2012
| Krakow
THE ART OF AUDIO
14 Oct 2012-21 Oct 2012
It may be time to pack up your wellies for another year, but Poland's Unsound festival is not your standard pitch-a-tent affair. Billed as part rave, part art festival, it brings together revered international DJs such as Theo Parrish, alongside edgier ones such as Tim Hecker and Shackleton, in the delightfully urban surrounds of Kraków.
YOU SAY... "I WANT TO GO TO UNSOUND"
@mnmlssgs, via Twitter
October 01, 2012
| Budapest
BUDAPEST BANGERS
05 Oct 2012-07 Oct 2012
The stirring surrounds of Buda Castle play host to a gastronome's fairytale at the Palinka and Sausage festival. Hungary's stately sausages are presented for your pleasure, along with the finest pálinka (fruit brandy), folk music and dancing.
THEY SAY..."Whopping sausages and schnapps may sound unlikely bedfellows, but trust me, they're great. Throw in some live music and a stunning backdrop and you're set."
Craig Butcher, via Facebook