From 12th March to 12th May 2010, British cinema-goers will be presented with the Great Sites of Midi-Pyrénées. Internationally renowned sites such as Toulouse, Millau Viaduct, Lourdes, Rocamadour, Albi and Gavarnie will be presented in an advertising spot with spectacular images.

The advertisement is adapted to large-screen format and plays like a movie preview. The audience is presented with a 30-second sequence of powerful and uplifting images, highlighting the extraordinary dimension of the region’s sites and their attraction for tourists.
It will be shown in cinemas across five cities running direct flights to the Midi-Pyrénées region: London, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and Bradford-Leeds.
This advertisement will be seen by 3 million viewers.

This cinema campaign run by the Midi-Pyrénées region is an innovative way of promoting its collection of great tourist sites, the backbone of one of the region’s key economic sectors.

Great Sites of Midi-Pyrénées also on the web

www.greatsites-midipyrennees.co.uk presents each Great Site of Midi-Pyrénées with a one-and-a-half minute film, made to the same spectacular dimensions as the cinema advertisement. Press photos and practical information are also available to complement these resources.

Finally, three new press packs are available for download in the press room on www.tourism-midi-pyrenees.co.uk. These present a wide range of new, original and surprising ways of exploring the region’s Great Sites.

About the Great Sites of Midi-Pyrénées collection

The Midi-Pyrénées region has set itself apart by implementing a collection which brings together the emblematic sites of its identity, its culture and its heritage. This collection includes 21 sites : cities (Toulouse, Lourdes, …), medieval villages (Rocamadour, Conques, … ), natural sites (Cirque de Gavarnie, Cauterets-Pont d’Espagne, …) and engineering structures (Millau Viaduct, sources of the Canal du Midi, …).

The Midi-Pyrénées region covers a large portion of South-West France running between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Toulouse is its capital with 437,000 inhabitants and is included in its collection of Great Sites. Other Great Sites in the collection are distributed across the region’s 8 departments: Ariège, Aveyron, Haute-Garonne, Hautes-Pyrénées, Gers, Lot, Tarn and Tarn-et-Garonne.

List of the Great Sites of Midi-Pyrénées:
> Toulouse – Haute-Garonne
> Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges – Haute-Garonne
> Luchon – Haute-Garonne
> At the sources of the Canal du Midi: Sorèze, Revel, Saint-Ferréol – Tarn /Haute-Garonne
> Albi – Tarn
> Cordes-sur-Ciel – Tarn
> Moissac – Tarn-et-Garonne
> Cahors – Lot
> Rocamadour – Lot
> Saint-Cirq-Lapopie – Lot
> Figeac – Lot
> Auch – Gers
> Marciac – Gers
> Millau Viaduct – Aveyron
> Conques – Aveyron
> Najac / Villefranche-de-Rouergue – Aveyron
> Ariège Collection, 14,000 years of history (Grotte de Niaux, Grotte du Mas d’Azil, Saint-Lizier, Foix, Montségur, Mirepoix)
> Lourdes – Hautes-Pyrénées
> Pic du Midi de Bigorre – Hautes-Pyrénées
> Cauterets/Pont d’Espagne – Hautes-Pyrénées
> Cirque de Gavarnie – Hautes-Pyrénées

The Great Sites of Midi-Pyrénées operate as a network, each one showcasing the region while providing a gateway to the other Great Sites.

A unique way of promoting the Midi-Pyrénées region

The main purpose of the collection of Great Sites of Midi-Pyrénées is to boost the destination’s appeal for a French and foreign clientele. The cinema campaign in Great-Britain also shows the importance of the British market for Midi-Pyrénées.
Great-Britain is one of the region’s priority foreign markets, with the second largest foreign clientele. Midi-Pyrénées also regularly runs tourism promotions designed to attract and sustain its British customers.

Note: From 30th April 2010, the new Manchester – Lourdes/Tarbes flight will be opening, operated by the airline BMI Baby (2 weekly connections: Monday and Friday).

Hold your religious ceremony on site or pop to the local town hall serenaded by mandolins and guitar. This is the ideal venue for all those of you wishing to tie the knot in intimate and truly charming surroundings. For further details and to view go to the following link:

www.weddingsmadeinitaly.co.uk/weddingcollection/details2.asp?propid=348

Lithuanians and tourists enjoyed the exceptionally festive year of 2009. The country has been celebrating two  significant occasions during 2009 – the official 1,000th birthday of its name and capital city Vilnius the  European Capital of Culture combining to encourage foreign visitors to uncover more about the Baltic gem.

Major scheduled events for 2010 spring:

Kaziukas Fair (5-7 March)Vilnius
The festival is dedicated to St. Casimir the patron saint of Lithuanian born in the 17th century. It is one of  remarkable calendar festivals with deep traditions, each time presenting ingenious handworks, and having no rivals
in the surrounding areas. http://www.vilnius-events.lt/en/festivals/kaziukas-fair

20th International Jazz Festival Kaunas Jazz ’10 (April 29 – May 3)Kaunas
Every year Kaunas Jazz presents a wide and rich spectrum of modern jazz. Participants from Lithuanian and more  than 20 countries of the world have taken part in the festival. www.kaunasjazz.lt

Street Musicians Day (1 May)Vilnius, Klaip?da
On the first Saturday in May thousands of people go out to the streets to play music. Street Musician Day is the  event which unites all who speak the world’s most universal language – the language of music.
http://www.gatvesmuzika.lt/en/

15th International classical music Festival “Pažaislis Music Festival” (May 30 – August 29)Kaunas
The listeners of the most particular taste may find in the schedule of the festival something what interests them,  starting from the old music and finishing with jazz, from the subtle chamber music to the grand vocal instrumental  pieces, from the modern music premieres to the impressive pageants of Lithuanian dramaturgy in the surroundings of  Kaunas Castle. www.pazaislis.lt

Festival “Skamba Skamba Kankliai”(27-30 May)Vilnius
Annual international folklore festival introduces folklore groups from Europe and Asia. Chamber concerts and  performances at the city squares will present outstanding soloists and superb ensembles. Evenings of light singing
and glee songs, guest concerts, a song hour, dancing at night and various exhibitions will be offered to audiences  of various ages and backgrounds. www.etno.lt

Vilnius Festival 2010 (May 26 – June 10)Vilnius
Held every year since 1997, this festival features Classical music and invites world-famous performers. Each year  the festival has a different concept and presents both traditional and contemporary Lithuanian music, and offers a
platform for jazz and musical theatre. www.vilniusfestival.lt

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Award-winning travel company Robert Broad Travel are offering a unique short break to watch Andrea Bocelli in  Stockholm this April. The 3 night package costs £699 per person and includes flights, concert tickets, walking  tour and 4* accommodation.

Marketing Manager Oliver Broad comments “The Tuscany packages to see Andrea Bocelli perform in his home town sold  out so quickly, we are pleased to be able to now offer this excellent alternative and at great value for money!”

This is a fantastic opportunity to see Andrea Bocelli perform live at Stockholm’s impressive Dome arena. He has  never performed in Sweden before so the concerts are bound to generate a fantastic atmosphere with superb  musicianship from the Stockholm Concert Orchestra.

Stockholm itself is a beautiful and stylish city with a wealth of sights, and spring is a lovely time to visit.
Accommodation is at the stylish and contemporary Clarion Hotel (recommended by Kirsty in our office), well located  for the concert and to explore the city. 2nd category tickets are included in the package price with the option to  upgrade to first category seats at a supplement.

This year children can take up new craze ‘skip-hip-hopping’, first showcased by Madonna on her recent Sticky ‘n’ Sweet tour, as part of Canvas Holidays dynamic FamilyExtra programme for 2010.

Canvas’ new ‘Skip-Hop’ sessions are just one part of a new range of dynamic and creative sessions introduced for FamilyExtra 2010, including BMX Challenges and even Radio DJ-ing.

Now expanded to eight sites across Europe, Canvas Holidays’ FamilyExtra activities are designed to involve and inspire the whole family – from toddlers and teens and even Mum and Dad.

The FamilyExtra programme, which is free of charge to Canvas customers, also includes popular favourites including active sessions such as Tatty Bumpkins yoga for toddlers, Merlin’s Magical Experience, Waterwalkerz (which allow you to literally walk on water) and innovative Aeroball, a combination of volleyball and trampolining.

• Skip Hop
Dance craze ‘skip-hip-hopping’ was showcased by Madonna in a 20minute dance routine for her recent tour: a combination of street dance, hip-hop and skipping. The new craze has become popular with children highlighted by recent CBBC series ‘Jump Nation’. Skip hop sessions will be offered for 8-11 year olds, teens and adults.

• BMX Challenge
BMX fans can improve their skills by joining the BMX challenge sessions. Participants are split into pairs and given ten minutes each to practise each obstacle or skill. Learn the cone slalom, stop and wait, balance beams, difficult turns, limbo and the see saw.

• Radio ‘DJ’ production
Fancy yourself as the next Fearne Cotton? Children can now plan, record and star in their own radio show with Canvas Holidays. Would-be DJs will go through the different stages of recording, SFX – adding effects and CD making before doing the actual live radio show. Guests can even take home a CD of their session to show off to friends.

Canvas Holidays managing director Simon Allan commented:
“We’re constantly looking out for innovative activities to add to our FamilyExtra programme and we’re really pleased to say, there’s never a grumble of boredom on-site.
“With the addition of these new dynamic and creative sessions, we hope to keep our programme looking fresh and appeal to all ages, even Mum and Dad if they fancy a bit of street dance!”

This Easter and throughout the summer, enjoy the FamilyExtra activities at Camping La Croix du Vieux Pont, Berny Rivière near Paris from only £481 per family. The price is based on two adults and up to four children with arrival onsite on 4 April, 2010 with accommodation in two bedroom, Comfort Plus mobile home. The price includes a return midweek Dover to Calais ferry crossing.

For more information on Canvas Holidays see www.canvasholidays.co.uk/news , or call 0870 192 1159.

Despite being many miles from the ocean waves, Krakow will host its 29th International Festival of Sea Shanties this month.

Between 25th and 28th February, Poland’s capital of culture will welcome music groups and performers from across the world to pay homage to the big blue and the world of old ships.

After relatively humble beginnings in 1981, the festival is now one of the biggest shanty celebrations not only in Poland but also in Europe. Every year people from all over the country – and from further afield – drop anchor in Krakow to sing about sea adventures and voyages.

Acting Director of the Polish National Tourist Office Bogdan Becla said: “Krakow’s shanty festival is always a popular and event and it is certainly a festival with a difference.

“In a way it shows how diverse Krakow is as a city, because it can host one of Europe’s most popular events dedicated to songs of the seas when it lies so far away from the coast.”

The four-day festival will welcome almost eleven thousand people who will take part in a number of shows, concerts and performances. In past years, the festival has proved to be a launching pad for some of the most popular shanty groups and artists including Stare Dzwony, Packet, Rycz?ce Dwudziestki, and Mechanicy Shanty.

The Belgian Tourist Office-Brussels and Wallonia is sponsoring London’s first International Gypsy Swing Guitar Festival, a nine-day celebration of concerts and workshops by some of the finest Gypsy Jazz musicians in Europe.

The festival takes place at Le QuecumBar & Brasserie in Battersea from Sunday 17 to Monday 25 January 2010 to commemorate the centenary on 23rd January 2010 of the birth of Gypsy jazz guitar legend Django Reinhardt, who was born in Southern Belgium in the town of Liberchies.

Appearing at the festival will be one of Belgium’s most talented gypsy jazz violinists, Tcha Limberger, who will be performing on Tuesday 19 January along with his Balkan Trio in a powerful rendition of authentic world Gypsy music, with instrumentals and haunting vocals evoking the magical atmosphere of a Gypsy campfire.

Born into a family of manouche musicians, Tcha Limberger began performing on clarinet, before changing to the guitar. He then took up the violin at the age of seventeen, inspired by stories of his grandfather, legendary violinist Piotto Limberger, and by recordings from Hungarian Toki Horvat. He later studied classical and Gypsy music under Horvat Bela in Budapest.

Now living in Transylvania, he has worked closely with many Gypsy legends, including Fapy Lafertin and Angelo DeBarre, and set up a number of orchestras. He has also made many recordings as a freelance instrumentalist.

His Balkan trio includes himself on violin, guitar and vocals, his famous father Vivi Limberger on guitar and vocals, and the Hungarian Vilmos Csikos on bass.

Le QuecumBar & Brasserie specialises in live concerts promoting Django Reinhardt, Gypsy Swing, and those who perform it. Seating just 70 people, with an ambiance, style and décor evocative of the time, it conveys the authentic flavour of this music as it was performed in its heyday.

Tcha Limberger will also be holding a workshop on Balkan Gypsy violin at Le QuecumBar on 19 January.

As the deep freeze sets in why not escape it all and enjoy the tunes at the Winter Jazz Festival in Denmark. This 10 day event starts on the 22nd January and runs across 50 different venues with over 200 jazz concerts, not just in Copenhagen. The whole country goes jazz crazy!

The Festival offers something for everyone, from jazz concerts, jazz programmes for kids, competitions, music awards and more.

DFDS Seaways sails from Harwich to Esbjerg in Denmark three or four times a week.

Take your car and you can explore the beautiful country of Denmark and visit several of the Jazz events. Prices are from £232 for a car and two passengers one way and includes carriage of a standard vehicle and ensuite cabin.

Alternatively, opt for a Cruise & Hotel Break to Copenhagen with DFDS Seaways and soak up the atmosphere in the cosmpolitan capital city. Drive onboard and sail overnight to Esbjerg. Once in Denmark you drive through the stunning countryside to the city with a city centre hotel already arranged for you. Prices from £227pp and includes two nights onboard, two nights in a city centre hotel and carriage of the standard vehicle.

Vienna’s newest nightclub boasts a 12m chandelier made up of 80,000 Swarovski crystals and is located in a 14th C palace in the heart of the old town where Mozart is reputed to have premiered The Marriage of Figaro. The club is located on two floors of the building, which is next door to the Spanish Riding School and opposite the Hofburg Palace, with a bar housing 700 spirits on one floor and a dance floor above.

Palais Palffy, which opened in late 2009, enjoys a prime location in the heart of the old town opposite the Hofburg, next door to the stables of the Spanish riding school. The building dates back to the fourteenth century, but has been remodelled and extended various times since. It also has a strong musical tradition. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart performed here as a child and is reputed to have premiered his The Marriage of Figaro to a private audience at the palace.

The new 550m2 Palffy Club now occupies two floors of this illustrious old building. The first-floor lounge bar is stocked with 700 spirits, and upstairs is the dance floor. On Thursdays Vienna’s high flyers get together for the Network Club. On Fridays it’s time for House and dancefloor, and the Jetlag Club comes to town on Saturdays. This fine new party location has luxurious feel. A 12 meter chandelier with 80,000 Swarovski crystals forms the centerpiece of the interior decorations, and the bar is set with thousands of miniature glittering gemstones.

Similar opulence awaits at Palais Eschenbach. This classic palace was built in 1872. Today its elegant rooms provide the setting for concerts, parties and club nights. Palais Auersperg — built in 1708 by leading Baroque architects Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt and Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach — has opened its doors for countless wild parties and celebrations in recent years.

18th September – 3rd October 2010
Now in it’s 41st year, the Windsor Festival promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Events take place in a variety of venues including within Windsor Castle itself, as well as other notable venues in the town such as the Royal Chapel and Cumberland Lodge in Windsor Great Park, Windsor’s Guildhall and Eton College. The programme includes concerts by international and local performers, literary talks, heritage walks and music nights.

http://www.windsorfestival.com

http://www.visitthames.co.uk