Immersive Festival Experiences - in August Company

Gullible: Fish and Chips

August is peak holiday time. Schools are out, most employees are taking annual leave and there are plenty of people looking for something to do. 

Why not have a traditional family trip to the coast? Spend the day sitting in traffic jams accompanied by light drizzle on the way to Brighton to have your fish and chips stolen by seagulls. Does it get any better than this?

Well, yes it does. So why not visit the Bureau de Change before the Pound becomes worthless and check out some August festivities happening overseas that require full involvement and in which you will definitely want to remain.

Croatia: 'Tis no Glastonbury

Music Festivals are something we are quite familiar with. But in warm and sunny weather? I see. From 4-8 August16, the fishing village of Tisno in Croatia hosts the Soundwave dance music Festival. 

Multi stage outdoor dance floors are accompanied by boat parties and aftershow events that would make Ibiza jealous. 

So, cheap prices, 30C sunshine and good quality accommodation. This could catch on.

GET THERE: Direct flights operate from Luton to Split which is about an hour from Tisno.

BA: You know when you’ve been Tangoed

If your idea of dancing is Madness after several pints then this probably isn’t for you. But for fans of the elegant and passionate, head to Buenos Aires from 18-31 August16 for the World Tango Festival BA. 

Taking place across the Argentine capital, this is as good as it gets for Tango aficionados. For the competitive, there is the Tango World Cup. A hand from God might be useful here.    

BA doesn’t do early nights so pace the dancing, the best steaks on the planet and the excellent Malbecs carefully otherwise it could get a bit Messi..

GET THERE: Fly direct from Heathrow to Buenos Aires or via Madrid.

Black Rock City: Quite literally on fire

If radical inclusion is your thing then head to Black Rock desert in Nevada in the week starting 28 August16 for the Burning Man Festival. This is a temporary city of 70,000 that participates in art and cultural events and which has been described as Mad Max meets Alice in Wonderland. 

Expect all night partying, anything goes attitudes and a big wooden man being burned. Don’t expect to remember much. Afterwards, try to lose the rest of your money in the Reno casinos or go back to nature at Lake Tahoe.  

GET THERE: Fly to Reno (indirect) then it’s 3 hours by Burner Express bus. If that’s too short, fly to San Francisco and it’s 8 hours from there.

La Tomatina: The Major Tom conflict

The final stop on the August circuit is a tomato festival. Sounds a bit dull? This is Spain however and you don’t look at them or eat them, you throw them! Specifically, 40,000 people throw 115,000 kgs of tomatoes at each other. No need to dress up then.

This sophisticated event is La Tomatina and it takes place in the small Valencian village of Bunol on 31 August16. Expect hot weather, plenty of cold cervezas and being stained red for several weeks afterwards. 

GET THERE: Fly to Valencia and Bunol is about 1 hour away. Recover in the interesting and lively Valencia or on the nearby Mediterranean beaches.

Standard low cost packages are bookable through my multi destination EyeLine Travel website. 

For tailor made packages including any of the places and events featured above or just for some information, please Contact me and I will do the hard work for you. All holidays that I arrange are ABTA/ATOL protected.

Tuk Tuks: Bangkok’s High Speed Network

For holidays to Thailand, please visit my dedicated website:  http://boutiquethailand.co.uk and visit the Facebook page of the same name for current offers.

EyeLine Travel: http://eyelinetravel.co.uk

Thailand: http://boutiquethailand.co.uk

david@eyelinetravel.co.uk
020 8123 2569

EyeLine Travel Facebook 

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Twitter (@eyelinetravel, @bouthaique)

You throw tomayto, I throw tomato

David Sutherland
EyeLine Travel 

1 July 2016   

Spectate to Accumulate - Tournament Bragging Rights

Sitting on the couch all day is for cats

We are into the knock-out stages of the Euro 2016 football tournament. This will either excite you or be a matter of great indifference. For the dedicated, you can watch every match on TV without beer bottles flying around (unless you invite the Russian neighbours) but it’s just not the same as being there. 

To attend a major sporting event is bucket list territory. You feel part of the action, share emotional highs and lows and get to tell everybody you know all about it. And if football doesn’t do it for you, then there are other prestigious events happening around the world, usually without tear gas and riot police. Let’s have a look at some of the alternatives which also give you chance to visit some amazing countries.

Rio de Janeiro: More than nothing

It really is four years since London 2012 and next up is Rio 2016. Notwithstanding the risk posed by the Zika virus (consult your GP on this), there are still tickets left for the Olympics and Para-Olympics in August and September this year. 

Rio does iconic better than most cities to a backdrop of Mas que Nada. From Christo Redentor to Copacabana, from Ipanema to Sugarloaf Mountain. Followed by Rodizios, Caipirinhas and Samba clubs.

GET THERE: Direct flights operate from Heathrow to Rio de Janeiro.

TRIP TIP: Combine Rio with 20-beach resort town of Buzios, 100 miles to the east where the Cariocas go to relax.

Chicago: All that Jazz

For fans of Europe, loud clothing and golf then North America is where you will want to be by the 30 September 2016 for the latest instalment of the bi-annual EUROPE v USA Ryder Cup. 

This time, the event is taking place at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. No? It’s outside Minneapolis. Ok, enjoy the tournament with Europe’s customary victory then take a 90 minute flight to big hitting Chicago on the shores of Lake Michigan instead.


GET THERE: Fly direct to Minneapolis St Paul from Heathrow and back via Chicago.

TRIP TIP: Take a cruise on the Chicago River, take a cocktail in one of the many Skyscrapers and take an empty stomach out for dinner in the gastronomic third largest city in the USA.   

Queenstown: Quite Remarkables

If you prefer oval ball action and find one winter per year is just not enough, then head out to New Zealand in June-July 2017 for the Lions rugby union tour. With three test matches in Auckland and Wellington, these immensely popular tickets are selling fast.

Hospitality in the spiritual home of rugby is, off the pitch anyway, very welcoming. Sightseeing and activities for outdoor types abound in both North and South islands including mountains, lakes and boiling mud.


GET THERE: International flights operate to Auckland via Middle East, Asia or west coast USA offering stopover opportunities but leave plenty of time for New Zealand

TRIP TIP: Hop over to the South Island and visit adrenaline centre Queenstown. Jet boat, bungee, whitewater raft or ski (it is winter). Wash away the nerves with some excellent local sauvignon blancs.   

Australia: a warm welcome

If that all sounds a bit intense then return to the region’s big neighbour Australia in late 2017 (our winter, their summer) to see one of the biggest rivalries in sport, the Ashes. 

Raucous partisan stadiums, very hot sunshine, shrimps on barbies and the odd tinny make this the way to watch cricket as England succumb to their usual greenwash over there.



GET THERE: Fly to one of Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide or Brisbane via Middle East or Asia. Return from a different city with an open jaw ticket.

TRIP TIP: Be in Melbourne for a warm Christmas (the match starts Boxing Day) and in Sydney for a warm New Years Eve with one of the best fireworks displays which precedes the Sydney match.



Standard low cost packages are bookable through my multi destination EyeLine Travel website. 

For tailor made packages including any of the places and events featured above or just for some information, please Contact me and I will do the hard work for you. All holidays that I arrange are ABTA/ATOL protected.

Thailand: a bustling port area

For holidays to Thailand, please visit my dedicated website:  http://boutiquethailand.co.uk and visit the Facebook page of the same name for current offers.

EyeLine Travel: http://eyelinetravel.co.uk 

Thailand: http://boutiquethailand.co.uk

david@eyelinetravel.co.uk
020 8123 2569

EyeLine Travel Facebook 

boutique thailand Facebook

Twitter (@eyelinetravel, @bouthaique)

Being able to say you were there...priceless

David Sutherland
EyeLine Travel 

24 June 2016   

Euro 2016: Outsiders that could be Favourites?

Frexit: An In/Out decision based on real points!

The big Football Fiesta is underway in France with the Euro 2016 tournament. For the many fans that have made it there with a functioning plane, train or automobile, the atmosphere must be a heady mix of joy and tear gas. 

However for some nations, it will not last as the first teams will be knocked out soon. Let’s have a look at a country from each Group who may be welcoming back their team early (home nations excluded!) to see what else they, or more specifically you, can do there. 

Romania: Curtains drawn for the Count

In Group A, Romania look susceptible. Summer is however a great time to be there, be it sunbathing in one of the Black Sea beach resorts, searching for the Count in Transylvania or roaming the high altitude Carpathian Mountains. Enjoy a short break to cultural Bucharest or go skiing in the winter in Poina Brasov.

HOW: Fly to capital Bucharest on the Danube or 6 other airports with direct flights from the UK. Take garlic and a crucifix - just in case.

Slovakia: A place for reflection

Group B features England and Wales. Whilst Russia may pack a punch, let’s czech out Slovakia. Take a short break to its vibrant and welcoming capital Bratislava. For the adventurous, the Tatras mountains offer walking, cycling and winter sports surrounded by breathtaking scenery. The country also specialises in Spa and Wellness breaks.

HOW: Fly to Bratislava or 2 other airports from the UK. Can be combined with nearby Vienna in Austria. Just remember it’s not called Czechoslovakia. 

Poland: Full of Polish food shops

In Group C, Poland may not be the plumb draw but their country is fast becoming one. Culture and nightlife abounds in ideal weekend break cities of Warsaw, Krakow Gdansk and Wroclaw where old meets new in a historical masterclass. Don’t turn your back on Poznan either. Stay for longer and away from the cities, explore the lakes, mountains and even beaches.


HOW: Fly to a total of 9 cities direct from the UK. Expect hot summers and cold winters. Non vodka drinkers still welcome.

Croatia: Better Cro-out than in 

In Group D, if Croatia Split from the tournament then the fine beaches of the Adriatic will provide much needed solace. With over 1,000 islands the coast is best seen in summer from main resort area Dubrovnik. For Roman ruins try Pula and for culture and nightlife, capital Zagreb will not disappoint. Or try hiking and cycling breaks in one of the national parks.

HOW: Fly to the 4 cities mentioned direct from the UK. And don’t call it Yugoslavia. 

Sweden: Not a flat-pack building in sight

In Group E, Sweden may not have assembled a team capable of challenging but the country makes for a great cultural weekend break destination to the cities of Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo. Head north in winter for skiing and snow mobile trips through spectacular landscapes.

HOW: Fly to Stockholm or Gothenburg. Ideal for fans of seafood, schnapps and unsettled weather. 

Iceland: Steamy scenes in the Blue Lagoon

In Group F, the smallest nation to ever qualify is Iceland but the power of frozen has plenty to offer. Enjoy Volcanoes, Glaciers and a Friday night out in Reykjavik. In the winter darkness look out for the fabled Northern Lights and round it all off with a trip to the Blue Lagoon thermal spa on the way back to the airport.

HOW: Fly to Reykjavik. Many short break packages include excursions. Bring a thick coat at all times and watch out for dodgy geysers.  




Standard low cost packages are bookable through my multi destination EyeLine Travel website. 

Thailand: Plenty of Fish, Plenty of Sea

For tailor made packages including any of the places featured above or just some information, please Contact me and I will do the hard work for you. All holidays that I arrange are ABTA/ATOL protected.



For holidays to Thailand, please visit my dedicated website:  http://boutiquethailand.co.uk and visit the Facebook page of the same name for current offers.

EyeLine Travel: http://eyelinetravel.co.uk 

Thailand: http://boutiquethailand.co.uk

david@eyelinetravel.co.uk
020 8123 2569

EyeLine Travel Facebook 

boutique thailand Facebook

Twitter (@eyelinetravel, @bouthaique)

Rexit,Slexit,Pexit,Crexit,Swexit,Icexit..

David Sutherland
EyeLine Travel 

17 June 2016   

Sea and the City - Weekend Breaks that have it all!

Budget Flights: Welcome to Barcelona South!

Weekend Breaks used to involve traffic jams, tents and rain. Then came the budget airlines and you could fly somewhere you had never heard of for the price of a pizza. Then the market evolved to take you somewhere you did want to go but charged extra for luggage so we all went to the same places in the same clothes. 

So where is the short break market now? It’s wherever you want it to be. Let’s look at some underrated all-rounder cities -weekend breaks you can take without spoiling your main holiday appetite. 

Malaga Tapas: Desayuno Ingles? No!

Look past Barcelona and head instead to Costa Del Sol gateway Malaga. With fine beaches it is gaining a reputation as a cultural and gastronomic hotspot. Very hotspot if you go in high summer. 

Visit the Picasso Museum, walk the streets of the old town, enjoy frequent modern and traditional tapas breaks then hit La Malagueta beach to cool off in the Med before eating late and drinking much later.

It never really gets cold in Malaga but is best visited outside of the winter. August is ideal if you like saunas.

HOW: Fly from UK airports to Malaga airport and it’s 15mins by train to the City. Stay in the Larios area and everything is within walking distance. Stay for longer and add a day trip to nearby Seville, Cordoba or Granada. 

Lisbon Trams: Built before the City

For a shabby chic alternative, try Lisbon, Portugal's capital and one of the best value for money cities in Europe. It has a relaxed, vintage feel across it’s hilly Barrios reached by similarly vintage trams. 

Immerse yourself in the art deco buildings, museums and side streets to the background of Fado music. The Atlantic beaches of Cascais and Estoril are 20 minutes away before returning to enjoy fresh seafood and the vibrant and late nightlife of the Barrio Alto.

HOW: Fly from UK airports to Lisbon airport and it’s 20mins by Metro to the centre. Stay close to central Avenida da Liberdade and get a bargain at one of the top end hotels. Transport is rickety, cheap and plentiful. Best seen March-October. 

Tenerife: Winter is the new Summer

For an all year round destination, take the longer flight to the Canary Islands and Tenerife. Head to the north east city of Puerto de la Cruz, the original resort area. 

Explore the narrow streets and enjoy a genuine tapas trail (try finding that in Playa de las Americas!), sit on one of the traditional black volcanic sand beaches and check out wildlife at the famous Loro Parque. 

Away from the centre, walk or cycle along the coast or up in the mountains, visit local vineyards or colonial town La Orotava. Longer excursions include Mount Teide and dolphin/whale watching trips. Or spend the afternoon in a spa before filling up on exceptional sea food washed down with local wine. 

HOW: Fly from UK airports to Tenerife South then it’s 90 minutes by road or 30 minutes from Tenerife North (Heathrow only). Stay in one of the many high end spa hotels and feel smug sunbathing during the winter!

Muscat: The Oman, Part I

Dubai has become a popular mid-haul destination for a short break and Abu Dhabi is staking a claim too but to see what Arabia looked like before the builders moved in, try friendly Oman and the low rise capital of Muscat. 

You will have to drag yourself away from the sumptuous hotels on the outskirts but a visit to Old Muscat with its buzzing souks is a refreshing world away from the air conditioned shopping malls of the neighbours. 

Divers and snorkelers will enjoy the warm, clear and relatively untouched coastline of the Gulf of Oman whilst sand enthusiasts can take a trip into the desert to experience the Bedouin lifestyle (apart from the 4X4 bit) in the better than it sounds Empty Quarter.

Empty Quarter? No, it’s full of sand

HOW: Fly direct from Heathrow to Muscat or via one of the Middle East hubs from other UK airports. Stay in comfort in one of the top hotels with impeccable service. Inexpensive taxis or organised excursions can be arranged and probably a camel ride if you must. Visit any time outside of the summer when the country turns into a giant outdoor kiln.

Standard low cost packages are bookable through my multi destination EyeLine Travel website. 

For tailor made packages, special requests or just some information, please Contact me and I will do the hard work for you. All holidays that I arrange are ABTA/ATOL protected.

Hang Out in Thailand

For holidays to Thailand, please visit my dedicated website:  http://boutiquethailand.co.uk and visit the Facebook page of the same name for current offers.

EyeLine Travel: http://eyelinetravel.co.uk 

Thailand: http://boutiquethailand.co.uk

david@eyelinetravel.co.uk
020 8123 2569

EyeLine Travel Facebook 

boutique thailand Facebook

Twitter (@eyelinetravel, @bouthaique)

Have a Great Weekend...



David Sutherland
EyeLine Travel 

10 June 2016