It’s never too early to be planning for even medium-length trips. One thing we’ve really liked doing of late is attending festivals, usually music, which give the benefit of a neat locale, good music and nice surroundings to which to take other forays. Here’s a couple that we really liked a lot and one that we’re looking at for next year. Time to get into focus.
The South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival, Austin, Texas March 12-21, 2010 http://sxsw.com/first_time
This is one of the truly great festivals for music, film, parties, music, technology, music and — did I mention? — music. It is held in various spots but mostly the Austin Convention Center. Austin is one of the most beautiful, most exciting and very best cities in the southwest, or anywhere.
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The Spoleto Festival, Charleston, S.C.
May 28 – June 13, 2010
http://tinyurl.com/ycyu4np
This is a truly great event that has dozens of shows — drama, music, art, etc. It takes place all across the lovely city of Charleston, S.C., which has some of the most interesting architecture anywhere.
Right on the water. Make hotel reservations early, the place does fill up. Day trips to the countryside, nearby Savannah, Ga., Wilmington, N.C., beaches, golf, etc. very cool.
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56th Annual Puccini Festival, Torre del Lago, Italy July 16 – Aug. 22, 2010
http://tinyurl.com/nfydt8
Held in Puccini’s hometown in a grand new open air theater, the festival is a feast for opera lovers. Nearby to Lucca and Viareggio, by the sea — and Florence a few happy hours away, the nighttime operas allow for day trips to Carrera, Cinque Terre and so much more.
The 2010 program includes Madama Butterfly, Turandot, Tosca, La Fanciulla del West, ballet and more. An excellent excuse to have a wonderful time in Italy.
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More Festival ideas: Labor Day weekend – Rhythm & Roots in Charlestown RI (with camping available on the grounds); Late July/early August – Podunk Bluegrass Festival RIGHT HERE in East Hartford CT; first weekend in October – Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (all kinds of big name acts) in Golden Gate Park in SF – FREE!!; early June – Chicago Blues Fest (and there are other festivals in Chicago at other times).
Hi Nancy, Those look very good. So much to enjoy
denis