Newsletter - July 2004
What are the hottest destinations at the moment in Europe? What is THE place to be this summer? Rome, Edinburgh, Ibiza, Dubrovnik, this tiny fishermen village in Albania where you’ve been last year? What do you think?
Also, find out about accommodation in Rome, 6 nations 2005, all the latest deals, nights at Belushi's and for those living in the UK looking for a short sunny break check our beach hostels.
Live your life!
Hostel News
HOT European Destinations
Either a huge bustling city such as London or Berlin, or a small greek island such as Mykonos, the most popular backpackers destinations all share the same character: easy to travel to, full of local stuff to check, good accommodation, and of course great parties. We have visited travellers forums, such as Eurotrip and BugEurope, where independent travellers share their travel experience. On these, some destinations such as London, Rome, Paris, Barcelona, are “must-go” destinations. But we have also heard great stuff about places like Dubrovnik, Cinque Terre, Lagos, Sevilla, Interlaken. Those smaller places seem to really bring a lot of experience and fun to their visitors, who in turn strongly recommend them via word of mouth. Other backpackers talk about very new destinations: Krakow in Poland, Tallinn in Estonia for their amazing party atmosphere, or even Montenegro! These might be among the biggest destinations in Europe in 10 years time!
What do you think? Where do you think is the BEST place in Europe for an independent traveller? Where is the FUN ??? Have you been to a place where nobody went before? We want to know as we just might try and open a St Christopher's Inn there!
Send us a list of your 5 favourite places or tell us about your former travels by clicking here or emailing us at pillowtalk@st-christophers.co.uk.
We will list down your best destinations in our next editions.
Hostel of the month: The Alessandro Palace, Rome
All roads lead to Rome…& when in Rome...let us show you the best way to enjoy Eternal's city extraordinary history, culture & night life.
Our hostels have been a backpacker's Mecca for the past 10 years.
From the gladiators to the Pope, Alessandro Palace hostel offers travellers a variety of services & Italian hospitality, providing the perfect base to explore Rome.
Bar News
Euro 2004 Congratulations to Greece!
It is certainly going to be a year to remember for Greece. Euro 2004 Champions and the Olympics in Athens still to come!
As you know we are quite an International community here at Belushi's & St Christopher's but unfortunately this newsletter editor is English and although he would neverstoop as low as "whinging" it was felt that some of you would appreciate this link sent in to us!
July Sporting Calendar includes:
- Motor Racing - Formula 1 - British & German Grand Prix
- Golf - The British Open
- Cricket - England vs West Indies.
- Plus lots more. Catch it all at one of our venues!
3 Live Indie/Rock/Pop Bands - 3 Different Nights - 3 Venues!
In association with Clay Productions Belushi's Camden, London Bridge and St Christopher's Greenwich will present GiG Knights. With 3 live bands playing thru the night. So get down to Camden on Friday, London Bridge on Thursday and Greenwich on Sunday to check 'em out.
There is also the Fabulous School Disco held every Thursday at St Christopher's Inn, London Bridge!
To get a full run down of what's happening where and when visit Belushis.com!
Events Diary
London
Trafalgar Square Summer Turns Green
July 7th
The grey expanses of London’s premier fountain-filled pigeon sanctuary, Trafalgar Square, will be transformed into verdant green this summer when it hosts an ENO outdoor opera. The square will be covered by artificial turf to cushion the derrieres of the audience for the free performance of La Boheme on July 7.
Party in the park
11th July
PARTY in the park!!! Come down to Hyde Park the 11th July for this ticket only fantastic action packed day of partying. This event is hosted by 95.8 Capital FM as a fund raiser for the Prince’s trust. Last year the show managed to raise over one million Great British Pounds. With more than 30 acts including the Sugababes, Lenny Kravitz, Avril Lavigne and Will young this show is most certainly worth while. All we need now is the sun and the day will surely be a blast. Even without a ticket you can enjoy the party!
City of London festival until 13th July
This visual and performing arts festival marks the tenth year of the new South Africa. There will be a whole range of South African artists performing. Amongst these artists is the Borodin Quartet who will be performing the entire cycle of Beethoven’s 15 string quartets.
Greenwich & Docklands International festival
2nd – 24th July
Yet another musical festival this month but this one has more of an artistic taste to it. Watch everything from music concerts to theatre and from comedy to dance. During the festival there will also be a few large fireworks displays. Most of the concerts and events during the festival will be free. The festival is known for its large variety of eccentric venues. For a front row bed come and bunk down at St Christopher’s Inn is Greenwich.
Edinburgh
Lord of the Dance
6th – 11th July
The Irish tap dancers are back on their UK tour. This is a riveting experience that a non UK backpacker that has never heard of them or seen them can ’t miss. Michael Flatley, the guy behind The Lord of the Dance, recently received a silver salver from Sir Cliff Richard as a reward for the phenomenal worldwide ticket sales with an income of over $500 million. The show has been presented in over 40 different countries for the eyes of over 50 million people. If you want to go and see the show this July, then come down to the Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre.
Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival
30th July – 8th August
The Edinburgh festival season is starting again and to kick start it is the annual Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival. The festival offers over 90 different concerts at different venues over a period of 10 days. See Jools Holland with the Rhythm and Blues orchestra as one of the many. Many venues are for free just like The Mardi Grass on the first Saturday. The festival is packed with plenty of events including plenty of barbeques.
Scottish Holistic health festival
17th July
For all you health and meditation buffs out their Edinburgh brings you this July and December the Scottish Holistic health festival. Just in this one day you can watch seminars and take workshops that have everything to with stuff like meditation and natural healing. The Gaelic name for this festival is “ Feis ne Sláinte na h-Alba”. If you’re feeling a little banged up after a night of partying at Belushi’s and have a hangover or two then it might be a good idea to go and check it out. Who knows you might discover the cure for hangovers there.
Bath
National adventure sports show
16th – 18th July
This is Europe’s biggest annual adventure and extreme sports show. The show offers professional competitions, great music, good food, and a fast paced action packed agenda. For the first time this year your not kept back to just watch the show but now you can also join in and take lesson’s in lets say BMX biking or skate boarding. The venue holds about 30000 people each year and has onsite camping facilities with shuttle busses going into town for the people who want to have a comfortable hostel bed.
International guitar festival
29th July – 19th August
This year Bath celebrates its tenth annual International Guitar Festival. The world’s best guitar artists are flown in from as far as Brazil to compete in this festival. Packed with guitar workshops and plenty of other events this festival is worth the visit for beginner and advanced players alike. Or if you just like the music your also more than welcome. The music varies from classical to acoustic and funk.
HOPE was founded in 1994, the Year of the Family, to assist Handicapped, orphaned, poor and exploited children. Working mostly with volunteers, we ensure that your donations go directly to help needy children. We now assist projects in over 20 countries including the UK and pride ourselves on their personal nature, targeting our help to individuals and small groups of people. Interpub and HOPE have joined together as part of their 10th Anniversary celebrations to raise funds for street children and those affected by conflict.
It is our aim, with your help to raise £20,000 for this worthy charity. So please give generously. Collection boxes can be found in all of our venues. Also keep an eye out for special fund raising events throughout the year.
Thanks for reading and happy travels!
The Live Your Life Team
Beds and Bars Club
Quote
“I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move.”
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894) Scottish author, poet, essayist, critic
Travels with a Donkey.
