Paris is a premier destination in spring for its gorgeous gardens. A stroll through the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris' 6th arrondissement (near the Latin Quarter) yields such typically Parisian sights as art students painting landscapes, couples dining alfresco and children playing in fountains. Look for the children's puppet theater, vintage carousel and the original model of the Statue of Liberty.
For something off the beaten path, venture into Prague to visit the Wallenstein Garden. It's open from April to October, but you'll find free concerts if you visit during spring or summer. Built in tandem with a baroque palace, the Wallenstein Garden includes an exotic bird aviary, a duck pond and a wall that's built to resemble a limestone cave.
If you love good beer, good fun and good German food, you'll love Munich's Oktoberfest. Held annually in late September or early October, the festival actually encompasses much more than beer. Families come to enjoy the roller coasters and other amusement park-style rides, while pop aficionados cruise from tent to tent, listening to modern dance music interpreted by brass bands. Of course, the beer is the star of the show. It's sold by the liter, which in 2009 cost approximately 8.5 euros. From Spaten-Franziskaner to Hofbrau, Munich's liquid gold is a must for beer lovers.
There's no better place than Italy to sample wonderful wine, and mid- to late October is when the grapes begin to fall from the vine. Try your hand (or foot) at grape-stomping during the Grape Festival at Castello di Gropparello. This castle has become a welcome blend of entertainment, history and education, with a medieval market, fairy tale park (great for kids) and medieval inn.
Plan a visit to Britain that coincides with the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, held annually in late June since 1970. The emphasis here is on emerging artists on the rock, folk, pop, dance and indie scenes, often those with great crossover appeal. Performers in 2009 included Lily Allen, Bloc Party, the Black Eyed Peas and Lady Gaga. Glastonbury is a popular tourist destination as well because it's one of the places rumored to be King Arthur's lost city of Camelot. Visit Glastonbury Tor and the Isle of Avalon to immerse yourself in the region's mythology.
Late summer travelers can get a dose of continental postmodern pop at the Pukkelpop festival in Belgium. One of the country's largest open-air events, this three-day festival includes up-and-coming artists, established rockers and legends any music lover can appreciate. The festival happens every year in August in Kiewit Hasselt (about 45 miles outside of Brussels). Facilities are available for camping, and festival organizers make sure to provide a range of ethnic food, vegetarian dishes and macrobiotic staples. In 2008, eight stages provided entertainment for 152,000 fans, with performances by The Killers, Metallica, Bloc Party and more.
