2012 is going to be an exciting year with many special events taking place throughout Europe, not to mention the 2012 Olympics. We thought we would give you some destination ideas for you to jot down in your diary.

Venice Carnival (Carnevale di Venezia) – 4th to 21st Feb, Italy

An annual festival celebrated in Italy. Originally a time where people wore and used masks to hide their identity between social classes it is today however celebrated by some 30,000 visitors who come to Venice for the Carnival.

The highlight of the festival is obviously who has the best mask competition which is held on the last weekend of the festival. Good food, drink and company makes this one of our hot dates for the diary in 2012.

Binche Carnival – 19th to 21st February, Belgium

One of Belgium\’s wildest parties, a UNESCO Heritage event, and only half an hour south of the capital of Brussels. The main attraction of the carnival\’s proceedings of clown-like performers, also known as Gilles.

The Gilles are dressed in vibrant clothing, wax masks and wooden footwear. One of the highlights is the orange throwing event which are launched by the Giles at the crowds. The best days are the Sunday and Tuesday.

Las Fallas – 15th to 19th Mar, Valencia, Spain

Las Fallas is Spain\’s if not Europe\’s wildest spring party. Huge sculptures of papier mache on wood, built by teams of local artists throughout the year. Reaching up to 15m in height the fallas are placed at various locations around the city.

They then ignite them and set off one of the loudest firework displays your ears will ever witness. Pregnant women are advised not to be there as it is so loud it pretty much shakes the city! A must see for those that like noise.

Formula One – 10th to 13th May, Barcelona, Spain

The Formula One is a vibrant and fun place even if you are not into car racing and what better place to enjoy it than the warm climate of Barcelona. The crowds are fun and a great atmosphere is guaranteed.

The sound of the engines is an experience by itself but with stands, great food and drink makes the trip complete. Barcelona has so much to offer with it\’s numerous museums, shops and nightlife that on this weekend you are sure to come back smiling.

The Queen\’s Diamond Jubilee – 2nd to 5th June, United Kingdom

This nationwide event is to mark 60 years of the Queen\’s reign, celebrations and parties will Centre around an extended weekend with events.

London will include a pageant on the Thames, thousands of Jubilee beacons and street parties up and down the country will be celebrated by everyone.

Tour de France – 30th June to 22nd July, France

The major cycling event of the year which runs for three weeks in France. The famous cycling race which covers 3,500km (2000 miles) over the country is the world\’s most famous French sporting event.

First staged in 1903, every year the route changes. Prizes and bonuses are awarded for daily winnings and final placing\’s at the end of the race. A vibrant place to be especially if this is your sport.

Roskilde Festival – 5th to 8th July, Denmark

This 4 day festival in Denmark runs every year from the first Thursday in July or the last in June. Know as one of Europe\’s five largest rock music festivals. The Roskilde has been running since 1971.

Countless big artists keep coming back here to play in front of the huge crowds. Muse, The Prodigy, Kings of Leon, The Strokes, Bob Marley, U2, Metallica and Radiohead have all played here. A must do music festival for the summer.

The Olympic Games – 27th July to 12th August, United Kingdom

The major sporting event of 2012. The Olympic Games is loved by all sportsmen, this year the venue is London. Guaranteed to be a big party as the capital of the United Kingdom celebrate hosting the games for the third time in history.

Divided into three zones within Greater London named the Olympic Zone, the River Zone and the Central Zone. Even if you cannot make it most TV channels will be airing live each day throughout the events.

Bavaria\’s National Beer Festival – 22nd Sept to 7th Oct, Oktoberfest, Germany

Famous throughout the world, this beer festival in Germany is the largest and visited from millions of people around the World to taste and purchase the hundreds of beer and other alcoholic drink on exhibit.

Lasting a whole 17 days it is estimated that some one million fried \’bangers\’, over half a million roast chickens, and a huge 78.000 roast knuckles of pork will have to be washed down by about 9 million litre of beer. It is a must do for any festival goer.

So what are you waiting for? Find some cheap flights, a nice apartment or holiday home and book those tickets for one of this year\’s biggest event\’s happening in Europe.

Emma Hartley

Travel writer at Campaya holiday homes in Spain

Emma Hartley
Travel writer at Campaya holiday homes in Spain http://www.campaya.co.uk/spain/

Author Bio: Emma Hartley

Travel writer at Campaya holiday homes in Spain

Category: Travel
Keywords: europe,2012,events,Olympics,destinations,dates,carnival,italy,belgium,spain,valencia,barcelona