Festival season is upon us, and as new events are announced, music fans are eagerly anticipating the start of exciting trips that will have them having a blast. With the number of events announced, more than a third (36%) of festival travelers this year plan to do so to connect with friends or family who live elsewhere, while 30% want to connect with other fans in a new destination.* Booking.com he chose Five fantastic destinations far from the usual summer festival locations, including the island of Pag, known for its unique festival atmosphere and natural beauty. Travelers can enjoy cultural and gastronomic delights in Recife, Brazil, as well as the historical heritage of one of Malta's oldest towns, Zebbug, along with music, sun and fantastic accommodations in these exciting destinations.
Sonus Festival at ceiling u Croatia (August 18th – 22nd)
Thousands of techno music fans flock to the island of Pag, just off the Croatian mainland, each year to soak up the sun and enjoy five days of dance music. Sonus Festival also offers visitors the chance to experience the Adriatic coast, renowned for its natural beauty. Pag's long beaches are surrounded by a dramatic landscape of unusual cliffs overlooking the beautifully clear sea.
Zrće Beach is the focal point of the festival, offering travelers the perfect combination of blue sea, warm sand and lively open-air clubs with daytime and nighttime stages, with the added bonus of boat parties. Sonus Festival attracts visitors from all over the world and hosts some of the biggest names in the electronic music scene on its stages. In addition to music, party-goers on the island can enjoy a range of outdoor and water activities, or travel a little further afield to full-day boat trip to the Kornati National Park to sail around more than a hundred Adriatic islands and reefs.
Where to stay: There is no camping on Sonus, but there are many accommodation options nearby, including apartments Lofiel u Newcomers, which are only a few minutes drive from Zrće Beach and nearby beaches. The apartments offer balconies with sea views, are air-conditioned and each apartment includes a fully equipped kitchen with a Nespresso coffee machine, a dining area and a modern private bathroom.
For those who want to start their evening out earlier, there is a lounge bar and nightclub Ambasada on site, while the bus stop for Zrće beach is just a few minutes' walk away.
Fuji Rock in the city Yuzawa-cho u Japan (July 26 – 28)
Fuji Rock is Japan's largest outdoor music festival, with over 100.000 visitors flocking to the Naeba ski resort in Yuzawa-cho, Niigata Prefecture, and featuring some of the world's biggest musicians as well as up-and-coming acts. The festival's origins date back to 1997, when it was held at the foot of Mount Fuji, and this will be the 25th year that Fuji Rock has been held at Naeba. As it is a ski resort, visitors can enjoy a ride to the top of the mountain with views of the festival site on Dragondola, one of the longest cable cars in the world.
Where to stay: visitors can stay at the festival site, where a new glamping area has opened this year. For those who want to stay away from the festival site, Hotel Futaba in Yuzawa it is only a few minutes away 30 minutes drive and is located on the high plains of the Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen hot spring area overlooking the stunning Mount Tanigawa. This is the perfect place for those who want to extend their stay before or after the festival and explore the natural beauty of the area, as well as the many cultural and gastronomic delights that Japan has to offer.
Glitch Festival in Zebbug na Malta (August 13th – 16nd)
The traditionally peaceful island of Malta has undergone a transformation in recent years, becoming one of Europe’s most vibrant and innovative music festival destinations. Glitch is an extravagant house and techno festival that takes place over four days in a variety of locations, from rooftop pools to ancient caves. The festival is based in the town of Haz-Zebbug, while the main festival days, 14th and 15th August, are held in the nearby Gianpula fields in Rabat on seven stages. The opening party on 13th August is held in the stunning setting of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the former defensive moat in the island’s capital, Valletta. The party boat departs from Sliema ferry port on 16th August ahead of the final evening party at the Cosmic Stage in Gianpula.
Malta is an island with a rich history based on many different cultures, so visitors can enjoy more peaceful activities to take a break from dancing, including: walking tour of Valletta city with numerous sights, such as the Baroque Co-Cathedral of St. John. Visitors who want to stay at sea can take a boat trip to two nearby islands as part of cruises to the islands of Gozo and Comino and the Blue Lagoon.
Where to stay: Located in the peaceful village of Għaxaq, a short drive from the vibrant festival scene in Żebbuġ, this boutique hotel Palazzo Castagna Boutique Hotel offers accommodation for those looking to combine excitement with relaxation. This elegant boutique hotel features an indoor and outdoor pool, a garden and a rooftop terrace ideal for relaxing after a day at the festival, while guests can also enjoy an à la carte breakfast and cocktails at the bar.
Tour Festival in Recife u Brazil (August 24th – 25nd)
The tour is a festival that takes place in three cities throughout the summer, and this year ends in Recife, a city in the state of Pernambuco on the northeast coast of Brazil. The festival, which combines different musical styles and influences, is held at the Pernambuco Convention Center and features some of the country's most popular musicians, attracting Brazilian and international travelers alike.
Recife is a dynamic and modern city, but visitors can also enjoy its rich history, which stems from its importance as a trading port for Portuguese settlers as early as the 16th century. The historic center of Olinda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a popular attraction for visitors, along with much of the old town, while the region's beaches are famous throughout the country - the beach Port of Chickens It has won the title of best beach in Brazil several times.
Where to stay: Travelers can choose from a variety of accommodation options in Recife. Marante Plaza Hotel is located in the southern part of the city, just a few meters from Boa Viagem and Pina beaches. Behind the hotel is the Manquezais Park, a special environmental protection zone, the largest urban mangrove reserve in the Americas. Visitors are just a short walk from the beaches of the Atlantic coast, and can also use the hotel's pool and fitness center, and enjoy a complimentary breakfast that includes regional specialties.
Monterey Jazz Festival, Monterey u United States of America (September 27th – 29th)
The Monterey Jazz Festival features a stellar lineup of international stars and emerging talent, befitting the world's longest-running jazz festival. The festival prides itself on showcasing, supporting and celebrating jazz musicians and takes diversity and inclusion seriously. This year marks the 67th edition of the three-day event, held at the Monterey County Fairgrounds on California's rugged central coast, where the festival has been held since 1958. The area is known for its rich marine life and stunning scenery, and visitors can enjoy a variety of excursions and activities, including whale watching tours or ghost themed Monterey walking tour. Car trips are also popular, including Big Sur car tour with audio guide.
Where to stay: There is no shortage of accommodation options in and around Monterey. To enjoy the city's history, travelers can head to Victorian Inn, where old-world charm meets practical modern amenities. Located in the heart of Cannery Row, guests can spend time at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and San Carlos Beach, both within walking distance, before enjoying wine and cheese at the hotel, which serves them daily between 17 and 18 p.m.
*The research was conducted by Booking.com on a sample of adults planning to travel for business or leisure in 2024. The sample consists of 32.300 respondents in 32 markets surveyed in January or February 2024 (2000 from the US, 800 from Canada, 1800 from Mexico, 800 from Colombia, 1800 from Brazil, 800 from Argentina, 1800 from Australia, 500 from New Zealand, 800 from Spain, 800 from Italy, 1800 from France, 1800 from the UK, 1800 from Germany, 800 from the Netherlands, 500 from Denmark, 500 from Sweden, 400 from Croatia, 800 from Switzerland, 800 from Belgium, 800 from Ireland, 800 from Portugal, 1800 from India, 800 from China, 500 from Hong Kong, 800 from Thailand, 800 from Singapore, 500 from Taiwan, 800 from Vietnam, 800 from South Korea, 1800 from Japan, 500 from the United Arab Emirates).
