Results tagged “Summer” from Intelligent Travel Blog

Madrid recently kicked off its 24th annual Veranos de la Villa (Summers in the City), 60 days of music, dance, theater, flamenco and much more.

The 1,166 events, held daily through August 23rd, include 65 concerts, 50 plays, myriad ballet performances, 200 films, and two circuses (!); many of which are free to attend.
 
Performers run the gamut from pop to classical, and represent Spain, America, Brazil, Germany, England. Among them are Sara Baras, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Cesária Évoria, Gilberto Gil, Carlos Saura, James Taylor, Lou Reed, Kool & the Gang, Seal, and the Opera Ballet of Munich.
   
Venues include the 16th-century Plaza Mayor, the city's gardens, and the 4th-century BC Egyptian Templo de Debod (Temple of Debod). There'll even be open-air screenings of top movie hits such as Ché, Gran Torino, Slum Dog Millionaire, and Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

Looking for more free things to do in Madrid? Check out Traveler's guide to Free Things to Do year-round in Madrid.

Renting a villa in Umbria this summer? Perhaps you're hiking in Nepal or just lazing on a Bermuda beach. Or you may be taking the kids on their first U.S. road trip. Whatever your plans, we have a book for you, selected from Traveler's online Ultimate Travel Library of classic and new reads with a great sense of place. Each of these books will illuminate your destination, give you unexpected tips on what to see and do, and keep you turning pages during that long flight or that sunny poolside afternoon.

[50 Books of Summer]

Photo by Hans F. Meier/iStockphoto.com

Hitting the road this summer? Just because you're out of your comfort zone doesn't mean that your eco-friendly habits have to go on vacation too. Responsibletravel.com recently surveyed their readers about which travel faux pas they noticed most often in tourists. It's bad enough looking the part, do your best not to act it by avoiding these ill-minded actions.

1. "Littering - especially plastic bags."
2. "Purchasing illegal souvenirs or food produce."
3. "Wasting water in destinations which face shortages e.g. Spain."
4. "Leaving lights on."
5. "Leaving air conditioning on in hotel rooms when you're not in them."
6. "Purchasing mineral water in plastic water bottles when the hotel provides drinkable water for re-fills."
7. "Standing on coral reefs. It takes approx. one hundred years for one inch of coral to grow. By killing it you affect the whole eco system."
8. "Disturbing wild animals by getting as close as possible for a better picture."
9. "Throwing cigarette butts on the ground."
10. "Failing to take advantage of recycling facilities where offered."

Of course, there's hope for all of us, and lots of great ways to stay green while you're traveling. For more tips and ideas, check out Traveler's Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Travel. And National Geographic's Green Guide just launched their huge online package on having an eco-savvy summer, offering tips on what not to bring to the beach, a "How Green is Your Road Trip" quiz, and yes, even a buying guide to eco-friendly beer.

Got your own tip? Share it below.

[via Traveling the Green Way]

Photo: Vasjan Gulka, National Geographic magazine's My Shot

Amy McKeever gives us the scoop on the many alternative film festivals taking place in the coming months.

The Cannes Film Festival, which just wrapped up, is renowned for its star-studded red carpets and its glitzy Palme d'Or. But for those of us not fortunate enough to score tickets to this fest in the south of France, there are plenty of lesser-known film festivals throughout North America worth checking out. Here's a round-up of five of the most intriguing small American film festivals.

Disposable Film Festival -- San Francisco, California
San Francisco's Disposable Film Festival is the ultimate exercise in filmmaking democracy - this festival, started in 2007, allows anyone with a cell phone, PDA or web cam to make and submit short films to be judged. Even better, the festival charges a very affordable submission fee of $.99. Although the festival premieres in late January, film buffs can also catch screenings of the films throughout the year (the latest is taking place June 12-14 in Paris at the Forum Des Images). Organizers even hosted a free bike-in screening in San Francisco this month which, like DFF itself, is a refreshingly updated version of an old concept.

Moondance International Film Festival - Boulder, Colorado
Some film festivals strive to do more than simply entertain audiences and honor filmmakers. Festivals such as Boulder's Moondance also aim to improve their community. Through its Columbine Award, this festival emphasizes non-violent conflict resolution and peace-building. The films screened at Moondance relate human experiences and struggles - from racism to body-image issues - in hopes of sparking dialogue and understanding. Moondance also offers workshops, pitch panels and even a Native American blessing ceremony at sunset. The festival runs from September 15-27.

In our search for the authentic, we're always on the quest to highlight the homemade - Hungarian chimney cakes, New Zealand cocktails, even Virginia dumplings. But what about homemade music?

On June 13 and 14, Tampa will be hosting the second annual Homemade Music Symposium, a free festival featuring a quirky mix of homegrown musical talent and international business gurus. Originally created to give local musicians the chance to learn industry tips from business greats, the event combines workshops and performances, with an emphasis on public access. Any aspiring musician can meet with legends like Tony Michaelides, a record promoter who served David Bowie, U2, and The Pixies, among others, on the Manchester rock 'n roll scene.