Usually we would take any excuse to get out of Blighty for the summer with a calendar of events and festivals around the world – but strangely that is not the case this year.  With London hosting the 2012 Olympics this summer and the Queen celebrating her Diamond Jubilee we are thoroughly spoilt for choice.  Check out our list of the must-attend events of 2012 below.

Titanic 100 Year Anniversary Cruise

8 – 20 April

We all know the story about the ‘unsinkable’ ship that sunk even if it’s only from watching the gut-wrenching film adaptation starring Leonardo Di Caprio.  British travel agency Miles Morgan Travel is selling tickets for a trans-Atlantic cruise aboard the Belmoral to commemorate the 100^th anniversary.  

The 12 day cruise departs from Southampton, England on April 8, and will follow the route to New York mapped out for the Titanic – stopping to hold a memorial service at the site where the ship sank exactly 100 years later on April 14, 2012 from 11:40pm to 2:20am.  Limited tickets are still available from the Titanic Memorial Cruise website.

Festival de Cannes

16 – 27 May

Cannes Film Festival is not only the most special place for film industry professionals to network, but it is also up there amongst the Academy Awards for the most prestigious event on the media  calendar.  In its 65^th year, the annual festival continues with its tradition of celebrating cultural, art house and international films having gained its famous reputation over the years for its balance between commercial impact of films and their artistic qualities.

To enjoy the festival to the max why not charter a luxury yacht from the nearby Palais de Festival and sit back and relax with a cocktail under the sun’s rays in between catching a brand new release or a re-mastered classic.  No doubt some of the biggest names in the media industry will be flocking to you in no time.

Monaco Grand Prix

24 – 27 May

It would be plain rude not to drop by the most glamorous Grand Prix on the Formula One calendar if you’re planning on being in France already for the Cannes Film Festival.  For one weekend each May, the world of Formula One mixes with the rich, the famous, and the beautiful.  The most exclusive harbour in the world plays host as the drivers scramble for championship points while the rest dine and party in luxury at the small marina at one of the top pieces of real estate on the globe.

Goodwood Motor Show

28 June – 1 July

Enter petrol head nirvana and motorsport heaven at the largest motoring garden party in the world.  Returning for a third year, the Festival of Speed provides a unique weekend that brings together an impossibly heady mix of cars, stars and motor sport ‘royalty’.  Located within the grounds of Goodwood House you can expect to see at least two British Formula One World Champions in action with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes duo Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton already confirmed to attend.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

2 – 5 June

Following Will and Kate’s wedding last year the whole of Britain is still gripped by royalty.  This year see’s the Queen celebrate 60 years on the throne, and whether you can get tickets to the Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace, enjoy the celebrations on offer at Hyde park, or end up attending one of the many traditional community street parties that will pop up all around the country – this is a time and event not to be missed.

Vintage Festival

13-15 July

Vintage Festival serves up an offering of everything, well, vintage. Situated in the ‘English Versailles’ of Broughton House, Northamptonshire, hark back to the good old days and take a trip down memory lane as you celebrate the very best of 20^th century Britain.

Mix with the dapper chaps to sixties hellcats, roller disco with the land girls through to the flappers, and pitch up a campervan in the middle of the mods and the rockers.  Whether your thing is swing, rockabilly, mod, soul, funk, disco, ska, film, art or design – I challenge you to attend and not get a bout of nostalgia.

London Olympic Games Opening Ceremony

27 July

Summer 2012 in London is all about the Olympics and its Opening Ceremony is undoubtedly the biggest global event in the world.  An estimated audience of one billion tuned in to watch the spectacular Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony live.  This time round it is London’s turn.  Spearheaded by film director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire), and starring cameos from James Bond, expect the Olympic Commission to spare no expense in making this a truly magical experience. 

 

 

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