Top European Summer Festivals  
    

When it comes to music festivals, we've all experienced the traditional Great British 'festival washout'...standing in a muddy field in wellies and waterproofs, facing the prospect of a sleepless night in a wet sleeping bag...
 
And with the high cost of tickets, many canny British festival fans are now looking further afield for their annual festival fix rather than be put off the experience altogether.
 
Calum Macdonald from Latedeals.co.uk said: "We're finding that more people are now combining their summer holiday with a European festival so not only do they get a sunshine fix, but they avoid the hefty UK festival ticket prices, with some summer gigs in the UK working out more expensive than a week-long break in Europe."

A weekend ticket for Glastonbury 2013, due for resale this week, costs £205 while T in the Park, Bestival and V are all nearing the £200 mark - and that's for entry only. When you add food, drink and other extras, the total spend of a festival goer easily exceeds £300. According to the Association of Independent Festivals, the total spend of a festival goer in 2010 was £346 including ticket, with those attending Camp Bestival the biggest spenders with an average of £532 average per person.

Latedeals.co.uk's pick of the top five early summer festivals includes:

Primavera Sound 2013 from 22nd to 26th May - Barcelona's beach-side Parc del Forum auditorium hosts an eclectic line up over three days including Blur, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Animal Collective and Band of Horses. Prices start from 55 EUROs, and if you want to make a holiday of it, you can enjoy a week in the Costa Dorada beforehand for around £250 pp*.  

Further afield in Portugal, enjoy Optimus Primavera Sound 2013 in Porto from 20th May to 2nd June, with a similar line up, and prices from 45 EUROs, with a seven night break coming in around £296 pp.

Rock in Roma 2013, takes place annually at the Hippodrome Capannelle, and kicks off on 29th May with over a month of daily performances from Italian and international groups including Green Day, The Killers and Artic Mondays. Gig prices start from 33 EUROs, plus an additional £298 pp for a week's stay.

For some sun, sea and serious dance music on the Turkish Riviera, there's the Sun Splash Festival from the 2nd to 9th June. Turkey's 'Biggest Little Festival'. SunSplash Antalya is a boutique music festival that combines style, travel and dance music. Prices start at £40 a day, and a week's holiday nearby comes in at only £278 pp.
 
Although later in the summer, this is one to mark in your diary as it's a hidden gem. From 8th to 11th August, Mand'Stock is a festival in the Italian Alps with amazing food from local farmers, local wine, local beer, and heaps of great music on three stages. Plus you get to experience activities such as rock climbing and skateboarding, all for only £50 (early bird booking) for a four-day stay. And why rush off when you can get a week's late deal for around £500 pp.

Macdonald continued: "There are some great festivals to choose from across Europe at a fraction of the cost, so why stand in an overcrowded, muddy field when you can bask in beautiful sunshine in Barcelona."

Ends/

*Holiday deals are from www.latedeals.co.uk and prices are based on two people sharing and includes flights and accommodation in the nearest resort. Prices were correct at 11/04/13 and are subject to availability. For press information, photos or further details about deals please contact Anne Geddes or Kirsty Hunt at The PR Boutique - anne@theprboutique.co.uk or kirsty@theprboutique.co.uk or call 07816 876091.