May 8-15
Botanical Nights, Brussels
Kaiser Chiefs, I Am Kloot, the Human League, Cake and the Frames top the bill in a glorified greenhouse at the Botanique cultural centre. Ten minutes' walk away, the Cirque Royal Theatre hosts a more serene but equally exciting musical programme.
Where: Botanique and Cirque Royale, Brussels.
Details: 00 32 2 218 3732.
How much: Various.
May 13-15
Artisans and the Palace, Florence
Traditional arts and crafts from all over Europe are on show at the Artigianato e Palazzo in the beautiful gardens of the Palazzo Corsini. There are demonstrations, garden tours and traditional Tuscan food from morning to sunset.
Where: Palazzo Corsini, 117 Via della Scala, Florence.
Details: 00 39 055 265 4588
How much: €7.50, €5 concessions.
May 13-29
Cape Gourmet Festival, Cape Town
Africa's largest gastronomic event showcases the best of contemporary South African cuisine over two weeks at venues all over the city. A superb cast of chefs, including Ross Burden and James Martin, make sure that the rest of the culinary world gets attention with cook-offs and more.
Where: Cape Town.
Details: gourmetsa.com.
How much: Various.
May 27-September 25
Summer of Love, Liverpool
Relive the art and popular culture of the psychedelic 1960s and 1970s with posters, record covers, photography and film. Summer of Love uncovers a neglected aesthetic that continues to influence contemporary artists.
Where: Albert Dock, Liverpool.
Details: tate.org.uk.
How much: £5, £4 concessions.
May 27-29
Super Bock Super Rock, Lisbon
Marilyn Manson, Iggy Pop, the Hives, System Of A Down, the Prodigy and Audioslave rock the crowd at the first big festival in Portugal's music calendar.
Where: Parque do Tejo, Lisbon.
Details: Super Bock Super Rock website.
How much: day pass €38; three-day pass €75.
May 28-29
Open Kitchen, Tuscany
The finest Tuscan vineyards open their gates and well-stocked cellars to the public on the last weekend in May. There are wine tastings, local delicacies to try, tours and promotions. Pick up a vineyard guide at Tuscany tourist offices.
Where: Tuscany.
Details: 00 39 0432 26339.
How much: Free.
May 29
The Great Steeplechase, Paris
A parade of horse-drawn carriages trots from Avenue Foch to the Hippodrome d'Auteuil to usher in France's equivalent of the Grand National, running since 1874 over a 5,800m course with 23 jumps.
Where: Hippodrome d'Auteuil, Bois de Boulogne, Paris.
Details: 00 33 1 4071 4747, grandsteeple.com.
How much: €8; concessions €4.
June 7-25
Concerts at Hampton Court Palace, Surrey
Anyone for Greensleeves? This summer's Hampton Court Festival attracts the odd mix of Brian Wilson, Van Morrison, Jools Holland, Katie Melua, José Carreras, Hayley Westenra, Elaine Paige, the Gipsy Kings, the City of London Orchestra and the London Symphony Chorus. The English Chamber Orchestra performs Handel's spectacular Music For The Royal Fireworks.
Where: Hampton Court Palace, East Molesley, Surrey.
Details: hamptoncourtfestival.com.
How much: £32.50-£150.
June 9
Frida Kahlo, London
Diego Rivera's wife (twice) and Madonna's favourite female painter gets a retrospective at Tate Modern this summer. Friend and lover to exiled Trotsky and creator of disturbing self-portraits, Frida Kahlo is one of the 20th century's most charismatic and influential female artists.
Where: Tate Modern, London.
Details: 020-7887 8000.
How much: £10, £8
June 12
Giants, Lille
The people of Lille come out to see the city's streets overrun with huge giants; Lydéric and Phinaert (said to be the city's founders), plus 15 of their overgrown friends. There are concerts, comedians, plays and street stalls, followed by a huge feast at the Place de l'Opéra.
Where: Lille, Nord-Pas de Calais.
Details: lilletourism.com or geants-carnaval.org.
How much: Free.
June 10-16
Aldeburgh Festival of Music and the Arts, Suffolk
Brainchild of Suffolk composer Benjamin Britten, the Aldeburgh Festival 2005 takes Russia and England as its theme. The programme examines the diversity of influences and musical lineage shared by the two countries through the compositions of Purcell, Tippett and Britten on the English side and Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky on the Russian side. Wunderkind artistic director Thomas Adès is this year joined by John Woolrich.
Where: Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Saxmundham, Snape, Suffolk
Details: 01728 687110
How much: £10-£40.
