Looking for something to do this upcoming weekend? Here are ten places your blogger would like to be herself.
Brussels, Belgium
Champetre
Royal Park and Parc des Palais
Sept. 18
Music, activities and over 100 vendors tempt visitors with an assortment of organic products, beers and foods. This family-friendly celebration gets underway at 10 a.m.
Admission: free.
Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
Festival of Baroque Arts
Castle Theater and other venues
Sept. 16-18
A variety of art forms from the Baroque period, from opera to chamber music, are performed against the backdrop of a city largely unchanged through the centuries. The operas performed here are unique in that they are those not previously staged in modern times.
Admission: charges apply to attend performances.
ckrumlov.info/docs/en/atr651.xml
Greenwich, England, UK
Sail Royal Greenwich
Maritime Greenwich
Sept. 15-18
The majestic Tall Ships sail briskly across the River Thames. From 8 p.m. Sept. 15-17, fireworks brighten the skies above Maritime Greenwich.
Admission: Adult tickets for Tall Ship Cruises and fireworks begin at about 80 pounds; admiring the ships from the riverbanks costs nothing.
London, UK
Great Gorilla Run
Minster Court, Mincing Lane
Sept. 17
Hundreds of people dressed as gorillas embark on an 8 km fun run past some of London's most iconic bridges and landmarks. This charity event raises money for conservation projects. The race begins at 10:30 a.m.
Admission: watching the race is free
Val d'Argent, France
22nd European Patchwork Meeting
Sept. 14-18
Quilters from throughout Europe come to this pretty corner of the Alsace region to learn more about their favorite hobby and admire the works of their fellow craftsmen. Lectures, classes and seminars round out the agenda.
Admission: adult day tickets 14 euros; those under 14 enter free
patchwork-europe.eu/les-artistes.php
Bad Duerkheim, Germany
Duerkheimer Wurstmarkt
Sept. 16-19
The world's biggest wine festival offers market stalls, games of chance, scary rides and countless delicious red and white wines produced right in the town.
Admission: free
Bad Sobernheim, Germany
Wein-Wanderweg-Fest
between Bad Sobernheim, along the "Middle Nahe" path and through the towns of Nussbaum, Monzingen, Weiler, and Martinstein.
Along a scenic eight mile mile running through the vineyards that parallel the Nahe River, twelve winemakers will offer wine and accompanying snacks. Many of the villages en route have train stations, allowing visitors to make the walk as long or short as they wish.
Admission: free
http://bad-sobernheim.de/kur--tourismus/veranstaltungen/veranstaltungskalender/?event=322
St. Goar/ St. Goarhausen, Germany
Rhine in Flames
Sept. 17
The last of the four Rhine in Flames activities for 2016 presents a spectacular show in the illuminated vineyards and the skies above the Rhine River. Those without tickets to enjoy the spectacle from on board a cruise ship can take in all in from the riverbank on either side of the Rhine. Concerts and wine stalls add to the festive atmosphere. Fireworks go off from around 9 p.m.
Admission: free
st-goar.de/819-1-rhine-in-flames.html
Ludwigsburg, Germany
Pumpkin Canoe Regatta
Sept. 18
Gigantic hollowed out pumpkins double as watercraft for the brave competitors who race them in the castle moat of the Bluehendes Barock Park.
An enormous display of carefully arranged pumpkins adds appeal to a day out on the premises of this beautiful garden. Races begin at 12:30 p.m.
Admission: a family pass for two adults and two children ages 4-15 costs 23 euros
kuerbisausstellung-ludwigsburg.de/en
Cardiff, Wales, UK
City of the Unexpected
Sept. 17-18
Beloved children's author Roald Dahl's would have turned 100 this September. His hometown celebrates this milestone with "unexpected happenings" on the streets and in places with a connection to his fantastic world on Saturday; Sunday's program is the Great Pajama Picnic, in which families are invited to bring Dahl-inspired picnics to Cooper's Field in Bute Park.
Activities are offered from 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday; picnic from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Admission: free; storytelling sessions on Sunday have sold out.