The world of festivals and consumer events has evolved. Today, people travel far and wide to come together and celebrate more unique interests, hobbies and passions. Hertz Europe has put together the ultimate European road trip festival guide for 2018 as festivals are a great way to experience a destination in a unique and different way. Hertz Europe has paired preferred vehicles for each festival based on the destination as an added bonus to explore the road less traveled.
Venice Carnival – Italy
January 27 – February 8, 2018
Head to the world famous festival known for its elaborate masks, Venice Carnival, while exploring the city’s backroads via Hertz Europe recommended Fiat 500 Cabrio with its ability to navigate large crowds. Throughout the festival experience a water performance on the canals, best mask contest, parade, street shows, extravagant ball and more.
St. Patrick’s Festival – Ireland
March 15-19, 2018
Looking for some Irish luck to last you throughout 2018? Head to Dublin for the annual St. Patrick’s Festival where leperchon’s and pots of gold aren’t the main attraction as the climax to the four-day carousing spree is the parade held on March 17th. The event is as much about participation as it is about spectacle. Traditional Irish dancing spills into the streets, green-clad revelers cheer through the pubs, annual boat races and a massive exhibition of Gaelic football and hurling cap off the festival in high spirits. It is highly advised to rent a car for airport transportation in Dublin and of course to explore Ireland’s countryside- Hertz Europe recommends a VW Touareg for it’s smooth ride throughout the windy countryside.
Isle of Wight Festival – UK
June 21-14, 2018
Rock out this summer at one of the UK’s most famous music festivals- dating back to its debut in 1968. It’s hall of fame includes a rock-tactic, pop-filled, dance-ackee lineup such as David Bowie, Jay Z, Fleetwood Mac, Queen and more. Since there are no direct commercial flights to the Isle of Wight the best way to get to the island is via car and ferry that way once you arrive on the island you have transportation to explore the wonders of Isle of Wight. Hertz Europe recommends cursing around in Ferrari California to feel the wind in your hair and smells the sweet sea breeze of the island.
Running of the Bulls – Spain
July 6 – 14, 2018
Run with a heard of bulls for a once in a lifetime experience at the nine-day festival of Sanfermines in honor of Saint Fermin in Pamplona. The best way to experience this city in Spain is via car where Hertz Europe recommends a Mini Cooper Cabrio– small enough to squeeze through the city streets with a convertible option to see and smell the city of Pamplona. The first 24 hours of the San Fermin festival is quite the celebration where the city doesn’t sleep and guests follow suit. Towards the closing of the festival, the city calms down with an intimate candlelight ceremony capped by fireworks and marching bands.
Oktoberfest – Germany
September 22 – October 7, 2018
Prost! Wear your finest lederhosen while sipping on a stein filled with German beer at Munich’s annual Oktoberfest- think Disneyland for adults. As Germany is known for having some of the best scenic roads and highways, skip taking the train from the airport into downtown Munich and rent a Hertz Europe recommended Range Rover Sport for fast and easy accessibility into the city center with an added bonus of experiencing the road less traveled along the way. Oktoberfest is one of the most famous events and the world’s largest fair with six million people attending everyone year filled with Bavarian traditions and feasts.
