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If you are looking for a lively break with a difference this year, you will find there are a host of Europe festivals where you can combine a little culture with a lot of partying. Most of the best festivals began life as a religious celebration or to mark an unusual local custom, but have now been transformed into major parties, complete with parades, fancy dress events and, of course, lots of food and drink. Many of Europe's major cities stage annual beer festivals, but few can compete with the epic Oktoberfest in Munich. It began life as a party to mark a royal wedding, but has now developed into the continent's biggest public festival. More than six million people head to the German city between mid-September and early October to take part in the festivities. The format is fairly simple - drink Bavarian beer and lots of it - but the atmosphere is among the best you are likely to experience anywhere. If drinking is to form a key part of your break, then why not try Dublin on St Patrick's Day? The Irish saint's day is celebrated around the world, but nowhere is the partying fiercer than in Dublin. It is sure to be a great experience, but remember to book some festival accommodation nearby, as you will want somewhere to sleep off your hangover. Lots of cities across Europe hold annual carnivals, with Venice, Dusseldorf and Binche among the best. Valencia's Las Fallas in mid-March is another unique event, which combines history and culture with some extravagant celebrations. Its origins are as a festival to honour St Joseph and while it retains a religious theme, the event has developed into a five-day street party. It is marked by sculptures of giant cartoon caricatures being placed around the city and with parades, beauty contests, concerts, huge firework displays and regular street parties. If you choose Las Fallas for your break, you are sure to head home with the impression that the Spanish love to party. One city that already has a reputation for being among the liveliest short break destinations in Europe is Amsterdam. Head there for the Queen's Day celebrations in late April and you are likely to be surprised by just how boisterous the Dutch can be, with the canals and streets swathed in orange and parties lasting right through the night.
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