Travel News

Ketchup addicts are in for a shock as Sardinians show the world how many other uses there are for the humble tomato.

Between August 8th and 10th tomato farmers, vendors, cooks and fans gather in the town of Zeddiani to toast the red fruit's enduring versatility in a bustling fair.

Demonstrating just how serious these people are about their product, traditional festival entertainment of music, folklore and dance is put on hold.

Instead, the day focuses on showing off tomato recipes and sampling the tasty results as part of an enormous communal meal at the end.

A more general gastronomic fair - or mostra-mercato - accompanies the event to provide a little culinary variety.

Zeddiani is situated near the town of Oristano on the west coast of Sardinia. The stunning cathedral of St Mary and tower of St Columbus provide year-round reasons to visit.

As festival venues go, it is hard to beat Vienna's autumn music extravaganza hosted across a string of pretty islands on the River Danube.

The free event takes place between September 5th and 7th this year and is expected to attract thousands of revellers over the 19 islands and 16 stages.

First established in 1984, the festival has since burgeoned to become one of the most popular in Austria and regularly attracts world-famous artists.

This year they include Liverpool indie band the Wombats and acclaimed DJ Pete Tong.

As well as the music, local chefs are on hand to provide tasty national delicacies, while children will be kept entertained with a separate programme aimed exclusively at younger audiences.

For more island music, return later in the month for a performance by queen of pop Madonna on September 23rd. Tickets are still available for the show, which forms part of her 2008 Sticky and Sweet tour.

Forget Australia's Gold Coast rips or Hawaii's heady breaks, England's south coast is about to become one of the next surfing hotspots thanks to groundbreaking ocean engineering.

Work has already begun on a £3 million artificial reef that is tipped to increase the number of good surfing days off Boscombe beach in Poole Bay from 77 to over 150.

The reef, which will measure the size of a football pitch, is made from dozens of specially-designed sandbags placed 200 metres off the coast.

Surfers should start reaping the benefits of the technology by the end of October but water sports schools in the area are already reporting a rise in new starters.

Andy Joyce of Surf Steps tells the Guardian: "We've got people taking lessons so that when it's working they'll be able to use it. It's created a real buzz."

Other beachside attractions in the area include the Bournemouth pier arcade and pier theatre, which has also recently undergone redevelopment.

Music fans touring Poland should not miss Tygmont in the capital for a taste of what jazz clubs used to be like.

After descending into a smoky, subterranean cavern, enjoy the host of great live performances while tucking into a mouthwatering food and drinks menu too.

Located in Warsaw's city centre, the venue is aimed a serious music aficionados rather than tourists simply looking for a good place to drink and chat, as noise levels are restricted during some performances.

While a cover charge applies on certain nights access to the club is usually free, making it hugely popular.

Another perennially trendy establishment in the Polish capital is Miedzy Nami on Ulica Bracka, whose clientele includes plenty of models and media types all dressed to impress.

The bar also doubles up as a cool gallery for local artists and photographers who display their work on lounge walls.

The perfect way to detox after a heavy weekend sampling Edinburgh's lively nightlife is a Sunday afternoon at Urban Angel.

It was launched in 2004 to provide fresh and tasty dining options sourced from local, organic and free-range producers.

Bread, jams, chutneys and all desserts and cakes are homemade here, including delicious ice creams and sorbets.

Shying away from processed and pre-packaged food has proved a popular choice for the eatery, so be prepared to fight through the crowds to get a seat in the refreshingly simple dining room of solid pine furniture and stark white walls.

The menu is a mixture of tapas to share and beautifully executed mains for selfish indulgence.

After sating your appetite, enjoy the rest of the day chilling out at Always Sunday with some fairtrade coffee or healthy fruit smoothies.

Great background music reinforces the relaxed atmosphere and provides the perfect complement to a lazy afternoon reading the paper.