Ever wondered what the world of the ancient Romans was really like? In Berlin this autumn visitors can finally get a taste.

On September 21st the German capital stages some thoroughly ancient entertainment at Berlin-Karlshorst, combining live action history lessons with plenty of family fun.

As well as spear throwing, live music, costumed parades, pony rides and hundreds of gladiators, one of the highlights of the day is the great chariot race.

It features 30 vehicles pulled by 120 horses in teams of four and takes place in the mock-Roman arena in front of thousands of exhilarated onlookers.

So popular has the race become that Rome's historical society Vadis Al Maximo hopes to recreate the event in the sport's birthplace with a large gathering next year.

According to ItalyMag.co.uk, plans are currently being studied by various municipal departments but, if given the go-ahead, it is likely to be staged as a city-wide event in October 2009.

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.

Colour and carnival return to the Dutch capital this summer with the arrival of the city's annual Gay Pride weekend.

One of the biggest gay and lesbian festivals in the whole of Europe, it takes place from August 1st to 3rd for three days of non-stop partying.

The highlight takes place on Saturday afternoon with the world-famous Canal Parade comprising 75 spectacularly decorated boats sailing from 2pm until 6pm through the Prinsengracht and Amstel rivers.

Over 350,000 visitors turn up each year to feast their eyes on the procession and dance along to the banging tunes accompanying it.

Elsewhere in Amsterdam, Pride weekend is marked with a mixture of concerts, sports and plenty of revelry, including the popular White Party at the Melkweg on Saturday night.

Stockholm Pride is held over the same weekend in Sweden and this year hosts Europride too, making it one of the biggest festivals in Scandinavia.