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.