A visit to Ukraine this summer could find you in a country within a country as one of the best beach events bordering the Black Sea kicks off.

KaZantip was founded by local windsurfers in 1992 and has since exploded into one of the biggest, and certainly longest, music extravaganzas in Europe.

Stretching almost six weeks, it lasts from mid-July until the end of August and comprises a self-contained 60,000 sq m resort on a beach near Shelkino, on Ukraine's Crimean peninsula.

Billing itself a "republic", visitors wishing to experience the festival's great nightlife must first obtain a KaZantip multi-pass or "visa", which is valid for the entire duration of the event.

Once inside, ten dance floors, 15 bars and lounges and three restaurants mean there is little excuse to leave in a hurry.

Compounding the state-within-a-state feel, KaZantip has its own government, president, laws and ministers of happiness, dance, rave and intellect, to name but a few.

For an alternative Black Sea break, try Bulgaria's Unesco-protected Nessebar peninsula.