| With a heritage dating back to the Stone Age, | | | | people to feel a big part of it. |
| Southampton has a diverse background and an | | | | The second event is the International Boat Show. |
| important place in the annals of British history, | | | | Well over a 100,000 visitors swarm to the Mayflower |
| providing the dock from which the ill-fated Titanic set | | | | Park in Southampton every year to get a chance to |
| force and grander still, the birthplace of British | | | | experience the spectacle of more than 1,000 crafts |
| comedian Benny Hill. As one of the most important | | | | at first hand, ranging from 1.5m dinghies to 37m |
| ports in the country, Southampton is rich in maritime | | | | tri-deck motor yachts. Using Europe´s biggest |
| history and to this day hosts the largest on-water | | | | purpose-built marina, the show includes over 600 |
| boat show in Europe. In a 2007 survey, Southampton | | | | exhibitors, search & rescue and watersports |
| was voted one of the best places to live in the | | | | demonstrations and even a beauty contest where |
| country for people aged 18-30 because of its cheap | | | | one lucky girl is crowned Miss PSP Southampton Boat |
| transport and great choice of bars, clubs and | | | | Show. In 2009, the show will take place from |
| restaurants. | | | | September 11th to 20th. |
| Apart from the many permanent, year-round | | | | Moving towards more land bound activities, one |
| attractions, the city hosts several big events which | | | | particular attraction that has steadily grown in |
| attracts visitors from outside the region. For those | | | | popularity is Power in the Park held in June. Set up by |
| coming from further afield, several low cost airlines, | | | | local radio station Power FM (which is actually in the |
| including Flybe and Skynet, provide cheap flights to | | | | process of changing its name to Galaxy) the music |
| Southampton from destinations all over Europe. | | | | festival makes for a great day out, Southampton |
| Situated just 6km from the city centre, Southampton | | | | weather permitting. Well in excess of 50,000 people |
| Airport handles over a million passengers every year | | | | attended last year which is held on Southampton |
| and is around 80km from London or an hour and a | | | | Common and in the past chart-toppers such as Blue |
| half drive. If planning to take advantage of this | | | | and Busted have made up the line-up. Performers for |
| proximity and explore everything that Southampton | | | | this year´s concert include Faders, Freefaller, |
| and its locales has to offer, then a car hire at | | | | Lemar and Rooster with tickets priced at a very |
| Southampton Airport is essential. The Southampton | | | | reasonable £10. |
| Airport car hire firms that are based within the | | | | While not on the same scale, other smaller events |
| terminal building are Alamo, Avis, Enterprise, Europcar, | | | | around the city are worth checking out. From May |
| Hertz and National. | | | | 28-30 the Southampton Beer Festival will be held in |
| Two of the biggest events in the area are | | | | the Guildhall and features approximately 90 real ales, |
| unsurprisingly on the nautical theme. Firstly is Cowes | | | | 16 ciders and an extensive range of bottled beers. |
| Week, perhaps one of the best known sailing events | | | | Run by volunteers from The Campaign For Real Ale, |
| which takes place just a short distance away on the | | | | each of the sessions varies in price from free up to |
| Isle of Wight. This year it occurs between August | | | | £7 depending on whether there is |
| 1-9. This adrenalin pumping, exciting race involves | | | | entertainment provided and which bands are playing. |
| amateurs through to world champions competing and | | | | During June 20-21, the skies of Southampton become |
| is complimented with an array of entertainment from | | | | full of colour as the Kite Festival takes to the air. |
| live gigs to a grand fireworks display. Many people | | | | Showcasing some extraordinary examples, this |
| either choose to or have no option but to stay in | | | | festival includes competitions and flying displays, as |
| Southampton for the regatta as accommodation on | | | | well as craft stalls, a fun fair and a workshop to learn |
| the island books up so quickly, but with daily trips | | | | how to build your own kite. There will also be |
| leaving from the Ocean Village Marina and affording | | | | examples of power kiting with buggies and boards. |
| fantastic views of the competition it still allows | | | | |
