1 - 31 May South Sinai Camel Festival - Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

Colourful, dusty and crazy - witness one of the speediest and bumpiest races around. This festival puts to rest the notion of the camel as a slow-plodding ship of the desert!

 10 May - 19 July Stars of the White Nights Festival - St Petersburg, Russia

Since 1993, under the instigation of the indefatigable conductor and director of the Kirov, Valery Gergiev, St Petersburg’s famous Mariinsky Theatre has hosted the Stars of the White Nights festival, showcasing the best of Russia’s composers.

 1 - 10 June Fez Sacred Music Festival - Fez, Morocco

Artists from around the world flock to Morocco’s spiritual capital during the annual Fez Sacred Music Festival - a romantic setting for a fine selection of devotional music.

 20 - 26 June Kirkpinar Oiled Wrestling - Festival - Edirne, Turkey

If men covered in olive oil and wearing bull-leather trousers is your idea of fun, head to Edirne for the annual summer wrestling festival which attracts over 1000 participants.

 19 - 21 July Torch Festival - Kunming, China

The eroded limestone pillars of the Stone Forest, in the Zhejiang province, provide the backdrop for traditional sports and celebrations. Events include horseracing, bullfighting, cockfighting, sheepfighting, traditional dance, a torch parade and a bonfire party.

 26 July Distant Heat Desert Rave - Wadi Rum, Jordan

This seasons hottest ticket has to be to Distant Heat, a rave held in the middle of Jordan’s legendary Wadi Rum desert, with sets on the decks by one of the world’s hottest DJs.