As Europe muddles through to sort out its economic crisis, one of the measures for raising revenue has been the increase of VAT rates. VAT of course impacts on our travel costs and some of the VAT rates in Europe are already extremely high. So any further VAT increases certainly isn’t good news for the travelling public.

What is Vat

Unfortunately, VAT is not “Vodka and Tonic” as one cartoon suggests.

Value Added Tax or VAT is a broadly based consumption tax that is assessable on goods and services. From a traveller’s perspective, we pay VAT on accommodation, restaurant meals and other goods and services that we consume on holidays. It is a government tax and the seller of the goods and services is required to collect the tax and pay it to the revenue authorities.

VAT is payable in all EU member states and in France you will see it referred to as TVA (Taxe sur la Valeur Ajoutée) or in Italy it is IVA (Imposta sul Valore Aggiunto).

VAT Refund

For travellers who live outside of the EU, you can get a VAT refund on your shopping in Europe, if the value of your purchases meets the VAT threshold of that country. So, if you’re planning on doing a lot of shopping on your European holiday, it pays to find out about the VAT rules for that country.

VAT Tax Rate for 2012

Below are 2012 Standard VAT tax rates for some of the destinations we cover:

VAT Rates in EU

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As one genius, Albert Einstein, said of another: “Mozart is the greatest composer of all” and January 27 marks the 255th anniversary of the birthday of this much loved and greatest of composers.

Mozarthaus Vienna

To celebrate Mozart’s birthday anniversary, Mozarthaus Vienna and its exhibitions are for free on Sunday 29, 2012. The museum also offers special guided tours for children and adults, which are free of charge.

Mozart Concerts

Mozart fans can celebrate his birthday at one of the many concerts in Europe:

Salzburg Palace Concerts and other Mozart Dinner Concerts

Vienna Mozart Concerts and Dinner Concerts

Mozart Operas and Concerts around Germany

Mozart concerts throughout Europe

Happy Birthday Mozart!

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Billed as the greatest flower show in the world, the Chelsea Flower Show in London is the ultimate event in the British gardening calendar.
For 2012, the Chelsea Show takes place from May 22nd – 26th.

Chelsea Flower Show

The Chelsea Flower Show is an annual event organized by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the UK’s leading gardening charity.  Exhibitors from all over the world attend the Show, including countries as far away as Barbados, Sri Lanka, Australia, Jamaica, South Africa and Zimbabwe.  The Chelsea Show has become an important event where the latest gardening trends, features, new plants and the newest and most desirable gardening products are launched.

Not to be missed is the Great Pavilionwhich is the centrepiece of the Chelsea Flower Show.  Here you can enjoy some of the best garden displays and have the opportunity to exchange ideas and get advice from some of Britain’s leading growers and plant specialists, who are a key part of the show.

Chelsea Flower Show - Courtesy VisitBritain

Where is the Chelsea Flower Show?

The event is held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4SR.

Buying Flower Show Tickets

Visitor numbers to this extremely popular flower show are limited due to the venue size.  If you’re planning on visiting the show, it’s advisable to book early.  Find and book your flower show tickets here.

How to Get There?

It is recommended that visitors travel to the Show by public transport.

By Tube 

Catch the Tube to Sloan Square Tube Station.  From tube station, turn left down Lower Sloane St until you reach the junction of Lower Sloane St and Royal Hospital Road. Turn right into Royal Hospital Rd to reach the Royal.  Walking time is about 10 minutes.

By Bus

• Bus numbers 11, 137, 211, 360 and 452 stop closest to the showground, while
• Bus numbers 19, 22, 319 and C1 stop at Sloane Square.

By Rail

London Victoria Station is the closest to the Show.  London General operates a shuttle bus service between London Victoria (Hudson’s Place) and the showground (Barrack Gate, Chelsea Bridge Road).  The shuttle runs from 7 am to 8 pm each day (6 pm Saturday).

Chelsea Hotels

Chelsea is one of the more fashionable districts of London and there are some luxurious and boutique hotels in the area such as the  San Domenico House.  This fabulous boutique hotel is a few minutes’ walk from Sloane Square and about 15 minutes walk from Harrods.  Also nearby are the 5-star Draycott Hotel with its Edwardian-style rooms and myhotel Chelsea.  For the complete list of Chelsea Hotels, see HERE.

If you can’t make it to the Chelsea Flower Show, see here for the list of other Flower and Garden Shows in England.

Map of Chelsea:

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Below are a couple of special concerts at London’s famous Royal Albert Hall. These are one-performance only concerts so book early and don’t miss out.

Symphonic Rock (April 20, 2012)

The very popular Symphonic Rock returns to the Royal Albert in April with some new tributes for 2012.

Presented by BBC Radio 2′s Ken Bruce, Symphonic Rock 2012 showcases legendary rock anthems, chart hits and classic songs, featuring a star-studded line-up of hits from Bon Jovi, The Moody Blues, Queen, Eric Clapton, Meat Loaf, Coldplay, Elbow, Led Zeppelin, Madonna, George Michael, Robbie Williams and many more!  

New for 2012, a tribute to the hits of U2, including With or Without You, Beautiful Day and many more.

Royal Albert Hall, London

The Great Classics: Choral Favourites (March 14, 2012)

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) is joined by massed choirs for an evening of choral delights at the Royal Albert.  Over 300 performers bring you classics which include excerpts from Orff’s Carmina Burana, Verdi’s Requiem, Handel’s Zadok the Priest and Hallelujah Chorus, Parry’s I Was Glad and more.
Book early for this one performance only event on March 14, 2012.

Where is the Royal Albert Hall?

The Royal Albert Hall is situated in South Kensington facing London’s Hyde Park and is close to Kensington Palace in central London.

It is easily reachable by:

Tube: South Kensington, High St Kensington
Bus : 9, 10, 52, 360

Map of London:

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Usher in the New Year at one of Venice’s many New Year’s Eve Gala Concerts in magnificent settings.

New Year’s Eve: Opera Arias and Buffet Dinner

Experience a beautiful concert with some of the most famous opera arias at the Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista in Venice.   After the concert you will enjoy a dinner buffet rich with Italian delicacies.

Join the Opera House Orchestra in toasting the arrival of the New Year

Virtuosi di Venezia: New Year’s Eve Concert

Enjoy the last evening of the year with a classical concert of the orchestra Virtuosi di Venezia at the Ateneo di San Basso in Venice.  Be entertained with great opera favourites by Donizetti, Rossini, Puccini and Verdi and other favourites by Johann Strauss.

New Year’s Eve Opera Gala in a Venice Palazzo

New Year's Eve Concerts in Venice

The luxurious interior of this Venetian palace offers guests a memorable gala evening. Famous melodies from operas will be performed by excellent artists.  Then at midnight, drink a toast to the New Year with fine wines, premium liqueurs and chocolates.

I Musici Veneziani: New Year’s Eve Concert

I Musici Veneziani welcomes the New Year with a classical concert performed by an expanded ensemble of 14 musicians.

During the intermission, enjoy some white wine and traditional Venetian biscuits served by butlers dressed in 18th century period costumes. At the end of the concert, join the musicians in toasting in the New Year.  This concert is at the Scuola Grande di San Teodoro.

Search and book tickets for other Venice Concerts and Operas here.>

Search for the best Venice hotels and read hotel reviews here.>

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Usher in the Salzburg New Year at one of the many Mozart New Year’s Concerts in magnificent settings.

Salzburger Festungskonzerte: New Year’s Day Concert

This New Year’s Day, enjoy the “Best of Mozart Festungskonzert” in the special atmosphere of the 900 year-old Festung Hohensalzburg.  This concert is regarded as one of the most important chamber music series in the world and what better venue to enjoy this event than at the Fortress with views of the city and surrounding countryside.

Erzabtei St Peter, Salzburg: Mozart Piano Sonatas

Experience unique concerts of Mozart’s piano works in the historic and atmospheric Romanesque Hall of St Peter’s Abbey in the heart of Salzburg’s old town.

Mozart New Year Concerts in Salzburg

Stiftskeller St. Peter: Mozart Dinner Concert

Enjoy a Mozart by candlelight in the famous Baroque Salon of the Stiftskeller St Peter. Music is performed by Salzburg artists in historical costumes, and the dinner menu is prepared as it was in the time of Mozart.

Schloss Mirabell:  Salzburger Schlosskonzerte

The Salzburger Schlosskonzerte presents concerts in the stunning atmosphere of the world famous Marble Concert Hall in the Mirabell Palace, where the young Mozart himself was a regular performer.

See the complete list of concerts at all Salzburg venues.

Search, read hotel reviews and book hotels in Salzburg here.>

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When the going gets tough, the tough go travelling!

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Berlin is a hive of activity on New Year’s Day and for those who want to start the year with some favourite classical or swing music, the following is a list of some concerts in magnificent Berlin venues:

New Year Concerts in Berlin

Konzerthausorchester Berlin:  New Year’s Concert

The Konzerthausorchester Berlin welcomes the New Year with works by Weber, Wagner, Rachmaninoff and Bernstein.  Join in this New year’s celebration at the magnificent Konzerthaus in Berlin.

Charlottenburg Palace:  New Year’s Concert & Dinner

Celebrate the New Year with a very special New Year’s Dinner Concert at the Orangerie in the Charlottenburg Palace of Berlin.

The Berliner Residenzorchester will perform works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Strauss. To enhance the Baroque ambiance, the the orchestra and service personnel are dressed in traditional costumes.

Philharmonie Berlin:  A Swinging New Year Concert

Start the New Year with some Swinging music.  The famous Grand Orchestra Berlin presents the best of Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman at this annual Swinging New Year Concert at the famous Philharmonie Berlin.

Philharmonie Berlin:  New Year’s Concert

Once again the Festival Orchestra Berlin conducted by Stefan Bevier presents works of Léhar, Lincke, Strauß and Grieg.

Also at the Philharmonie Berlin you can join the BerlinClassicPlayers in their diverse concert series under the baton of Ulrich Riehl, or Bethoven’s 9th Symphony with the Berlin Sinfonietta.

Französischen Friedrichstadtkirche:  Classical Music Berlin – Christmas Season

The Berliner Klassikadvent performs festive concerts in a number of historical locations in Berlin and one of these being the Französiche Friedrichstadtkirche.

See the New Year’s Eve Concerts in Berlin Here.

See the complete list of Berlin 2012 concerts Here.>

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Usher in the New Year with music at stunning Berlin venues. From classical concerts to Gypsy music and operretas to tango, the following are just some from the exciting range of New Year’s Eve concerts in Berlin:

Berlin Philharmonie:  A Gala Concert of Bach & Mozart

In this Gala Concert to celebrate the festive season, the Berlin Sinfonietta will perform works by Bach, Mozart and Tchaikovsky at the Berlin Philharmonie.  (One performance only on December 29th)

Charlottenburg Palace: New Year’s Eve Concert and Dinner

Enjoy an exclusive New Year’s Eve concert and dinner at Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin, once the splendid Baroque summer residence of Prussian kings. For this end of the year event, guests will enjoy a four-course dinner followed by the Berliner Residenzorchester performance of works of Mozart and Strauss. There is also the option of attending the concert without the dinner.

Concerts in Berlin

If passionate Gypsy music takes your fancy, Germany’s biggest Gypsy ensemble presents a wide range of lively music in Berlin’s Passionskirche.

Konzerthaus Berlin: New Year’s Eve Concert

‘Phantom Meets Lehar’ is a New Year’s Eve Concert with music from favourite operettas and musicals. This performance by talented young Berlin musicians takes place in the Werner-Otto Hall of the Konzerthaus.

Admiralspalast Berlin: New Year’s Eve Tango in Berlin

This fiery Tango evening at the Admiralspalast presents music, dance and surprises that will end your year on a high note. And being New Year’s Eve, this will be the Last Tango in Berlin for 2011.

Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche: Mozart & Bach – New Year’s Eve in Berlin

In this New Year’s Eve concert at the Heilig Kreuz Church in Berlin Jürgen Bruns conducts the Kammersymphonie Berlin with Jochen Hoffmann on flute.

Concerts in Berlin

Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche: Concerto Brandenburg New Year’s Eve Concert

A unique opportunity to hear the Concerto Brandenburg perform its New Year’s Eve Concert at Berlin’s famous Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche, one of Berlin’s most famous landmarks.

Haus des Rundfunks : New Year’s Eve Concert with Mozart, Bach and Tchaikovsky

The Philharmonische Kammerorchester Berlin will perform its annual New Year’s Eve Concert at the House of Broadcasting.  There are two concerts only.

For New Year’s Day Concerts in Berlin, see Here.

For the complete list of concerts in Berlin see Here.

For other things to see and do in Germany see Here.

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Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra:  The Spirit of Christmas

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s The Spirit of Christmas is a much loved Christmas concert that has been enjoyed by generations of music lovers.

The Spirit of Christmas concert will have two special guests this year – John Suchet, one of the UK’s best-known newscasters and journalists, Beethoven scholar, and now the voice of Classic FM’s morning show is presenter this year and making her Liverpool Philharmonic debut is Tine Thing Helseth, a 23-year-old Norwegian trumpeter.  Tine’s album, My Heart is Ever Present, a collection of her favourite Christmas songs, went ‘gold’ in the Norwegian classical chart.  A concert not to be missed.

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra: The Best Christmas Sing-along Ever!

Join Carl Davis and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in the Best Christmas Sing-along Ever!  For some, it may be the serenity of Bach and Tchaikovsky, whereas for others it’s the all-time family favourites such as White Christmas, Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus is Coming to Town that gets you into the Christmas spirit.  But don’t worry, Carl knows exactly how to put the spirit of Christmas into his audience and you’ll have plenty of chance to join in too!

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra:  The Snowman

Christmas Concerts in Liverpool

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra: Handel’s Messiah

Start the New Year with one of music’s most uplifting experiences. The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra performs its traditional New Year performance of Handel’s Messiah.   What’s more, this rare performance of Handel’s Messiah is performed the way it was done at the great Birmingham Festival of 1784 . (one performance only)

For all other concerts in Liverpool, see HERE.

How to get to Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Philharmonic Hall is situated on Hope Street, approximately a 10 minute walk from Liverpool city centre. The main entrance is situated on Hope Street at the junction where Hardman Street meets Hope Street opposite the Philharmonic Public House. It is close to Central Station, Lime Street Station, Myrtle Street bus stops and several car parks.

Address
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Hope Street
L1 Liverpool

Hotels in Liverpool
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