Every year the three-day Lowlands pop festival brings around 60,000 people to the Six Flags amusement park in the expansive lowlands of Flevopolder, within easy reach of all the major Dutch cities. Highlights of the line-up for 2004 include The Hives, The Chemical Brothers, The Darkness, Faithless and Groove Armada.

As a festival of culture the event centres around music, but has a lot more on offer as well. There is a full programme of movies, as well as performances from several theatre groups, spoken word, stand-up comedy, video art and street performances. All in all there are about 350 different acts and performances.

The festival boasts a fully equipped campsite, complete with hot showers and a well-stocked supermarket. There are also a variety of restaurants, a big market with everything from clothes and CD stores to a barber's shop and tattoo parlour, as well as chillout rooms, sports facilities and a local radio station - a true backpacker's Garden Of Eden. Pack your tent, make the trip and remember that to really get down you have to go below sea level!

Name: Six Flags Site
Address: Biddinghuizen, Holland
When: 20 Aug 2004 (annual)
Cost: €110-€128