There’s plenty to tempt sport fans to Britain before the 2012 Olympics – London is one of the candidate cities – and there are few countries that can match it for famous sporting venues.

The [17th] Easter Festival Tirol 05 “Life. Be | Asia’s Smile” is dedicated to the mystifying Far East. The main focus is on China, India, and Japan which is also spotlighted in the 2005 Culture Program of the European Union.

Towns and cities, villages, stately homes, attractions and open spaces all over the country are holding festivals and events with a watery theme this year.

A mere glance at the long list of Mozart events currently planned for 2006 — a total of 50 so far, to be seen on 2,600 dates — would be enough to fill any calendar and crash any palmtop.

Avanti! Summer Sounds will be 20 years old this summer. The programme for this milestone year will be planned by conductor Hannu Lintu and will include concerts of orchestral and chamber music, events for children and various happenings.

A farm shop, café and chocolate shop are new additions to the 18th century Stable Courtyard at one of England’s finest stately homes. Castle Howard in Yorkshire has been home to the Howard family for 300 years and is set in a 10,000 acre country estate.

2005 marks a special year in Britain’s maritime history. Out of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar and the death of Admiral Lord Nelson in the hour of his victory, has grown a year-long celebration of the country’s nautical links: SeaBritain 2005.

SeaBritain 2005, the year-long commemoration of the sea marking the 200th anniversary of Admiral Lord Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar, has created a rare opportunity for those who want to study and reside at Christ Church in the centre of Oxford.