first time to a festival outside of uk - optimus 2010

[neil1978]

hi all, i'm about to book tickets to go to optimus 2010 in portugal, but i have a few questions mainly about the camping situation. When going to festivals in the uk i fin i end up taking so much equipment not to mention food and beer!!!

I have been to festivals in uk many times but going abroad is going to be a very different story.

So i am after some help.

Do i take my own tent etc or buy it all whilst over there?

Is the campsite near by?

Can u take u own beer to the arena?

I guess i just need some reinsurance that going abroad to a festival will be all its cracked upto be!!

The line up looks amazing and can not wait to see the mighty pearl jam again.

Hope someone can help

[PastCaring]

Well, we'd definitely recommend going to European festival - and not just because you're avoiding the rain and the mud - it's a totally different experience! Optimus is a really laidback and friendly fessie - and one that we'll definitely be returning to!

Regarding the campsite - it's quite close to the airport - and there's a free bus to and from the festival - so not much hauling of luggage as far as that goes! Obviously, if you're flying, you do have to travel quite light - we have a holdall on wheels that is big enough to put the tent, sleeping bags, a couple of light blankets (for making sleeping on the ground more comfy!) and our other essentials (bottle opener, a couple of plastic cups, a couple of knives and forks, paper plates, smellies, etc.). We put most of our clothes in our hand luggage. We wouldn't recommend buying a tent in Portugal - there are a few sports shops around that sell camping equipment, but they're not really that cheap! If you're desperate to save money and travel light, we've been told that it's possible to carry a tent in your hand luggage if you leave out the tent pegs, but we've never actually tried it, so you'd have to check!

On the campsite, if you want to buy beer or wine, we found that the cafe/bar/restaurant was a LOT cheaper than the shop and, apparently, there are cheaper shops outside of the campsite, if you're prepared to take a walk!

You do get searched going into the festival arena, so it wouldn't really be easy to take your own beer into the festival!

Anyway, hope this helps - but go for it - you'll have a great time - enjoy!