Having just experienced the Garden Festival in Croatia for the second time, I can seriously say I am an addict! The first time was just a taster of the new improved version, which took place this year in the sleepy coastal village of Tisno, near Zadar. Guaranteed to be sunny, I kind of knew what to expect as I packed…
Still retaining the same hedonistic, specialist, slightly underground acts including Crazy P, The Faith DJs, Baby G and Eric Duncan, alongside the legendary Argonaughty boat trips, with DJs including Greg Wilson and the Apple Pips rocking the waves, I was excited to see some people I had not heard of. You could even find me dancing under the stars at Barbarellas, not every night (Too old for that- but how could I resist Norman Jay and Kenny Dope?!) meant I grooved until dawn on a couple of occasions….with the courtesy bus back to the town being the best invention ever!!
I did manage to save some energy for the Apple Pips crew who were manning the waves on the last night- which was a complete ball. What could be better than getting your groove on, on a boat in the middle of the Adriatic Sea, to thumping bass, with new friends, watching the sun set? It was the ultimate high and an amazing end to this year’s festie.
The new venue of the festival is perfect combination of chalets, dorms and campsite, on site restaurant, proper loos (!!) as well as portaloos…and long may it continue; With only a 20 minute stroll to the “Bridge” which is the start of the town, many revellers chose to stay away from the site in apartments or the several hotels in town, and just dip in and out throughout the day.
On the other hand, why would you?! When on the festival site, you have access to a private beach, food stalls and massages, and much needed shade, with the background of the beach bar djs playing chillaxed tunes, all day… And with the cocktail bars selling the BEST champagne cocktails I have ever tasted, it would be rude not to relax on a beanbag and watch the sun go down. And if you have never donned your bikini and danced in the sea to Candi Staton- you have been missing out.
With the rest of the town remaining a passive holiday destination, there is a lot of relaxation to be found away from the site, so if all night partying is not for you, I suggest hiring scooter, car or even boat and exploring the coastline. You could even venture to the nudist beach…or maybe that was just me!
With a friendly hugely mixed bag of a crew, you are sure to meet folk from all corners of the world- on and off the site, and they all have one thing in common- that they intend to come back next year.
With rumours of a cheeky new addition to the festival calendar- a Garden Festie in the Philippines in January, as well as year two in Tisno, I am excited already.
Check out www.gardenfestival.eu for more details on next year’s events.
By Sara Darling
