WHAT'S ON WORLDWIDE

18 APRIL

Britain

Twenty-six gruelling miles of the Flora London Marathon get underway in Greenwich. Thousands of runners will take part in this year's event. The race is due to start between 9am and 9.30am and will cross swathes of East and Central London, finally finishing up on The Mall. There are runners participating from an estimated 68 countries and this year the organisers are expecting the biggest crowd ever to turn out. London Marathon (tel: 0171-620 4117)

18-20 APRIL

Italy

Lovers of the music of Johann Strauss Jr might make the trip to Rome this week for three concerts in his honour. The Santa Cecilia orchestra, along with renowned conductor Franz Bauer-Theussi (in town for the occasion), will be celebrating the centenary of his death. Each night will see a rendition of Act II of Die Fledermaus along with many of the Viennese master's waltz classics. The performances will take place at the Auditorio di Santa Cecillia. Rome Tourist Board (tel: 00 39 06 6880 1044).

20 APRIL-MAY

Russia

This is a good time of year to be in St Petersburg as the city celebrates what is known as Music Spring. People mainly watch from Yelgino Island as giant, melting ice flows drift down the Nevka river. The arrival of Spring is celebrated to the sounds of classical music being played by a local orchestra and various other performing arts spectacles including dance, theatre and mime. The crowd gathers on the strelka (promenade) and listens as the beautifully orchestrated music and art compliment a breathtaking natural event. Russian Tourist Board (tel: 0171-538 5966).

22-24 APRIL

Spain

As part of south-eastern Spain's "Moors and Christians" festival. Alcoi, situated between Alicante and Valencia, offers a two-day re-enactment of the Crusades. During the day, the battles are fought with breathtaking precision as the Moors struggle with, and eventually lose to the Crusaders. The crowds cheer as the armour-clad warriors go to war to the sound of marching drums. The party carries on late into the night and continues the next day in much the same fashion. Spanish Tourist Board (tel: 0171 486 8077)

23-25 APRIL

Hungary

Every year on St George's day, in a ceremony dating back to 1740, the first vine shoots are publicly presented before being drawn in the Book of Vine Shoots. The presentation happens in Koszeg and the condition of the shoots is said to forecast the harvest for the year. This is a traditional two-day Hungarian celebration which, among other things, involves concerts of classical music, a local-wine-making competition, a parade of wine fraternities through the town, a folklore performance of dance and music and, feeling bizarely conservative amid the pageantry, a trade conference. Hungarian Tourist Board (tel: 0171-823 1032).

24 APRIL-2 MAY

Cayman Islands

The fishing competition to end all fishing competitions starts this week in the Cayman Islands. The main incentive for sport fishing competitors is the staggering $430,000 (pounds 270,000) prize on offer to the winner. The amazing surroundings and variety of wildlife (not just the fish) make the week all the more pleasant. At the same time, throughout the month, the islands are celebrating their National Culture and Arts Festival on Grand Cayman including, on 23 April, in its 16th year, Batabano (pronounced "Bata-banoo"), a traditional Caribbean Carnival with dancing, bright costumes and live calypso music. Cayman Islands Tourist Board (tel: 0171- 491 7771).

25 APRIL

India

The Pooram temple festival is staged annually in the town of Thrissur, in the south-west region of Kerala. Pooram is a street festival which gathers the entire population at Vadakumnatha - one of the oldest temples in Kerala. The festivities begin with a parade of 30 elephants carrying Brahmin priests from the entrance of the temple. The air fills with the sounds of temple drumming and the playing of ancient, traditional instruments called panchavadya. The procession carries on through the town and well into the night.