Europe's Top Music, Jazz & Opera Festivals

Apart from being one of the prettiest cities in Europe—and the birthplace of Mozart—Salzburg is home to one of the world's most renowned music and performing arts festivals. On Summer evenings, you'll find men in black-tie and women in gowns and high-heels strolling the historic cobblestone streets. "It attracts chic, cultured people who love music," says Marina Fogle, one of my trusted Insiders who grew up in Salzburg. "It's also the place to be seen—attendees include European royals, politicians and powerful businessmen with their glamorous wives. You're more likely to bump into the Aga Khan and Prince Charles rather than Posh Spice." The most in-demand tickets are those for the opening night premieres of the big operas, which are followed by various parties, some hosted by sponsors and others held privately. Also coveted is any post-performance dinner reservation at Goldener Hirsch where, according to Marina, a table is like gold dust and you'll more than likely see divas and conductors. Highlights of the 2009 program include concerts by the Vienna and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestras performing featuring Beethoven, Haydn and Liszt, operas such as Fidelio and Le Nozze di Figaro, and the popular Mozart Matinees; new this year is a Festival Shop with CDs, DVDs and literature.

July 25 - August 30, 2009, tickets from €15.