Despite Brexit, the British government has launched a contest for UK cities interested in becoming European Capital of Culture 2023. So far, the cities that have announced their wish to get the title - which two European cities share every year - include Leeds, Dundee and Milton Keynes.

The UK was selected to host the cultural initiative in 2023 before the country voted to leave the European Union in June, 2016. Since the city that hosts the events is designated by the European Union, it is not yet known whether the EU will allow the UK host the cultural event after triggering Article 50. Nevertheless, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's announcement suggests it is proceeding with the hope that a UK city will host the event in 2023.

The city selected to become the European Capital of Culture organises various cultural events that can lead to increased investment, more jobs and a boost to the local economy. The title can also generate considerable cultural and social benefits, and it can help foster urban regeneration, change the city's image and raise its visibility and profile on an international scale.

According to a study conducted in 2004 for the European Commission, known as the Palmer report, demonstrated that becoming the European Capital of Culture served as a catalyst for the cultural development and the transformation of the city.

Culture Secretary Karen Bradley said: Celebrating the cultural heritage and innovation in Britain's cities is part of our plan for an outward-looking, globally-minded and dynamic country.

The United Kingdom is leaving the European Union, but we are not leaving Europe. We want that relationship to reflect the kind of mature, co-operative relationship that close friends and allies enjoy.

His statement has its basis in the fact non-EU cities have held the title in the past - namely, Istanbul in 2010, Stavanger in Norway in 2008 and Reykjavik, Iceland, in 2000.

The UK is no stranger to the title. On the contrary, British cities have previously hosted the cultural initiative twice before - in Glasgow in 1990 and Liverpool in 2008.

In case the UK is allowed to partake in the cultural event, the chosen British city will share the title with a city in Hungary during 2023.

San Sebastian in Spain and Wroclaw in Poland were 2016's cultural capitals, while Aarhus in Denmark and Paphos in Cyprus will share the title in 2017.

The European Capital of Culture scheme is unrelated to the UK City of Culture.

In 2015, Milton Keynes announced its intention to take part in the competition, but no branding or design appointments has been announced yet.

In light of the Brexit vote, a representative of Milton Keynes Council says: It is early days and it will be a while yet before we really know the impact of Brexit on the Capital of Culture titles. The work we're doing in Milton Keynes is essential to building a strong cultural feature and as such we will continue preparing the sector and the borough as a cultural hotspot.

After beginning its work on the V&A Museum of Design, Dundee has now launched its bid and Dundee City Council leader, councillor Ken Guild, says: Dundee's bid will reflect the character of the city and its people... The energy and enthusiasm of the universities and our cultural sector will ensure that we put forward a strong case for the city.

A cross-EU panel of experts will select the winning UK city to hold the title and the winner will be announced towards the end of 2018.

1. Jena, Germany: this traditional Christmas market offers a festive trumpet fanfare at 5pm from 25 November to 22 December.

2. Birmingham, England: although German markets are more traditional, England also offers jolly and festive German Christmas markets you have to visit, such as the one in Birmingham. With a range of German delicacies and ice skating risk to boot, Birmingham claims its Frankfurt Christmas Market as the largest in Britain. So it better be on your list.

3. Innsbruck, Austria. Innsbruck offer multiple Christmas markets that are incredible picturesque as they are framed by the snow-capped Alps that loom above the town. Enjoy the view while you shop from stall to stall and submerge yourself in the festive spirit.

4. Brussels, Belgium. The Brussels Winter Wonders festival stretches throughout the city centre and includes 230 business, a ferris wheel, an ice rink and more.

5. If you find yourself in London during the holiday season, don't miss the Christmas market the Southbank Centre holds along the waterfront.

Timeout have a great review of London's best Christmas markets and fairs 2016.

6. Dresden, Germany. With 580 years of trajectory, this enormous market is Germany's oldest and features Dresden's culinary specialty, the traditional Striezel (or Stollen) fruit loaf.

7. Don't miss the countless beautiful Christmas markets in Vienna, especially te Christmas Village Belvedere Palace in front of the famous baroque palace.

8. Glasgow, Scotland. With traders from around the world, this Scottish Christmas market is held int he City Centre on Argyle Street.

9. Krakow, Poland. What better way to submerge yourself in olden times than to shop from a Christmas market in a medieval city - Krakow - and surrounded by snow. This beautiful Christmas market boasts an almost certain blanket of snow by Christmastime, so you can enjoy a typical white Christmas.

10. Bergamo, Italy. As you stroll around this market, you'll be able to listen to the baghet - a traditional instrument similar to the bagpipes. The best day to enjoy the season's festivities in Bergamo is the Feast Day of Saint Lucia.

Chills, they're multiplying! Get ready to lose control because the power Bestival is supplying... it's electrifying! This is not a Grease re-enactment, but by the way people dress for this music festival, they might as well burn the whole mile.

And it's just that Bestival is called that way for a reason. While Bestival's line-up is the most electric you'll ever experience, it is the festival's uniqueness what makes it a universe of discovery and adventure, ranging from the most original boutique campsite experience, to the Bollywood Cocktail Bar, a Wishing Tree Stage, fancy dress en-mass and even a Roller Disco.

People dressing up like in Sesame Street is not the only surprise; each year they come up with equally odd places to sleep, including yurts, tepees, squrts and wooden beach-style huts.

This mind-blowing event, which takes place in September, is a multi-award four day music festival set at Robil Hill Hear Newport in the heart of Isle of Wight, United Kingdom. Since its foundation in 2004, Bestival has been awarded Best Medium-Sized Festival (2009, 2007, 2006 and 2005), Best Major Festival (2012 and 2010), and Fan's Favourite Festival (2011).

Organiser Rob Da Bank puts his quirky touches on everything, says Andy Buchan, Infusion Magazine's Middle East Editor. From the line-up to the non-music tents which make Glastonbury's Lost Vagueness seem sedate in comparison, it's a winner in my eyes.

After ten years of pioneering music events and record releases from Rob da Bank and his Sunday best empire, the BBC Radio 1 JD had a dream to create dream of how the modern day festival should be. Today that dream is now fulfilled thanks to Rob da Bank, creative director, his wife Josie da Bank and co-founders John and Ziggy from Get involved.

Bestival's uniqueness is due to Josie and Rob da Bank's creative vision. While Rob enriches the festival's line-up with his massive music experience, his wife give it a creative touch that set it apart from all other events, such as the dress code, campside, bar and roller disco.

Bestival takes place between Thursday 8th and Sunday 11th September 2016 at Robin Hill Country Park near Newport on the lovely Isle of Wight.

You think you know everything about good old Europe. Well, here are some interesting facts that will surely surprise. For instance, did you know that the first croissant wasn't invented in France or Italy, but in Austria?

However, what's most striking is that London's underground escalators travel a distance equal to two trips around the world each week. That's a lot of travelling.

They say that Rome wasn't built in a day and the leaning tower of Pisa took a bit longer than that - well, no less than 200 years. Brick by brick over two centuries lead tho this majestic piece of architecture that has become one of the best-known buildings in the world.

That the Turkish community is exceedingly large in Germany should surprise nobody, but what about this fact? Berlin has even more doner kebab places than Istanbul.

We know that Germans like their Christmas period. Indeed, they even invented the Christmas Tree. Plus German markets are also well known. Who hasn't tried a bratwurst or a pretzel at a market during the holiday season? Yet, who was aware that Berlin alone boast more than 60 Christmas markets. Sixty!

Not that you'd be looking for them, but if you are wondering where you can find Europe's highest toilets, then that would be atop Mont Blanc. Hopefully, you don't suffer from vertigo because they are at 4,260 metres.

We all know the majestic Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, but no matter how majestic can you believe that this building, built in contemporary times took longer to build than the Great Pyramids built thousands of years ago.

If you are stranded in Brussels airport, be merry and indulge yourself in some chocolate. Here you'll find more of this sinfully delicious treat than anywhere else in the world.

In Italy, locals never drink cappuccino after 11am. So if you find yourself in Italy and you are not an early riser, you turn to milkshake.