Tuesday, December 16Sports. Travel. Events. Play

Holidays & Trips

Italy golf holidays: the ‘ultimate golf getaway’ to Rome 
Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts

Italy golf holidays: the ‘ultimate golf getaway’ to Rome 

The First Roma by The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts has launched the “Ultimate Golf Getaway” in partnership with Parco di Roma Golf Club. The new three-night experience blends exploration of the Eternal City and its timeless beauty, with exquisite accommodation and time on Parco di Roma’s pristine greens and fairways, complete with views of St Peter’s Dome.  Comprising The First Musica, Rome by The Pavilions; The First Dolce, Rome by The Pavilions; and the recently refurbished The First Arte, Rome by The Pavilions, The First Roma by The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts offers a unique deconstructed urban resort experience that highlights the sights, tastes and sounds of Rome as part of each guest’s journey. Each of the three hotels is an elegant retreat in the heart of the city, com...
Road cycling holidays: Morocco’s Atlas Mountains 
Holidays & Trips

Road cycling holidays: Morocco’s Atlas Mountains 

With an ever-expanding network of quiet tarmac roads, there’s never been a better time to explore Morocco’s Atlas Mountains by bike. Saddle Skedaddle’s 10-day road cycling holiday takes a challenging route over the mountainous landscape to let riders experience some tough climbs and exciting descents.  Beginning in Marrakech, the trip starts with a steady climb into the Toubkal National Park before joining the old Marrakech to Agadir road to one of the prettiest towns in the High Atlas, Ouirgane. Tackle one of Africa’s highest paved roads, the infamous Test Pass (Tizi-n-Test), before exploring the vast expanse of the Souss Valley. The Anti-Atlas Mountains provide more exhilarating riding as the landscape changes from argan forests to wild moorland.  After a well-earned rest...
Action Outdoors launches 2024-2025 UCPA skiing holidays for 18-30s
Holidays & Trips

Action Outdoors launches 2024-2025 UCPA skiing holidays for 18-30s

Action Outdoors, the UK arm of not-for-profit French organisation UCPA, has launched an expanded programme of ski and snowboard holidays for young people for the 2024-2025 winter sport season. Like all of its holidays, the emphasis is on all-inclusive value for money in UCPA centres in some of the top French ski resorts including Val d'Isère, Val Thorens and Les Arcs. There’s now more than 300 holidays across the winter that are specifically for the 18-30 age group, with 18-25s benefiting from even further discounting on price. All 18-30 Club Exclusive holidays mean the centres are blocked off exclusively for that age group. Prices start at £541pp (18-25s) and £551pp (18-30 Club Exclusive weeks), including seven nights’ full-board accommodation with breakfast, lunch and dinner, full ...
Epic Road Rides: five of the best UK cycling destinations
Editor's Pick, Holidays & Trips

Epic Road Rides: five of the best UK cycling destinations

Dig your bike out of the shed and head for the open road on a British cycling adventure. From demanding climbs to sedate converted railway line routes, the team from Epic Road Rides pick out five of the best destinations for cycling in the United Kingdom. Outer Hebrides, Scotland  The magical Western Isles of Scotland are home to the 185-mile Hebridean Cycle Route, an iconic cycling journey taking in 10 islands, including Barra, North Uist, Harris and Lewis. The manageable gradients and fact you can break the route up into whatever chunks you like, makes it ideally suited for a range of cyclists. Abundant wildlife, fun ferry crossings, ancient stone circles, countless white beaches and turquoise waters await those willing to brave the (sometimes ferocious) Scottish wind. This is UK c...
Sports hotel in focus: Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa, Maldives
Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts

Sports hotel in focus: Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa, Maldives

Tucked away in the northern reaches of the Maldives, Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa offers an exclusive and luxurious retreat that embodies the essence of paradise. Located on the crescent-shaped Dhonakulhi Island in the Haa Alifu Atoll, 290km away from the capital Malé, this resort is a haven for those seeking both tranquillity and adventure. Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is more than just a luxury resort – it is a destination that offers a unique blend of natural beauty, wellbeing and sport. The design of the resort seamlessly integrates with the natural environment, creating an atmosphere of serenity and relaxation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwVx5FUWmeQ Accommodation and dining  With 110 villas spread across the island, each offering direct access to the beac...
Cycling in Argyll, Scotland, with Markus Stitz and The Pierhouse Hotel
Holidays & Trips

Cycling in Argyll, Scotland, with Markus Stitz and The Pierhouse Hotel

The Pierhouse Hotel at Port Appin in Argyll, Scotland, has teamed up with leading adventure cyclist Markus Stitz to host a new cycling retreat from 18-20 October 2024. Cycling enthusiasts will be offered the opportunity to join Stitz as he explores some of his favourite Argyll cycle trails on gravel tracks, quiet roads and cycle paths. He will also host a dinner and an entertaining talk for guests. The retreat is part of a wider campaign to attract more cyclists to the hotel and the wider Argyll region over the quieter autumn and winter months. In partnership with Stitz and Bikepacking Scotland, The Pierhouse has created a variety of cycling routes to suit guests with different abilities. Special packed lunches to help fuel hungry cyclists, as well as bike storage and cleaning facilitie...
Cycling adventures in Sweden: the Lelångenleden trail
Holidays & Trips

Cycling adventures in Sweden: the Lelångenleden trail

The Lelångenleden is a new regional cycling route in Sweden stretching 180km from Uddevalla by the sea, through the lakes of Dalsland, and up to the forests of Årjäng in Värmland. This trail offers a diverse cycling experience suitable for all levels, featuring gravel roads, dense forests, and charming rural towns with cultural and natural attractions. Recognised by the Swedish Transport Administration, the Lelångenleden trail follows the historic Lelångenbanan railway line for much of its length, providing cyclists with a unique blend of history and nature. The route offers a diverse cycling experience, with roughly half its path consisting of hard-packed gravel roads with minimal traffic, making it both accessible and enjoyable. A collaborative effort for tourism and recreation ...
Vienna, Chamonix and Reykjavik ranked the world’s best cities for running holidays
Editor's Pick, Holidays & Trips

Vienna, Chamonix and Reykjavik ranked the world’s best cities for running holidays

Research by Iceland’s flagship airline, Icelandair, has revealed the world's best cities for running holidays, with Vienna coming out on top. The comprehensive study analysed the number of running routes, their average ratings and elevation, alongside nightly accommodation costs and safety of 20 popular running destinations, to reveal the best for your next adventure abroad. Vienna, the elegant capital of Austria, ranks as the best destination for a running holiday this year with an index score of 74/100. The city offers an abundance of running routes, with more than 1,008 tracks available within a 10-mile radius of the city centre. The average route review stands at an impressive 4.6, reflecting the well-maintained and scenic paths that meander through its historic streets and parks. V...
Cycling in Lisbon: five scenic routes in Portugal’s capital
Holidays & Trips

Cycling in Lisbon: five scenic routes in Portugal’s capital

This August, La Vuelta a España, one of cycling's big three Grand Tours, sets off in Portugal’s capital city Lisbon for the first time since 1997, with stages one and two starting in the region. To celebrate, the Visit Lisbon tourism board has recommended five slow and scenic short rides for holidaymakers to explore the region on two wheels. Cais do Sodré to Belém This is one of the most popular routes in Lisbon and stretches for five miles along the Tagus River. The route starts in Cais do Sodré, home to the city's famous Time Out food market. Most of the trail sticks to a dedicated cycle path that is flat and easy to follow, and cyclists pass some of Lisbon's best known historic and cultural landmarks along the bustling riverfront, including the 25 de Abril suspension bridge. As th...
PoB Hotels launches ‘Get Set, and Go’ tailored sports breaks
Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel

PoB Hotels launches ‘Get Set, and Go’ tailored sports breaks

Amid an exciting summer of sport, PoB Hotels is encouraging guests to plan their own athletic staycation, pursuing their favourite British sport, or trying their hand at something new.  PoB Hotels’s ‘Get Set, and Go’ features a variety of PoB Breaks predominantly centred around Britain’s five most-loved sports, inspiring guests to embrace their inner sportsman or woman in idyllic locations across the country, staying at some of the finest independent hotels. To celebrate the launch of these itineraries, double Olympic gold medallist Victoria Pendleton has designed her own journey, taking in her favourite sports, and allowing guests to follow in an Olympian’s footsteps this summer.  The first Break to launch is her own itinerary: "An Inspiring Sporting Odyssey: Victoria Pendle...
Summer in Sweden: best outdoor activities to try 
Editor's Pick, Guides, Holidays & Trips

Summer in Sweden: best outdoor activities to try 

With its moderate summer temperatures and close-to-nature lifestyle, Sweden has become a destination of choice for lovers of refreshing holidays. In southern Sweden, summer temperatures average around 20C to 25C, with occasional peaks of 30C. Rainfall is lowest on the islands in the Baltic Sea – such as Gotland, Öland and the archipelagos along the east coast of Sweden – and in valleys surrounded by mountains.  Due to its high latitude, Sweden enjoys significantly longer summer days than those in more southern countries. Dense forests, lush greenery, fields of vibrant wildflowers, thousands of miles of coastline and no less than 100,000 lakes provide a huge playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Sweden promises a summer away from crowds and traffic, a place of tranquillity, and far-re...
Cycling holidays: e-bike from Land’s End to John O’Groats
Editor's Pick, Holidays & Trips

Cycling holidays: e-bike from Land’s End to John O’Groats

The rise in popularity of electric bikes has opened up the world of cycling – helping people ride further distances and explore more of the places they’re visiting. For anyone that’s ever dreamed of completing the iconic Land's End to O'Groats (LEJOG) cycle ride, but have been put off at the thought of tackling the 1,000-plus mile journey on a traditional bike, cycling holiday company Saddle Skedaddle has the answer. The Newcastle-based independent company has launched a new hybrid e-bike version of its 22-day Land's End to John O'Groats cycling holiday. The new e-bike trips in 2025 provide some added power behind each pedal, meaning more people can enjoy the epic ride from the Cornish coast to the Scottish Highlands. Despite the extra boost provided by the e-bikes, this is still a chal...
Sports wellbeing: ‘Total Golf Enhancement’ retreat at Chiva-Som Hua Hin
Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts

Sports wellbeing: ‘Total Golf Enhancement’ retreat at Chiva-Som Hua Hin

Chiva-Som Hua Hin in Thailand has expanded its health and sports wellbeing offering with the launch of the “Total Golf Enhancement” retreat. Combining time on the golf course with specialised fitness training, wellness cuisine, health and wellness consultations, and holistic therapies, the retreat supports golfers in developing their overall game, as well as post-golf muscle recovery and relaxation. Every Chiva-Som retreat begins with a health and wellness consultation, enabling the expert team to tailor a programme to each individual guest's wellbeing needs and goals. In addition to this, the Total Golf Enhancement retreat includes a golf fitness assessment followed by golf fitness training and a golf lesson that supports endurance, range of motion, strength and balance, as well as red...
Walking holidays along Turkey’s Lycian Way with Inntravel
Holidays & Trips

Walking holidays along Turkey’s Lycian Way with Inntravel

Walking holiday specialises Inntravel has released two new hotel-to-hotel walking trips along the Lycian Way on Turkey’s southwestern coast. Intended for those who have a real sense of adventure and relish challenging hiking, each trip explores a different stretch of the 520km-long Lycian Way, Turkey's first long-distance walking route which marks its 25th anniversary year in 2025.  Inspired by bygone civilisations and the beautiful ancient pathways, the route was pioneered by British expatriate Kate Clow, with a view to preserving and protecting the small communities from the advancement of mass tourism.  To reveal the best of the country’s Mediterranean coastline, Inntravel has opted for the eastern section on The Pirate Coast of Lycia and the western section on Seven Cap...
Innsbruck: summer activities in the ‘Capital of the Alps’
Holidays & Trips

Innsbruck: summer activities in the ‘Capital of the Alps’

Surrounded by mountains, the Innsbruck region in the Austrian Alps includes scenic landscapes, picturesque villages and a wealth of cultural and historic attractions in the city. Here are some of the best reasons to visit Innsbruck in the summer. Hiking The Innsbruck region is blessed with a wealth of hiking trails through all types of terrain from alpine meadows and mountainsides to the centuries-old stone pine forests of the Zirbenweg trail between Patscherkofel and Tulfes or the larch forests of the Obsteiger Larchsteig trail. With the free Innsbruck Welcome Card, guided hikes are available to explore the region in all its glory. Provided with a stay of at least two nights at selected partner hotels and accommodation, the Welcome Card also includes free public transport in the reg...
Traws Eryri: tackle Snowdonia’s ultimate mountain biking route with Adventure Tours UK
Holidays & Trips

Traws Eryri: tackle Snowdonia’s ultimate mountain biking route with Adventure Tours UK

Adventure Tours UK, a B-Corp-certified adventure travel company that creates world-class UK holidays for outdoor enthusiasts, has launched the ultimate mountain biking tour in Snowdonia, north Wales.  The Traws Eryri (Trans Snowdonia) mountain biking tour invites bikers to embark on a 225km adventure along Britain’s newest long-distance off-road cycling route this summer, pedalling up the equivalent of Wales’s highest mountain, Snowdon, more than four times. The Traws Eryri route itself was announced by Cycling UK just last year.  Claire Copeman, co-founder of Adventure Tours UK, said: “The Traws Eryri route is set to elevate the UK’s offering for multi-day mountain biking and our tour guides riders every step of the way. Climbing Wales’ steep hills and tackling its varied ...
Cycling holidays inspired by Tour de France and 2024 Olympics
Holidays & Trips

Cycling holidays inspired by Tour de France and 2024 Olympics

The eyes of the sporting world will be firmly fixed on France this summer as it hosts the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games and the 111th edition of the Tour de France – cycling’s most iconic road cycling event. For cyclists and active travel enthusiasts looking to experience their own sporting adventure in France this year, independent cycling holiday company Saddle Skedaddle has a range of road cycling trips that combine highlights of Le Tour with the country’s stunning landscapes and scenery. To mark this year’s Grand Depart in Florence and Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, Saddle Skedaddle is also offering a relaxed, self-guided leisure cycling holiday that takes riders on a culinary tour of the Emilia-Romagna region – from Cremona in the north, to Bologna in the south. Tackle ...
The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna launches exclusive F1 experience for 2024 Austrian GP
Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts

The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna launches exclusive F1 experience for 2024 Austrian GP

The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna has announced the ultimate experience for racing fans. "Spielberg - The Whole Journey" combines top speed with spectacular luxury for the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix from 28-30 June 2024.  The spectacular package for two includes a four-night stay at of The Ritz Carlton, Vienna in one of the Signature Suites with €1,000 hotel credit, daily transfers to the VIP Terminal of Vienna Airport, daily 20-minute scenic GlobeAir private jet flight to Spielberg, and a three-day pass to the Paddock Club, the exclusive area for Formula 1 fans.  Guests will land exclusively inside the Red Bull Ring, one of the most modern racetracks in the world, enjoy unique views of the team boxes, the start and finish line and the pit lane at The Paddock Club, as well as have a p...
Sports travel bucket list: a luxury yacht cruise to the F1 Monaco GP in 2025
Bucket List, Holidays & Trips

Sports travel bucket list: a luxury yacht cruise to the F1 Monaco GP in 2025

Here's a trip to add to your sports travel bucket list... Combining luxury yachting with exhilarating motor racing, Emerald Cruises’ six-day 'Monaco Grand Prix and the Italian Riviera' itinerary is an exclusive sailing during the 2025 Formula 1 calendar.  Guests will sail a round-trip from Nice aboard the Emerald Sakara, the firm's second luxury yacht. At 110 metres in length, the Sakara carries just 100 passengers and boasts innovative features such as an infinity-style aqua pool on the pool deck, a marina platform designed for easy access to water sport activities in the sea, and a wellness centre complete with Elements Spa, gym, and infrared sauna.  At an additional cost to the sailing, travellers can watch the most famous street race in the world – the Monaco GP – live from the s...
London to Innsbruck by train: rail in style to the ‘Capital of the Alps’
Holidays & Trips

London to Innsbruck by train: rail in style to the ‘Capital of the Alps’

With an international train station in the heart of the alpine city, Innsbruck provides a unique opportunity for winter sports enthusiasts to travel by rail. Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof train station is a hub for major European rail routes, enabling visitors from London St Pancras to be in the “Capital of the Alps” in approximately 12 hours, depending on the route. From there the benefit of connectivity continues, with access to Innsbruck’s 13 ski resorts, all linked-up by free public transport through one ticket, with the Ski plus CITY Pass Stubai-Innsbruck. This includes Kühtai, the highest ski village in Austria, as well as Mutteralm, the family mountain in the picturesque village of Mutters, and Innsbruck’s own ski mountain, Nordkette, with incredible views of the cityscape from the...

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