Sports Travel

27Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Links, lochs and isles: Hebridean Princess to host UK ‘golf cruise’ in 2024

For one week only in September next year, the Hebridean Princess cruise ship will treat golfers to an awe-inspiring Gaelic links, lochs and isles “golf cruise” in Scotland and Northern Ireland.  The Hebridean Island Cruises' luxury liner, which is part of the PoB Hotels collection, accommodates just 48 guests. Taking place from 10-17 September 2024, the golf cruise will start and end in the town of Oban, which is known as the “gateway to the Isles”. Guests will enjoy seven nights on board the Hebridean Princess and the trip includes two gala dinners.  Available for golfers of all abilities, many of the courses are set in spectacular rolling sand dunes with stunning coastal views. “The added benefit is that nobody needs to be an expert to enjoy this wonderful cruise,” Hebridean Island...

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27Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Scottish cycling holidays: epic adventures with Wilderness Scotland

From 3-13 August Glasgow and Scotland will play host to the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, with the world’s finest cyclists set for fierce competition on the country’s trails, tracks and roads.  For those keen to experience their own two-wheeled adventure, specialist tour operator Wilderness Scotland offers a range of cycling trips across the Highlands and Islands. Either led by expert guides or self-guided, the trips offer challenging single tracks and sweeping roads, while the epic scenery of the Highlands unfolds at a slower, more immersive pace.  North Coast 500  Scotland’s answer to Route 66, the North Coast 500 is one of the world’s most renowned road routes, but one best enjoyed at the slower pace of two wheels. This week-long guided tour takes cyclists to the NC500’...

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2Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

‘Wickets and Waves’: Star Clippers packages for England’s cricket tour of West Indies

Tall ship sailing company Star Clippers has announced details of three new packages for England’s cricket tour of the West Indies in December 2023.  The “Wickets and Waves” offerings give cricket fans the opportunity to sail on board one of the cruise line’s iconic tall ships, the Royal Clipper, with pre- and post-cruise stays in either Antigua or Barbados for one-day (ODI) and Twenty20 (T20i) international matches between the West Indies and England.  Prices start at £6,629pp and include return flights from London to either Antigua or Barbados, a full-board sailing on board Royal Clipper, luxury hotel stays and premium match tickets. Royal Clipper, the largest full-rigged sailing ship in the world, holds 227 passengers and boasts five masts with 42 sails.  The new sports col...

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2Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Travel

Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji: climbing routes and activities in Shizuoka

Home to the iconic Mount Fuji and located just one hour by bullet train from Tokyo, the prefecture of Shizuoka is set to welcome the opening of the climbing season of Japan’s tallest mountain.  There are a total of four climbing routes to Mt. Fuji’s summit – 3,776m above sea level – with Shizuoka boasting three. In 2023, the routes in Shizuoka are set to open from 10 July to 10 September. All trails to the summit of Mt. Fuji start at different points boasting different conditions and difficulty levels: Subashiri route Starting at Subashiri 5th Station, this route heads to the summit from the east side with separate ascending and descending routes. The ascending distance is 6.9km and 6.2km for the descent. The topography of this route is relatively gentle, covered with trees up ...

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19Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel

Sports hotel in focus: Yankees ‘Grand Slam Suite’ at New York Hilton Midtown

If you’re a New York Yankees baseball fan, then this may just be the ultimate hotel suite for you… The New York Hilton Midtown hotel has announced that reservations are now available for the Yankees-inspired “Grand Slam Suite”, which is available for select dates in July, August and September 2023.  Hilton is an official partner of the Yankees and the baseball-themed suite is one of several offers from Hilton hotels across the city which celebrate the team and all that the Big Apple has to offer. “The New York Yankees are legendary in the eyes of baseball fans around the world and have remained a beloved symbol of New York City for more than a century,” said Mark Sanders, general manager, New York Hilton Midtown. “As an iconic hotel in Midtown Manhattan, we’re thrilled to honour base...

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18Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business, Sports Travel

Sports venue in focus: new £30m Lee Valley Ice Centre opens in London 

Lee Valley Ice Centre – a new world-class sports venue in Leyton, east London – has opened its doors to the public. Costing £30m to build, it features two Olympic-sized ice rinks plus a gym, dance studios, community spaces and café.  With two ice rinks, it means the centre can remain open while providing professional athletes, synchronised skating teams and ice hockey clubs a place to train. One of the rinks has a spectator viewing area, disco lighting and sound system, while the other will be used for ice events and includes a spectator seating area, digital scoreboards and screens. A welcome addition to sport and leisure facilities in the southeast region of the UK, the new Lee Valley Ice Centre is expected to boost the local economy by as much as £1.5m annually and attract half a ...

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18Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Travel

Sebastian Vettel is confirmed for the Red Bull Formula Nürburgring event

A decade after his inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix triumph at the Nürburgring in his car dubbed "Hungry Heidi", four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel has announced that he will return to the legendary circuit on 9 September for the Red Bull Formula Nürburgring event.  Joining the ranks of high-calibre racers like GP winner and Red Bull Racing test driver Daniel Ricciardo, Vettel is set to navigate the formidable Nordschleife in his championship car, the RB7, now refitted to run on synthetic, carbon-neutral e-fuel. This September, the Red Bull Formula Nürburgring will feature motorsport legends and an expected crowd of 30,000 spectators amidst the Eifel’s scenic vistas. One of the event’s highlights will be Vettel's demonstration run, symbolising his commitment to the sport and its...

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15Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business, Sports Travel

2023 WRC Guanajuato Rally México generates €35.6m economic impact 

The Guanajuato Rally México, round three of the 2023 FIA World Rally Championship, had a significant economic impact for the host state. According to Juan José Álvarez Brunel, Guanajuato’s secretary of tourism, the event from 16-19 March 2023 directly and indirectly contributed 695m pesos (€35.6m) to the region, specifically to the three cities of León, Guanajuato and Silao, around which the Guanajuato Rally México was based.  Close to 600,000 fans enjoyed the WRC’s first return to North America since the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to a 61% hotel occupancy in the state. Guanajuato Rally México offered six major spectator venues, starting with the spectacular rally-opening Guanajuato Street Stage on Thursday evening, where fans packed into every viewing vantage point possible inside the ...

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9Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Travel

‘Rumble in the Jungle Rematch’ experience to launch in London in September

Boxing fans in the UK will get the chance to relive an all-time classic fight when Rematch’s second immersive experience, Rumble in the Jungle Rematch, launches in London in September 2023. Fusing theatre, sport and technology, the event will see guests step back in time to 1974 to see legendary boxers Muhammad Ali and George Foreman go head-to-head in Zaire. Arriving in central London’s Dock X on 14 September, Rumble in the Jungle will be brought to life by a live cast of actors, with live music, food and drink that will create authentic smells and tastes of the time. From Ali’s pre-match trash talking to the step-by-step play-out of the fight where his famous rope-a-dope was performed, Rumble in the Jungle will take audiences on a journey to discover The Greatest Sporting Event o...

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7Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Tennis holidays in Greece and Turkey with Mark Warner in 2023

From intensive tennis weeks to private one-on-one coaching, independent activity holiday company Mark Warner has been serving up tennis holidays for nearly 50 years. Each of its five properties in Greece and Turkey have a choice of courts, and with a team of expert coaching staff on hand, there are options for all ages and levels.   Guests all enjoy complimentary access to the courts and equipment, with social tennis sessions included in their stay and drills sessions also available. Additional activities which can be booked and paid for either in advance or locally range from serve clinics and group tennis coaching sessions, to one-on-one tuition and private tennis lessons as well as LTA courses and mini and junior LTA courses for children.  Padel and pickleball Alongsi...

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5Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business, Sports Travel

Video: Rafa Nadal visits his tennis centre at Sani Resort in Greece 

Spanish tennis icon Rafa Nadal, who holds the joint-record of 22 Grand Slam men’s singles titles, has been in Greece to visit the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center at Sani Resort in Halkidiki.  A collaboration between the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar in Mallorca and the Sani/Ikos Group, the tennis centre features eight clay courts and since 2018 has held tennis training programs for players of all ages and all levels. During his visit to the five-star Sani Resort, Nadal revealed that he has been impressed by the “spectacular” facilities.  “The truth is that I was really looking forward to finally come to Greece, but my schedule and Covid had had made it impossible,” he said. “Toni [Nadal], Carlos Moya, Carlos Costa and the whole team had told me wonderful things about the c...

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31May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Travel

100 days to go until the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France

Celebrations are taking place throughout France to mark the 100-day countdown to the start of the Rugby World Cup 2023. With a little under three months to go until the 20 nations arrive in France, final preparations are underway for rugby union’s 200th birthday party. There will be 48 matches taking place across ten host destinations: Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Nice, Paris, Saint-Denis, Saint-Etienne and Toulouse. Hosts France will face New Zealand in the opening match of the tournament at the 80,698-capacity Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Friday 8 September. The Rugby World Cup final will be played on Saturday 28 October 2023, also at the Stade de France. On Tuesday 30 May, the Webb Ellis Cup arrived in Paris on an Emirates A380 with bespoke Rugby World Cup 2023 l...

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26May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Travel

Event in focus: 24 Hours of Le Mans Centenary

The French department of Sarthe is gearing up to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans race, which takes place from 10-11 June 2023 (4pm to 4pm) at the Circuit de la Sarthe.  First run in 1923, the endurance race is part of the “triple crown” of motor sport – alongside the Indianapolis 500 and F1 Monaco Grand Prix. Expect an epic battle between Toyota, Ferrari (back in the top-tier category after a 40-year hiatus), Porsche (record holder for the most Le Mans wins), Peugeot and Cadillac.  To mark the centenary, the 24 Hours Museum on the circuit is hosting a special exhibition (1 June-2 July) of 86 cars that have either won the race or left a mark on its history.  Event organisers have also announced that after record sales, all tickets...

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25May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Travel

Football attractions: Tottenham Experience Dare Skywalk

The award-winning Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London offers one of the finest spectator experiences in the world of sport and entertainment. Home to English Premier League club, Tottenham Hotspur, it incorporates a fully-retractable football pitch, becoming the first purpose-built ground for the NFL in Europe. With a capacity of 62,850, the stadium has created a major landmark for both Tottenham and London featuring visitor attractions including the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Tour, Dare Skywalk and Dare Skywalk Edge. A star-studded line-up of summer acts – including Beyoncé, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Wizkid – are set to perform at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in summer 2023. This year there will be two NFL London Games held at Tottenham. Buffalo Bills face the Jacksonvill...

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23May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Untamed Borders: ski tourism returns to Afghanistan

Ski tourists have returned to Afghanistan for the first time under the new Taliban government. According to adventure travel company Untamed Borders, which was the first company to lead ski excursions to Afghanistan back in 2011, skiing in the country is at the sharp end of a growing trend that sees people taking to the slopes in destinations not famous for ski tourism. Iraq, Lebanon, Iran, Tajikistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan are other destinations which Untamed Borders also operates in.  Over the spring the annual Afghan Peaks Ski Race took place, a backcountry ski race in the country’s Bamian Province. It was the first opportunity for visitors to take to the Afghan slopes since the nation returned to Taliban rule. An international group flew out to the area for the competition wi...

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21May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Business, Sports Travel

F1 FanZone added to 2023 Silverstone Festival line-up

An all-new F1 FanZone will a major highlight at this summer’s Silverstone Festival. This year marks the 75th anniversary of motorsport at the circuit in England, and celebrations over the 25-27 August bank holiday weekend will be enhanced by the addition of this exciting feature which builds on the highly popular modern Formula 1 content that was introduced for the first time at the event last year. Reliving all the excitement of the British Grand Prix that takes place from 7-9 July, the F1 FanZone at Silverstone Festival will provide visitors with the opportunity to get up close to see a grid of current grand prix cars. Formula 1 teams already confirmed for the showcase include Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant, BWT Alpine, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS, Oracle Red Bull Racing and William...

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21May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Travel

Sports event in focus: Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2023-2024

Founded in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo and non-stop around the world, the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is one of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet.  This epic biennial sailing event sees more than 700 crew race over 40,000 nautical miles around the world on 70-foot ocean racing yachts, travelling across six continents over a span of 11 months.  The Clipper Race is the only event of its kind which trains people from all walks of life to become ocean racers, and many have no previous sailing experience before signing up for the intensive four levels of training prior to racing. Led by a professional skipper and first mate, race crew can complete the full 11-month circumnavigation or choose to test themselves on one or multiple...

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18May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Travel

Southampton to host start and finish of Ocean Globe Race 2023

From the Mayflower to the Titanic, the Blue Riband liners to the Whitbread Round the World races, Southampton is synonymous with the start of some of history’s most famous sea voyages. This September, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race, the maritime city on England’s south coast will host its latest sailing challenge – the Ocean Globe Race 2023.  On 10 September, more than 160 sailors will depart the Southampton Ocean Village onboard 15 yachts to complete the four-leg, 27,000-mile race around the world via the three great capes – Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, Australia’s Cape Leeuwin, and South America’s notorious Cape Horn.   To celebrate the momentous event, there will be a party atmosphere in the city, with the race village at Ocean Village Mari...

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17May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel

Sports hotel in focus: Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the opening of the Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa – the first Grand Hyatt hotel to open in Spain and the fourth operating under the luxury brand in Europe.  To capitalise on the hotel’s prime position within the prestigious La Manga Club Resort in Murcia, southeast Spain, the property has undergone extensive refurbishment. As well as golf and a spa, the hotel’s extensive world-class sports facilities offer a variety of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. “Every Grand Hyatt hotel is carefully designed as a destination within a destination and the newly opened Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa sets the bar high when it comes to delivering a luxury travel experience with an abundance of options for our discerning guests,” said...

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16May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Best Served Scandinavia’s summer holidays: adventures, lakes, forests and glaciers

With stunning landscapes offering the perfect setting for a host of outdoor activities and adventures, a summer holiday in Scandinavia is a refreshing alternative to the traditional Mediterranean beach break.  Specialist tour operator Best Served Scandinavia has a selection of holidays for those looking to make the most of this fabulous region in the summer months. Adventures include lake swimming in the beauty of Finnish Lakeland, immersive nature hikes in Sweden’s cultural heartland Dalarna, Iceland’s natural glaciers and volcanoes, and off-the-beaten-track adventures beneath the glow of the Midnight Sun in Svalbard. Explore Dalarna: the essence of Sweden  Dalarna is pure Sweden – rich in nature and culture. Best Served Scandinavia is opening up the destination to UK custom...

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