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Mallorca sports guide: events and activities in 2023
Sports Travel

Mallorca sports guide: events and activities in 2023

In addition to its natural beauty, mild weather and unique cultural heritage, Mallorca is the ideal destination to practise sports 365 days a year. Due to its long sporting tradition and excellent infrastructure, the island isn’t short of international competitions either and in 2023 a large number of events will attract visitors throughout the year. Here we take a look at the cycling, triathlon, running, golf and tennis events and activities in Mallorca.  Cycling With 2,071km of roads and cycling paths, Mallorca has become a bucket list destination for the world’s amateur and professional cyclists alike due to the island’s 16 routes that make up its extensive cycle route map infrastructure.  Mallorca 312 is one of the island’s most important races. Taking place on 29 Ap...
Formula 1 Exhibition to open in March 2023 in Madrid 
Events, Sports Travel

Formula 1 Exhibition to open in March 2023 in Madrid 

Tickets are now on sale for the world’s first official Formula 1 Exhibition, which will open on 24 March 2023 at the renowned IFEMA MADRID in Madrid, Spain. Developed in association with Formula 1 and with support from the motorsport community, the show boasts a wide range of artefacts and contributions from the sport’s most legendary teams, drivers, experts and personalities. Several years in the making, the exhibition combines spectacular audio-visual design, rare film and imagery, engineering and educational displays, sculptural pieces and iconic Grand Prix cars to deliver an immersive experience for everyone – from avid followers to younger fans and families. Produced in partnership with Round Room Live and delving far beyond what fans have ever seen before, the show uses bold, tech...
Rugby union: 2023 Six Nations men’s and women’s fixtures and dates
Destination Guides, Event Calendars, Events, Sports Travel

Rugby union: 2023 Six Nations men’s and women’s fixtures and dates

European rugby union takes centre stage in February and March 2023 with the men’s Guinness Six Nations championship. Featuring England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales, games will be played over five rounds. In 2022 France won the championship and the grand slam. The 2023 edition of the Six Nations will also be a big part of preparations ahead of the men’s 2023 Rugby World Cup in September and October.   Following the conclusion of the men’s Six Nations, it’s the turn of the women’s teams. The 2023 Women’s Six Nations championship begins with the first round of fixtures on 25-26 March and finishes with round five on 29 April. Guinness Six Nations Fanzones Each year, millions of rugby fans attend the Guinness Six Nations matches, and more than 100,000,000 tune in across ...
Les Sables-d’Olonne: capitalising on sailing and ocean racing
Sports Travel

Les Sables-d’Olonne: capitalising on sailing and ocean racing

by Ramy James Salameh For Les Sables d'Olonne sport has brought global attention to this elegant seaside town in western France. Settled on the shores of the Atlantic coast, the destination has become the world capital of single-handed ocean racing, home of the Vendée Globe and Golden Globe solo round-the-world sailing races. The latter is described as the father of solo round-the-world events, one for the sailing purists, placing man and not machine at the heart of maritime exploration, while the equally demanding Vendée Globe uses state-of-the-art technology and equipment, but with no less guile, determination and fortitude.  A dedicated race village opens to the public at Esplanade du Vendée Globe weeks prior t...
Ski Club of Great Britain announces 2022-2023 Freshtracks holiday schedule
Sports Travel, Trips & Experiences

Ski Club of Great Britain announces 2022-2023 Freshtracks holiday schedule

The Ski Club of Great Britain’s Freshtracks holiday programme has fully re-launched for the 2022-2023 season with more than 150 different weeks throughout the winter, starting on 25 November 2022 and running until 1 May 2023. All Freshtracks holidays are designed to bring like-minded skiers together of similar ability levels and many trips are led by qualified mountain guides and ski instructors. Holidays are popular with solo travellers with many trips sold on a single occupancy basis. There’s a programme dedicated to those skiers over the age of 60 – Peak Experience – that attracts enthusiasts well into their 70s and sometimes beyond, plus one of the largest choices of off-piste and ski touring holidays on the UK market. But there’s also opportunities for skiers to improve their techn...
Skiing in Austria: 11 reasons to hit the slopes this winter 
Sports Travel, Trips & Experiences

Skiing in Austria: 11 reasons to hit the slopes this winter 

From snow-sure slopes to the world-famous Kaiserschmarren, Austria is one of the best places to ski. Here the team from the Austrian National Tourist Office pick out 11 reasons why you should visit Austria for skiing this winter. 1. Plenty of snow-sure pistes  Snow-guarantee is a crucial factor when choosing a winter destination. And, luckily, the Austrian Alps are blessed with it. Widely recognized as one of the world's most reliable skiing destinations, Austria's top resorts ensure perfectly groomed pistes throughout the classic winter season – and way beyond. Tirol alone has five glaciers, including Zillertal's Hintertux, where you can ski 365 days a year. In Zell am See-Kaprun skiing is on from October to June thanks to the Kitzsteinhorn glacier. And if everything goes wrong, Aus...
Qatar World Cup new openings: hotels, resorts and attractions
Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel

Qatar World Cup new openings: hotels, resorts and attractions

With just weeks until the start of the 2022 Fifa World Cup, Qatar Tourism has revealed new tourism attractions, hotels and resorts that will be open for fans to enjoy during the tournament. Here we take a look at some of the upcoming new openings ahead of the football festival… Related articles 2022 Fifa World Cup Qatar: fixtures and groupsHotel review: InterContinental Doha Beach & Spa Pictures: Qatar Airways aircraft with Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 livery Al Maha Island (Image: Qatar Tourism) Al Maha Island Set to launch in November, Al Maha Island will feature high-end restaurants including Zuma, LPM, Billionaire and Carbone, as well as other eateries and attractions such as Nammos Qatar beach club. The island also features Al Maha Drive, a unique driveway experience r...
Aqua Rugby Festival: a ‘sporting phenomenon’ in Sydney, Australia 
Events, Sports Travel

Aqua Rugby Festival: a ‘sporting phenomenon’ in Sydney, Australia 

With “big hits” and even “bigger splashes”, Aqua Rugby has been described as Australia’s newest “sporting phenomenon”. Taking place at Manly Cove in Sydney, Australia from 10-12 November 2022, the three-day Aqua Rugby Festival will see matches played on a 30m x 30m floating pontoon pitch with tries scored by jumping into the ocean. Think of it as rugby’s full contact and fast pace combined with Olympic-style dives and NFL-inspired celebrations.    The teams, professional and amateur, feature five players plus reserves and games are played for ten minutes – five-minute halves with two minutes for half time. Over the weekend there will be men’s and women’s knockout competitions as well as a number of exhibition matches. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_QNk0NRI2o Fans will be able...
Golf in Italy: eight of the best golf courses in Emilia Romagna
Destination Guides, Sports Travel, Trips & Experiences

Golf in Italy: eight of the best golf courses in Emilia Romagna

With more than 20 courses, the northern Italian region of Emilia Romagna is an ideal destination for both beginner and professional golfers alike. It also provides a rich cultural background to enjoy in-between rounds, meaning golfers can combine spa holidays, food and wine, and art on their trip. Here we take a look at eight of the best golf courses in Emilia Romagna, Italy.  Adriatic Golf Club Cervia, Ravenna This charming 27-hole golf club (top picture) is located amongst pine forests and salt lakes, a setting of natural beauty just a short distance from the sea. Enjoy water obstacles and innovative design that guarantees enjoyment for golfer across all levels. Previously, the Italian PGA Championships have been held here on several occasions, the latest being held in 2019. The co...
Dates confirmed for 2023 Surf City El Salvador ISA World Surfing Games 
Events, Sports Travel

Dates confirmed for 2023 Surf City El Salvador ISA World Surfing Games 

The International Surfing Association (ISA) has confirmed that the 2023 Surf City El Salvador ISA World Surfing Games will be held in El Sunzal / La Bocana from 30 May to 7 June 2023.  The games will serve as the second event in the Olympic Qualification process, with four slots up for grabs for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games (to be held in Tahiti). In El Salvador, the four top ranked surfers by continent for each gender will qualify one place each by name. Fernando Aguerre, ISA president, said: “El Salvador continues to solidify itself as an essential part of the pathway to Olympic Surfing. We are grateful to President Bukele and Minister Valdez for their understanding of the ISA’s mission, but also for their strong commitment to surfing. We are happy to continue to expand and st...
Cardinals to play Cubs in 2023 Major League Baseball London Series
Events, Sports Travel

Cardinals to play Cubs in 2023 Major League Baseball London Series

Major League Baseball (MLB) will return to London in 2023 with St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs facing off for a two-game series in the UK’s capital city. Taking place at the baseball-configured London Stadium, the games will be held on 24 and 25 June.  In 2019 MLB held its first regular-season games in Europe with the Yankees playing the Red Sox at London Stadium. The Cardinals and Cubs were due to play in London in 2020, but the series was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  The 2023 London Series is part of the MLB World Tour, which will also see regular-season and exhibition games played in Asia, Mexico, Latin America and Europe through to the 2026 season. When asked about the London Series, Cubs pitcher Marcus Stroman said: “Sick. Unreal. Honestly, London i...
Sydney Marathon enters race to join Abbott World Marathon Majors 
Events, Sports Business, Sports Travel

Sydney Marathon enters race to join Abbott World Marathon Majors 

Sydney is on track to join the most high-profile marathon cities in the world, with the Blackmores Sydney Marathon officially announced as a candidate for the Abbott World Marathon Majors series – the first marathon in Oceania to be nominated. To become a major, the Sydney Marathon will be required to meet “strict criteria over a three-year period”, said worldmarathonmajors.com. If successful, it will join an esteemed group of races – Tokyo Marathon, Boston Marathon, TCS London Marathon, BMW-Berlin Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and TCS New York City Marathon – as a new member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors in 2025. Stuart Ayres, the New South Wales minister for tourism and sport, said the candidacy acknowledges the Sydney Marathon as a world-class event with one of...
Expat Sport launches Dubai hotel experience for football fans during World Cup
Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel, Trips & Experiences

Expat Sport launches Dubai hotel experience for football fans during World Cup

Sports tourism agency Expat Sport has announced details of Dubai’s first hotel experience exclusively for football supporters. Taking place from 21 November to 18 December, to coincide with the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar, the “Football Fans Dubai Experience” is for supporters wanting to base themselves in the United Arab Emirates during the tournament. The package includes daily flights to Qatar for guests attending the games, free shuttle buses to Dubai fan zones and a convenient, on-site sports bar to watch the matches. The Football Fans Dubai Experience will be hosted at NH Dubai The Palm, a premium hotel on the West Bay side of the Palm Jumeirah with breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea, Dubai Marina skyline and the Dubai Eye. The property has a rooftop infinity pool, spacious ro...
Val d’Isère summer sports guide: e-biking, walking, hiking and more
Destination Guides, Sports Travel

Val d’Isère summer sports guide: e-biking, walking, hiking and more

Sports fanatics looking for an active summer break need look no further than the striking alpine town of Val d’Isère in France. Typically thought of as a snow-capped winter destination, Val d’Isère transforms in the summer months to offer a whole range of sporting activities in the beautiful mountainous landscape, from exciting e-bike routes and trail running packages to forest adventure courses and lake-side yoga.  Summer’s hottest sport Noticing an ongoing demand for e-biking, Val d’Isère has committed to boosting its e-bike offering through developing new trails, bike sharing schemes, and hosting an E-Bike Festival from 29-31 July which will see long distance races, discovery rides, including a gourmet ride where food lovers can explore the area whilst trying fresh local produc...
Free tickets released for golf’s DP World Tour Championship in Dubai 
Events, Sports Business, Sports Travel

Free tickets released for golf’s DP World Tour Championship in Dubai 

As with previous years, general admission tickets will be free for golf fans eager to watch the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. The DP World Tour’s season-ending Rolex Series event will be held from 17-20 November at Jumeirah Golf Estates.  The Earth course will once again welcome the top 50 players on the DP World Tour Rankings presented by Rolex. Some of the hottest names in the game are expected to make the trip to Dubai for the prestigious tournament, including the likes of former champions and major winners Matthew Fitzpatrick, Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa and Jon Rahm.  This year’s tournament will also boast a record US$10m prize fund, making the season finale the first DP World Tour event in history outside the Majors and WGCs to feature an eight-figure prize fund. As...
Event in focus: The Islands of Guernsey Autumn Walking Festival
Events, Sports Travel, Trips & Experiences

Event in focus: The Islands of Guernsey Autumn Walking Festival

Autumn in Guernsey provides the perfect backdrop for a walking retreat. With the deep red of its falling leaves and bronzed late light, is there a better time to go rambling? Here we take a look at The Islands of Guernsey Autumn Walking Festival 2022. About the event  Taking place from 17 September to 2 October, the Autumn Walking Festival will offer visitors a choice of more than 40 morning, afternoon, and evening guided walks to explore the stunning islands of Guernsey, Herm and Sark. Walkers can also learn from local experts about the islands’ history and attractions. Organised by the Bailiwick of Guernsey Guild of Accredited Guides, the walks range from rambles through the island’s interior scenic landscape to exploring the rugged coastal paths. The walks vary in difficulty an...
Sustainable sports travel: cycling trends and tours from Cycling for Softies
Sports Travel, Trends, Trips & Experiences

Sustainable sports travel: cycling trends and tours from Cycling for Softies

If you want your next sports-themed holiday to be sustainable, then a cycling tour could be a great option. Often overlooked, this type of holiday offers the opportunity to explore a destination while leaving no carbon footprint. In this expert guide, Harvey Downard, head of cycling at bike tour operator Cycling for Softies, shares some insight into this type of travel and suggests some breathtaking routes for anyone looking for an eco-friendly getaway. No-fly and no-drive: keep your carbon footprint to a minimum Using a bike instead of a car for short journeys reduces travel emissions by up to 75%, according to ourworldindata.org. So, as you explore by bike on your holiday, you’ll be able to cover much larger distances than by car to best immerse yourself in a destination and min...
Mouratoglou Tennis Center Costa Navarino: tennis holidays in Greece
Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel, Trips & Experiences

Mouratoglou Tennis Center Costa Navarino: tennis holidays in Greece

Improve your serve and hone your on-court skills with a tennis-themed holiday in Costa Navarino. Located in the Greek region of Messinia, southwest Peloponnese, Costa Navarino is home to world-class sports facilities and luxury hotels.   Where to play tennis in Costa Navarino The region is the first European location for a Mouratoglou Tennis Center. Here you can play on state-of-the-art clay, hard and grass courts – offering the equivalent of grand slam court conditions.  The centre has 16 brand new tennis courts and benefits from year-round sunshine. Guests can enjoy a tennis-inspired holiday full of breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea, while receiving personalised coaching from the best in the world - with lessons and packages for children and adults.  Prices for tennis coac...
Cycling breaks and routes in Lincoln and Lincolnshire
Sports Travel, Trips & Experiences

Cycling breaks and routes in Lincoln and Lincolnshire

The city of Lincoln and county of Lincolnshire in England has recreated a diverse group of cycling packages for 2022. Here we take a look at the best trips and routes for a two-wheel adventure…  Historic Lincoln & Surrounding Area (155 miles) The Historic Lincoln & Surrounding Area cycle route provides a five-day suggested itinerary covering 248km to see the many different aspects of the beautiful city, treating you to some of the best sights and experiences. Based predominantly in Lincoln, you’ll be able to explore this ancient city in all its glory whilst also venturing further afield to take in the contrasting and captivating surrounding countryside. One of the days’ routes gets you out of the city – you’ll follow the River Witham to Doddington and continue on a picturesqu...
Cycling holidays in Spain with Saddle Skedaddle
Sports Travel, Trips & Experiences

Cycling holidays in Spain with Saddle Skedaddle

A look at Saddle Skedaddle’s cycling holidays to Spain in 2022 and 2023. Trips include a guided leisure cycling holiday along the Camino de Santiago; a Basque Country to Andalucia north to south guided road cycling holiday; and a Trans Andaluz guided mountain bike holiday. Camino de Santiago guided leisure cycling holiday Travelled by pilgrims for more than 1,000 years, Saddle Skedaddle’s guided cycling holiday along Spain’s historic Camino de Santiago follows in the footsteps of ancient travellers. After collecting the official pilgrim's passport to log the journey along the Camino, the cycling begins with a picturesque ride through vineyards and villages to the town of Villafranca del Bierzo. A challenging climb to the village of O’Cebriero is rewarded with stunning views and a 10k...