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Portugal sports travel guide: adventure tourism and outdoor activities
Sports Travel

Portugal sports travel guide: adventure tourism and outdoor activities

Although a popular year-round sunshine destination, Portugal is a lesser-known paradise for adventure tourism and outdoor activities. With many increasingly popular walking and cycling trails, perfect surfing spots and even extreme sports for adrenaline lovers, Portugal is fast cementing its reputation as an ideal location for active adventures. Here we pick out some of the best activities to enjoy in the regions of Portugal. Porto and the north Host to a number of mountains, nature reserves and national parks, Porto and the north of the country sets the stage for amazing experiences and adventures. With nearly 700km² of stunning landscape set between vast mountains and reservoirs, Peneda-Geres is the biggest national park in the north of Portugal and is home to a variety of differen...
Sports holidays: ‘Wellness with Henri Leconte’ at Abama Resort Tenerife
Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel

Sports holidays: ‘Wellness with Henri Leconte’ at Abama Resort Tenerife

French tennis legend Henri Leconte is to host an exclusive sport and wellbeing retreat at Abama Resort Tenerife, which is located on the southwest coast of the island. Leconte, a former world No.5, was a Davis Cup winner with France in 1991 and in his career he won 19 ATP titles.  Taking place from 9-12 June 2022, the event at the award-winning resort will offer guests a long weekend of golf and tennis, as well as a daily gourmet menu offering highly nutritious, restorative food. Following a welcome dinner in the resort’s Melvin by Martín Berasategui restaurant, on 10 June guests will have the opportunity to take part in a golf tournament, playing on one of the best courses in the world, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean and the island of La Gomera....
Sport hotel in focus: see the Arabian horses at Selman Marrakech
Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel

Sport hotel in focus: see the Arabian horses at Selman Marrakech

Selman Marrakech in Morocco is a haven for fans of equestrianism. For this luxury hotel is home to some very unique guests: sublime Arabian thoroughbred horses.  “Selman” was the original sire of a line of purebred horses, and the owners of Selman Marrakech, a Moroccan family, have chosen to recreate this awe-inspiring equine lineage as well as recreate the golden age of Moroccan culture within the property.  Originally from Saudi Arabia, Arabian thoroughbreds were introduced to Morocco in the 7th century. Selman’s private breeding programme is unique, and many of the horses have won prestigious international prizes.  The hotel works alongside the School of Equestrian Arts of Marrakech to offer dressage and liberty experience to students and participation in equ...
Sports holidays: Pine Cliffs Resort Algarve tennis and yoga retreat with Annabel Croft
Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel

Sports holidays: Pine Cliffs Resort Algarve tennis and yoga retreat with Annabel Croft

Pine Cliffs Resort, a Luxury Collection Resort in the Algarve, Portugal, has announced a new tennis and yoga retreat from 21-24 April 2022 hosted by British former tennis player Annabel Croft and her daughter Amber Coleman. This retreat at the five-star luxury resort, will involve a total of six hours of hosted tennis lessons and drills across three days (all levels welcomed) run by Annabel and her team of coaches. Guests can learn how to perfect their serve, whilst they enjoy some Algarve sunshine and the extensive facilities of this family-friendly luxury resort. Amber will help guests unwind with twice daily yoga sessions in one of the many scenic locations around the resort including a cliff top deck. As a yoga instructor specialising in Yin yoga and Vinyasa Flow – Amber adopts ...
Sporting days out: TrackDays.co.uk’s Formula 1 driving experiences
Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Sporting days out: TrackDays.co.uk’s Formula 1 driving experiences

With the new Formula 1 season gearing up to start this weekend, why not set your own pulses racing with a chance to sample the power of a Jordan F1 grand prix car, driven by Giancarlo Fisichella and Takuma Sato in the 2002 season, courtesy of TrackDays.co.uk. With a full briefing and training programme including how to take the perfect racing lines, throttle/braking techniques and safety tutorials, this is the one-stop-shop for getting that once in a lifetime opportunity to feel like an F1 star for the day. Dan Jones, operations manager at TrackDays.co.uk, said: “With the 20 best drivers in the world getting set to do battle once again under the lights in the Bahrain desert, there isn't a better time than now to saddle up and get a taste of the raw power and performance of one of our...
Event in focus: 10th Sierra Leone Marathon
Events, Sports Travel

Event in focus: 10th Sierra Leone Marathon

Described by Runner’s World magazine as the “craziest and most worthwhile marathon”, the Sierra Leone Marathon returns in 2022 for its tenth edition.  Taking place between 1-6 June 2022, the marathon is organised by Street Child, a UK-based registered charity. It helps raise funds for the charity and raise awareness of the programmes which transform the lives of children and their families through education.  About the event  Winding through tropical jungle and local villages, the Sierra Leone Marathon route takes in some of the most beautiful scenery in northern Sierra Leone. From a full and half marathon to a 10km or 5km option, there is something for all running abilities and regardless of your distance, each will give you a unique perspective on this beauti...
2022 Six Nations: men’s and women’s fixtures
Events, Guides, Sports Travel

2022 Six Nations: men’s and women’s fixtures

International rugby union will be a major focus on the sporting schedule in early 2022 when the Guinness Six Nations championship takes place in Europe.  Ireland, Wales, Scotland, England, France and Italy will be competing for the men's championship, which starts on Saturday 5 February and finishes on Saturday 19 March 2022. The women's championship will be held from Saturday 26 March to Saturday 30 April. Related articles International rugby union in 2022A sports travel guide to… CardiffA sports travel guide to… Edinburgh A sports travel guide to… London Subscribe to our monthly newsletter Men's Six Nations 2022 fixtures  - England: Twickenham Stadium, London- France: Stade de France, Paris- Ireland: Aviva Stadium, Dublin- Italy: Stadio Olimpico, Rome- Scotland: BT...
Hajar Mountain Adventures launched in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
Sports Travel

Hajar Mountain Adventures launched in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

Ras Al Khaimah is giving outdoor enthusiasts the chance to reach new professional and personal heights with the launch of Hajar Mountain Adventures – the first certified adventure training company in the UAE that will teach the skills needed to join the growing field of adventure tourism. The first Mountain Leader training courses start on 15 January 2022, and in line with the new UAE working schedule, will take place over three weekends. Licensed and authorised by Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, the new entity will offer fundamental skills training and leadership and assessment courses covering hiking, climbing, abseiling, canyoneering and mountaineering. Hajar Mountain Adventures will also offer a fast-track instructor scheme, covering all training and assessment aspects...
Olympian Jamie Baulch talks ‘Restoration of mind/body’ at BodyHoliday Resort, St. Lucia
Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel

Olympian Jamie Baulch talks ‘Restoration of mind/body’ at BodyHoliday Resort, St. Lucia

The Olympic 4x400m relay is one of the final disciplines of every Summer Olympic Games, it encapsulates team effort, precision, speed and stamina. Jamie Baulch made the 400m and 4x400m relay his specialism, medalling at major championships including 1999 World Indoor Championships, 1997 World Championships and the 1996 Summer Olympics and thus ran into the annals of sporting history in the UK.   Since 2012, Baulch has been sharing his wealth of experience at the BodyHoliday Luxury Wellness Resort on the idyllic shores of St Lucia’s north west coast. The resort is famed for its unique approach to health and fitness, being the very first overseas destination spa more than 30 years ago and continuing to lead in this field. With its range of treatments, therapies and activities, the 155-roo...
2022 cycling and marathon event travel with Destination Sport Experiences
Events, Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

2022 cycling and marathon event travel with Destination Sport Experiences

Destination Sport Experiences has released details for some of its cycling and marathon trips in 2022. The sports travel company specialises in travel packages, accommodation, and guaranteed entry to marathons, cycling sportives, and international long-distance triathlons. Here we take a look at what’s on offer…  Related articles 20 of the world’s best marathons in 202210 of the world’s best half marathons in 2022Cycling events in 2022 Subscribe to our monthly newsletter Sports travel trips for cyclists Gran Fondo Strade Bianche (Image: sportograf.com via Destination Sport Experiences) Italy: Gran Fondo Strade Bianche When: 6 March 2022 About the trip: ride Le Strade Bianche (white gravel roads) around Siena, just one day after the pros have completed the route. Undula...
Cycling holidays in 2022: Tour de France in Morzine, French Alps
Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Cycling holidays in 2022: Tour de France in Morzine, French Alps

The 109th edition of the Tour de France is set to include the French village of Morzine in the Portes du Soleil in summer 2022. It is the first time in six years since the cycling competition has been hosted in the Alpine resort, and the 21st occasion that it has been staged in Morzine since 1975.  After a stage finish in nearby Châtel on Sunday 10 July, competitors, spectators and the media will have the opportunity to enjoy a rest day in Morzine on Monday 11 July. Riders will then set off on a gruelling yet spectacular stage through the mountains on Tuesday 12 July, concluding in the resort of Megève.  The leg will comprise a 148km route that will form the first of three Alpine stages taking place during the second week of the competition. A once in a lifetime experience for a...
Formula 1 2022 race calendar: GP dates and venues
Events, Guides, Sports Business, Sports Travel

Formula 1 2022 race calendar: GP dates and venues

The 23-race calendar for the 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship has been approved by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council. F1’s 2022 season, which starts in Bahrain on 20 March and finishes in Abu Dhabi on 20 November, will see the Miami Grand Prix make its debut, but China will not feature due to ongoing Covid-19 conditions. Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of Formula 1, said: “We are excited to announce the 2022 calendar as we prepare to enter a new era for the sport with brand new regulations and cars for next year that are designed to create closer racing. We are very pleased with the interest in Formula 1 from places that want to host races and the growth of the sport and believe we have a fantastic calendar for 2022 with destinations like Miami joining famous and historic...
Accor Stadium: hotel group wins naming rights for Sydney’s Stadium Australia
Sports Business, Sports Travel, Venues & Stadiums

Accor Stadium: hotel group wins naming rights for Sydney’s Stadium Australia

Hotel and hospitality group Accor has signed a seven-year naming rights deal for Stadium Australia – the iconic venue in Sydney’s Olympic Park.   Now named the Accor Stadium, it was the centrepiece of the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games and has a capacity of 100,000 spectators for concerts and more than 80,000 for seated sporting events. The stadium has previously hosted major sporting events such as rugby league’s State of Origin, National Rugby League Grand Finals, Fifa World Cup qualifiers, rugby union’s Bledisloe Cup, and British & Irish Lions rugby Test matches. Natalie Ward, minister for sport of the New South Wales (NSW) Government, said: “NSW is open for business and we are thrilled our local fans, along with interstate and international visitors, will be able to...
Founding the esports ecosystem in Iceland
Holidays & Trips, Sports Business, Sports Travel, Venues & Stadiums

Founding the esports ecosystem in Iceland

Sports Tourism Media jumped at the opportunity to interview Ólafur Steinarsson, founder of the Icelandic Esports Association. He has built the country’s esports industry from scratch in a sustainable and progressive way and Iceland has now become a global stage for world renowned esports events. This has been instrumental to Meet in Reykjavik’s growth strategy of attracting large scale global events to Iceland’s capital city. How do you aim to build esports sustainably, when your goal is for Iceland to be a top-five esports nation by 2025?When we talk about building a sustainable esports ecosystem in Iceland, we mean that it is self-sustained from a revenue standpoint and is able to generate talent and populate the local ecosystem with players willing and able to compete at the top...
Saddle Skedaddle launch new UK, Europe and international cycling holidays
Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Saddle Skedaddle launch new UK, Europe and international cycling holidays

Independent cycling holiday and tour specialist Saddle Skedaddle has expanded its UK offering, and created new trips in Europe and in international destinations such as Chile and Morocco. Guided road cycling holiday in Wales  Carmarthenshire and the Brecon BeaconsIn response to the huge demand for new UK cycling holidays, Saddle Skedaddle launched its eight-day guided road cycling holiday in Carmarthenshire and the Brecon Beacons in 2021. Beginning in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park, the first day’s riding is characterised by a succession of climbs and descents across the wild and open landscape of the Brecon hills. The ride to the Rhondda Valley introduces more significant climbs, the biggest being Rhigos Mountain, which features broad, sweeping hairpins. Af...
The Bahamas: best activities, experiences and things to do
Guides, Sports Travel

The Bahamas: best activities, experiences and things to do

The Islands of The Bahamas have something to offer every traveller. Here we look at some of the best activities and experiences to enjoy.  Best for diving: Andros Island The Bahamas offers world-class diving with countless blue holes, thriving coral reefs and numerous shipwrecks, with visibility of up to 200ft and warm waters for most of the year. Andros’s particular geography means that it offers breathtaking dive sites with shallow coral gardens and the spectacular Andros Barrier Reef trail off the island’s east coast. Home to more than 160 species of fish and coral and at 190 miles long, it’s the third largest barrier reef in the world. Andros Diving offers a two-tank boat dive from £119 per person. See androsdiving.com Best for fishing: Berry Islands The Berry Islands are b...
Cayman Islands partner with British Canoeing to promote paddlesports
Sports Business, Sports Travel

Cayman Islands partner with British Canoeing to promote paddlesports

Visit Cayman Islands has announced a new partnership with British Canoeing, the governing body for paddlesports in the UK. The purpose of the partnership is to inspire people to pursue paddling for “health, enjoyment, friendship and achievement while creating and promoting opportunities for exploration, adventure and challenge”, a statement said.  It will raise awareness of the benefits of paddlesports, both in the UK and the Cayman Islands, while encouraging enthusiasts to consider the British Overseas Territory for their next paddlesports adventure.  Known for its pristine turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, the Cayman Islands is an ideal destination for all paddlesports, especially kayaking and paddleboarding. Average year-round temperatures of 28°C make it the perfect place to...
2022 Chestertons Polo in the Park event guide
Events, Guides, Sports Travel

2022 Chestertons Polo in the Park event guide

Chestertons Polo in the Park, one of London’s most popular summer sporting events, returns to Fulham’s Hurlingham Park in June 2022.  A firm fixture in the social calendar, the three-day polo event is not just about the world-class sport, but also the fashion, food, fun and family. International Friday, Ladies Day and Finals Day feature on the 10-12 June schedule.  Friday 10 June: International FridayAn action-packed day to kick-start the tournament, including the Frasers England Polo Team taking to the hallowed turf of Hurlingham Park for an international match. The day will kick off at 12pm and host four highly-contested matches from 2.30pm onwards.  Saturday 11 June: Ladies’ Day  Come and raise a glass to summer on Ladies Day – a great excuse to dress up and enjoy a day ou...
2022 PDC Cazoo Premier League Darts: event calendar, venues and tickets
Events, Guides, Sports Travel

2022 PDC Cazoo Premier League Darts: event calendar, venues and tickets

The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has released the schedule for the 2022 Cazoo Premier League Darts season. There will be 16 nights of darts in the UK, Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands followed by the play-offs in Newcastle. Tickets for the 2022 Premier League Darts nights are now on general sale - see the links below. Related articles- Darts events in 2022 - 2022 sports events tickets Subscribe to our monthly newsletter 2022 Premier League Darts calendar Night One - Cardiff- When: Thursday 3 February 2022- Where: Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, Wales- Tickets: Ticketmaster.co.uk Night Two - Liverpool - When: Thursday 10 February  - Where: M&S Bank Arena - Tickets: mandsbankarena.com Night Three - Belfast - When: Thursday 17 February - Where: SSE Arena - Ti...
France 2022 sports events: Le Tour, French Open, Le Mans and more
Events, Guides, Sports Travel

France 2022 sports events: Le Tour, French Open, Le Mans and more

Here we look at the calendar of major sporting events taking place in France in 2022. The schedule includes events such as cycling’s Tour de France, the French Open tennis grand slam and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It’s set to be a busy few years ahead for French sport with the country hosting the men’s Rugby World Cup in 2023 and the capital city Paris hosting the summer Olympics and Paralympics in 2024.   2022 at a glance  18 December 2021-27 March 2022: Ski train returns to connect London with the Alps2022: 50th anniversary of ski resort Isola 20006 February-19 March: Six Nations rugby 14-20 March: FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Finals, Courchevel and Méribel16 May-5 June: French Open tennis grand slam27-28 May: European Rugby Challenge Cup and Heineken Champions Cup fina...

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