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Sports & Activities

Cycling adventures in Sweden: the Lelångenleden trail
Cycling & Biking, Europe, Outdoor & Adventure, Trips & Experiences

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 ...
Video: BikePark Wales and NRW to transform 400 acres of mountainside
Cycling & Biking, Europe, Outdoor & Adventure, Venues & Stadiums

Video: BikePark Wales and NRW to transform 400 acres of mountainside

UK mountain bike venue BikePark Wales, located in the heart of the Brecon Beacons, and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have announced plans to transform 400 acres of Welsh mountainside. NRW, which manages the Welsh Government Woodland Estate, has worked closely with BikePark Wales since its first breaking trail in 2013, but a new lease has now been signed to rewild the mountain, add trails and accommodation.  As part of the new 33-year lease, revenue from visiting mountain bikers will be invested in a “Future Forest Vision” that will see the vast majority of BikePark Wales’s mountain return to its natural state. The rewilding plan will see the site change in the coming decades from classic commercial forestry management to a regime that promotes biodiversity gains, improves the resilience...
Les 3 Vallées: a winter sports travel guide 
Destination Guides, Editor's Pick, Europe, Winter Sports

Les 3 Vallées: a winter sports travel guide 

Les 3 Vallées, nestled in the French Alps, is the largest interconnected ski area in the world, encompassing seven resorts: Courchevel, Méribel, Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, Les Menuires, Val Thorens, Orelle, and Brides-les-Bains. Renowned for its stunning landscapes, diverse ski terrains, and luxurious accommodations, Les 3 Vallées is a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts. Main image: Courchevel (credit: Les 3 Vallées/Alexis Brot)  Top resorts in Les 3 Vallées Courchevel Overview: Courchevel is the most prestigious resort in Les 3 Vallées, known for its upscale hotels, MICHELIN-starred restaurants, and high-end shopping. It’s composed of four villages, each at different altitudes, with Courchevel 1850 being the most glamorous. Sports appeal: The resort offers access to 1...
The Hook Club: £400,000 padel venue opens at Mottram Hall in England 
Europe, Hotels & Resorts, Tennis & Padel, Venues & Stadiums

The Hook Club: £400,000 padel venue opens at Mottram Hall in England 

A new era of padel has arrived in north west England with the opening of The Hook Club at Mottram Hall in Cheshire. Set in the landscaped grounds of Mottram Hall Hotel, The Hook Club opened its courts on 25 July offering an unrivalled location to play padel and socialise. Developed and installed by UK Padel Courts, the £400,000 padel venue is set to be a landmark destination for padel players of all abilities. The Hook Club, which is named after the padel shot ‘El Gancho’, instantly adds quality and a new dimension to the UK’s padel scene. The venue is open to anyone with a passion and interest in padel, with bookings via the padel booking app Playtomic. The venue boasts three world-class Superpanoramic padel courts designed and manufactured by Spanish-based Padelgest, provid...
A guide to diving in Bermuda
Destination Guides, Outdoor & Adventure, The Americas, Watersports & Surfing

A guide to diving in Bermuda

Bermuda is a diver's paradise, offering crystal-clear waters and an abundance of marine life that will leave any underwater enthusiast in awe. The island is home to more than 300 shipwrecks, each narrating a tale of maritime history and adventure. The Cristóbal Colón, a Spanish luxury liner sunk in 1936, beckons advanced divers with its expansive wreckage and resident barracudas. This site, resting at depths between 15 to 55 feet, allows for an extensive exploration of the vessel's remains, where schools of fish dart in and out of the twisted metal. Equally captivating is the Hermes, an intentionally sunk US Navy ship that now hosts colourful corals and a variety of fish. This 165-foot-long boat, sitting upright in 80 feet of water, is ideal for both intermediate and advanced divers and is...
Cycling holidays: e-bike from Land’s End to John O’Groats
Cycling & Biking, Editor's Pick, Europe, Trips & Experiences

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
Asia & Oceania, Hotels & Resorts, Trips & Experiences, Wellness & Fitness

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
Europe, Outdoor & Adventure, Trips & Experiences

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’
Outdoor & Adventure, Trips & Experiences

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
Cycling & Biking, Europe, Outdoor & Adventure, Trips & Experiences

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 ...
Red Sea Global reveals designs for Shura Links golf course
Golf, Middle East & Gulf, Venues & Stadiums

Red Sea Global reveals designs for Shura Links golf course

Red Sea Global (RSG), the multi-project developer behind regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea and AMAALA in Saudi Arabia, has announced the name and designs of its golf course and clubhouse on Shura Island at The Red Sea. Set to open in 2025, Shura Links promises a one-of-a-kind golf experience, offering Saudi Arabia’s first 18-hole island golf course with holes on the water, marina views and spectacular fairways framed by the Red Sea. Developed in partnership with world-leading environmental consultants, Shura Links is guided by the highest sustainability standards, addressing a number of areas in tandem such as water-use reduction and innovative re-use of irrigation for habitat development.  “Shura Links will provide an unparalleled golfing experience, offering a visually...
Sail Croatia launches new yoga cruises for 2024
Europe, Trips & Experiences, Watersports & Surfing, Wellness & Fitness

Sail Croatia launches new yoga cruises for 2024

Small ship cruising specialist Sail Croatia has launched four new yoga-themed cruises for 2024, combining the best of the Dalmatian coastline with mindful activities designed to invigorate and inspire the body and soul.  Highlights of this relaxing cruise will include the opportunity to participate in sunset yoga overlooking Mljet National park and yoga in a vineyard on the Unesco Stari Grad Plain, followed by a traditional dinner and wine tasting. With a certified yoga instructor onboard and plenty of optional activities available, the cruise is designed to leave participants feeling reconnected and relaxed. Starting and ending in the waterfront city of Split, the cruise operates on Almissa, which can accommodate up to 38 guests in air conditioned ensuite cabins and offers a swim...
Your invitation to winter in Slovakia’s Tatras region
Bucket List, Destination Guides, Enjoy Tatras, Europe, Trips & Experiences, Winter Sports

Your invitation to winter in Slovakia’s Tatras region

Ryanair now flies to the Tatras Mountains Great news for ski-loving families looking for amazing winter sports holidays at amazing prices. Ryanair, one of Europe's premier airlines, has launched a brand new route between Poprad and London starting from 1 November 2023, further connecting Slovakia and the UK. The carrier will operate four weekly flights between Poprad-Tatry Airport and London Stansted, making it easier and cheaper than ever to take your family on a dream ski holiday. Ryanair will now join Wizz Air as the two major airlines flying to Poprad from the UK.  World-class skiing in the Tatras and Liptov region Slovakia's Tatras and Liptov region offers world-class ski infrastructure, terrain and après-ski to rival the western Alps, while also being exceptional value ...
Best walks and hikes in Portugal’s Algarve region 
Cycling & Biking, Destination Guides, Europe, Outdoor & Adventure

Best walks and hikes in Portugal’s Algarve region 

The Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost region, is framed by a 200km coastline and boasts more than 300 days of sun per year. Home to award-winning beaches and authentic gastronomy, the Algarve’s 16 municipalities also offer a range of outdoor activities including surfing, cycling, walking and hiking.  Blessed with a stunning coasts, as well as hilly and softly contoured mainland, this part of Portugal offers fantastic trails to suit all ages. From family-friendly strolls to more challenging routes, here’s some of the best hikes and walks you can enjoy when on a trip to the Algarve.  Cape St. Vincent (Cabo de São Vicente) This is the most southwestern point of continental Europe and is a significant landmark with striking cliffs and an iconic lighthouse, which has existed o...
Sport hotel in focus: Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone
Europe, F1 & Motorsport, Hotels & Resorts

Sport hotel in focus: Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone

Located at the iconic Silverstone Circuit in England, home of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix, the Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone hotel opened its doors in summer 2023.  Offering unbeatable views of Silverstone’s International Pits start/finish straight, the 197-room Hilton Garden Inn is Silverstone’s first and only trackside hotel – and it’s open all year round, not just for major motor sport events held at the circuit. The Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone is Hilton’s latest property connected to a sporting venue. In the UK, the brand also has the Hilton at the Ageas Bowl cricket ground in Southampton, the Hilton Garden Inn Manchester at Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground, and the Hilton Garden Inn at Doncaster Racecourse. The Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone hotel has 197 rooms (Ima...
Lonely Planet releases new ‘Epic Snow Adventures of the World’ book
Winter Sports

Lonely Planet releases new ‘Epic Snow Adventures of the World’ book

Guidebook publisher Lonely Planet has released a new travel-inspired lifestyle book – “Epic Snow Adventures of the World” – which reveals 50 incredible stories from Olympians and athletes to inspire a lifetime of snowy challenges.  The collection features some of the world's most thrilling wintery adventures, including:  powder-hunting in Hokkaido a deep freeze dip in Finlandskate-skiing in Canadafat-biking in the Rockiesback-country boardingSub-Saharan skiingmushing through the Andesan Alpine odyssey in Australiaice-climbing in Coloradoheli-skiing in Alaska ice-skating in New Yorksnow safari in Yellowstone  There are also first-person accounts from legendary winter sports stars such as Jonny Moseley (Olympic gold medalist freestyle skier), Sage Kotsenburg (Olympic gold medal...
Inter Miami and Messi’s new home: Miami Freedom Park stadium to open in 2025 
Football, The Americas, Venues & Stadiums

Inter Miami and Messi’s new home: Miami Freedom Park stadium to open in 2025 

There’s big things happening on and off the pitch at Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise Inter Miami CF. As well as star signing Lionel Messi banging in the goals and the team winning the 2023 MLS Leagues Cup, the MLS club co-owned by David Beckham has announced that construction has now started on its new 25,000-seater stadium.  The Miami Freedom Park & Soccer Village, located near Miami International Airport, will be a 131-acre mixed-use development featuring the football-specific stadium, a public park and entertainment district. Scheduled to open in 2025, the timeline “aligns with the last year” of Messi’s current Inter Miami contract, which he signed in mid-July, MLS.com said.  Alongside football and athletic fields and a 58-acre public park, which will be the larg...
Laguna Phuket travel guide: water sports, golf and sporting events in southern Thailand 
Asia & Oceania, Destination Guides, Golf, Watersports & Surfing

Laguna Phuket travel guide: water sports, golf and sporting events in southern Thailand 

The Laguna Phuket destination resort, which is set against the stunning backdrop of the Andaman Sea in southern Thailand, is home to seven world-class hotels and premium facilities spanning more than 1,000 acres of lush parkland and beachfront. With an award-winning 18-hole golf course, luxury spas, dining options, international sporting events, and experiences, Laguna Phuket offers a relaxing island getaway. Situated on 3km of white sands along Bang Tao Beach, Laguna Phuket boasts wide-open, relaxing spaces and is just a 25-minute drive from Phuket International Airport. Thailand’s largest island boasts excellent connectivity across the region and internationally, with direct flights from more than 70 countries.  Hotels Cassia Phuket (Image: Laguna Phuket) With more than ...
Hiking trips: step into history on the Liberation Route Europe
Editor's Pick, Europe, Outdoor & Adventure, Trips & Experiences

Hiking trips: step into history on the Liberation Route Europe

With 2024 marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Ramy Salameh follows key parts of the 4,000km Liberation Route Europe hiking trails to explore and combine history, remembrance and wellness ahead of next year’s commemorations. The trails take in the stories and pivotal sites across Hampshire, Normandy and Jersey, all navigational via an interactive smartphone app. We have all heard of the hiking trails that converge on the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela, with modern pilgrims following in the footsteps of ancient religious pilgrims. Today, these well-trodden paths attract those seeking personal or group challenge incentives, to improve wellness both mental and physical, and to learn about the landscapes and cultures they pass. While I have not had the chance to meander the Cam...
Best Served Scandinavia’s summer holidays: adventures, lakes, forests and glaciers
Cycling & Biking, Outdoor & Adventure, Trips & Experiences

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...