Holidays & Trips

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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24Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Holidays & Trips

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...

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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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18Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Bucket List, Guides, Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts

Scottish golf bucket list: best golf resorts in Scotland

Here at Sports Tourism Media we love a bit of golf – and we also love Scotland. Okay, we're definitely not good enough to be swinging with the best of 'em on the top golf courses in the home of golf, but every hacker can dream, right? In this round-up – which is pretty much our Scotland golf travel bucket list – we pick out some of Scotland's best "stay and play" golf resorts and hotels (ranked in no particular order). These places are so picturesque that even if your game isn't up to scratch, they're worth a visit just to admire the scenery. And there's the bonus of a dram or two of Scotch, of course... Did you know? The East Lothian region is known as “Scotland’s golf coast”. Along 30 miles of coastal terrain there are 21 Scottish golf courses, which makes it the "gr...

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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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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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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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16May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Guides, Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Portes du Soleil: a summer sports travel guide

Portes du Soleil is a ski and biking region of the Alps that covers the neighbouring French Chablais and Swiss Valais. The region features 12 resorts – including Avoriaz, Champéry, Les Gets and Morzine – and offers a range of summer activities such as mountain biking, cycling, hiking, trail running and yoga. Portes du Soleil is a popular destination for a sporty summer holiday, we take a look at the highlights.  Portes du Soleil’s 12 resorts The 12 French and Swiss resorts in the Portes du Soleil region are located between Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva:  France: Morzine, Avoriaz, Châtel, Les Gets, Montriond, La Chapelle-d’Abondance, Abondance, Saint-Jean-d'Aulps Switzerland: Champéry, Val-d’Illiez-Les Crosets-Champoussin, Torgon, Morgins Mountain biking An intern...

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11May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips

ZenBoat: Greece wellness sailing holidays on a vintage gulet yacht 

Launching in September 2023, ZenBoat will offer wellness sailing holidays aboard a vintage Greek gulet yacht. Featuring activities, tours and healthy meals, itineraries will take in spectacular Greek islands, from the mystical Ionian islands to the magical Peloponnese coastline, and the delightful and little-known Saronic Islands en route to Athens. Founded by Swiss chef Louis Papadopoulos and his wife Lisa, who together run The Maya Boutique Hotel in Nax, Switzerland, the idea of ZenBoat was born during the pandemic. While they were holidaying in Greece, they realised they could transfer their experience and skill set from the hotel and create a similar holistic concept, but on a vintage gulet. “Life isn't about the destination – it’s about the journey; ZenBoat is about both,” they ...

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9May By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Guides, Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

South Africa: best adventure activities in the Rainbow Nation 

South Africa may be known for its stunning safaris, world-class golf and outstanding wine regions, but for many it’s one of the world’s ultimate adventure travel destinations. Home to national parks, sweeping savannahs and picture perfect beaches, the Rainbow Nation also boasts a great climate and offers value for money for visitors. In this guide we look at the top adventure activities to enjoy in South Africa.   Graskop Gorge Lift Company https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2r1t6Yj9Xw Visitors looking for a leisurely experience should head to Graskop Gorge Lift Company, whose viewing lift takes visitors 51m down the face of the gorge into the indigenous forest of western South Africa. More adventurous guests can also experience the suspension bridge, zipline and the big...

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27Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Guides, Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Aosta Valley: summer adventures in Italy’s smallest region

At the heart of the Alps and bordered by France and Switzerland, the Aosta Valley in northwest Italy is surrounded by some of Europe's highest peaks: Cervino, Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc.  Offering mountaineering, walks and hikes featuring alpine nature and spectacular vistas, Italy's smallest region is also a top destination for cycling and mountain biking enthusiasts, with dedicated tracks and numerous stations with bike parks and downhill circuits. Other highlights include summer skiing, golf and water sports such as canyoning, rafting or canoeing.  Here’s a look at some of the adventures and activities on offer in Aosta Valley this summer…  Hiking at Cammino Balteo This is a circular itinerary of under 220 miles with an altitude between 500m and 1,900...

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21Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Action Outdoors launches adventure-activity holidays for summer 2023

Action Outdoors – the official UK partner of UCPA, a French not-for-profit adventure travel and sport organisation – has launched its 2023 summer programme which includes a variety of adventure and activity holidays. The breaks are all-inclusive, with accommodation, three meals a day, instruction, equipment and necessary passes included. Most of the Action Outdoors holidays are based in the UCPA-run centres across the French Alps and the Atlantic and Mediterranean coastal areas of France, but UCPA Planete offers holidays further afield in partner hotels and resorts. There are hundreds of holidays on the programme – here’s what’s on offer for summer 2023... E-mountain biking Spend a week riding through the Chamonix Valley on an electric mountain bike. Suitable for cyclists with som...

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18Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Grenada wellness holidays: hiking, diving, water sports and hotels

The picturesque Caribbean island nation of Grenada is making waves as a popular destination for wellbeing holidays. With its pristine beaches, lush tropical forests, and vibrant culture, Grenada provides a serene backdrop that is perfect for unwinding and reconnecting with oneself. The island offers a range of wellness activities, from yoga and meditation retreats to hiking adventures and spa treatments.  Hiking in Grand Etang National Park Grand Etang National Park is the ultimate destination for those seeking to disconnect from the stress and distractions of modern life and reconnect with nature. The reserve’s rainforest offers a range of hiking options, from easy walks to more challenging treks, which allow visitors to experience the beauty of Grenada’s natural en...

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18Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Cycling in Catalonia: from the Mediterranean coast to the Pyrenees

From the high Pyrenees mountains to the wetlands of Terres de l’Ebre along the Mediterranean coast, Catalonia offers cycling fans everything they need for a memorable journey on two wheels. In addition to the pleasant temperatures all year round, quiet roads and specialised accommodation offer all guarantees and services for this sport. Catalonia’s rich terrain has also led to the creation of 18 mountain biking centres and trails, comprising more than 6,400km of marked itineraries taking you to every corner of the destination. Mile upon mile of well-maintained road routes, as well as bespoke services and accommodation, Catalonia is a land where everything is within reach. Catalonia accounts with more than 60 accommodation facilities with the Cycling in Catalonia label, recognised as bik...

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14Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Star Clippers: go on a yoga-themed or French Open cruise in summer 2023

Tall-ship cruise line Star Clippers will continue its popular yoga sailings programme with the addition of qualified instructors on board selected sailings in summer 2023. Guests can take part in complimentary, daily classes throughout eight sailings on board Star Clipper from April to October, visiting ports of call in the Western Mediterranean. Confirmed yoga-themed departures are 28 April, 6 May, 13 May, 27 May, 8 July, 15 July, 29 July and 7 October 2023. Fay McCormack, general manager of the UK GSA, said: “We are delighted to welcome back yoga instructors for our summer 2023 departures. Whilst we have been offering this on board our ships for many years, today’s ever-increasing awareness of the positive effects of yoga on mental wellbeing reaffirms why we choose to offer this se...

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18Feb By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Greek Running Tours by Dean Karnazes: the ‘ultimate runcation’ in Greece 

Greek-American ultramarathoner Constantine “Dean” Karnazes has partnered with sports tourism and wellness agency ActiveMedia Group to launch Greek Running Tours. Greece, the birthplace of the marathon, is a land where history has been created, legends made and where magic and mythology come together. As tribute to his Greek heritage and his desire to promote Greek tourism to a global audience, Karnazes gives runners the opportunity to explore Greece on foot, immersing in the history and beauty, eating the food and experiencing this legendary land in a way that few tourists ever will.  Dean Karnazes (Image: Angelos Zymaras) Along with the running (and a walking option for non-runners) each day will include cultural experiences – from bread making in the mountains of Crete, to olive...

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18Feb By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Sports holidays: adventure cycling in South Korea with Saddle Skedaddle

Cycling holiday company Saddle Skedaddle has launched a new guided adventure in South Korea that takes riders from Seoul to Busan. The 14-day cycling trip explores the history, culture and cuisine of this often overlooked part of Asia.  Beginning in the capital Seoul, the route follows the newly-developed Cheonggyecheon Stream Bike Path, cutting through the heart of the city all the way to the Han River Bikeway.  Joining the South Han River Bike Path in Yangpyeong, it’s a fairly flat ride to the county of Angsung where the area’s famous hot springs are ready to treat weary legs after a long day in the saddle. More hot springs await in the town of Suanbo, North Chungcheong, where the healing waters have been part of Korean culture for centuries.  The changing scenery leaving S...

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3Feb By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Guides, Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Emilia Romagna, Italy, sports guide: events and activities in 2023

Emilia Romagna’s “Motor Valley” comes alive when it hosts three major motorsport events: Motor Valley Fest and Formula 1 in May and MotoGP in September. The northern Italian region has been long regarded as the Motor Valley due to its significant contribution to Italy's motor industry. In addition to being home of celebrated brands – including Ferrari, Maserati, Ducati, Pagani, Dallara, Energica and Lamborghini – Emilia Romagna has a wealth of events and attractions making it a must-visit destination for motoring fans, from international motor tracks and circuits, to a number of private collections of vintage cars and motorcycles. Emilia Romagna has an action-packed sports events calendar in 2023. As well as motorsport, the Italian region will also host Giro d’Italia cycling and IRONMAN...

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