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ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup India 2023

The 13th ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will take place in India between 5 October and 19 November 2023. Featuring ten nations, the 50-over one-day international (ODI) tournament will be held across 46 days in 10 host cities. Venues and host cities  Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpai Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow Eden Gardens, Kolkata Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru MA Chidambaram, Chennai Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Teams  India (hosts) England (holders) Afghanistan Australia Bangladesh Netherlands New Zealand Pakistan Sou...
Solheim Cup 2023 host venue: Finca Cortesín, Andalusia, Spain
Sports Travel

Solheim Cup 2023 host venue: Finca Cortesín, Andalusia, Spain

It’s not just the men’s Ryder Cup that golf fans will be looking forward to this autumn – the 18th Solheim Cup will also see the best women golfers from Europe and the United States go head to head.  Held every two years, the Solheim Cup will take place this year from 22-24 September 2023 at Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa in Casares, Andalucía. It's the first time that Spain has hosted the prestigious women’s team golf event. “Finca Cortesin is a world-class venue and deserving host of the 2023 Solheim Cup as it takes place in Spain for the first time in the tournament’s history,” said Alexandra Armas, CEO of the Ladies European Tour. “The Costa del Sol is truly one of golf’s most exciting destinations and I am sure that the pristine and challenging course design at Finca will...
Ryder Cup 2023 host venue: Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Italy
Sports Travel

Ryder Cup 2023 host venue: Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Italy

Renowned for its rich history, vibrant culture and delicious cuisine, Italy’s climate and stunning landscapes also makes it the perfect country to play golf in.  Italy is home to more than 250 golf courses, including the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club near Rome, host venue of the 44th Ryder Cup. All eyes will be on the world-class Italian venue as Team Europe and Team US go head-to-head in the popular men’s golf event from Friday 29 September to Sunday 1 October 2023 – just a week after the women's Solheim Cup in Spain.  In 2021 at Whistling Straits, the US convincingly regained the Ryder Cup with a record 19-9 victory. The likes of Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm will be looking to lead Team Europe to victory as they aim to win back the famous gold trophy.  The perfect se...

2023 Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Festival

The autumn edition of the Isle of Wight Walking Festival returns from 7-15 October 2023 with a number of new events. The latest addition is a 5k Dash in the Dark Walk which aims to raise funds for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. There will also be a chance to delve into the history of Northwood House and its 23-acre estate with an unrestricted access tour alongside three new walks focused on caring for the environment, including a litter picking session and beach clean.  The majority of walks are led by local volunteers, keen to share their knowledge of a subject, or to just “show-off” their favourite walk on the Isle of Wight – and with limited spaces, booking is recommended. The festival’s website is now updated with the latest walks and booking information. 
Scenic to host Paris-Seine sporting legends cruise ahead of 2024 Olympics
Holidays & Trips

Scenic to host Paris-Seine sporting legends cruise ahead of 2024 Olympics

Cruise guests can sail with two of Great Britain’s finest Olympians, Steve Redgrave and Daley Thompson, on a round trip from Paris, just weeks before the French capital city welcomes the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. The special-edition “sporting legends” sailing, hosted by Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours, will be held from 8-15 July 2024. During the eight-day sailing guests will get the opportunity to join a private question-and-answer session with Thompson and Redgrave. The duo, who have won seven Olympic medals between them, will also join guests for an exclusive concert at Château de La Roche Guyon, where they will share Olympic memories and reveal what it takes to be a champion.  Scenic’s eight-day cruise, starting and finishing in Paris, calls at Cornflans, Rouen, Hornfleur, ...
Laguna Phuket: water sports, golf and sporting events in southern Thailand 
Guides

Laguna Phuket: 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 ...
Backcountry ski tourism surges in Afghanistan and Iraq
Holidays & Trips

Backcountry ski tourism surges in Afghanistan and Iraq

There has been a boom in people taking up backcountry skiing, according to adventure travel company Untamed Borders, with tourists increasingly seeking wilder, more obscure and more remote locations to ski, including the likes of Afghanistan and Iraq. Untamed Borders has run ski trips to Afghanistan since 2011 and Iraq since 2017, but there has been a noticeable trend post-pandemic of more people seeking virgin ski routes. Sales of backcountry skis increased by 81% in 2020, according to Snowsports Industries America, and the sector has continued to be buoyant since – with backcountry snowboard sales also spiking by 146%. As countries opened up after lockdown, that new wave of interest in the sport translated into people seeking new destinations to ski in and increasingly travellin...
UCI Cycling World Championships attracts record crowds in Scotland
Events, Sports Business

UCI Cycling World Championships attracts record crowds in Scotland

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow and across Scotland have taken the sport to “new heights”, according to UCI president David Lappartient. It’s estimated that one million spectators turned out to watch the 11-day festival of cycling, while millions more tuned in around the world. The final event of the programme, the Women Elite Road Race, brought the curtain down on the inaugural event that has seen 13 UCI world championships combined into one mega event for the first time ever. Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky claimed the top spot following a thrilling finish to the race that saw tens of thousands line the route between Balloch and Glasgow. It was the first time the women’s elite road race has closed a UCI World Championship, with 207 riders (including women under-23) taki...
Flandrien Hotel: a dream retreat for cyclists in Belgium
Hotels & Resorts

Flandrien Hotel: a dream retreat for cyclists in Belgium

Flanders, the Flemish region of Belgium, is world renowned for its cycling – especially on its iconic cobbled lanes. Home to many beautiful routes and its own annual race on the UCI World Tour, Flanders has become a must-visit destination for travellers on two wheels.  The region is also home to the Flandrien Hotel, which is described by the Daily Mail as the “ultimate place to stay for cyclists”, and a place which “pays homage” to “pedal power”. This boutique cycling-themed hotel in Brakel, Flemish Ardennes, has accommodation for up to 40 guests, plus a bike collection regarded as one of the “best in the world”, according to Cyclist magazine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4rCVzstFuY Not just any cycling hotel… The Flandrien Hotel describes itself as a “home away from hom...
Event in focus: Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Festival 2023
Events, Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Event in focus: Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Festival 2023

The Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Festival returns from 7-15 October 2023, featuring some old favourites and new unique routes. This popular event makes the most of the Unesco Biosphere Reserve that encompasses the entire island.  The majority of walks are led by local volunteers, keen to share their knowledge of a subject, or to just “show-off” their favourite walk on the Isle of Wight – and with limited spaces, booking is recommended. The festival’s website is now updated with the latest walks and booking information.  Images: visitisleofwight.co.uk Charitable and historic walks New for the 2023 autumn edition is a fundraiser for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA). The 5k “Dash in the Dark” aims to bring together attendees and supporters of the HIOWAA to ra...
F1 Las Vegas GP: book a ‘$1m all-access experience’ with Wynn Las Vegas
Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel

F1 Las Vegas GP: book a ‘$1m all-access experience’ with Wynn Las Vegas

Formula 1 returns to Las Vegas in November for its much-anticipated Saturday night street race. And in what could be the ultimate F1 bucket list item, six fans could be set to have the best race weekend ever – providing they can rustle up a cool $1m between them. From 16-18 November 2023, the luxury Wynn Las Vegas hotel is offering a “million dollar all-access experience” which includes a number of exclusive activations for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.  Described by the hotel as a “no-holds-barred race experience like none other”, each $1m package provides admission for a group of six people to the following: six Wynn Grid Club passes: access to the private, members-only Wynn Grid Club, an ultra-exclusive area within the F1 Paddock Club. Entry to this private club is reserved for VIP...
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi teams up with South African Tourism
Sports Business, Sports Travel

Springboks captain Siya Kolisi teams up with South African Tourism

Siya Kolisi, South Africa’s 2019 Rugby World Cup-winning captain, has been named as the new global brand ambassador for South African Tourism. The Springboks skipper, 32, is part of a new campaign that celebrates South Africans who are making waves on the global stage in their various fields including sports, arts and culture, and academia. “With the Rugby World Cup starting in September in France, and as the Springboks prepare for the upcoming tournament, Siya is the perfect person to partner with South African Tourism in our marketing and promotional efforts as we seek to attract more travellers to come to visit our country,” said Nomasonto Ndlovu, acting CEO of South African Tourism. “He is an exceptional South African whose story and journey inspire people from various parts of the ...
Golf in Puerto Rico: three of the best golf courses 
Guides

Golf in Puerto Rico: three of the best golf courses 

Boasting around 30 idyllic golf courses, Puerto Rico is regarded as one of the Caribbean’s top places to play golf. With almost year-round sunshine, stunning scenery and welcoming locals, the unincorporated territory of the United States is an ideal destination for a golfing getaway. Here we look at three of the best golf courses in Puerto Rico. TPC Dorado Beach https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN7wV07WHdw Located at the luxurious Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Dorado, Puerto Rico, TPC Dorado Beach is home to two world-class golf courses: the East Course and Sugarcane Course. When not playing host to the PGA Tour, the Grand Reserve Golf Club provides visitors with a one-of-a-kind tropical golfing experience. The course is known in the professional golf scene as the most ...

Nashville Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series 2024

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series returns to Nashville, the “Music City”, on 27-28 April 2024. Featuring a number of events – marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, 1 Mile, kids rock, and doggie dash – the running festival will welcome thousands of participants. Music City will transform into a runner’s paradise as competitors run past iconic landmarks and the famous lights of Broadway to the rhythm of live bands and DJs scattered throughout the course. The beats of rock and roll, country, and blues will accompany runners during their event. As well as Nashville’s musical highlights – such as the National Museum of African American Music and the Country Music Hall of Fame – visitors can also enjoy the city’s sporting attractions including its world-class stadiums and major teams: the Tenn...

Nissan SuperGirl Surf Pro, San Diego

Regarded as the world’s largest women’s surf event and music festival, the Nissan SuperGirl Surf Pro returns to the sun-kissed shores of San Diego in California from 22-24 September 2023. Taking place on San Diego’s iconic Oceanside Pier, spectators will have the opportunity to witness world-class surf competitions, awe-inspiring aerial manoeuvres, and connect with some of the most influential women in the world of surfing. The excitement doesn’t stop there, as the festival village is loaded with female-owned vendors, plenty of live music and even fitness classes. Visitors can extend their stay at the recently opened Lafayette Hotel to explore all the excitement that San Diego has to offer, including its array of delicious CaliBaja cuisine, microbreweries and 70 miles of stunning coast...
Cycling in Emilia Romagna, Italy: top five biking experiences
Guides

Cycling in Emilia Romagna, Italy: top five biking experiences

Following the conclusion of the 2023 Tour de France, attention is now turning to 2024 which will mark the 111th edition of the cycling grand tour. The 2024 Tour de France “Grand Depart” will begin in Italy for the first time in the race’s history, with the Tuscan city of Florence hosting the opening stage on 29 June. Cyclists will then enter the Italian region of Emilia Romagna, passing through key checkpoints including Bologna, Rimini, Cesenatico and Plaisance. Globally recognised as a cycling destination, Emilia Romagna will soon be able to label itself as an official Tour de France host, adding to its list of credentials from the Giro d'Italia to the Nove Colli di Cesenatico. To get travellers in the mood ahead of Le Tour next year, here are five cycling experiences to try when visit...
Rugby World Cup: Place de la Concorde will host the Paris Rugby Village
Events, Sports Travel

Rugby World Cup: Place de la Concorde will host the Paris Rugby Village

Parisian landmark Place de la Concorde will host a village dedicated to rugby throughout the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which takes place in France from 8 September to 28 October. Pierre Rabadan, deputy mayor of Paris in charge of sport, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Seine, unveiled the "Paris Rugby Village" programme and the city’s accessibility and eco-responsibility commitments. The Paris Rugby Village will include a rugby entertainment and promotional area, plus two giant screens to broadcast RWC matches. And the number of screens will increase to four for the opening match on 8 September between France and New Zealand. Visitors can enjoy entertainment and discovery areas, photo booths, the official France 2023 shop, exhibitions, and a central stage that will host the open...
F1 Drive – London karting to launch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in late 2023
Venues & Stadiums

F1 Drive – London karting to launch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in late 2023

Formula 1 and Tottenham Hotspur have announced the official name of their new immersive karting experience: F1 Drive - London. Part of a long-term partnership between F1 and the English Premier League football club, F1 Drive will be the world’s first in-stadium electric karting facility and London’s longest indoor karting track. The experience will open to the public in late 2023, while the track layout and e-karts will be revealed later this summer. A fully-electric karting experience, it will support Formula 1’s drive for greater access and opportunity to the lower levels of motorsport, and through the partnership both F1 and Tottenham will explore ways to promote diversity and inclusion within the motorsport industry.  The track  Thanks to the space afforded by the retract...
Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa serves up a stunning padel court
Hotels & Resorts

Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa serves up a stunning padel court

Is this the best padel court in the world? At Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa in the Maldives, guests are encouraged to pick up a racquet and enjoy a game of padel tennis at the resort’s new floating court, surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. From its quiet beginnings in the 1970s, padel tennis is now growing in popularity and quickly becoming one of the most exciting racquet sports for both professional players and enthusiasts around the world. The new padel court is located on a private islet, connected by a jetty to Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa’s seven-hectare island in the Raa Atoll. The over-water court, with its open and unobstructed views over the ocean, will welcome guests to rally with friends and family while taking in the coral reef and rich ...
Ski Club of Great Britain launches Freshtracks holidays for winter 2023-2024
Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

Ski Club of Great Britain launches Freshtracks holidays for winter 2023-2024

The Ski Club of Great Britain has launched its Freshtracks holiday programme for winter 2023-2024 with a number of new destinations, courses and chalets across the Alps, North America and Japan. Designed to make the most out of the time on the mountain, Freshtracks holidays are tailored to ski ability levels that are then categorised as on or off-piste, as well as four further categories including All Mountain, Ski Touring, Weekend and Bucket List. Holidays are suitable for all levels of skier and snowboarder, from a minimum of an early intermediate (confident on blue runs and easy reds), right up to experts that can handle all conditions both on and off-piste. Key to the success and popularity of Freshtracks holidays is being able to ski with like-minded people, with guides and inst...