Eye On Travel: Spectate to Accumulate - Tournament Bragging Rights

Sitting on the couch all day is for cats

We are into the knock-out stages of the Euro 2016 football tournament. This will either excite you or be a matter of great indifference. For the dedicated, you can watch every match on TV without beer bottles flying around (unless you invite the Russian neighbours) but it’s just not the same as being there.

To attend a major sporting event is bucket list territory. You feel part of the action, share emotional highs and lows and get to tell everybody you know all about it. And if football doesn’t do it for you, then there are other prestigious events happening around the world, usually without tear gas and riot police. Let’s have a look at some of the alternatives which also give you chance to visit some amazing countries.

Rio de Janeiro: More than nothing

It really is four years since London 2012 and next up is Rio 2016. Notwithstanding the risk posed by the Zika virus (consult your GP on this), there are still tickets left for the Olympics and Para-Olympics in August and September this year.

Rio does iconic better than most cities to a backdrop of Mas que Nada. From Christo Redentor to Copacabana, from Ipanema to Sugarloaf Mountain. Followed by Rodizios, Caipirinhas and Samba clubs.

GET THERE: Direct flights operate from Heathrow to Rio de Janeiro.

TRIP TIP: Combine Rio with 20-beach resort town of Buzios, 100 miles to the east where the Cariocas go to relax.

Chicago: All that Jazz

For fans of Europe, loud clothing and golf then North America is where you will want to be by the 30 September 2016 for the latest instalment of the bi-annual EUROPE v USA Ryder Cup.

This time, the event is taking place at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. No? It’s outside Minneapolis. Ok, enjoy the tournament with Europe’s customary victory then take a 90 minute flight to big hitting Chicago on the shores of Lake Michigan instead.

GET THERE: Fly direct to Minneapolis St Paul from Heathrow and back via Chicago.

TRIP TIP: Take a cruise on the Chicago River, take a cocktail in one of the many Skyscrapers and take an empty stomach out for dinner in the gastronomic third largest city in the USA.

Queenstown: Quite Remarkables

If you prefer oval ball action and find one winter per year is just not enough, then head out to New Zealand in June-July 2017 for the Lions rugby union tour. With three test matches in Auckland and Wellington, these immensely popular tickets are selling fast.

Hospitality in the spiritual home of rugby is, off the pitch anyway, very welcoming. Sightseeing and activities for outdoor types abound in both North and South islands including mountains, lakes and boiling mud.

GET THERE: International flights operate to Auckland via Middle East, Asia or west coast USA offering stopover opportunities but leave plenty of time for New Zealand

TRIP TIP: Hop over to the South Island and visit adrenaline centre Queenstown. Jet boat, bungee, whitewater raft or ski (it is winter). Wash away the nerves with some excellent local sauvignon blancs.

Australia: a warm welcome

If that all sounds a bit intense then return to the region’s big neighbour Australia in late 2017 (our winter, their summer) to see one of the biggest rivalries in sport, the Ashes.

Raucous partisan stadiums, very hot sunshine, shrimps on barbies and the odd tinny make this the way to watch cricket as England succumb to their usual greenwash over there.

GET THERE: Fly to one of Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide or Brisbane via Middle East or Asia. Return from a different city with an open jaw ticket.

TRIP TIP: Be in Melbourne for a warm Christmas (the match starts Boxing Day) and in Sydney for a warm New Years Eve with one of the best fireworks displays which precedes the Sydney match.

Standard low cost packages are bookable through my multi destination EyeLine Travel website.

For tailor made packages including any of the places and events featured above or just for some information, please Contact me and I will do the hard work for you. All holidays that I arrange are ABTA/ATOL protected.

Thailand: a bustling port area

For holidays to Thailand, please visit my dedicated website: http://boutiquethailand.co.uk and visit the Facebook page of the same name for current offers.