Sport Holidays in Europe – Some Top Spots

Flopping on a greasy sun-lounger for an empty week is not everyone’s idea of a relaxing holiday. Sometimes you need to burn away the pent-up energy that’s been gathering for months in your muscles, while you’ve been tethered to your desk. Perhaps you’re keen to learn something fresh, or dedicate time to your favourite pursuit in a beautiful new setting.

It doesn’t have to cost much – you could jump on the boat to Ireland for a weekend of world class kitesurfing, or stock up on lake balls and drive up to Scotland for some of the world’s finest links golf. Whatever you choose, a sporty break will soak you with endorphins & shake off any tension before you relax back into work.

Here are some of the best places in Europe for different sports:

Horse-riding

Spain has produced some of the finest horses in history, and it’s still the number one spot for horseback holidays in Europe. Andalusia is particularly well known for its fine breeds and exceptional horse trekking, with the juicy bonus of being right on the Mediterranean coast. There’s nothing quite like cantering through a mountain forest on a sun-drenched morning – imagine doing it on the back of a smart little Spanish mare, the smell of orange trees and olive groves hovering in the warm breeze. Many facilities offer stay and ride packages, although booking individual treks at different stables is also very satisfying.

Kite-surfing

Ahhh that sense of your arms wrenching from your shoulder-sockets as you’re lofted skywards by an unpredicted 30 knot gust. If you know what you’re doing, though, kite-surfing is the most exhilarating water sport around, and one of the best places to do it in Europe is actually Ireland. Benefiting from Atlantic surf, reliable wind and lovely flat wide strips of sand for buggying and boarding, Ireland’s coast is an unbroken fringe of ideal power-kite conditions. It’s good for beginners, too, with a number of high quality, accredited training schools and safe beaches to let you get the hang of things.

Golf

If you’re hooked on golf then Scotland must be on your holiday ticklist. St Andrews Links is public, and green fees are actually very reasonable for such a hallowed club. If you fancy playing the Old Course, you can either book in advance or enter a lottery-style ballot for a tee time over the next 48 hours. It’s not Scotland’s only amazing course, either – the country boasts of hundreds of courses of every style, from magnificent links in the Highlands and along the coast to James Braid’s undulating Gleneagles masterpiece.

Yoga

With its sunshine to warm your muscles and a healthy Mediterranean diet, Greece has evolved into Europe’s best-loved destination for yoga workshops and retreats. Hatha style is especially popular and uses the balmy climate to its advantage. It’s worth looking for organisers in your own country – local yoga teachers often organise annual trips abroad and seem to choose Greece a lot. But there are also permanent centres throughout the islands, including Crete, and along the mainland coast. You’ll find they range from deeply spiritual to a brisker fitness focus, with meditation, walking, art, qigong, detox and massage amongst the supplementary options on offer.