Sports

Italy’s most northernly region, South Tyrol (also known as Sudtirol) is one of the country’s most enticing area for winter sports fans.  Its home to the world’s largest fully interconnected ski area, the Dolomiti Superski (1200km) and the world’s second largest interconnected ski area around the Sella Ronda (500km), skiers and boarders can feel that they can ski forever from one cosy village to another, always with the spectacular pale limestone and sedimentary rock cliff formation of the Dolomites towering dramatically above.

VAL THORENS, FRANCE
At 2,300m Val Thorens is the hightest resort in Europe (slopes 1,260m-3,230m) – and with 99 percent of its ski area above 2,000m, the white stuff is guaranteed.  It’s part of the vast 600km Three Valleys area, but Val Thorens offers skiing for all levels across a 150km pistes.  The majority of runs are intermediate blues and reds; there is also some fantastic off-piste to be found. The powder is reliably good here, too. Try the famed Lac du Lou, 1,400m of vertical easily accessed from the Cime de Caron.

If you’ve ever been to the Spanish capital of Madrid in the sweltering heat of summer, you’ll know that the idea of actually doing any sport there is enough to make you feel sick. “Nueve Messe de invierno, tres messe de infierno,” (nine months of winter, three months of hell) the locals say ruefully, before sinking another glass of iced water and fanning their face with a rolled-up copy of Marca – a local football magazine.

LULWORTH COVE, DORSET
The perfect arc of sand at Lulworht is one of the most famous features of the British coastline.  It’s a beautiful beach, although it can get very busy in the summer months.  Lulworth is part of the Jurassic Coast, and you can learn more about it a the excellent visitor centre near the beach, but the best way to explore the area’s beauty is to walk from Lulworth over the cliffs to the extraordinary rock formation known as Durdle Door.

Many of us might know Kielder Water and Forest as having northern Europe’s largest man-made lake and England’s largest forest or for activities such as its beautiful lake, star gazing, mountain biking walking and much more. Since October 2010 the Kielder Water & Forest Park has become the location of the Kielder Marathon, a brainchild of former 1,500m world champion Steve Cram, who hopes the undulating, off-road course around Kielder Water will eventually become known as the most beautiful marathon in Britain.

With months of cold days and nights no wonder one of the British favourite outdoor activities is going to the beach, especially when the weather forecaster said we are to get some sunshine with high temperature, we flock to the nearest said side and one of them is Bournemouth. It has a reputation of offering some of the country’s best weather and long sandy and clean beaches. Also a visit to Bournemouth would show you why research (done by First Direct Bank in 2007) as found it to be the happiest place in Britain.

The summer of 2014 is a good time to be in the UK, there are a host of high profile sporting event schedule to take place here this summer. Added to the usual fixtures such as Wimbledon, The Royal Ascot, The British Grand Prix, this year we have the Commonwealth Games and Tour de France. So if you can’t make it to Brazil or you want the best of both worlds then spend your summer here in Britain.

NAIRN BEACH
Nairn has been describe as the Brighton of Scotland, and has one of the sunniest climate north of the border. The wide sandy beach that stretches out to the left of the town is ideal for families. There is good parking nearby and all the facilities f the town are just a short stroll away, although the beach is separated by a bank of dunes, ensuring that it maintains a wild, tranquil feel.

Innsbruck is unlike any other European cities, located deep in the Inn valley it is encircled by soring, jagged mountains. The city sits on the banks of the Inn River, which flows from the Switz Alps and into the Danube.  Behind the quaint, colourfully painted houses that line the cobbled streets stand the Alps offering a captivating backdrop.

Not all of us can and want to visit the European type ski resorts; we want to enjoy the sports without the fashion show.  Heading further east to Slovakia is one of our recommendations. Slovakia home to some untouched and quietly hip ski resorts.  The country has five main ski areas in what is called the High Tatras and Low Tatras, an hour by road separate them.  The Low Tatras is the better of the two, although its considered low, the area is 2,000m above sea level.

Jasna is the Low Tatras is one of the better ski resorts in Slovakia.  It has over 90 snow cannons covering a 12Km area of slops and allowing skiing on both the north and south of the Chopok mountains, guaranteeing snow for five months).  Parts of the slopes are illuminated for night skiing as well.