This summer, it’s your chance to get out and experience the best sporting events around. Whether cycling tours, tennis tournaments or sailing weeks take your fancy, you can get a piece of the action by watching the experts do their thing, whether that’s in the flesh or on the TV. And if, after all that excitement, you’re raring to get stuck in with a new sport, why not do your thing on a Neilson activity holiday.
Don’t know where to start? Take your pick from our list of top events for summer 2018.
France | 7– 29July
Already in its 105th year, the famous Tour de France is an event not to be missed. Pretty much the whole of July is dedicated to ‘Le Tour’ which sees France become a hive of cycling activity, from the flat city streets to the heights of the Alps. The Grand Départ of the 21 stage race takes place at Noirmoutier-en-l’Île in Vendée on 7th July, with the finish line at the Champs-Élyséesin Paris, on 29July.
Find a good viewpoint along the route and enjoy the buzz from the crowds whilst cheering on your favourite team. You’ll be amazed at how close you are to the riders and how you can almost feel their adrenaline as they fly by. It’s infectious!
Netherlands | 5– 7May
During May, the Netherlands will host two World Cup rounds of the BMX Supercross in Papendal, Arnhem. This elite sporting event will take place over two days from 5May with racing competitions for both men and women.
BMX (or bicycle motocross) was originally an activity for daring kids, yet now this dynamic and high-energy sport is growing in popularity for adults thanks to the Olympics. Take the whole family along to see the action and get the unique opportunity to witness championship riders being born.
England | 2– 9September
Back on home soil, towards the end of summer, the British roads play host to a multi-stage cycling event where participants race to complete the course in the fastest time. The week-long event starts on 2September and will welcome the world’s very best cyclists racing on Great Britain’s roads.
If you’re motivated to get back on your bike, then sign up to the OVO Energy Tour Ride on 1July. The charity race is open to male and female riders of any ability and takes place along the same routes as the top professionals and world champions of the Tour of Britain race.
Jump into the saddle on a cycling holiday.
Wales | 8– 10June
If you follow the Volvo Ocean Race, you’ll know how truly exciting it is for the Volvo Ocean Race to be coming to Cardiff this year. The race began on the 22October 2017, and isn’t due to finish until 30June. The boats, with teams of 7-11 crew, will have sailed 45,000 miles around the world, stopping in 11 ports. Join them in Cardiff for a party like no other. The Cardiff race village opens on the 27May, but the most exciting events will be between 8and 10of June, when the boats will be in and prepping for leg 10 of the race.
China | 5– 10June
The 21st FINA Diving World Cup event arrives in Wuhan, China with a splash at the beginning of June. The competition includes six individual events for men and women; 3m Springboard, 10m Platform, 3m Synchronized Springboard, 10m Synchronized Platform, 3m Mixed Synchronized Springboard, 10m Mixed Synchronized Platform along with a team event.
With international divers coming from around the world, between the 5and 10June China will be the hub of aquatic sports once more after hosting four out of the past six diving events. From Tom Daley to Zhang Jaiqi, be prepared to witness the greats take the plunge.
Isle of Wight, England| 4– 11August
When you think of Cowes Week, you might imagine glamorous families in nautical wear with the Red Arrows flying over a collection of well-placed yachts. In fact, besides the delightful shoreside events, Cowes is home to one of the UK's longest running and most successful sporting events. The regatta boasts between 800 and 1000 boats in up to forty different classes. Roughly, 8500 competitors take part in the race which runs for eight days from 4August and includes Olympic and world class professionals, as well as hobby sailors.
If you want a taste of the world’s best sailors and boats, head to the Isle of Wight to join the 100,000 spectators who watch from the shore or in the spectator boats. With a festival atmosphere, there’s even more to explore than just sailing. With a Ladies Day, DJs, beer tents and private boat charters, Cowes Week will allow you to float off into another world.
Get on board with a dinghy sailing holiday.
France| 21May - 10June
You can’t enjoy your summer without watching a bit of tennis. And where better to catch an ‘ace’ match, than in Paris at the French Open. This clay court tournament is part of the Grand Slam series and brings together the top ranking players from around the world at Stade Roland Garros.
Running for two weeks from 27May until 10June, the tournament will welcome star players like, Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka in the women’s singles, and Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the men’s singles.
England| 2- 15July
Closer to home, the institution that is Wimbledon graces the grass courts of the All England Club for two weeks in July. Another of the Grand Slam events, Wimbledon invites world-class players to compete in the oldesttennistournamentin the world.
With a strict dress-code and an abundance of fresh strawberries and cream, you can take ‘advantage’ of this tennis event courtside and catch all the excitement from the comfort of your seat.
Pick up a racket on a tennis holiday.
Work and a busy home life can take a lot out of you and make it difficult to find time for yourself. In fact the average UK adult hasn’t learnt or tried a new active hobby in the last five and a half years.
This guide puts the spotlight on dinghy sailing and explains why it’s both a fun and challenging sport for everyone.
...the uplifting rush of mastering something new.
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