Six Destinations to Bring out Your Inner Athlete
In today’s day and age it seems people are becoming more and more health-conscious. When traveling, you’ve probably noticed that most places to stay offer fitness facilities and or some sort of health classes for their guests to participate in while staying there. But instead of just taking advantage of the fitness facilities, why not take things to the next level with a fitness focused vacation to bring out your inner athlete and return from vacation feeling stronger, more energized and better than ever?
Booking.com, the global leader in connecting travelers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, presents the top global destinations for six popular athletic activities, as endorsed by our travelers. Whether conditioned to bicycle among beautiful Japanese islands, hitting the pristine slopes of the Austrian Alps or riding waves in Sri Lanka, get ready to release that inner athlete on your next vacation.
Cycling - Imabari, Japan
Highly endorsed by Booking.com travelers for cycling, Imabari is a bicycle-friendly destination and one of the endpoints of the famous Shimanami Kaido bikeway, one of Japan’s most incredible cycling paths. The bike route of Shimanami Kaido consists of scenic islands connected by and iconic bridges, so experienced cyclists should not miss the opportunity to bike across the series of Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridges, some of the world’s longest suspension bridges.
Where to stay: Cyclists love staying at Cyclo No Ie, a guesthouse for cyclists and backpackers, as it offers a relaxing accommodation to rest your tired legs after a long bike ride around the area. As they cater mostly to cyclists, bike hire and bike storage are also available at the property.
Surfing - Weligama, Sri LankaOne of the top endorsed destinations for surfing, the resort town of Weligama is an exciting destination for both experienced and first time surfers. Known as the Sandy Village, Weligama is home to a variety of local surf schools, so take your time finding the right instructor and get ready to catch your first wave.
Where to stay: The Ocean Bay Surf Resort is a beautiful surf resort only a three minute walk from the sandy coastline of Weligama beach. The resort’s outdoor pool is an ideal spot to relax after a long day of riding the waves.
Golf - Quinta do Lago, Spain
The golf resort of Quinta do Lago is set at the Algarve region and is highly endorsed by Booking.com travelers for golf, relaxation and beaches. This beautiful golfer’s paradise is home to lush pine forests, world-class championship golf courses and golden beaches.
Where to stay: If you are looking for exciting golf holiday in Quinta di Lago, the Diamond Villas at Vilar Do Golf by Diamond Resorts offers stylish villas among stunning championship golf courses. Each villa has a spacious living area and a fully equipped kitchen to prepare your meals before relaxing by the pool or after an exciting game of golf.
Downhill Skiing - Sonnenalpe Nassfeld, Austria
Almost one in five of global travelers indicated that they are likely to go on a ski trip in 2018*, so why not embrace your inner skier and hit the slopes this winter? Sonnenalpe Nassfeld is one of the top endorsed destinations for downhill skiing by Booking.com travelers and a great destination to relax with your family and friends while enjoying the crisp fresh air, beautiful mountains and breathtaking scenery.
Where to stay: Situated 1,500 metres above sea level Alm Resort Nassfeld offers stylish chalets with a balcony overlooking the ski slopes and mountain panorama as far as the eye can see. After spending the day amongst the perfectly groomed pistes, prepare your own meal at the chalet’s fully equipped kitchen or dine at the resort’s restaurant serving international and regional specialties.
Football - Manchester, United Kingdom
Highly endorsed for football, shopping and bar-hopping by Booking.com guests, the city of Manchester is one of the United Kingdom’s most populous urban areas and home to Old Trafford Football Stadium, known as the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ and the country’s largest club football stadium.
Where to stay: Situated opposite from the Old Trafford Football Stadium and owned by former Manchester United players, the Hotel Football Old Trafford features modern rooms, each with a 40-inch smart TV that includes all Sky Sports and BT Sport channels, to watch your favorite football team playing. The hotel’s Café Football offers a relaxed dining experience with fun features and decor that are influenced by the spirit of the game.
Tennis - Palm Springs, USA
The popular desert resort town of Palm Springs, California is a charming destination, endorsed by Booking.com travelers for tennis, relaxation and warm weather. Hosting one of the world’s most exciting tennis events every year, Palm Springs offers an array of tennis experiences ranging from novice to professional, thanks to its array of tennis courts and clubs, as well as the unique climate.
Where to stay: Featuring 11 tennis courts and three outdoor pools, the Palm Spring Tennis Club is a great property to combine tennis with relaxation. The hotel’s suites and apartments feature fully equipped kitchens to prepare a quick bite, before exploring the surrounding vintage stores, art galleries or other fun outdoor activities.
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*Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of adults who have taken a trip in the last 12 months/plan to take a trip in the next 12 months. In total 56,727 respondents were surveyed (2000+ from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Germany, Spain, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Malaysia, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and the US, and 1000+ each from Denmark, Croatia, Sweden, and New Zealand). Respondents completed an online survey in October 2017.