We recently featured a post about a man who took an eight-day cycling trip to Italy with his friends. And that made us wonder, how far would you be willing to travel for your favorite sport?
Whether you love gliding down the powdered slopes at your favorite ski resort or prefer swimming for hours until your fingers prune, there’s a great travel destination for every type of sport enthusiast—you just have to find it.
Here’s an overview of some of the best places to travel for some of the most beloved sports:
Skiing
There are a lot of options, but how about the stunning landscape of Chamonix, France? It’s the perfect spot for anyone looking for some of the best skiing (or snowboarding) in the world. With 11 different ski zones and vertical drops that can reach over 9,000 feet after a good snowfall, Chamonix provides the iconic experience of skiing the Alps. Located in a valley near the borders of France, Italy, and Switzerland, this idyllic town features a great nightlife, restaurants, and lodges that make the area a great spot to stay—even if you’re not a skier.
Cycling
Most die-hard cyclists would probably agree that Amsterdam is the holy land worth pilgrimaging to. After all, it’s referred to as the most bike-friendly city in the world—and for good reason. Over 60 percent of the locals travel via bicycle in the inner city, and there are plenty of bike paths, racks, and guarded storage services to protect your precious ride. There’s even a great four-hour route that covers 42 kilometers of the city where you can cruise past a ring canal, windmills, a famous street market, and even the old Heineken brewery. Whether you choose to take this route or chart your own course, cycling in Amsterdam is a great way to enjoy your passion and tour this charming city.
Surfing
If catching a sweet wave is your kind of thing, then make sure you take a trip out to Snapper Rocks, which is along the Queensland’s Gold Coast in Australia. Snapper Rocks is home to the infamous “Superbank,” which is a surf break caused by a large sandbar. The hype about the Superbank lies in the fact that it consistently produces some of the biggest and best waves in the world. In fact, Snapper Rocks is home to some of the best international surfing events, including the Quicksilver and Roxy Pro, Rip Curl Masters, and the MP Classics.
Cave Diving
The Great Blue Hole may sound like some sort of cheesy marine movie, but it’s actually one of the best places for diving in the world. Located 60 miles off the mainland of Belize, this diving hot spot is exactly what it sounds like: a big hole that’s a quarter of a mile wide across and a little over 400 feet deep. But in addition to the sheer wonder of the sinkhole itself is the coral reef that surrounds it, as well as the system of caves that cuts through its limestone walls. During your exploration, you’ll enjoy all kinds of sea life, from anemones to various types of fish—you might just want to watch out for the sharks.
Kayaking
Even if you’ve already traveled to Greece, we’re going to assume you didn’t travel by kayak when you were there. Adventure of the Gods is a four-day kayaking trip that will take you to various islands in the Ionian Sea. As you kayak by day and camp by night, you’ll also have the chance to visit various caves, charming towns, and other Greek attractions.
Photo from Trip Advisor.
