Picture a destination that not only caters to your entertainment, cultural and sightseeing interests, but at the same time, gives you an adrenaline rush without you having to hang upside down on a roller-coaster ride…quite simply, we mean, a ‘sports destination’...
A sports destination is not a new phenomenon; it’s been there since ages. When a traveller charts out his travel plans, his port-of-call is determined by various factors—ranging from just plain sight-seeing options to shopping, the purpose of attending a business convention, to tasting exotic cuisine...and last, but not the least, the love of the game.
Those who say that they just aren’t into sports are, perhaps, deluding themselves—some sport or the other takes hold of us at some point of time. The frenzied euphoria that follows after a game is won, along with the heady knowledge that your entire country is with you, is a feeling like no other. Therefore, if you’re passionate about sports, there is no distance too far away, no place too expensive, and whatever the sporting event, it’s always game, set, match!
Mumbai – India
Mumbai city offers the visitor so much to see and do. It is one tourist destination that offers everything—good food, great shopping and beautiful sights, and of course, the inevitable game of cricket. There’s no doubt that Mumbai is the cricketing hub of India—a country where cricket is as much of a crowd-puller as its spirituality, drawing people from across the world.
Mumbai is a great place to catch a game of cricket, as there are many stadiums and small grounds where cricket is played day-in and day-out. One such place is the famous Wankhede Stadium, where you can truly enjoy the spirit of the game. Mumbai is also the head of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Also, the Mumbai domestic cricket team is one of the most successful cricket teams in India. In Mumbai, you can actually live, eat, drink and sleep cricket. This city is also famous for its sight-seeing spots and its lively nightlife.
Mumbai offers the roving tourist a choice of eateries—right from authentic Continental food to our spicy desi khanna. Mumbai’s beaches are well-known, with their delectable food stalls, particularly the paani- and bhel-puri stalls. Mumbai has a plethora of tourist spots, besides which, one can also relish some of the old buildings with their British-style architecture, the various monuments, swanky hotels and shopping malls.
Tokyo - Japan
The sheer energy level of Japan’s capital city is what strikes you. Tokyo is a place where the frantic rhythms of consumer culture collide with the quieter moments of leftover, bygone traditions. Its hectic madness is offset by its calm, Zen-like acceptance of the present. With the best of shopping malls and amusement parks, it also boasts a number of beautiful and serene parks, where you can enjoy nature to the fullest. But one of Tokyo’s biggest tourist attractions are its sports facilities.
It has been said that in Japan, sports is about sumo and baseball, then there is everything else. Baseball is a very popular sport in Japan, with a fan- following equivalent to its American counterpart. Japanese baseball is, however, very different from its American cousin, but like it, this place is home to the greatest people that ever played the game. Baseball in Japan dates back to the Meiji Restoration of 1868, when Japan began modernising itself and adopting western ideas in everything, from clothing to commerce to sport. The game was introduced to the Japanese shores in the early 20th century by the Americans, but the professional game didn't begin to take shape until 1934, when the club, that is now known as the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants, was formed.
The Tokyo dome, home to two of the city's major teams, allows visitors an excellent opportunity to see their first baseball game. Each hitter trying to smack the ball out of the park, bunting a player over and the ecstatic fans chanting in unison in support for the team, is common, even in the early innings of the game.
Tokyo by night will bedazzle you forever, but the city’s landmarks are many and a must-see. There’s the Tsukiji Fish Market—one of the largest fish markets of the world—and the Imperial Palace, the Tokyo Tower and the Ryogoku, which is the centre of the sumo world. Outside the city limits lie several other wonders, such as Mount Fuji, with Hakone—a national park with hot springs—and Fuji Five Lakes, a beautiful resort at the foot of the mountain, offering a breathtakingly scenic view. Close by, there’s Kamakura, a city of historical treasures and temples of worship, and of course, the second largest city of Japan—Yokohama—an easy, half-hour’s journey away from the rich city of Tokyo.
Wimbledon - England
England has much to offer the diehard sports enthusiast. From cricket to rugby to football, England has it all. However, England is also famous for a sporting event that it hosts every year in the month of June-July. This sporting event provides not only the excitement and the adrenalin rush of the game, but the add-ons of balmy English weather and some delicious strawberries with cream!
This event is the famed Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships. It is part of the Grand Slam event that takes place every year. With royalty on the courtside, this event is very popular. The two-week event features some of the top men and women from the tennis world sweating it out to win the coveted prize. Besides watching the game, you can also visit the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum to learn more about the history of the sport and the event. Explore the history of the tournament, see the celebrated trophies, and tour the legendary Centre Court.
Apart from sports, there are craft markets, shops, restaurants and pubs at a lovely riverside setting on the banks of River Wandle. At the same location, take in the annual arts festival in celebration of music, theatre and comedy, which opens from June-end to August-end.
Then, there is Cannizaro Park, a vast and beautiful landscaped garden on the edge of Wimbledon Common and adjacent to Cannizaro Hotel. It’s highly recommended for the relaxing long walks it offers.
Other places one can club with visiting Wimbledon, includes the evergreen city of London. With over 30,000 shops and stores to choose from, as well as a burgeoning reputation in the fashion world, shoppers will not be disappointed—from the designer labels on Bond Street to bustling street-markets in Camden, Notting Hill and Brick Lane.
The capital also has 400 live music venues, which caters to every taste, right from opera to Brit pop, and sports fans will not be short of excitement whenever these musical events take place. A “must-do” is taking in the amazing views, from the ultra-modern London Eye, having a glimpse of the Dali Universe, paying a visit to the world’s most visited modern art gallery, which goes by the name of Tate Modern, Madame Tussauds, the London Dungeons, along with numerous other sight-seeing wonders. A short train journey from London will take you to some of the best amusement parks in the country, which cater to all age groups.
This is a journey of plenty, where one can satisfy every craving, be it for sports or leisure or just a minute’s peace and quiet. There are an ample variety of things to do and places to visit, so for all the tennis buffs out there, this is one trip where the family or lady love will definitely not be bored.
Boston – America
Boston, one of the oldest cities in America, evokes a distinct European feel, which is evident in the city's culture. The city's role in the American Revolution has led to its nickname, the “Cradle of Liberty”.
Once considered ultra-conservative, Boston has developed a progressive culture and attitude. It has become one of the most exciting places in New England, with excellent culinary hotspots and an abundance of attractions and sights. Historical buildings, parks and cemeteries are national landmarks, and the city boasts the birthplaces of many famous patriots, presidents and politicians. Its architectural treasures include lovely brownstones and cobblestoned streets, while gas lamps light up many a neighbourhood.
In Boston, an enthusiasm for sports is vital to the city's character. Fans are passionate about the Boston Celtics, who rule the game of basketball—as no team has ever dominated world sport as this one—by winning 16 world championships.
Basketball, a game that started with 18 men in a YMCA gymnasium in Springfield, Massachusetts, has grown into a game that is played by more than 300 million people worldwide. The man who created this instantly successful sport was Dr James Naismith. Under orders from the Head of Physical Education at the School for Christian Workers, Naismith had 14 days to create an indoor game that would provide an "athletic distraction" for a rowdy class through the brutal New England winter. After brainstorming this new idea, Naismith developed basketball's original 13 rules and came up with the present form of basketball.
Since the creation of this game, it has become one of the most popular games worldwide, producing talents like Micheal Jordon, Shakeel O’Neil, and others. The Boston Celtics, the city’s basketball team, is at the moment at the top of their game. When visiting this city, there is so much culture as well as other attractions, and not a minute to lose.
Madrid – Spain
Think Madrid; think bull fights, right! Well, not really, because the matador is missing in action and is more interested to catch a game of ‘soccer’ at the Bernabeu Stadium. No, it is not just a soccer match; it’s a match that features none other than the most successful football club in the world—Real Madrid. Real Madrid is also known as Los Blancos and Los Merengues, but the one name that it is popularly known the world over is Team Galactico. Founded in 1902, the club plays in La Liga and is one of the most successful football clubs of the 20th century, having won 30 La Liga titles, 17 Copa del Reys, besides being the European Champion for a record nine times. The team is also a member of the G-14 group of leading European football clubs. It is not just the game that pulls people to Madrid; this city is also known for its culture, tourist sights and lively nightlife.
Madrid is a relative newcomer to the city break scene, which is surprising, as it is a fascinating city that’s famous for its zest for life. Architecturally, it doesn't have the same quantity of essential sights as Barcelona, but is a fascinating city to explore and take in the atmosphere, especially around the old Madrid of the Habsburgs, including Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor.
Culturally, the art scene is right up there, with the Prado remaining the city's major cultural attraction and Picasso's Guernica in the Reina-Sofia being the number one exhibit. Madrid is also a great place to see the traditional Spanish arts, with the largest bull-ring in Spain at Las Ventas and a flamenco scene at par with the traditional flamenco cities of the south.
Perth – Australia
Ah, the land down under…beautiful weather, scenic locations, clear skies and of course, the competitive gaming spirit that is making people say all over the world “great game, mate!” To put it quite simply, Australia is game for everything, from cricket to rugby. But the one sport that pulls people here in hordes is field hockey.
Hockey in Western Australia has arguably the best club competition in the world, with a perfect climate and some of the world's best facilities. The Australian Institute of Sport Hockey is based in Perth and attracts the most talented players in the country, boosting the top club competition. The Perth Hockey Stadium was the first to have a synthetic surface in the Southern Hemisphere, which was laid in 1979. This part of Australia has produced many of the world's best players in recent years, including Ric Charlesworth, currently the Australian women's team coach. So, the land of sports is an amazing destination for all sports fanatics.
Perth is the capital of, as well as the largest city, in Western Australia. The scenic beauty of this city consists of beaches, vineyards, hills, historic ports and islands. It was founded in 1829 by Captain James Stirling as the political centre, and is even today, the seat of the Government of Western Australia. Perth is located in the southwest of the continent between the Indian Ocean and the Darling Range. The prime business hubs of this city are situated on the Swan River. This city is, in fact, an isolated location on the world map. Some of its more famous attractions include Kings Park, Scarborough Beach, Fremantle and Swan River. Fremantle (or ‘Freo’, as the locals call it) is the city’s port, rich in history. At weekends, you will find markets, entertainment and plenty of al fresco-style cafes to laze in.
Perth has restaurants to suit all tastes—the most popular cuisine, of course, being the great Australian BBQ. Barbeque facilities are abundant in local parks—take your own food and cook up a feast, Australian style! Combine the sporting experience with the sights of the city or the beaches. Whatever you choose, it will be an experience of a lifetime. Whatever sport you play, Australia can play host, and with the Aussie competitive edge, that won’t leave anyone disappointed.