December 5, 2022
Sport-Inspired Luxury Escapes in Europe
Adventurous travellers will surely love the idea of a sports-inspired vacation. It’s a great way to discover new places while being active and experiencing once-in-a-lifetime activities. Whether mountain biking in Finland, hiking in Spain or rock climbing in Italy, these sport-inspired luxury escapes in Europe are guaranteed to thrill and change your entire outlook on life.
Mountain Biking in Finland
Finland is a fascinating destination for a mountain biking adventure. While it’s not famous for its mountains, it offers numerous mountain biking possibilities around the country. Your journey will take you through breathtaking Finnish landscapes, where you’ll discover the awe-inspiring wilderness and learn about the unique local culture in an unforgettable outdoor adventure.
The Finnish national parks are absolutely breathtaking and are the best spots to enjoy mountain biking. While some parks allow mountain biking, others have restricted trails. You can bike through well-marked trails taking you through the country’s most beautiful natural landscapes. Remember, nature is specially protected in these areas, so respect the surroundings by following the rules and biking only on the marked paths. You do not need to get a permit when biking in Finland. You won’t have to pay entrance fees to the parks and other protected areas. However, you must notify the park management in advance if you plan to camp out.
One of the best parks for mountain biking is Teijo National Park, which has serene lakes and majestic forests. You can cycle through the lakes, marshes, and forests and stop in some areas to enjoy fishing or canoeing.
SaaS-Fee for Skiing
Saas-Fee offers high-altitude skiing with reliable snow all year round. It’s a charming ski resort village in the Swiss Alps, where you can ski at an elevation of 2500m to 3500m, making it Europe’s tallest ski resort. In addition, great snow is almost guaranteed at any time of the year. Because of the excellent skiing opportunities, many people are buying chalets in Saas-Fee, allowing them to come anytime without renting a chalet each time.
Saas-Fee is a traditional Swiss mountain village with picturesque views and is far quieter than its neighbour, Zermatt. However, there’s a great selection of entertainment on offer. Aside from the bars and restaurants, Saas-Fee offers non-ski activities, such as hiking during summer. Off-slope activities are popular in this area. In fact, the entire area of Hannig Mountain, along with its gondola, is more suited for cross-country skiers, snowshoers, winter walkers, and tobogganers.
For anyone who doesn’t like the idea of skiing in winter due to the cold weather, Saas Fe is an ideal destination for a summer ski holiday. The lifts at the glacier will start spinning for the summer skiing season from mid-July and will go all the way until winter and offers around 20 km of mainly lower intermediate piste trails. A snow park remains functional in summer, allowing expert skiers to get their fix in the off-season.
Spain for Hiking
Spain boasts more than 600 km of coastline with inland plateaus surrounded by extensive mountain ranges. Such an extraordinary landscape offers excellent hiking opportunities. Hiking in Spain will take you through scenic coastal roads past rugged cliff edges, rushing rivers, deep canyons, and glacial lakes. In addition, the country’s rich culture means hikers will enjoy a dose of cultural experiences through its historic towns and ancient old churches.
The famous Camino de Santiago often tops the list of the best hiking routes in Spain. It’s a network of pilgrim routes spanning more than 500 miles throughout the country. The walk is relatively easy since you can go at your own pace. What makes this journey fascinating is that the road has been walked on for more than a thousand years by Christian pilgrims and avid hikers wishing to conquer this epic journey. There are numerous routes to choose from, starting in different areas around Spain. You can select a trail at any point from the well-established routes.
If you’re looking for a more thrilling experience, try walking the Caminito del Rey, said to be one of the world’s most dangerous hiking trails. Yet, the journey will be well worth it, given the spectacular views along the way. It takes about four hours to conquer, where you walk beside rugged cliffs with views of the stunning mountain peaks.
Monaco for the Grand Prix
If you are fond of fast cars, you should purchase tickets to the Monaco Grand Prix, one of the world’s most prestigious auto races. What makes the race spectacular is the stunning location, the circuit’s history, and the challenges of winning the race, even for the most experienced racers.
No other race can compare to the Monaco Grand Prix in terms of the views surrounding the racetrack. Set between the Maritime Alps and the Mediterranean, the Circuit de Monaco runs through the narrow streets of Monaco. And as the cars zoom back and forth, celebrities and well-heeled spectators crowd the yachts and balconies for a glimpse of the race.
The Monaco Grand Prix is particularly famous for its after-hour parties. As one of the most glamorous sports events in the world, it lures loads of wealthy visitors looking to party with world-famous celebrities.
Italy for Rock Climbing
Italy is a prime destination for rock climbing adventures, and it’s easy to see why. It boasts rugged cliffs, sun-drenched limestones, and granite crags surrounded by glorious mountains and a vast ocean. A rock-climbing adventure in Italy is truly unforgettable.
Cala Gonone in Sardinia is a top spot for rock climbing in Italy. Sardinia itself is famous for its gorgeous beaches and pristine waters. The area surrounding Cala Gonone is a paradise for rock climbers, where majestic walls crash directly into the ocean, allowing for a spectacular climb.
If you love the thrill of climbing directly above the vast ocean, head to Liguria, where you’ll find Finale Ligure. Here, you can climb magnificent walls crashing into the sea and limestone cliffs filled with holes, nooks, and crannies.