Top holiday spots for summer 2014!

by Lucy Moore | 8 May 2014

Madrid

Ahead of the World Cup, Kate Stinchcombe-Gillies of holiday home rental site, holidaylettings.co.uk, reveals the best holiday spots for this summer.

“Whether you want to embrace the football madness or escape it, the World Cup provides a great opportunity for holidaymakers to flock to destinations that are football friendly or run in the opposite direction to places where the sport will not be top of your sightseeing list.

One might think that this huge calendar fixture will see the men everywhere banding together to chant and roar their way through every game, planning their lives around each match with the most careful thought and precision. So, what about women? Will they be holding their heads (or a strong drink!) in their hands wishing the whole thing would blow over so they can get back to normal life?

Some may well be. But in the grander scheme of things there is a much greater relationship between women and football these days. I was an avid Villa fan as a child and was branded a tomboy for it, but there are so many women and families at games nowadays that the stereotypes are waning. I have friends who really enjoy football and other friends who couldn’t be less interested if they tried - both male and female friends. Football isn’t the taboo subject it once was for women and perhaps this is because of the increased profile that women’s football has been afforded, or because of improvements to the match day experience that have made going to the football safer and more entertaining for everyone. Whatever the reason, the change in public attitude and discourse between women and football has opened up some interesting opportunities for the travel industry this summer.

For those women that are such avid football watchers that they can’t wait for the first whistle to be blown at the World Cup, there are some fantastic places to go to watch the football. Here are some of my favourite football hotspots for women and where there are still some great holiday home rentals available for you to unwind and relax in this summer:

Rio de Janiero: the host of the World Cup final match, which will be played in the city’s Estadio Do Maracana, a large football stadium with a capacity of nearly 80,000. Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the city of Rio de Janiero and watch football take over the city for the World Cup period.
Madrid: The last World Cup was won by Spain and the nation is tipped to come close again this year. Experience the World Cup in the capital of football mad Spain and see if the Spanish can retain their title. What’s more, Madrid has a proud footballing history of its own, a well-supported local club and a very aesthetically pleasing, famous stadium.
Glasgow: Why not travel to Partick in Glasgow, Scotland and watch the World Cup from the place where it all began. In 1872 England took on Scotland in Partick at what was the first ever official international association football match to be played.
London: Wembley stadium in London, will be hosting the last England game on home soil before the team takes off for their first World Cup match against Peru on 30 May. Head to the capital of English football and take in all that the UK’s capital city has to offer at the same time.

For some of us, the prospect of a feast of football is a daunting one. I’ve heard the term “World Cup Widows” being bandied about a lot lately. The urban dictionary defines it as “someone who loses their partner to the greatest sporting event in the world for a whole month every four years, thus rendering them a widow for the duration of the tournament.” A bit dramatic, surely? But nonetheless, there are many who are happy to give football the red card, determined to enjoy a football free summer. Here are my favourite places to visit for those who want to take a break from the football action between 13 June and 13 July:

Belfast: Northern Ireland hasn’t qualified for a World Cup in 28 years so football furore is low here. In recent years, Northern Ireland’s capital, Belfast, has seen a lot of regeneration and become quite a cultural hub. There is a lot to see and do - for culture visit The MAC art gallery or new Titanic Quarter, or for those that fancy picking up a bargain head to Victoria Square for some serious retail therapy. The city has become well known for its nightlife scene too, with lots of old fashioned Victorian bars, trendy gastro-pubs and live music venues - many of which are located in the bustling Cathedral Quarter. My personal favourite is the very small, but very atmospheric ‘Spaniard bar’. Order one of their Mojitos and let their Mediterranean vibes take over!
Salzburg: Escape the football chants and instead listen to the delightful notes of a Mozart classic or singing along to the Sound of Music in the home of both, Salzburg. Why not re-live the childhood classic film and take a Sound of Music tour around the city or enjoy a Mozart inspired concert over dinner at the "Hohensalzburg" Fortress? Either are bound to sound a whole lot better than the off key football chanting in your living room!
Monaco: Say goodbye to World Cup mayhem and hello to the playground of the rich and famous by visiting enchanting Monte Carlo. Perfect for an indulgent girly trip away, enjoy a luxury break in a penthouse and take full advantage of the high-end shopping and restaurants. You’ll forget football ever existed in no time!
Rotorua: OK, so it a little far flung, but this beautiful place is quite literally the perfect escape destination. If you want relaxation, you’ll welcome its quiet mountainous surroundings. You can unwind and rejuvenate in the natural soda springs that surround the area, check out the beautiful volcanic region, or even go fishing in one of the lakes. Don’t miss the botanical gardens!