Dubrovnik, Croatia by hozinja

Traveling for Sports in Europe:

Sports trips are the best way to travel both in groups or traveling alone. Some sports are better attempted in groups while some can even be approached as a single traveler. Kayaking and mountain climbing for example are more of group sports while skiing, snowboarding or windsurfing can even be attempted while traveling alone. Some travelers might even say that traveling alone is the only way to travel.

Always remember that safety comes first:

While trips planned around sports activities are certainly entertaining they can also be quite dangerous. There are two things you need to remember: always buy the best equipment – never get stingy when it comes to safety and buy travel insurance. A good, comprehensive and affordable travel insurance policy is just around the “internet corner”. You simply need to look for sports activities travel insurance quotes and buy the policy online. In two minutes you’re good to go.

One quote seems to get it right all the time, and is especially relevant to sports trips: “It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to. “So with that in mind, here are some of the best places to travel in Europe based on the sport you desire.

Sea Kayaking – Top 3 Destinations:

1. The West Coast of Scotland. The best places for sea kayaking in this area are around the isles of Jura and Islay. There are also sheltered sea lochs that can be very fun to discover while kayaking.

2. Norway. Some of the most impressive sights to be seen while kayaking are of course the Norwegian fjords. Norway also has a large number of smaller island with bright blue waters. Norway is the ideal destination for those that want to combine kayaking with climbing.

3. Croatia. When kayaking on the coast of Croatia you can expect to see many smaller less-populated islands, deserted beaches and steep cliffs sprinkled with pine forests. The historic city of Dubrovnik can also be visited while kayaking.

Sea Kayaking by Chewonki Semester School

Rock Climbing – Top 3 Destinations:

1. Belgium. Freyr Crag is one of the most visited destinations for rock climbing enthusiasts but there are also many more limestone crags that offer similar rewards.

2. Italy. The Dolomites are some of the most impressive walls for rock climbing. Some of these cliffs are as tall as 800 meters. Other rock climbing areas in Italy include: Arco and Finale Ligure on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

3. Romania. The Carpathian Mountains of Romania offer many excellent locations for rock climbing. Some of the most important are situated around Brasov, Cheile Bicazului (Bicazului Gorge) and the Bucegi Mountains.

Rock Climbing by Yannick Gingras

Windsurfing – Top 3 Destinations:

1. Fuerteventura. The long beaches of the Canary Islands provide some of the best waves for windsurfing. The north-east wind coupled with the waves from Atlantic Storms make the Fuartaventura waters some of the best for this sport.

2. Rhodes Island. With smooth waters in the morning and larger waves in the afternoon, the Rhodes Island shoreline is one of the best in Southern Europe for Windsurfing. The season for this sport starts in March and lasts until late November.

3. Sicily – Italy. The one hotspot that attracts many windsurfers to Sicily is Puzziteddu. This small place is located in the south-west side of the island and is best known for its smooth waves, perfect for sailing and windsurfing tricks.

Windsurfing by RS:X Youth World Windsurfing Championships

These are just some of the sports you can partake in. Obviously there are many more like river rafting or skydiving or even something simple as camping. Europe has many wonderful natural parks and special places designed around these activities.

As always, remember to travel safe and enjoy all your travels.

My name is Chris Smith and traveling is the most important thing to me, this is why i enjoy writing articles about travels and travel insurance.

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Cruise from Seil Island / Tim Kelly (aka Aleister Kronos)

One of the most difficult decisions to make, however, is when it comes to where you visit if you’re looking for a quiet retreat in beautiful surroundings – and this isn’t because Scotland doesn’t have many of these areas, but because it has them everywhere!

From the northern coastline right down to the English border, if you’re looking for somewhere to completely unwind and relax, Scotland is without doubt your place.  But where exactly?

Well, you can’t go far wrong with the Argyll coast.

Where is the Argyll Coast?

Covering the south western part of the country, the Argyll coast, unlike other parts of Scotland, is known almost solely for its sheer natural beauty above all else and although the islands in the area are well-connected by road and ferry crossings to the county’s bigger cities, they’re worlds apart when you’re actually there.

Iona west coast / Phillip Capper

Plus, with just 90,000 people scattered throughout the whole region (that’s approximately a quarter of the population of Edinburgh, but in an area of land that’s 30 times bigger), it very often seems as though there are only a few dozen people near you – at most – wherever you are.

What to See on the Coast

So what should you expect from the Argyll coast area of Scotland?

With 26 inhabited islands, lots of dramatic coast lines is one of the most notable expectations!  From awe-inspiring cliffs to wonderful, gentle beaches, paddling in some of the areas many crystal clear bodies of water will take you away to a completely different part of the world.

And with quaint towns and villages offering the ability to sit back and soak in the relaxed pace of life wherever in the area you’re visiting, the simplicity of life just oozes out and it’s impossible to not be absorbed by it.

Easdale Island / nz_willowherb

If you fancy something a little more physical, however, try ambling along one of the many well-laid out paths in the area.  Some away from the beaten track for the more adventurous, but just as many available for everyone to enjoy, for some, walking isn’t fun or exciting in anyway – walk around the Argyll coast, however and it’s almost guaranteed you won’t want to stop.

If you’re planning on basing your Scottish stay around relaxation, you really can’t go wrong if you head to any part of the Argyll coast.  Fantastic coastlines, a beautiful, serene atmosphere and enough breathtaking scenery to give you completely different views of the country every day of the year, the Argyll coast really is the ‘Secret of Scotland’ – and possibly the best kept secret the country has.

Matthew Bettoli writes for Cottages and Castles who provide the perfect Argyll Islands accommodation for your next holiday.

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A view looking along Glen Rosa, Arran / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by uplandaccess

And as much as it might be thought ‘Scotland in miniature’ is an exaggeration or simply marketing hype, the truth is there isn’t much of Scotland you can’t experience when you’re on Arran.

Arran’s Landscape

Starting with the island’s landscape, Arran is a particularly mountainous isle, not only producing some of the country’s best postcard photographs, but offering a fantastic array of walks for experienced and amateur walkers alike.

From leisurely walks to climbing challenges, try setting off from the village of Blackwaterfoot on the west coast and heading north towards Lochranza. It’s a beautiful walk, benefited tremendously by simply looking left – you’ll have an unrivalled view of the stunning Kintyre for the entire journey.

If walking isn’t your thing, what about a relaxing stroll through one of the islands many beautiful villages?

Home to no more than a couple of hundred people each, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll be blown away by one of two things – the sheer tranquillity of sitting outside, drink in hand, watching the world go by on an island that seems to be completely removed from any type of hustle and bustle or the simple friendliness of the people who are so proud of their island and love to share its intricacies and delights with everyone.

And if you’re looking for something a little more cultural or historic, how about Brodick Castle, a castle that’s still standing strong after 500 years?

Brodick Castle, Arran / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Magnus Hagdorn

Anyone for Whisky?

Or Arran Distillery, perhaps, if you’re partial to a wee dram? Although having only been established for just over 15 years, Arran Distillery produces some of the country’s finest single malt whisky and is the only distillery in the whole of Scotland that is allowed to use the famed Scottish poet, Robert Burns, on its labelling.

It’s also worthwhile keeping in mind that on top of the island’s ability to provide beautiful walks with stunning scenery, quaint villages to enjoy a relaxing time in and a range of popular attractions, there are also a number of golf courses on the island, courses that have arguably some of Europe’s most favourable backdrops.

The Isle of Arran is one of those destinations that people very often skim over when deciding on where to visit Scotland, as they can feel visiting a more well-known place will be more beneficial to the time they have.

But with so much to see and do and on an island that can at times seem like it’s completely your own, where else in Scotland would you need to go?

Matthew Bettoli writes for Cottages and Castles, who can provide comfortable Arran holiday cottages for your next Scottish holiday.

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Torrent de Pareis got its name from the stream Pareis that carved the canyon over millions of years. The most interesting entry into the canyon is by the sea from the village of Sa Calobra through two narrow tunnels in the rock. Tunnels lead to the coast where the stream Pareis flows into the sea.

In summer the stream dried on its way which allow tourist to bath on the beautiful pebble beach. It is also possible to enter the Torrent de Pareis from the upper village Escorca. The entire canyon is 7 km long. The total height from the sea to the highest point is 720 m.

The canyon is surrounded by the steep rocky walls. In the deepest places the walls reach a height of 400 m. At the bottom of the canyon you can see a small salt lake, created by the sea tide. In the walls you can find the caves that were dug by rain water. This also created a lot of water tunnels and deep lakes in the canyon.

During your trip to Torrent de Pareis you will see the huge rocky blocks. They are pieces of canyon walls, which over the years broke off due to erosion and fell to its ground. The whole area of ​​Torrent de Pareis was announced a significant natural heritage for its geological and biological value.

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Cliffs of Moher, Ireland by Bjørn Christian Tørrissen

The O’Brien’s Tower is a popular stopping point for those wishing to see the Cliffs of Moher. It was in 1835 when Sir Cornelius O’Brien built the famous tower as a means of impressing a lady. People who climb up to the top of the tower can be afforded some of the most awe-inspiring views imaginable.

The name of the cliffs is derived from the fort that was built hundreds of years ago at Hag’s Head. Fort Moher was still standing back in 178 when it was first mentioned to have existed. However, the old fort was torn down back in 1808 in order to make a tower in the area.

There are more than thirty thousand birds, spanning 20 species that call the Cliffs of Moher their home. People who visit the area will be able to see the Atlantic Puffin which thrives in the area surrounding Goat Island. The other popular birds that live along the cliffs include hawks, gulls as well as guillemots.

The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience is the welcoming center for those who chose to visit the cliffs. Designed to be environmentally responsible, the entire welcome center makes use of renewable energy. The heating is provided by geothermal means and the power is from solar panels in the roof.

While it may cost to visit the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, it is worth the small price. Inside there are a number of exhibits that are dedicated to the cliffs, their history and the life along them. You can even arrange to take a ferry trip along the base of the cliffs so that you can view them from the Atlantic Ocean.

So if you are planning on visiting Ireland, then you have to stop by and check out the Cliffs of Moher.

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Portugal is the westernmost country in Europe, lies at the Iberian Peninsula in the subtropical zone. North and center of the country is very mountainous, forested and there are a number of rivers. This area is used mainly for mountain tourism. Generally, the northern climate is mild in winter and rains a lot here which keep the temperature almost the same throughout the year. For the Alentejo region, forming the middle part of Portugal, is characterized by hot, dry summers alternating with quiet winter. But the most popular tourist destination in Portugal is the south – Algarve region. Arab monuments are located here from the time of colonization. This part offers stunning scenery, beautiful beaches and warm climate. The country has the islands of the Azores and Madeira, which lies in the Atlantic west coast. Lisbon is the capital city, located on the west coast at the mouth of the River Tagus. Thanks to its location it is a major Portuguese port.

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