Sports Travel:

There's a whole world of sport out there ... with Norwich Union Travel Insurance

The annual international sports calendar always looks pretty good. However, 2008 is a little special with a 'Super Summer' that includes the Olympics in Beijing and Euro 2008 football in Austria and Switzerland. So whether you're a footy fanatic, really into your rugby or a paid-up member of cricket's Barmy Army, there's something for you. Here are our Top 10 sporting events for 2008. Come on!

Our Top Tip? Buy yourself some peace and mind and remember to book your travel insurance!

1. XXIX Olympiad - Beijing, China
   It's the 'Summer Games'. Arguably the biggest sporting event on the planet, the very best athletes from all over the world will converge on Beijing between the 8th and the 28th August to go for gold in 302 events covering 28 sports. And why not stay on in Beijing for more sporting magic at the Paralympics from the 6th to the 17th September?

   Norwich Union Travel Insurance verdict: unforgettable. Beat the time difference: go there!

2. Euro 2008 - Austria & Switzerland
   Even though none of the home countries have qualified [sigh], you'll still be in for knife-edge action as the 16 qualified national teams fight for the next biggest trophy in world football after the World Cup. Between the 7th and 29th June and with matches in some of continental Europe's most stylish cities, you can choose from games in Vienna, Salzburg, Basel, Geneva and Zürich to name just a few.

   Norwich Union Travel Insurance verdict: at least you'll be spared the heart-break of another penalty shoot-out.

3. Cricket - Sri Lanka, New Zealand & India
   Cricket is one of the world's oldest and biggest spectator sports. It's also perfect for the overseas sporting pilgrimage. 2008 promises much as the England squad tours Sri Lanka this winter, moves to New Zealand between February and April, then finishes the year in India. Whether you're a card-carrying member of the Barmy Army or just fancy catching the odd game, there's a stunning choice of exotic test and one-day venues in the year ahead.

   Norwich Union Travel Insurance verdict: Watch out for the sun - slop on the sun block, slip on a shirt and slap on a hat.

4. Le Mans - France
   The toughest, oldest motorsport race in the world, 24 Heures du Mans takes place from 14th-15th June in 2008 and has to be seen first-hand to be be believed. Every year, around 150,000 Brits alone will head for this legendary circuit on the beautiful River Sarthe and pack the bars and restaurants of picturesque Arnage for a long weekend of seriously high-octane drama - and BBQs.

   Norwich Union Travel Insurance verdict: great food and wine in one of the gastro-centres of France make this an unmissably civilised sporting event.

5. Formula One - truly global!
   If the compact thrill of Formula One is more your style, then you can follow your favourite teams and drivers around the world for 18 races in 17 countries. From Australia on 16th March to Brazil on 2nd November, the 2008 championship lasts for eight nail-biting months and spans Europe, the Middle East, South America and Asia-Pacific. After the thrilling 2007 season when rookie Lewis Hamilton set the sport ablaze, F1 is back to being one of the hottest sporting tickets in the world.

   Norwich Union Travel Insurance verdict: a location for everyone. Come on Lewis!

6. Rugby Six Nations - England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France & Italy
   After the drama of the 2007 Rugby World Cup that saw Argentina blossom, the rise of Italy and an against-all-the-odds performance from England to reach the final against the all-conquering Springboks, the northern hemisphere's top tournament is just weeks away. From the 2nd February to the 15th March, why not follow the action in person and book some great city breaks to Paris, Rome, London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin for some gladiatorial stadium sport?

   Norwich Union Travel Insurance verdict: it'll be blood, sweat and beers all the way.

7. Tennis Grand Slams - Melbourne, Paris, London & New York
   The Grand Slam tournaments are a legend in tennis - and only a few players have managed a clean-sweep to win them all. Can Andy Murray unpick Roger Federer's defences? Can Amelie Mauresmo overcome Maria Sharapova? The Australian Open hits Melbourne between 14th-27th January and the French Open comes to Paris from 25th May to 8th June. Catch all the big names and the best strawberries at Wimbledon from 23rd June to 6th July - then why not head for New York's Flushing Meadow for the US Open from 25th August to 7th September?

   Norwich Union Travel Insurance verdict: new passports please!

8. Golf - it's an American extravagana in 2008
   Mark Twain once said that golf was a good walk ruined. We say it's a relaxing way to add something special to your holiday - especially when you can see sporting legends like Tiger Woods, Lee Westwood and Vijay Singh playing up close. 2008 is a great golf year to head to the US, hosting three of the world's top tournaments this year. Georgia for the Masters between April 10th-13th; California for the US Open between June 12th-15th; back to Lancashire's Royal Birkdale for the British Open from July 17th-20th; and then the Big One - Europe takes on the US at the 37th Ryder Cup in Kentucky from September 19th-21st.

   Norwich Union Travel Insurance verdict: the $/£ exchange rate makes it better than ever to head for America.

9. Skiing World Cup - wherever the snow's good!
   We're halfway through the 2007/08 Skiing World Cup but don't let that stop you. From Canada, America, Austria and Norway to France, Italy and Switzerland, you can catch the very best in men's and women's downhill winter sports action until mid-March - then start all over again for the 2008/09 season in October. Stunning alpine locations make this blue riband championship an absolute sports gem - plus with Alain Baxter and Chemmy Alcott, British skiing is possibly in its best ever shape. And don't forget the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver!

   Norwich Union Travel Insurance verdict: great action on the piste guaranteed.

10. The Tour de France - to every corner of France
    We're back to France. Controversial it may have been recently but The Tour remains one of the great sporting spectacles anywhere in the world - and has produced one of the most extraordinary sportsmen ever in seven-times winner Lance Armstrong. From July 5th to the 27th, watch an international field of over 180 riders use pedal power to sprint from Brittany to Paris across 3,500km of France in 21 hard-fought stages. And the really good thing about the Tour de France? It's the beauty and cuisine of France itself.

    Norwich Union Travel Insurance verdict: what a place to watch world-class sporting action!

 

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