The beginning of any new year is the perfect time to start planning your luxury getaways for the months ahead – and after two months of restrictions and border closures, we’ve never needed a lavish break more than we do now.
From palm-fringed Caribbean beaches to trendy cities, and everything in between, having some things to look forward to scattered throughout your 2022 calendar is certain to make for a happier and more satisfying year, and with first class flights and five-star opulence all the way, it’s officially time to treat yourself.
If you’re a sports fan, then you might be pondering exactly how you’re going to fit all your travel plans around important fixtures and events – and granted, it’s almost impossible not to miss out on some of your favourite sporting action when jet-setting across the globe. But there is a solution, and an increasing number of fans are now combining the two, using getaways as an excuse to catch some live games and matches, explore famous sporting locations and generally enjoy the best of both worlds.
There’s lots going on over the next twelve months, and from tennis to basketball, athletics to football, there’s almost certain to be an exciting event happening in your field of interest. We asked the experts at sports betting site Betting.com (www.betting.com/gb) to find out which destinations should be on your ‘not-to-be-missed’ list this year – both for their live sporting action, and general all-round appeal for luxury lovers.
Doha, Qatar
For the first time ever, the FIFA World Cup is set to take place during the British winter – which for many of us, is a strange concept when we tend to associate the tournament with a summer of sport. If you can’t stand the idea of watching the action unfold at home in your wooly jumper, then why not jet off to Qatar and catch some of the key matches first-hand?
Due to the nation’s hot and often oppressive climate, games will be played throughout its cooler months, with temperatures ranging 16°C – 24.5°C, making for a comfortably warm time to travel.
This tiny Middle-Eastern Gulf nation, bordered by Saudi Arabia, has one of the highest GDPs globally, so it’s perhaps unsurprising that the country has become a playground for the rich and famous, attracting a plethora of wealthy visitors annually and offering up plenty of opportunities for an all-out splurge. In capital city Doha, you can shop for designer goods, splash out on rare gemstones, bet on million-pound race horses and party in opulent penthouses in between important matches – making it the perfect pick for luxury loving sports fans.
Beijing, China
If you can’t wait until later in the year, then why not book yourself some last-minute tickets to Beijing and watch the 2022 Winter Olympics? This February, China is set to pick up the baton from PyeongChang, South Korea, which hosted the last event back in 2018, and with a whole host of exciting sports including skiing, snowboarding, figure skating, curling and bobsledding to take in, it’s bound to be another exciting one.
With its rich cultural history, Beijing is a breath-taking destination for those looking to immerse themselves in all things Chinese, and between its high-end shopping malls and futuristic skyscraper hotels – complete with rooftop bars and infinity pools, of course – there’s plenty to suit the luxury lover.
London, England
If you still have reservations about international travel as the pandemic continues, then the good news is that you don’t have to go far to enjoy a luxurious sporting experience on home soil. The famous Wimbledon tennis tournament, which attracts a star-studded audience including royalty and film stars each and every year, is set to take place once again in London this summer. British player Emma Raducanu will be the centre of attention following on from her impressive Australian Open win last year, with fans turning out to watch her and see whether she can repeat the same success in the UK – and with men’s favourites Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal also set to battle it out for the title, it’s another tournament you won’t want to miss.
As well as enjoying a glass of champagne and some strawberries and cream whilst rubbing shoulders with the royals, London has plenty more to offer luxury lovers, and with its plethora of opulent and historic five-star hotels and Michelin-starred eateries, plus a vast selection of high-end designer boutiques and high-brow museums and art galleries, you’ll have little trouble satisfying your craving for a decadent escape.
