Europe loves sports

What a host of other sporting events and options can be offered to you by the harbors of the Atlantic Alliance in order to excite your guests!

Lisbon (Portugal)
The bullfight is popular not only in Spain, but also in Portugal. In contrast to Spain, however, the bulls are not killed in the arena in Portugal even if things can get quite bloody. The interesting part is the Pega in which the bullfighter tries to force the bull to the ground even though he has no weapons. Various fiestas are accompanied by bullfights. The most famous of them is the Fiesta Brava in Vila Franca da Xira at the beginning of July. The best horses and the best bulls in the country are bred and trained in this region. Likewise, daily bullfights are held here at the beginning of October during the multi-day Feira.

For motorcycle fans: In motor sports, you should not miss your chance to visit the Grand Prix of Portugal in Estoril. The race is part of the Motorcycling World Championships.

Do you wish to become active yourself? The coastal section called Farol da Guia near the lighthouse of Cascais is among the most beautiful climbing routes in Europe.

Aside from bullfighting, Spain has to offer, among others, the cycling race in late summer called the Vuelta Ciclista a España, the tour of Spain. It is one of the three "Grands Tours" in cycling and, after the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia, is the most important race conducted in stages in the world. With its steep mountain stages, it is considered to be one of the most difficult cycling races. Depending upon the route chosen - which changes each year - your guests can cheer on the athletes from close proximity, even in northern Spain.

France is famous for the Tour de France  and a visit to Paris where the racers streak towards the finish line at the Arc de Triomphe will remain an unforgettable experience for you. However, even the regional cycling races can provide a lot of thrills. Or try to play Boule/Petanque. Water sports are also popular along the French coast: Whether windsurfing, sailing or sand sailing – try it! In many harbors, you will find corresponding schools or rental equipment.

La Rochelle (France)
With its many canals, the La Venise Verte National Park is suitable for a canoe trip.

Nantes (France)
It is only about two hours to the Formula 1 course in Le Mans.

Le Havre (France)

Get active! Normandy’s clean and sweeping beaches are rarely crowded, and offer some best kite and windsurfing in Europe like in Le Havre. The more energetic can explore the many hiking or horse-back trails and golf fans are spoilt for a choice with Normandy’s high-class courses. If you are in the mood for adventure you can try a bungee jumping from the Souleuvre viaduct.

Portland Port (Great Britain)

As home to the National Sailing Academy Portland will be the proud host of the sailing events for the 2012 London Olympic Games. Already home to regular sailing regattas, 2010 and 2011 will see Olympic qualifying events being held in the waters of Portland Harbour and Weymouth Bay. A number of the major sailing teams, obviously including Team GB, will be based in Portland in the build up to the 2012 Games, so keep your eyes open and you may spot multiple Gold Medal winner, Ben Ainslie, out training.

Dover (Great Britain)
The DTM route in Brand’s Hatch is only about one hour from Dover.
Antwerp (Belgium)
Do you love to smell gasoline and the fastest racing cars? The Formula 1 racing course in Spa-Francorchamps can be reached in less than two hours from Antwerp.

In the Netherlands, there is definitely a sports life besides soccer.

Rotterdam (The Netherlands)
Soccer dominates in Rotterdam, but also field hockey and the city marathon have great significance. The Hague offers a very nice half-marathon with the Fortis City-Pier City Loop in March/April – suitable for watching or participating in.

IJmuiden (The Netherlands)
It doesn’t take even an hour to reach the course of the “Deutschen Tourenwagen Masters” [German Touring Car Masters] DTM in Zandvoort, regardless of whether you travel from Ijmuiden, Amsterdam or Rotterdam.
A side trip to Texel from Ijmuiden at the right time will guarantee a view of the largest catamaran regatta in the world-over 100 km. However, it will take about two hours to get there. The “Ronde om Texel” takes place every year in June.

Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
Notwithstanding the DTM course in Zandvoort – what about a side trip to the Apeldoorn (about 100 km away) for the Mid-Winter Marathon at the end of January / beginning of February? Or would you like to attend the Speedskating World Championships? In the winter, guests will also have the chance to ice skate on the city’s canals. Or take a tour of the city by bicycle, the most popular means of transportation of the Dutch. An organized boat tour through the canals is less stressful. Or visit the famous Ajax Amsterdam Soccer Club.

Bremerhaven (Germany)
The real highlight is in the summer and quite nearby: The Duhner Wattrennen [name of tidelands horse race] in front of Cuxhaven, a grand water-spurting event in gallop and trot racing which takes place directly on the sea floor when it is low tide.
Likewise of sporting interest: From Bremerhaven, one can visit the route of the multi-day Lower Saxony Tour in April.

Hamburg (Germany)
Whether a gallop derby, trot racing, show jumping or polo, a dragon boat festival upon the Alster, rowing championships upon the Elbe River, tennis am Rothenbaum [tennis tournament venue in Hamburg], soccer, hockey, marathons, triathlons, cyclassics or sailing directly in front of one’s front door as well as in Kiel and Travemünde – in Hamburg, almost everybody is into sports. Particularly thrilling: A home match of FC St. Pauli, directly next to the world-famous Reeperbahn.