Sport Archives - Page 6 of 19 - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

America, Countries, Flying, Ireland, Sport

Aer Lingus and Clayton Hotels Gridiron How?

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Aer Lingus and Clayton Hotels Gridiron How?

Well, it’s that special relationship between Ireland and America that manifests itself in so many shared cultural displays.

With, of course, St Patrick’s Day, the biggest, but at this time of the year it’s all about the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin.

College football is pure Americana with its followers more missionaries with a religious fervour for their sport.

And that is why 25,000 fans are expected to fly across the Atlantic to watch the latest iteration of the contest.

Which this year sees Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets from Atlanta tackle Florida State Seminoles from Talahassee on August 24 at the Aviva.

Up the Creek Indians

Seminoles, you say, well they’re Creek Indians from Georgia and Alabama who migrated to Florida in the 1700s.

And are celebrated to this day in the name they attach to their College Football heroes.

The States, of course, has gone on its own journey regarding its First Nation.

And rebranding the Washington Redskins NFL franchise to the Washington Commanders.

While championing Native American tribes such as the Creek Seminoles.

College day out

Will It seems kismet then for that reason that college teams from Florida and Georgia should come together for this fixture on the calendar.

Now, of course, the exodus of 25,000 Gridiron-daft Americans to Dublin provides a great opportunity for Irish hoteliers and hospitality industry.

With an expected €100million boost to the Irish economy.

And our old friends and game sponsors Clayton have stepped up big style.

To welcome their American friends, fans and the Georgia Tech team.

American Football newbies

Hogging the limelight: At Clayton Hotels

There is a special hoo-ha over this year’s event with the game being broadcast with ESPN and Sky Sports broadcasting the event.

So that for American Football newbies there is the chance to mug up on the game.

And for my own little cheerleader too who got
to the third quarter when we were invited to the game by Aer Lingus.

Before asking ‘so, are they able to throw the ball forward?’

Now we hope we have answered another question for you… Aer Lingus and Clayton Hotels Gridiron How?

And are happy to repeat that Ireland’s national airline carrier flies to 18 routes in North America with pre-clearance.

While Clayton,whose hospitality we have enjoyed across the world, have eight hotels across Dublin’s Fair City.

America, Countries, Deals, Sport

A Tee Party in the Capital Region

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One thing we can all agree on in this US election cycle is that there’s going to be a Tee Party in the Capital Region when the Solheim Cup rolls in.

Fresh from making my pitch for my local course, Muirfield.

To golfing great Sir Nick Faldo at the Open at Royal Troon I’m looking further afield.

The golf tours move on, to the Olympics in Paris and now the men’s majors are done for the year, the women’s game.

Solheim from home

We have a special interest in my new stomping ground of North Berwick, the best place in Britain to live in.

In Solheim Cup great and proud townswoman Catriona Matthew.

And a special relationship with DC, Maryland and Virginia through family there and friends met at the US Travel Fair, IPW.

All under the umbrella of the Capital Region.

Capital gains

Reflections: After sunset from the edge of the reflecting pool in Washington DC.

I will often advise newbies to travelling in America that if they can’t do it all then the Capital Region is America in a nutshell.

Maryland, in fact, bills itself as America in Miniature while the capital and its Smithsonian Museums, tells the story of the States.

The next President of America: In Washington DC

And Virginia is your entry to the Deep South where the Trump posters we saw in 2016 will have been adapted to replace Pence for Vance.

Now if you think the divisions in American politics and society has reached a new breaking point.

Then it is worth noting that Virginia was the theatre for the first major battle of the US Civil War.

Battleground tourism

Stonewall it: With Stonewall Jackson in Manassas.

And why does this matter? Well, just because, but because you’ll be staying in Manassas for your golf.

Your Golf Travel offers packages to the Solheim Cup in Gainesville, Virginia.

All of which takes place from September 10-15, starting from £2215pp including flights.

You’ll get six nights bed and breakfast at the Hampton Inn in Gainesville or the Tru by Hilton in Manassas.

And the news: From the Capitol: In Washington

The practice day and tournament day tickets, Solheim Cup return transfers, 24-hour concierge service and event party.

Visitors wishing to add golfing experiences in the Capital Region USA can add a tailor-made holiday to the package for an additional cost.

Picnic time

And if it might seem quirky to be a tourist in a battlefield town then consider this.

Day trippers descended on Manassas, or Bull Run, with picnic blankets to watch the fighting.

We’re hoping and expecting that the two sets of rivals will keep it more gentlewomanly on their field of battle.

And that you can enjoy your Tee Party in the Capital Region.

Countries, Europe, Sport

The Olympic ode goes to…

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A gold medal the pinnacle of an athlete’s career but then the Olympic ode goes to…

Well, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the Modern Olympics whose XXXIII iteration gets underway on Friday in Paris, that’s who.

Who knew?… well, non moi until I was educated this week.

By my nouveau ami Guillame Le Roux, owner of golf travel firm Intro Travel.

Who helpfully fed me this nugget at lunch at the Engravers Suite.

In the company of Visit Hilton Head and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.

Games punctuated

There will be 329 medal events across 32 sports at the Paris Olympics, including golf, with breaking making its debut.

Times, fashions and sports, of course, change and many of the original line-up of Games events have been consigned to history.

With the full stop put on the literature competition.

Alas, as I reckon I could well have been in the running.

As a past performer at the Edinburgh Fringe with my group The Forth Stanza.

And judging by the reception to my impromptu offering at lunch…

‘There was a young man from Paris/Who slipped and fell on his aras.’

Let the Games begin

Now fellow wordsmith Pierre took gold for literature at the 1912 Summer Olympics for his poem Ode to Sport.

But good sport that he was, he used the pseudonym of Georges Hohrod and M. Eschbach.

The names of villages close to his wife’s place of birth in Alsace.

Even if we don’t have floppy-hatted dreamers waxing lyrical on daffodils and fair maidens to witness.

Channel your inner Olympian

All eyes will be on Paris these next few weeks.

But who among us can afford the inflated prices around the French capital now the Games is in town.

There are options thankfully and hundreds of tickets still available.

The best of which is Channel Tunnelling it to The City of Light from £69, Folkestone to Calais.

With Guillaume speaking for us all when he admitted he would attend in person.

Le course

Should an invite to the golf at Le Golf National to see new Open champion Xander Schauffele defend his title be forthcoming.

Now in the meantime I’ve been working on my limerick just in case they reintroduce the literature prize.

So that I can hear those magical words yet.

And the Olympic ode goes to..

Countries, Deals, Europe, Pilgrimage, Sport

Slice of God is a Master Stroke at The Open

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And because you need a thick wedge for the merch anything that’s free is welcome, which is why a slice of God is a Master Stroke at The Open.

Golf fans rolling off the train to Royal Troon all week have been greeted by the Almighty’s Army handing out free tote bags.

With a sacred message on the bags, a John’s Gospel with ‘God’s Word for you’ and God loves Ayrshire scrolled on it.

God loves Bandanaman, of course, and you too obviously, but mostly Bandanaman!

Hilton Head of the table

First course: The Visit Hilton Head table, Troon

As do Visit Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Savannah/Hilton Head International in Georgia.

As they host me, with a little help from golfing knight Sir Nick Faldo, in the Engravers suite (£1,175pp).

The First Reading: What the Good Book says

Now by the end of play today this year’s Champion Golfer may very well credit God for His part in their success.

Of course, God is a handy ally to have on the bag, to use golfing parlance.

Stay the course

The evidence is all there in the booklet you’ve just been given with passages from The Bible.

With its headlines The Master Stroke, Timing is Right, Following Through, Taking Part and True Victory.

And this is the bit that will drive on whoever wins today to become Champion Golfer of the Year.

‘Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Now God as you can see is everywhere but perhaps more visible in The Vatican, the Holywood of Lourdes and Marian sites Fatima, Knock and Medjugorje.

And on pilgrimages such as a Camino or Via Francigena.

God is all around us

But I always also like to seek him out wherever I go.

On the premise that you find the locals where they play and pray.

And so I’ve joined in evangelical Sunday Service in Tobago and praised Allah in mosques from Morocco to Sarajevo, Istanbul and Jordan.

The Man in the Middle: With Phil, Faldo and Funtime Jimmy

I’ve often felt too the Hand of God on my shoulder to keep me on the right path as I’ve wandered off course.

All of which the missionaries on the road to Troon are championing.

So though it may be tempting don’t just walk past the bag-carriers.

Because a slice of God is a Master Stroke at The Open.

America, Countries, Sport, UK

Hilton Head and troosers, knees and Faldo’s

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When you’re in the presence of a golfing knight it does well to bow down, which is how Hilton Head and troosers knees and Faldo’s all came about.

Picture the scene, a mini-stage on the Engravers suite on the top floor of the Origins building.

At Royal Troon golf course at the 152nd Open Golf Championship.

And the six-time major golf champion has just taken a question from me from the floor.

He asks for a glass of water while the microphone comes my way.

Earning our stripes: Phil, Sir Nick and Myself

And in the interim I move forward, bend down and move my phone by his feet to pick up his pronouncements.

When the Great Man startled by the intrusion asks in front of the packed gallery?

‘What are you doin’? You trying to get up ma troosers?’

When I explained I was merely capturing his words for posterity it broke the ice.

Kneeling at the feet of a great

Sir Nick was good enough to share with us his fond memories of winning his first Open in ‘the pea-green soup’ of my local course, Muirfield back in 1987.

And following another Open again at St Andrews, the home of golf, returning to do it all again at Muirfield.

And his last four holes to win the Claret Jug being the best he has ever played.

Jacket required: Ben Crenshaw helps Nick Faldo on with his Masters green jacket

The Engravers experience (£1,175pp) for day ticket, all-inclusive food and drink, access to the course.

And the chance to ask a question of a golfing great… and even kneel at their feet.

Sir Nick is, of course, a giant now of the game so the chance to hear him exclusively in an intimate setting is a treat.

Troon the houses

The Englishman, still looking like a matinee idol at 67, recalled his earliest days, camping and playing the 1973 Open.

While Tony Jacklin gave eventual winner Tom Weiskopf a lift in his Rolls-Royce.

That for us was the year the family drove down to South Ayrshire from Glasgow.

Only for my Dear Old Dad to decide not to brave out the traffic.

But rather turn the car around and drive us all back to watch it on TV.

Sir Nick also shared his memories of one of the breakthrough moments of his career.

Prompted by our table and the Hilton Head community, Savannah/Hilton Head International and their friends and promoters.

Hilton Head for the top

It was the then plain Nick’s first tourney win on American soil, the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

And Sir Nick admitted he approached the event in a Monte Carlo or Bust fashion but came through the woods and the trees to deliver.

And it piques this social golfer but gallery fan to look to plan my visit out there.

The ripples of laughter long subsided from my bold introduction from earlier.

And having soaked in Sir Nick’s views on everything from today’s tech to Pringle jumpers and the taxman to LIV golf (not a big fan).

Sir Nick wraps it all up by giving seemingly everyone in the room a photo with him and signing autographs.

I wish him well and tell him he will be very welcome back at Muirfield, where hopefully The Open will return soon.

And when he does he may very well be looking out for me… the eager fan with a phone and I know I’d be recalling Hilton Head and troosers, knees and Faldo’s.

America, Countries, Deals, Europe, Ireland, Sport, UK

Hilton Head of the pack at the golf in Troon

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Somewhere on a heavenly practice green my Dear Old Dad is bestowing unasked for advice on a major champion.. me, I’m Hilton Head of the pack at the golf in Troon.

The famous golfer was Aussie David Graham, the ‘expert coach’Glasgow Hilton Park’s very own James G Murty and the year 1982.

Tiger on the prowl: Channeling his inner Woods

When club hacker Jimmy G tut-tutted at the US Open and USPGA champ’s missed putt and opined: ‘Never up, never in.’

The good doctor had decamped from Glasgow to Ayrshire with his youngest son for practice day at the Open Golf Championship.

And a sit-down meal in a hospitality tent courtesy of a drug company,

For a 16-year-old sports mad lad this was luxury and my Dad was the most important man in the world, which, of course, he was.

Troon with the cool kids

But, in truth, the hospitality was nothing like what we have today in Troon… we didn’t have to put up the tentpoles or anything!

We are at The Engravers suite (£1,175pp) today by the 15th fairway of the famous old course.

Where we are perusing the tee-off times while imbibing of something a little stronger than tea at the complimentary bar.

And as a 16-year-old back in 1982 my Dad insured that I got nothing stronger than a Coca-Cola.

Written in stars at Engravers

Rock on Tommy: Ryder Cup star Tommy Fleetwood

You can, of course, salve your thirst at the Engravers with the leaf and fill your bellies with a hearty breakfast.

Because you’ll be needing a full tank to negotiate those undulating bumps and gorges of this coastal course.

As you follow the game’s best players around the Championship course.

And see them tackle and, in the cases of superstars like Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, fail at the iconic Postage Stamp and Railway Holes.

Back here at base at the Engravers you can hear too from a selected golfer first-hand.

How to play the course, in an exclusive Q&A slot… in this case six-time major winner and a Hilton Head Island winner too, Nick Faldo.

S0uth Carolina on my mind

Of course, all of us who sit (did I say we also have reserved seats in the 18th greenside grandstand?) are masters of the game.

Only we’re not, but the men draining the 40ft putts are.

Days like today and past evenings in Dublin are the closest I have come to visiting this corner of America in South Carolina.

But, of course, they merely heighten my longing to visit.

When I do I know I will be in the best of hands with my friends at Hilton Head.

All through the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport which itself is in Georgia.

Home and dry

I feel the hand of my Dear Old Dad beckoning me that it is time to leave ‘to beat the traffic’ his constant fear.

I feel though that he has extra super powers where he is now.

And he has sent dry weather down for our day at the Open, after the rainstorms that taunted the players the previous day.

An Open invitation

We will be back, both here, and another old stomping ground and family connection, Ireland.

Where the Open returns next year to Royal Portrush.

Where we are guaranteed a party at least on par with the Antrim course’s reunion with the Open after nearly 60 years.

When not even the legendary Ulster rain could dampen the spirits of the raucous golf fans cheering Irishman Shane Lowry to victory.

Even if for many that was from the apron of the Guinness Bar.

Me? I’ll figure out the waterproofs then.

For today, I’m with the cool crowd at The Engravers.

Dry, well catered for, and in the best company… Hilton Head of the pack at the golf in Troon.

America, Countries, Sport, Sustainable Tourism

Mais oui, the biggest bike museum is where?

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Mais oui, the biggest bike museum is where? Well, Steeltown, Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania.

Not that you’d want to parler that around France where the biggest cycling competition, Le Tour, is currently raging.

But the sports-mad blue-collar East Coast American city might just have stolen a wheel on you here.

Morrow belongs to me: Craig in his museum

Especially Craig Morrow, who opened Bicycle Heaven in 2011, and has filled it with more than 3,000 bikes.

All of which I ferreted out from a nugget of knowledge from the Visit Pittsburgh team.

And who visited and sponsored the American Soiree travel symposium in Dublin last week.

And showcased their route from Pittsburgh to Washington DC, the Great Allegheny Passage.

Tour de Pittsburgh

Off on a tandem: The Monkees contraption

The 333.3-mile week-long track that adjoins C&O Canal Towpath… or maybe 45- to 60-mile bicycling days.

All of which requires the back-up of a Tour de France support team… or in the absence of that then Craig Morrow.

The thing is that you probably know about Cycling Heaven without realising it.

From Russell Crowe movies (A Beautiful Mind) or Viola Davies (Fences) to The Monkees and The Beatles.

To tread through Cycling Heaven is a ride through cycling history.

From the early wooden bikes, with the oldest in the shop, built in 1863, termed the ‘boneshaker’.

To the carbon-based frames of today.

With the novelty contraptions such as the ‘Hercules’ where you bounce on the seat to get going.

And I reckon I’d be a natural having pedalled my own Margaritas in San Antonio in Texas.

Now if you’ve got a spare $18,000 to $50,000 then you could leave with a 1940s fibreglass Bowden Spacelander.

That it’s Pittsburgh that boasts the biggest cycling museum in the world shouldn’t really surprise us.

Because the Penn city combines its industrial heritage and the eclectic vision of its favourite son Andy Warhol to draw the world.

How to get there

Fun and Games: With a Paralympian champ Mark Rohan in Quinta do Lago

And Aer Lingus will fly you there through Ireland with pre-clearance and JetBlue get you back.

So that if, as is my case, that means starting in Edinburgh, until my Scary One relents and allows us to return full time to Wicklow.

For now though I’ve dug out my own return flight Edinburgh to Pittsburgh knowing your departure point may be different.

From under a grand £957 round trip for the sample month of September.

Countries, Culture, Europe, Food, Sport

An Alpine hand to escape the heat

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Every summer my own fair maiden will shake her head at Med heatwaves… so happen she needs an Alpine hand to escape the heat.

Summer in the Alps is a very different experience to the winter skiing season.

And can, of course, be confusing when you come to dress for your trek through the valleys.

So if you sleep in, rush your shower and leave it on to seep through the ceiling to the breakfast room then you make the wrong choice.

And find yourself sweating under your ski jacket and become hampered by carrying it.

All of which you learned the hard way huffing and puffing up the hills while yodelling senior citizen Brigitte yodelled and hiked up to the peaks.

Now I tell you this out of love and to prepare you if you head for that summer Alpine trek in, say Morzine and Avoriaz in France this summer.

Take a hike

There all happy hikers can explore more than 200 km of marked trails.

While if you can pull off the lycra (not any more this MAMIL) look get on your bike.

In the expansive Portes du Soleil bike park, which features over 600 km of trails, ranging from beginner to expert levels.

Now those crystal-clear lakes look welcoming enough for a dip…

And in Lake Montriond you can swim, paddleboard, or kayak in the valleys.

While for a more exhilarating experience, thrill-seekers can take on the white-water rafting on the Dranse River.

Being more of a skimmer than a swimmer, although I have traversed rapids in a tub, I’ll let you pick your obsession.

Anyone for tennis… and fondues

Now I do less damage on a golf course or tennis court, although Judy Murray who trained is in the Algarve might say different.

Now you can practise your swing at the 9-hole Avoriaz golf course, one of the highest courses in Europe.

Or engage in a friendly match at the well-maintained tennis courts in Morzine.

All this healthy activity of course is hungry work.

And one of the joys of Alpine living is the refuel.

Our amis in Morzine and Avoriaz recommend this sample, the Savoyard specialists La Chamade, fondue fave La Grange and gourmet L’Atelier.

While the Mil8 restaurant and its terrace on the foot of the slopes offers the lunch of champions.

Sharing platters, street food and mountain dishes and nostalgic desserts served in jars.

Chalet La France

Now as long as you don’t shower the diners then Alpine hoteliers will be only too glad to make you welcome.

The Hotel le Dahu is a rustic family-run mountainside accommodation with spa and indoor and outdoor pools.

If chalets are more your thing (mais oui) then Chalet Eira has spacious rooms, a lively bar, and a sun terrace.

Pierre & Vacances are an old favourite and Résidence Pierre & Vacances Atria-Crozats in Avoriaz are your s/c apartment go-to.

With wellness facilities and close to all major attractions.

A oui flight

Morzine and Avoriaz is only one hour from Geneva Airport with direct, low-cost flight access.

From London, Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester.

Return flights from London Gatwick to Geneva with easyJet are priced from just £49pp during the 2024 summer season.     

Countries, Europe, Sport

Le Tour di Firenze Grand Depart

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It’s the most poplar (bear with us here) cycling event in the world and this year all eyes are on Le Grand Tour di Firenze Grand Depart.

Firenze is as synonymous for its poplar trees as it is its Duomo and Boy David.

And they are at their full height as the Tour de France cyclists ride through the streets and up the peaks of Tuscany.

It seems something of an oversight that this Renaissance City, and Il Bel Paese, have been overlooked over the 110 years of Le Tour for Le Depart.

Before squillions of Euro won them the prestigious opening stage of Le Tour.

Gino, Il Giro and Le Tour

Italy, of course, has its own famous Tour, Il Giro, and pedallers too.

It is ten years though since an Italian, Vincenzo Nibali, reached L’Arc de Triomphe in jeune or giallo.

Following in the tread marks of the likes of Ottavio Bottechia, Fausto Coppi, Gino Bartali and Marco Pantani.

You can learn for yourself all about these Renaissance riders for yourself at the Gino Bartali Cycling Museum in Firenze.

But as a taster our amici at Britain’s Channel 4, who have been bringing us extensive coverage for 40 years, have filled us in.

War hero

Gino, or ‘Ginetaccio’ as he is known in these parts won three Giri and two Tours in the 30s and 40s.

But as well as his exploits on two wheels he had crossbar crossover too for what he did in the War.

Gino, as most elite cyclists are, was very much his own uomo.

And that meant him taking a brave stance in 1938 when not dedicating his Tour de France victory to Il Duce.

He was to show even greater courage in 1943 when he defied the German occupiers in northern Italy.

Bartali took the Cardinal of Firenze, Archbishop Elia Dalla Costa, up on his invitation to join a secret network offering protection and safe passage to Jews and other vulnerable people.

As a courier with the famous cyclist, carrying photographs and counterfeit identity documents to and from a secret printing press.

All hidden in the frame and handlebars of his bike.

Bartali also hid his Jewish friend Giacomo Goldenberg, and Goldenberg’s family.

On the road again

Like all true heroes, Bartali played down his feats of derring-do and in later life, saying “I’m just a cyclist.”

Thankfully Bartali’s successors on Le Tour di Firenze Grand Depart only have to worry now about getting to Rimini in Emilia-Romagna.

And beyond to Cesenatico, Bologna, Piacenza and Torino en route to Paris in three weeks.

We will be following them from the safe distance of home… and seeing if an eighth Italian can win Le Tour.

But if you are lucky enough to be in the vicinity of a Tour leg and can get there early to see the cycling fans set up picnic tables at designated spots, it’s quite a sight.

Countries, Europe, Sport, UK

Our Euros rematch with Germany… at foosball

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And their trip up to Edinburgh gave us the chance of our Euros rematch with Germany… at foosball.

Of course, damningly, the Germans were even better at the table football version.

And we lost 8-2, with the Germans as gracious in victory as they were after our Munich mullering.

Mine host Harald looked after us, for our double matchday function at Riddles Court, as well as any Munich bierkeller owner.

You’ll perhaps have heard how the 200,000-strong Tartan Army drank Munich dry.

And that is no small beer in boozy Bavaria.

Swiss timing

The Tartan Army, of course, packed up camp and moved on to their next base for the match against Switzerland in Cologne.

And the Swiss were outnumbered here among the Scottish guests at Riddles Court as they were in the Koln stadium.

Food for thought

With a point now in the bag and qualification still alive it’s now Hungary in Stuttgart.

Where we picked up a little local knowledge from the mayor of Stuttgart, no less, on what culinary treats await.

So that’ll be the Schwäbische Maultaschen then, a large ravioli, filled with meat, onions and spinach.

Or the Zwiebelrostbraten, literally an ‘onion roast’ with the beef cooked in a gravy flavored with garlic and the onions.

All washed down with the Stuttgarter Hobrau and a schnaps chaser which the Scots will learn about soon enough.

This Scot was a quick learner when he was presented with a shot glass and a stein at the Hofbrauhaus in Munich.

A different ball game

Now, of course, that many Scots can’t be shoehorned even into the biggest stadium and that’s where fanzones come into play.

And the fanzone in Schlossplatz boasts a football pitch, beach football, foosball, e-sports and teqball.

Teqball, you say… well, it’s a cross between sepak takraw or foot volleyball and table tennis which will be new to all of us.

Bet the Germans are better than us and everyone else at that too.

Which we know all about from our Euros rematch with Germany… at foosball.