According to a study commissioned by Agoda, trying a new sport is among the top three things on the bucket list of Filipinos aged 18 to 29 for 2019. Whether it’s snowkiting in the Swiss Alps, a trail ride through “ghosts towns” up in the mountains of New Zealand, or a weekend to catch some live rugby action in Japan—you can definitely get your endorphins up as you go on vacation, explore new places, and give a new sport a go. Flip the script on the usual R&R-centric holiday by heading to these sporting destinations.
Go for a mountain bike ride through New Zealand “ghost towns”
Veer away from the typical Kiwi trip itinerary and swap a visit to the Hobbiton movie set for a ride on the wild side. The Old Ghost Road is an 85-km mountain biking and tramping trail on the West Coast of New Zealand that runs through four “ghost towns” so it’s a true test of your adventurous spirit.
Stay at the Murchison Lodge for a restful night before taking on the 30-minute drive (or warm-up ride) to your starting point at Lyell Historic Reserve.
Enjoy the thrill of snowkiting in Switzerland
Take a break from the usual skiing and snowboarding, and try something new. Snowkiting allows you to explore the mountains while being powered by the wind from a large kite—a relatively easy sport to pick up. And what better place to do that than in the wintry Swiss Alps! Enroll at a snowkiting school close to the town of Brig and enjoy action-packed days.
For award-winning French and Swiss cuisine and a cozy stay, check-in at Hotel Ambassador.
Witness one of the world’s biggest rugby events in Japan
Contact sport enthusiasts, rejoice! Take the chance to witness world class rugby in Japan this autumn. Fly out to the Kanagawa prefecture to catch the final match of the tournament at the Yokohama Stadium. While there, you can also try your hand at some traditional Japanese sports like kendo (bamboo swordsmanship), kyudo (Japanese archery), or even learn the art of stealth as practiced by ninjas known as ninjutsu.
Another interesting experience to try while in Japan is their famed capsule hotels. Book a capsule at Atsugi Capsule Hotel for the duration of your trip for no-fuss, affordable accommodation.
Head over to the home of Muay Thai
Phuket in Thailand offers more than just amazing beaches and great surf spots. It’s also home to the world-renowned Tiger Muay Thai and MMA Training Camp. Get a chance to learn Muay Thai or “The Art of the Eight Limbs,” Thailand’s national sport and cultural martial art, from the masters themselves. They’ve got week-long and month-long training packages for the serious practitioner, but you can also avail of single-class, day pass, and 1-on-1 private training sessions if you just want to give it a try first.
Casa Bella Phuket will be a great home base as it’s less than a 30-minute drive away from Tiger Muay Thai and is also very accessible to other attractions, like Big Buddha and various popular beaches… for when you’ve had your fill of Muay Thai, that is.
Try Dragon Boat Racing (and a few other sports) in Dumaguete
You don’t have to go too far to experience different sporting events. Dubbed the “City of Gentle People,” Dumaguete is known for its warm hospitality, making it a great place to explore while learning a new sport. The city is gearing up to become the Philippines’ next sports tourism hub and it has played host to a number of sporting events, from the annual Dumaguete Dragon Boat Challenge, to the Little League Philippines Series, the National Frisbee Ultimate Championship, and Beach Volleyball Republic on Tour. You can also pick up diving and check out the impressive marine life along the Dumaguete coastline. Stay at a dive resort like Atlantis Dive Resort Dumaguete, which offers custom dive packages and courses to get certified.
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About Agoda
Agoda is one of the world’s fastest growing online travel booking platforms. From its beginnings as an e-commerce start-up based in Singapore in 2005, Agoda has grown to offer a global network of 2 million properties in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, offering travelers easy access to a wide choice of luxury and budget hotels, apartments, homes and villas to suit all budgets and travel occasions.
Headquartered in Singapore, Agoda is part of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG) and employs more than 4,000 staff in more than 30 countries. Agoda.com and the Agoda mobile app are available in 38 languages.
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