Sports Capitals
Sports Capitals
by by Peter Graham
by by Peter Graham
Cities around the world
fight for the right to stage
international sports events. The Olympic
Games and the Soccer World Cup not only bring
prestige and the world's top athletes to the host
country, they can also
lure millions of tourists. Seasoned
travellers know that you don't have to visit these
cities during the actual event to take advantage of
the upgraded
hotels and facilities. Plan your trip before
or after the sporting spectacle has taken place and
you'll get great value.
The three top sports
events this year are the
Soccer World Cup, the
Commonwealth Games and the
Winter Olympics. We visit the cities that won
the right to stage these events and give you an
inside track on the
best places to stay, the best places to eat
and what you should do while you are there. Welcome
to the cities of Berlin, Melbourne and
Turin.
BERLIN, Germany
Cool and cosmopolitan Berlin will host the sports spectacle of the year - the final of the World Cup Soccer on Sunday 9 July. The tournament starts in Munich on 9 June and the world will be focussed on Germany for a month, culminating in the grand final in Berlin. Already one of Europe's top tourist destinations, the city will become even more popular.
Cool and cosmopolitan Berlin will host the sports spectacle of the year - the final of the World Cup Soccer on Sunday 9 July. The tournament starts in Munich on 9 June and the world will be focussed on Germany for a month, culminating in the grand final in Berlin. Already one of Europe's top tourist destinations, the city will become even more popular.
Why it is great : A
racy nightlife combined with fine museums and
superb pre-war architecture make Berlin special, but
the ultra-modern
reconstruction of the Potsdamer Platz ensures that
it is one of the
trendiest,
dynamic cities in Europe today.
Where to stay: : For five-star grandeur with
fabulous views of the
Brandenburg Gate, the best choice is the
superlative
Hotel Adlon Kempinski. If you want a modern
hotel in the heart of “new Berlin”, choose the
Berlin Marriott in dynamic Potsdamer Platz.
Where to shop : Start at
KaDeWe, Europe's largest department store, and the
stores in the Schoneberg area. Then head for the
designer stores in
Friedrichstrasse,
Potsdamer Platz, or Ku'Damm and the trendy boutiques
in Mitte or
Charlottenburg.
Not to be missed : First stop must be the
Reichstag, renovated by Sir Norman Foster. Of
the city's 150 museums, don't miss the
Berlin Jewish Museum, with its strikingly
austere architecture, and
Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, which chronicles the
history of the Berlin Wall.
MELBOURNE, Australia
More than 15,000 volunteers will ensure that the Melbourne Commonwealth Games run smoothly. Held from 15-26 March, the event will attract 4500 athletes from 72 nations. Melbourne has proved itself as a great sporting city - it is already home to Australia's top events, the Australian Open tennis championships, the Melbourne Cup horse race and the Australian Formula One Grand Prix.
More than 15,000 volunteers will ensure that the Melbourne Commonwealth Games run smoothly. Held from 15-26 March, the event will attract 4500 athletes from 72 nations. Melbourne has proved itself as a great sporting city - it is already home to Australia's top events, the Australian Open tennis championships, the Melbourne Cup horse race and the Australian Formula One Grand Prix.
Why it is great: Although it has lived in the
shadow of Sydney, the
allure and popularity of Melbourne has soared
in recent years. Located on the magnificent Port
Phillip Bay, the city is regarded as the
cultural capital of the country and its various
ethnic communities give it a
great cosmopolitan atmosphere. This is also
known as Australia's “food city”, with cuisine from
all over the globe.
Where to stay : The
Grand Hyatt Melbourne offers the finest
five-star luxury in a perfect city centre location.
A good mid-market hotel is the
Carlton Crest Hotel Melbourne, which overlooks
tranquil Albert Park. For budget rooms, look no
further than two Ibis hotels in the CBD, the
Ibis Hotel Little Bourke Street and the
Ibis Hotel Melbourne.
Where to shop : The city centre has great
arcades, such as the Melbourne Central shopping
centre. For
Australian fashions, try Chapel Street in
South Yarra or the Jam Factory. For Gucci and
high-end fashions, head for Toorak Road.
Bridge Road is the place for budget fashions
and Brunswick Street in Fitzrock for alternative,
trendy wear.
Not to be missed : Take a cruise on the Yarra
River and enjoy the fantastic views and
informative commentary. Choose from the “Scenic
River Gardens” upriver cruise or the “Port and
Docklands” downriver cruise.
TURIN, Italy
Turin's stately city centre has been totally revamped for the Winter Olympics, which takes place from 10-26 February 2006. Some events take place at resorts an hour or two's drive from the city, but the popular skating and speed racing contests will be held in Turin.
Turin's stately city centre has been totally revamped for the Winter Olympics, which takes place from 10-26 February 2006. Some events take place at resorts an hour or two's drive from the city, but the popular skating and speed racing contests will be held in Turin.
Why it is great : It's often said that Turin
is the most French city in Italy. The architecture
may be French-inspired, but the
city's spirit is quintessentially Italian.
Most visitors come to Turin for business (Fiat
and Pirelli are based here), but those who
explore further will find an elegant and
sophisticated city, with some fine museum
collections and
charming residents.
Where to stay : For comfort, opt for the
Grand Hotel Sitea, a newly refurbished 4 star
hotel, situated in the historic centre of Turin,
behind Piazza San Carlo. An adventurous choice would
be Le Meridien
Lingott, a modern hotel set in a reconverted
Fiat car factory – it's more luxurious than it
sounds! A good budget choice is the
Express by Holiday Inn Turin Hotel.
Where to shop : The city's
classic shopping street is Via Roma, the
heart and symbol of the city centre. Stroll past the
windows of exclusive retail outlets, which stretch
for 40 kilometres. Every second Sunday,
bargain hunt at the Gran Balon, an
old-fashioned flea market in Piazza della
Repubblica. Some of the best-known drinks in the
world are produced in Torino, so don't leave without
a bottle of Cinzano or Martini and Rossi vermouth.
Not to be missed : Visit the Cattedrale di San
Giovanni, which houses the
Shroud of Turin. The relic is locked away, but
you will see dramatic backlit photographs and get a
chance to explore this Renaissance cathedral.
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