It’s not just about the football

With the Premier League due to get underway for a new season in August 2011, we thought we’d take a look at
coach holidays
to some of the destinations where the most popular Football Clubs reside to show you what you can do to make the most of your time when cheering on your favourite football team. There are so many wonderful attractions to visit from historic houses to parklands, shopping malls to fantastic eateries – there’s really nothing stopping you from making the most out of city breaks when in the area for a footie game…

1. Liverpool/Everton
Whether you support the reds or the blues, it cannot be denied that city breaks to Liverpool will keep you entertained throughout your stay here. Obviously, another
famous attraction to the city (aside from the football) is its connection with The Beatles so if you’re a fan of their music maybe hop on a ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ and have a drink in the Cavern Club where they were discovered. It’s also fair to say that Liverpool is literally bulging with fabulous new shops, restaurants, hotels, trendy wine bars to indulge and boasting more galleries and museums anywhere outside of London, you can’t afford not to explore further when in the city for a football game.

2. Manchester UTD/Manchester City
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a United or City fan, there’s so much to discover
on city breaks to Manchester that you’ll soon find that your football breakaway will be so jam-packed, you’ll need another holiday to recover. Head over to the Ancoats and find out more about the city’s industrial heartland, learn about Manchester’s first canal system in Castlefield and visit the home of Bury’s famous son, Sir Robert Peel at Holcombe Hill. You’ll soon find that there’s more galleries, museums and awesome architecture than you can throw a stick at, not forgetting the vibrant nightlife, beautiful parks and the amazing Trafford Centre (a shopaholic’s dream).

3. Chelsea/Arsenal/Tottenham Hotspur
 London not only has no shortage of Football Clubs to support but there’s no end to the things you can see and do whilst on London city breaks to see a game. If
you’re here for a few days why not combine it with a London theatre weekend and catch a top West End Show such as Ghost or Shrek? Connect with Royalty and do a sightseeing tour that encompasses visits to Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Changing Of The Guard, St Pauls Cathedral and Kensington Palace. Catch views of the city from a different perspective with a flight on the London Eye or perhaps a cruise along the River Thames. London also has an array of fantastic eateries with cuisines from around the world to sample and the nightlife too is out of this world – once you’ve experienced London life once, you’ll probably want to visit again and again!

4. Swansea City
Swansea AFC are newcomers to the Premier League after beating Reading in the
Championship Play-Offs last season and they are looking forward to taking on the likes of other teams within the Premiership when it begins in August. If you’re fans of The Swans, but you live a distance away from the ground, why not make a weekend of it the next time you go to catch a game? Swansea combines the best of the old and new through a wonderful city and stunning countryside. When visiting Swansea on coach holidays to Wales, you’ll find some of the best opportunities for walking, watersports and other outdoor adventures. If you want something a little less active, why not soak up Swansea’s heritage with a visit to various Dylan Thomas attractions or check out the other arts, crafts and galleries that the city has on offer. Explore the many award-winning beaches along the Gower Peninsula or get away from city life and instead sit back & relax with a picnic in some beautiful gardens and parklands.

5. Newcastle/Sunderland
Whether you’re a Magpie or a Black Cat, you can’t fail to notice that the area is going places in terms of things to see and do whilst on a football breakaway. For example, did you know that Newcastle has more theatres per person than anywhere else in the UK from the Theatre Royal to the Sunderland Empire, you’re sure to be kept entertained if you’re here on a football weekend. Check out the amazing ‘Angel Of The North’, discover contemporary art at the BALTIC Centre, explore the city’s history & heritage with a visit to the Castle Keep, the Tynemouth Priory and Hadrian’s Wall. Despite being a city, Newcastle boasts miles of stunning coastline and beaches such as Roker, Seaburn and South Shields Sandhaven. Shopaholics will be in heaven with Eldon Square and the Metro Centre and after a hard day supporting your fave footie team, why not check out the wide variety of dining opportunities available from Blackfriars and Café 21.

Whatever team you support, you’re guaranteed to find plenty of things to see and do if you want to make a weekend of it. On another note, who do you think is going to be Premier League Champions this season? We’d love to hear your thoughts so get in touch!