Spend it like Beckham.
The hottest ticket this summer is to see the World Cup in Germany. And by “hottest” we mean hideously expensive. But if you don’t happen to have a sports shoe contract and you aren’t married to a Spice girl, you can still end up someplace where they call soccer, football. (And football is called that strange American game.)
Journey across the pond to London, home to Tottenham Hotspur who just happens to be the favorite team of one of our writers. (Come on you Spurs!) Want to fit in? Catch a game in a local pub and get sloshed like everyone else. For a change of scene, travel “oop north” to visit the home of perhaps the most famous sports franchise in the world: Manchester United. They’re owned by an American so it’ll feel a little like home.
If football is your religion, go to where the gods play - Brazil. If you can tear yourself away from the beautiful people on the beach for 90 minutes, visit the Maracanã. The world’s largest stadium is home to Flamengo, Botafogo, Vasco da Gama, and Fluminense, so any game between these two teams should be a thriller. Tickets and food in the stadium are a bargain, so pack a $20 bill for an all-night party.
It’s not Barcelona, it’s Barca and it’s known for innovative cuisine, nightlife and home of Europe’s reigning football champs FC Barcelona and the world’s greatest player, Ronaldinho. Visit Barcelona during the affordable fall travel season and cheer on the champs in the world’s third largest football stadium.
Can’t make it to Spain this year? FC Barcelona is touring the US in August:
- August 6: Los Angeles, CA (Flights Hotels)
- August 9: Houston, TX (Flights Hotels)
- August 12: New York, NY (Flights Hotels)
Come on you Kayakers!
Steve and Paul, Kayak.com co-founders