Where to Practise Your Favourite Sports?

Do you dream of a sporty holiday, of setting off to discover the world to practise your favourite sport or try new ones? Trekking, mountain biking, kayaking, surfing, sailing, paragliding in an exceptional setting…
In the article below, Tom and Sofia share their best tips, their favourite spots, their insider advice.

Tom and Sofia's favourite spots Trekking

Put on your walking boots, "go" for a trek

Walking for long hours through wilder or harder-to-reach areas, that's the essence of trekking. While some hikes don't require any particular physical preparation (apart from being used to walking), such as following the "Sentier des douaniers" (i.e. the GR34, which lets you walk around the Brittany coast), others are far from a walk in the park and can't be attempted without a minimum of preparation and guidance.

Being properly equipped is obviously essential, so you don't end up within the first few kilometres with blisters on your feet or loads too heavy to carry… High-mountain treks can be extremely dangerous. You don't set off around Mont Blanc without being guided and supervised by professionals.

To do the GR20 in Corsica, Corsica Aventure offers different packages suited to different levels, even allowing you to hike without a backpack or with reduced luggage (www.corsica-aventure.com).

Our favourite for those wanting to head to Peru is Alpinca (www.alpinca.fr). Nicolas and Izabela are two seasoned adventurers who will share their love of travel and adventure with passion and professionalism. I had the chance to do the Salkantay trek a few years ago. It's simply stunning.

Mountain biking

A few places to have a blast on your mountain bike

You don't need to go far to have a blast on your mountain bike. Of course, we can never say it often enough: having the right equipment (clothing, accessories and protective gear) matters. Your safety and health are priceless!

Among the finest mountain biking destinations in Europe are Chamonix in France, Aosta Valley in Italy, Zermatt in Switzerland… Personally, I love riding at Les Gets. The lifts are excellent, and you can do a lot of runs in a single day: www.lesgets.com

Surfing

Feel like riding the waves?

When you want to take on the waves, it's essential to follow certain rules. So there's no question of jumping on your board thinking you're king of the big waves. Surfing is a very codified sport that requires experience, observation, respect for right-of-way and for other surfers, equipment suited to the type of wave…

If you'd like to learn to surf or practise surfing, head to Biarritz, it's a really great spot (www.surftraining.com).

Sailing

Shall we hoist the sail?

Would you like to sail on a sailboat? The first rule is obviously to know how to swim, as the biggest danger of this activity is of course drowning.

Sofia and I learned to sail with Glénans (www.glenans.asso.fr), Europe's oldest sailing school. It offers excellent guidance for learning to hoist the sail and to sail calmly on the water, in complete safety.

And for windsurfing or kitesurfing enthusiasts, take a trip to Wimereux. Just two hours by car from Brussels, the sailing club offers lessons and courses suited to all levels (https://club-nautique-wimereux.com).

Diving

Setting off to discover the seabed

Diving means immersing yourself in the discovery of another world, out of time, away from all earthly realities… There are countless diving sites around the world, and each one offers its own wonders to discover. Whether it's snorkelling, freediving or scuba diving with tanks, being guided by an instructor will let you fully experience it.

Among the most beautiful diving sites in the world, we can mention Malaysia, Indonesia, French Polynesia, Ecuador, Egypt, the Maldives, Australia…

For those who dream of swimming alongside manta rays, sea turtles, clownfish… while admiring the coral reef, and discovering a less touristy island at the same time, head to New Caledonia. Don't hesitate to go to Abyss, the instructors are very friendly. (https://abyssplongee-diveclub.business.site)

For a slightly closer destination, you can head to the Azores. The marine wildlife there is extremely rich.

Kayaking

From kayaking to rafting, to enjoy the pleasures of the water

Kayaking can be a great activity to do with family, with friends… You can approach it as a sport, but also as a way to relax and enjoy the scenery. Make the most of a sunny weekend by paddling down the Ourthe (https://www.adventure-valley.be/le-parc/activites/kayak).

For the more experienced looking for a thrill, head off to discover the Verdon Gorges. Plan a rafting trip or a canyoning outing (www.raftsession.com).

Closer to home, my friend Luc organises pack rafting trips. He introduced me to some really wild corners of our little Belgium. He also organises wonderful trips all over the world. (https://www.packandraft.be/)

Skiing

Speeding down snowy slopes in summer

You might think skiing is reserved for winter, and yet this sport can be practised all year round. The trick is to choose the right peaks, such as Tignes or Zermatt.

For those who aren't afraid of the cold, the Tignes resort offers various unusual activities such as ice diving, ice floating, a snowmobile ride, a snowshoe hike… Plenty to keep you busy during your stay (Ski school & activities in Tignes (evolution2.com)).

Scootering

Come on, let's take you scootering

Contrary to popular belief, scootering isn't just for tarmac. It really lets you set off on an adventure and discover places from a different angle.

Want to discover the Belgian Ardennes in a different way? Hop behind the handlebars of an electric scooter and head to Ard'enjoy.

Climbing

Climbing a summit

Climbing, mountaineering, hiking… there are countless mountain trips guided by professionals so you can fully enjoy a unique experience.
Among our favourite addresses, Roc Écrins offers great trips (www.roc-ecrins.com). If you're more experienced, you can contact my friend Simon Elias, a guide with the Chamonix guide company. He's really friendly and will gladly take you to one of the region's beautiful summits. Maybe even to the summit of Mont Blanc. (info@simonelias.com)

Paragliding

Taking off by paraglider

As you may know, it's my specialty. There are many stunning spots and many schools. But the most important thing is to be properly supervised.

In Belgium, to learn with pros, I recommend the Foud'l school. Jean-Yves and Thibault's team will put together a taster session or a tailor-made course for you. (https://fou-d-l.be/) Say you're coming from me, and you'll be given a great welcome.

If flying over the Alpine peaks appeals to you, Annecy is the ideal spot. The school Les Passagers du Vent is great! (https://www.lespassagersduvent.com/). The tandem flight from the Col de la Forclaz is truly incredible. The view over the lake is breathtaking, and if you're lucky you might share the sky with a few birds of prey.

Enjoy your favourite sport in a beautiful place, and above all, be careful.

Tom de Dorlodot

Discover Tom and Sofia's other adventures and tips in the "Travel and adventures" section

Photos © Tom de Dorlodot and John Stapels