England may have gone football crazy with the opening game of the World Cup this weekend, but not everyone is relishing the prospect of breathing, eating and sleeping sport for the next month. If you want to get away from it all then check out our top ten football-free destinations.

Hungary
Once home to footballing legends like Ferenc Puskás, Hungary’s prowess in the sport has gradually waned and the country hasn’t qualified for a major tournament since 1986. With football off the agenda, tourists can relax in one of Budapest’s baths or even head down to Lake Balaton – the largest lake in central Europe

Belgium
Having failed to qualify this year, it’s a fair bet that many in Belgium will be studiously ignoring the World Cup. Now would be the perfect time for a weekend break to historic Bruges to explore its medieval cobbled streets and Gothic architecture, or those that like it a little livelier can rock out at the annual Cactus Festival in Minnewater Park.

USA
Although they gave us a run for our money in the opening match, football (or rather ‘soccer’) isn’t one of the USA’s favourite sports, being eclipsed by a plethora of home-grown games such as baseball, basketball, and American Football. The US Open Golf tournament in Pebble Beach, which runs from 14 - 20 June, conveniently overlaps the World Cup and would prove a great getaway for sports fans who just don’t happen to like football.

Morocco
Visitors to Morocco never have to look far for cultural retreats, with a host of ancient Roman and Islamic dotted around the country. Agadir also offers some of the finest beaches in North Africa, while Casablanca provides a perfect balance between modern commercialism and ancient architecture. Just don’t mention neighbouring Algeria – they made it to the finals while Morocco’s players faltered.

Nepal
Those who find spectator sports too sedentary might consider mountaineering more their cup of tea, and what greater challenge is there than Everest? If this seems a little too much like hard work, however, Kathmandu’s Durbar Square, a UNESCO world heritage site with over 50 temples and ancient buildings, offers an experience as astounding as the summit.

South of France
If you want to get away from the constant barrage of World Cup media coverage, what better way than to go on a camping or caravanning holiday on the French Riviera? Provence has a wealth of quaint and tranquil villages where you can enjoy all the pleasures of the countryside including, perhaps, a glass or two of the region’s famed wines.

Iceland
Ever since the ash cloud descended on Europe Iceland has struggled to entice travellers back to its shores. But with the Eyjafjallajökull finally having been silenced, there’s never been a better to explore the fjords, springs and (ash-free) lava formations in this spellbinding country. With a population of just 300,000, you’re all but guaranteed to get away from the World Cup.

Liechtenstein
Another country with a miniscule population is Liechtenstein, whose inhabitants number just 35,000. Though football is a popular game in the picturesque alpine country, winter sports have always been the favoured pastime, making summer the perfect time to focus on Liechtenstein’s melting pot of cultures, drawing from Austrian, Bavarian and Swiss influences.

Scotland
If there’s one place you’re guaranteed not to walk into a pub full of people cheering on the England football team, it’s Scotland. The Scots are sure to be engrossed in the World Cup, but their unremitting hospitality coupled with the natural beauty of the Highlands makes a flight north of the border a worthy jaunt.

Papua New Guinea
To really make sure you escape World Cup fever you’ll have to travel quite far afield. We think that beautiful Eco-tourism hotspot Papua New Guinea might just be far enough. As one of the least explored parts of the globe, home to many indigenous peoples almost untouched by the outside world, there’s a chance that you might meet someone here who’s never even heard of football.

© Cheapflights Ltd

This entry was posted on Monday, June 14th, 2010 at 3:58 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.