The World Cup of Travel: Who to support based on tourism attractions

By Monique Barden, Winston Aldworth, Thomas Bywater and Eli Orzessek

NZ Herald·

29 Jun, 2018 04:40 AM12 mins to read

Who will you support in the World Cup of Travel? Photos / Getty, 123RF

With the World Cup going into the knockout stages, many Kiwis are deciding on a team to support for the big prize. Don't base your choice on footballing prowess, go for a country you'd like to visit.

The Herald Travel team have done the research for you - check out your options below:

ARGENTINA

Why go there: In Argentina, great steaks, great red wine, staying up late and dancing are virtues to be celebrated. The capital, Buenos Aires, is gloriously frantic and dramatic.
When to go: The summers can be very hot. In October and November the jacaranda trees are in bloom.
What to eat or drink: Steak and malbec.
How to get there: Air New Zealand flies direct to Buenos Aires from Auckland three times a week. One-way Economy Class fares start from $819.
How to console them when they've been knocked out: You won't need to, they're going to win the whole thing. You read it here first.

BELGIUM

Antwerp is the diamond of Belgian cities. Photo / 123RF

Why go there: Antwerp is the diamond of Belgian cities — expect stunning architecture steeped in history, great food, shopping and night life.
When to go: Late spring and August-September — the weather is still good, but you'll avoid the heavy tourist numbers in July.
What to eat or drink: Mussels and frites washed down with a Belgium beer, followed by pralines from a local chocolatier.
How to get there: Belgium is easy to get to by train from almost any city in Europe; the Eurostar from London is a speedy two-hour journey.
How to console them when they've been knocked out: "If this was the world cup of beer brewing, you'd be the champs."

BRAZIL

Why go there: The South American superpower proved by successfully hosting the 2016 Olympics and the 2014 World Cup that it's a safe, fabulous and friendly destination for travellers.
When to go: Next year's Carnival is from March 1-6.
What to eat or drink: Barbecued meat is a big deal, as is moqueca (fish stew).
How to get there: Adventure World offers an 11-day "Rhythms of Brazil" itinerary through Brazil explores Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls, Manaus, the Amazon and Salvador. It's priced from $4775pp.
How to console them when they've been knocked out: "You've won more World Cups than any other nation. Let the rest of the world catch up for a bit."

COLOMBIA

Why go there: This is very much a destination on the rise, with the narco cartels cleaned up since the 1993 death of Pablo Escobar.
When to go: From June to October, you can catch humpback whales migrating along the Pacific coast.
What to eat or drink: The capital, Bogota, is home to a thriving craft beer scene.
How to get there: Intrepid Travel are launching a new eight-day cycle tour in January, with prices from $3330.
How to console them when they've been knocked out: Tread carefully. Defender Andres Escobar was murdered after scoring an own-goal that led to the national side being eliminated from the 1994 World Cup.

CROATIA

Dubrovnik's Old City. Photo / Stephanie Holmes

Why go there: With 1000+ islands lining this coastal beauty like a diamond-encrusted brooch pinned to the azure Adriatic sea — this country is a bucket-list summer holiday if endless swimming, sailing, al fresco dining seafood and old-world beauty and culture are your thing. Dubrovnik is a magical fortress town — just one day here is fairy-tale.
When to go: The summer shoulder season — June and September — when the weather is still warm, the days long and the rest of Europe is not on holiday.
What to eat or drink: Fried small fish (the whole thing) is a delicacy and blitva (swiss chard and potatoes) alongside your hand-picked fresh fish — seaside, washed down with local vino.
How to get there: Trafalgar offers a 12-day Balkan Delight holiday, priced from $4095pp.
How to console them when they've been knocked out: "Golden generation teams never deliver."

DENMARK

Copenhagen's Nyhavn area. Photo / Getty Images

Why go there: To bask in the self-contented glow of this clean-living nation of cyclists. There's a reason why the great Danes are idolised as a prototype by every progressive, left-leaning country.
When to go: Denmark is a nation of polar seasons. Explore the country in high summer or "hygge" up in a corner of Copenhagen in winter.
What to eat or drink: Very little, if you can help it. Try a spare frikadeller meatball if you must, but this is one of Europe's most costly countries. Bring a packed lunch.
How to get there: The Danish islands can be reached by a patchwork of planes, trains and ferries from most of Europe. It's worth the detour though.
How to console them when they've been knocked out: Never console a Dane. Melancholy and despair at the state of the country's football team is a national pastime.

ENGLAND

Led Zeppelin headline Glastonbury next year. Photo / Neil Zlozower

Why go there: England is, rightly, a classic hub for Kiwi travellers. It's easy to get around, and rich in history and culture.
When to go: The English summer is a rare, brief and beautiful thing. Get there for the festival season and make a point of seeing bogan royalty Led Zeppelin headlining next year's Glastonbury at the end of June.
What to eat or drink: Forget Shakespeare, a pint and a packet of prawn crisps is England's greatest gift to humanity.
How to get there: The "early bird" airline sale season starts in late-August but, with this being the golden age of travel, there are always cheap deals in the market.
How to console them when they've been knocked out: "Surely it's better to be beaten in a penalty shoot-out by the Swiss than the Germans, right?"

FRANCE

Why go there: Eighty-two million people can't be wrong. France gets the most tourist visitors of any nation on Earth, and for good reason: The food, wine and lifestyle are superb.
When to go: France is a go to destination any time of year — the French alps for skiing in winter, the Cote d'Azur in summer, Bordeaux and Paris any time.
What to eat or drink: Dining in the middle of the day is something the French do so well compared to us grab-a-sandwich-and-eat-at-my-desk Kiwis. A three-course restaurant meal paired with an impeccable rosé is de rigueur.
How to get there: Take the longest flight in the world. Qatar Airways connects to Paris via their hub in Doha. Economy Class return tickets start from $1521.
How to console them when they've been knocked out: There are no words — the 2006 final still hurts and the only way they'll ever really truly get over it is to win the World Cup again.

JAPAN

Why go there: In Japan, tourist numbers are through the roof for a reason — there's something for everyone and it's perfect for solo travellers. Plus, you can catch the Rugby World Cup there next year.
When to go: Visit in spring to catch the famous cherry blossom season, or autumn for the changing of the leaves. Avoid the humid summers, but visit in winter if you're keen on skiing.
What to eat or drink: Absolutely everything — there's too much amazing food to list.
How to get there: Air New Zealand offer grabaseat deals to Japan quite frequently — keep an eye out. At the moment you can get one-way Economy seats to Narita or Haneda for $619.
How to console them when they've been knocked out: Remind them they've already made history for advancing due to fair play.

MEXICO

The town of Tequila was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2006 - and it's namesake drink isn't bad either. Photo / 123RF

Why go there: Fabulous art, food and beaches.
When to go: The coastal resorts are at their best between October and May.
What to eat or drink: The town of Tequila was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2006 and — you guessed it — there are plenty of distilleries to visit.
How to get there: Air New Zealand connects to Mexico City, via their Houston service. One-way Economy Class fares start from $1219.
How to console them when they've been knocked out: "Hey, at least you're more popular than your neighbours to the north ... "

PORTUGAL

Why go there: The port wineries in Porto, the beaches and seaside towns in Algarve and the beautiful city of Lisbon.
When to go: Summer time for beaches and surfing — the cities any time of year.
What to eat or drink: The francesinha is a popular dish in Porto (a bit like a croque monsieur but filled with ham, sausage or steak and comes with a "secret" sauce and fries. The pastal de nata (custard tarts) in Lisbon and frango assado (piri-piri chicken) in Algarve. Port tastings are a great way to fill an afternoon — leave room in your luggage for some vintage tawnies.
How to get there: APT's 14-day Douro Delights, Lisbon to Madrid tour starts from $10,745pp, and includes a seven-night luxury cruise from Porto to Barca d'Alva along the Douro River.
How to console them when they've been knocked out: Ask if it's true that all Portuguese are as gorgeous as Cristiano Ronaldo.

RUSSIA

The Winter Palace in St Petersburg on White Night. Photo / 123RF

Why go there: Russia might not be high on everyone's bucket list, but it's an extraordinary country with a rich cultural history — and it's opened up hugely since the Soviet era.
When to go: Given the vastness of the country, it obviously varies. Visit St Petersburg at the start of summer to catch the annual White Nights Festival, a celebration of the arts — everything's open at night, thanks to the midnight sun.
What to eat or drink: Vodka, obviously — the word itself is derived from the word for water, so here, vodka is life. Chase them with "zakuski" — snacks like pickles and herrings served between shots.
How to get there: For the ultimate experience, travel by train on the famous Trans-Siberian railway from Beijing.
How to console them when they've been knocked out: A few shots of vodka should do the trick.

SPAIN

A view of Barcelona's famous Guell Park. Photo / Getty Images

Why go there: The flamboyant Spaniards are passionate to the core on sport, art, culture, architecture, food and history. And the Spanish way of life — siesta in the afternoon then stay up all night — is a thing of wonder.
When to go: So much to offer for any time of year. The Balearic islands and coastal towns in summer — Barcelona and Madrid all year round..
What to eat or drink: Spain is a foodie's heaven — tapas are a work of art, jamon a national staple, paella in Valencia — expect to gain a few kilos and to dine at 10pm.
How to get there: Return Economy Class flights to Barcelona with Emirates will set you back $1849.
How to console them when they've been knocked out: "Forget the World Cup, La Liga is home to the best players in the world every week."

SWEDEN

Why go there: The Korean football manager obsessed about the Swedish squad's height. But if you're in real Sweden, a land of stunning wilderness and midnight sun, you won't meet many people.
When to go: Midsummer is when this country comes alive, though Sweden is equally beautiful in winter. You know, in a bleak, three-hours-of-daylight, Scandi noir kind of way.
What to eat or drink: The national blue and yellow strip reminds Swedes of Kalle's Caviar — a rather unappetising fish spread. But there's a smorgasbord of other delicacies. Krayfish, schnapps and dill skagen, a dish so simple any muppet could make it.
How to get there: Stockholm and Gothenburg are served by regular flights from Europe. Malmo is just a short drive across the bridge from Denmark, made famous by the eponymous television series.
How to console them when they've been knocked out: The Swedes don't take much consoling. Give it a minute, they'll be cheering for the enemy.

SWITZERLAND

Why go there: Switzerland boasts some of the best scenery in the world — and if you're into snow, there's plenty of it.
When to go: It depends on your plans — for snow sports, January and February is the high season, while September is considered the best month for high-altitude hiking.
What to eat or drink: Chocolate, obviously. Switzerland is great for comfort food, whether that's bread dunked in cheese fondue or a crispy fried potato rosti.
How to get there: Grab yourself a Swiss Rail Pass and discover the excellent — and punctual — rail system. The views out the windows are simply breathtaking.
How to console them when they've been knocked out: There's nothing more comforting than a big bowl of melted cheese.

URUGUAY

Why go there: It's South America's smallest country, and everyone loves an underdog. Wedged between the soccer powerhouses of Brazil and Argentina, Uruguay can kick it with the best of them.
When to go: The beginning of the year, January 23, for Carnival. Catch up with the traditions and good humoured satire on the current events.
What to eat or drink: Beef "asado" barbecue, cooked over coals and slapped between two slices of bread. It's a steak sandwich by any other name — but to the Uruguayans it's so much more.
How to get there: You can do Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento as a day trip from neighbouring Argentina, but you'll want to see more.
How to console them when they've been knocked out: Cheer for any team playing Brazil.