Holiday like a footballer
With time on their hands before the Premier League kicks off next month, England’s players have been slipping off their boots, stripping down to their swimwear and jetting off with their WAGs to grab some rays around the world.
The pro-footballer’s generous weekly wage-packet easily allows for a tailor-made dream excursions to the most luxurious locations in the world. British Airways Holidays have picked out the most popular destinations for the boys to sun themselves this summer, and made some predictions for 2014 hotspots.
Claire Bentley, British Airways Holidays’ managing director said: “British footballers know how to holiday in style, and with great deals on luxury holidays and a strong pound, British holidaymakers will be able to do the same this year.”
The favourite football holidays include:
Barbados
Unlike Wayne and Coleen it’s unlikely you’ll own a £5m house on the Island, so head to the Sandy Lane resort where United midfielder, Michael Carrick, and his wife, Lisa, were pictured earlier this month. The resort boasts three golf courses, a very glamorous spa and kids entertainment centre, perfect for little Kai and Klay.
Hotels the WAGs would love: Sandy Lane, The House, The Crane
The best holiday still available: British Airways offers seven nights at the 5* Fairmont Royal Pavilion from £1,359 per person. The price includes return flights from Gatwick and a special offer of every second night free (a saving of £999 per couple.)
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is the chosen hotspot for Ashley Cole’s annual post-season holiday, so we’re sure to see him enjoying the sunshine there again this year. Frank Lampard and Christine Bleakley are also often spotted enjoying LA’s beautiful beaches, trendy hotels and pools. For evening celeb-spotting the best local haunts are Supperclub, Nobu and Spago.
Las Vegas
Vegas is the place to go to splash the cash. Offering sumptuous night clubs, plush hotels, extravagant pool parties, top class dining and designer shopping galore - not to mention the myriad of casinos on offer...... it’s the place to go if you want to be seen. Theo Walcott had his stag do at Aria in Vegas and West Ham striker, Andy Caroll, and TOWIE girlfriend Billie Mucklow were spotted in Vegas recently too.
Hotels the WAGs would love: The Cosmopolitan, Caesars Palace, Venetian/Palazzo, Wynn/Encore, Aria, Bellagio
The best holiday still available: British Airways offers five nights at the 5* Encore at Wynn Las Vegas from £1179 per person, for travel July 2014. The price includes return flights from Gatwick.
Dubai
OneandOnly Royal Mirage or The Atlantis Resort in Dubai - with its own half-mile-long stretch of Jumeirah Beach is a favourite with the Redknapps. WAGs love the tax free shopping. Top flight footballers including Peter Crouch, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard are regular visitors to the sun-soaked Middle East city. Gerrard was pictured on holiday here in 2014 with wife Alex and their three daughters.
Hotels the WAGs would love: One & Only Royal Mirage, Madinat Jumeirah, Atlantis The Palm
The best holiday still available: British Airways offers three nights half board at the 5* Jumeirah Zabeel Saray from £639 per person for travel in July. The price includes return flights from Heathrow and a 35 per cent discount and complimentary half board (saving £420 per couple.)
And British Airways Holidays also makes its predictions for 2014 escapes…..
Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia boasts miles of beautiful palm-fringed beaches and plenty of island and water-based activities for groups and families, so it’s a natural choice for anybody who wants a complete escape. With plenty of luxury resorts to suit couples and families, it’s a great place to re-charge the batteries before a busy season.
Hotels the WAGs would love: Jade Mountain, Sugar Beach
The best holiday still available: British Airways offers seven nights all-inclusive at the 4* Windjammer Landing in July from £1,049 per person. The price includes return flights from Gatwick, a free night and up to 40 per cent discount (saving £520 per couple.)
Monaco
Known as the ‘playboys playground’, the International rich and famous will shortly be arriving in Monaco for the Monte Carlo polo world cup in July. With its reputation for elite sports, Monaco is the perfect venue for celebrity spotting as the mega-yachts and mega-rich arrive in to the harbour.
Hotels the WAGs would love: Fairmont Monte Carlo, Metropole, Le Meridien Beach Plaza
The best holiday still available: British Airways offers three nights at the 4* Columbus from £329 per person for travel in July. Includes return flights from Gatwick to Nice and accommodation with breakfast.
Santorini
Santorini has taken off this summer, and as one of the most beautiful islands, this is the place for privacy and beautiful ocean views. Many of the hotels and luxurious private villas are built in to the cliffs here, so it’s the perfect place for those that need to top up the tan in style.
Hotels the WAGs would love: Grace Santorini (particularly the ‘elaborate villa’), Iconic Santorini
The best holiday still available: British Airways offers seven nights at the 3* Gardenia from £859 per person for travel in July. The price includes return flights from Heathrow and accommodation with breakfast.
For more information or reservations, visit ba.com.
