Escape the beautiful game and head-er off to the sun

Old wounds will be reopened over the next few weeks as football mania sweeps across Europe for Euro 2008. If the thought of all our European neighbours getting to enjoy the action induces mild nausea, while the idea of spending three weeks at home under a cloud of doom is just too much to bear, then the only answer is to run away from it all. Once abroad sipping cocktails by a pool or dancing the night away on a distant beach all frustrations towards the England team will ebb away leaving feelings of calm and serenity. Here are some ideas of where to go to leave those football blues behind.

No balls in Bulgaria
By travelling to Bulgaria, a nation who also failed to qualify for the cup, there’s no danger of having to endure whoops of joy from bars while locals get to watch their nation win. As a lesser known destination with beautiful traditional villages, sandy beaches and spectacular mountains travelling to Bulgaria with Portland is a great holiday choice.

Portland offers 7 nights at the 4 T Majestic Hotel, half board from as little as £391pp based on two sharing, departing from East Midlands on the 17th June. For further information visit Portlandholidays.co.uk.

Kick off in Cyprus
To really kick those football blues in to touch, the answer may well be a weeks clubbing in Ayia Napa with 2wentys. Hitting the clubs all night, dancing any cares away, while spending lazy days lounging around the pool will mean all thoughts of home and what could have been will be banished. If the ‘f word’ happens to be mentioned while away, the locals will be all too sympathetic as Cyprus also failed to qualify for the tournament.

Stay 7 nights bed and breakfast at the 3 Sun L’Eros Hotel based on two adults sharing leaving on the 2nd July costs from £499pp with 2wentys. For further information visit 2wentys.co.uk.

Get sent off to Mexico
To ensure a Euro 2008 free holiday then head over to Central America where there’ll be little danger of even catching a glimpse of the action. Staying at the First Choice Holiday Village White Sands in Cozumel, there’ll be plenty to keep football fans suitably occupied with world class reefs for diving and snorkelling near by, excursions to fascinating Mayan Ruins as well as a range of activities and clubs at the First Choice Kid’s Academy. However if the little ones – or their parents! - are unable to cope with a week without football then fear not, at the Holiday Village they’ll be able to brush up on their football skills at the Soccer Academy where they’ll be trained by FA or UEFA qualified coaches. With lads and dads competitions to enter, the disappointments of international matches will soon be forgotten.

Stay 14 nights all-inclusive at the 4 Sun First Choice Holiday Village White Sands from as little as £3438 for a family of four, departing from London Gatwick on the 28th June. For further information, visit firstchoice.co.uk/holidayvillage.

Play it safe in Morocco
In just three hours, an escape from the football will be guaranteed by travelling to the mesmerising city of Marrakech with Simply Travel. Swap a night down the pub filled with tales of what could have been for one out in Marrakech’s main square, the Djemma el Fna. Once confronted with snake charmers, story tellers and dancers, all the usual football chat down the pub will seem a world away. By day explore the exotic Jardin Majorelle or chill out drinking sweet mint tea on the roof terrace of a traditional Moroccan Riad.

Stay 3 nights bed and breakfast at the Oudaya Hotel with Simply Travel from £240pp based on 2 sharing leaving from Manchester on the 22nd June. For further information visit simplytravel.co.uk.

Kick back in Cape Verde
To really get away from not only the football, but life in general, why not jet off to Cape Verde with Thomson? Set off the west coast of Africa, these unspoilt and secluded islands which boast white sandy beaches, crystal blue waters and an eclectic culture with influences from Africa, Portugal and Brazil are sure to lift the spirits of even the most passionate England fans.

Stay 7 nights bed and breakfast at the 3 T Djadsal Hotel with Thomson, from £620pp based on two sharing, leaving from Manchester on the 17th June. For further information visit thomson.co.uk.

All prices include flights, accommodation, transfers, APD and fuel levies. Subject to availability, terms and conditions apply.