Olympic-inspired destinations to travel to from London Luton Airport
If an Olympic sport were a European trip, what would it be? Learn something new, and be inspired to travel to sporty destinations, as Milan hosts the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Want to get moving while on holiday? Take a look at our top active destinations.
Switzerland
Olympic sport: Bobsleigh
Winter Olympics: St. Moritz 1928, St. Moritz 1948
Are you brave enough to be pushed down a narrow sledge on an ice track and reach speeds of up to 100mph? It’s a sport for some of the bravest athletes, but the earliest bobsleigh adopters created the bobsleigh by combining sleds with a steering mechanism and “bobbing” up and down to gain momentum.
For those wanting to give bobsleigh a go, head to St. Moritz, a two-time Olympic ski resort that's a short drive from Zurich. The Olympia Bob Run is towards the north of the resort, and is the world’s only natural ice bobsleigh track. Don’t worry – you’ll have a professional with you from top to bottom of the track!
Fly from LTN to ZRH in 1 hour 45 minutes.
Norway
Olympic sport: Skiing
Winter Olympics: Oslo 1952, Lillehammer 1994
People living in Norway have skied for so long that rock carvings detail hunters using their bows and spears as ski poles to travel around as far back as 5,000 years ago. Fast forward to now, and Olympic skiers compete across Alpine events, cross-country tracks, and even ski jumping!
Get your Norway skiing fix with a trip to Tromso. There are plenty of chances for year-round skiing on the mainland or on the islands of Kvaløya and Ringvassøya. Advanced skiers can master the steep peaks at Svartvasstinden, yet there’s lots of elementary slopes on the Malangen peninsula for first-time skiers to enjoy. We’d recommend skiing in the spring and summer months for late-night sunsets. Check out the top ski destinations to visit.
Fly from LTN to TOS in 3 hours 35 minutes.
Netherlands
Olympic sport: Speed skating
Summer Olympics: Amsterdam 1928
The Dutch get around in more ways than using the canals! From as early as the 1600s, speed skating became a useful way for people in Holland to get around. As the rivers freeze, there’s a new track for locals to glide over.
Tour through the city and practice your speed skating in the Netherlands? Head to Amsterdam and hire a pair of skates to get around the frozen water. Be careful under bridges; the ice is thinner, and you don’t want to find yourself in the cold! Pair ice skating with freshly-baked doughnuts and liqueurs for a sporting adventure to remember.
Fly from LTN to AMS in 1 hour 10 minutes.
Italy
Olympic sport: Fencing
Summer Olympics: Rome 1960
Winter Olympics: Cortina d'Ampezzo 1956, Turin 2006, Milan 2026
With roots in Egypt, Spain and Germany, fencing as a sport was popularised in Italy in the 15th Century. As Italian Renaissance fencing masters detailed how to fence and travelled across Europe to spread the sport far and wide, Italy sealed its reputation as a fencing nation.
Want to discover fencing in Italy? Explore Naples, one of Europe’s most ancient cities, then head to Pompeii for the ultimate history lesson before taking a trip along the gorgeous Amalfi coast. And with a reputation for being the “home of pizza”, Naples is a must-visit place for Italian food lovers. Cut through the pizza slices, en garde!
Fly from LTN to NAP in 2 hours 45 minutes
Scotland
Olympic sport: Golf
Scotland’s golfing history stretches back to 1457, when James II of Scotland is said to have completed the first recorded round. There’s prestigious golf courses across the country, including St Andrews, the oldest public golf course in the world.
Want to go golfing in Scotland? Enjoy a picturesque round of 18 at Royal Dornoch Golf Club, a one-hour drive from Inverness. Play by a windswept beach and enjoy the fresh Scottish breeze as you go for a hole in one. Pack your tartan scarf if you’re playing in winter – temperatures may drop as low as 1°c.
Fly from LTN to INV in 1 hour 30 minutes
Egypt
Olympic sport: Hockey
Origins of hockey can be traced back to ancient Egypt before being modernised by countries like Scotland and England. Want to watch a game of hockey in Egypt? See teams go against each other at Cairo malls complete with indoor hockey rinks. Once you’ve had your sporting fix, walk the River Nile and explore scintillating souks before heading out to the Giza Necropolis, one of the world’s most famous ancient wonders.
Fly from LTN to SPX in 5 hours
Hungary
Olympic sport: Rhythmic Gymnastics
The sport grew in popularity in the 19th Century, and the first World Championships were held in the Hungarian capital in 1963. Want to enjoy gymnastics in Hungary? Vault your way to Budapest and relax at the Szechenyi baths to reset then wander the city and marvel at the Parliament building. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon sailing the River Danube.
Fly from LTN to BUD in 2 hour 30 minutes
Greece
Olympic sport: Wrestling
Summer Olympics: Athens 1896, Athens 2004
Arguably the most popular sport of the ancient Greeks, wrestling has been contested at all but one Olympic Games. The home of the ancient and modern Olympics, Athens is a must-visit place for those looking for a sporting fix. From the Panathenaic Stadium, to the Parthenon and the Acropolis, you’re not short of things to marvel at in Greece’s capital city. When the first modern Summer Olympics took place in 1896, athletes completed in 43 events across 10 disciplines. In 2004, that rose to over 300 events in 40 disciplines!
Fly from LTN to ATH in 3 hours 40 minutes
France
Olympic sport: Tennis
Summer Olympics: Paris 1900, Paris 1924, Paris 2024
Winter Olympics: Chamonix 1924, Grenoble 1968, Albertville 1992, French Alps 2030
Tennis can be traced back to the 12th-century French game of ‘jeu de paume’ before being adopted in Britain and beyond. Game, set, match with a game of tennis across France. For those looking to watch the big games, head to the Roland Garros stadium in Paris; home to the sole clay court Grand Slam. Want to work on your swing? Head to the French Riviera and train at a top Nice academy to impress on the court.
Fly from LTN to CDG in 1 hour 15 minutes
Fly from LTN to NCE in 2 hours