The ultimate travel itinerary for sports lovers in 2018

A sporting event can be a great reason to revisit a favourite world city, or to finally tick a dream destination off your bucket list.

9 April: NBA Oklahoma City Thunder vs Miami Heat

Where: Miami, Florida

Stay: Faena Hotel Miami Beach in the heart of the arts and entertainment precinct. It was presented the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star award in 2019.

Eat: Forte dei Marmi on Ocean Drive for simple Italian perfection from a two Michelin-starred chef

Seeing Russell Westbrook in person is a must for sports lovers

Where: Cannes, France

Stay: Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, favoured by artists and aristocracy

Eat: Astoux et Brun is a bright brasserie serving the best fresh seafood

Where: Around Russia, final in Moscow

Stay: The Hotel Baltschug Kempinski’s Red Square Suite has views across central Moscow’s eponymous square, the Kremlin and St Basil’s Cathedral

Eat: Be transported to a bygone era of luxury and Russian tradition at Cafe Pushkin

Enjoy Russian tradition and luxury when you travel to the 2018 FIFA World Cup

Where: Around France, finish in Paris

Stay: Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris is a modern masterpiece madeover by Philippe Starck

Eat: Le Jules Verne, 122 metres up the Eiffel Tower

The Tour de France combines world-class sport with amazing scenery

Where: New York, New York

Stay: Splurge on the Four Seasons’ US$55,000-a-night Ty Warner Penthouse. It was presented the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star award in 2019).

Eat: Sample David Chang’s famous flavours at Momofuku Ssam

US Open Tennis is one of the world’s great sporting events

Where: Monza, Italy

Stay: Hotel de la Ville is a charming art and antique-filled palace

Eat: Derby Grill has a terrace for alfresco dining with views of the Villa Reale