Curling up in front of the TV with a few Twiglets and a can of lager may be some fans' idea of a good time but ardent supporters know there is no substitute for actually being there. Nothing beats the roar of the crowd and live competition. But who wants to swap a comfy chair for queueing in the rain with no hope of getting a ticket? The solution lies in the all-inclusive sports tours package. Here are some ideas.
Motor racing
See the Italian grand prix at Monza on September 16. Accommodation can be found around Lake Como or Milan. Tours start from £225 per person from Page and Moy Travel (08700 106226, www.motorracingtours.com). They also offer trips to Indianapolis (September 30). Take the opportunity to visit Chicago or Boston at the same time. Tours start from £1,069pp.
Next season, take in the Malaysia grand prix (March 16-17, 2002). The Sepang circuit has been designed from scratch to offer an unforgettable F1 experience. A five-night holiday starts from £779 from The Sporting Traveller (01737 244398, www.thesportingtraveller.com ) which organises trips to most grands prix.
BAC Sport (020-7456 7100, www.bacsport.co.uk) has trips to the grand prix in Barcelona (April 26-29) from £650pp, and Monaco (May 24-27) from £600. Choose from three-star or four-star hotels in Nice, San Remo and Monaco. Other grands prix are also available.
Football
Savour the atmosphere of European football with a soccer city break to watch Real Madrid, AC Milan or many other of your favourite foreign teams. A trip to see Barcelona v Real Madrid at the Nou Camp stadium, Barcelona (March 17, 2002) or the Bernabeu stadium, Madrid (November 4) including two to three nights' accommodation, flights and match tickets costs around £475 from Fan Fare Events (0161-437 0002, www.fanfare-events.com). They are also organising trips to Internazionale v AC Milan, (October 21), AS Roma v SS Lazio (October 28), AC Milan v Inter (March 3), SS Lazio v AS Roma (March 10).
There's a seven-night tour to Rio to behold the magic of Brazilian football at the Maracana stadium. World Cup tours to Korea and Japan, and Amsterdam fixtures are being planned to watch Ajax v PSV Eindhoven and Ajax v Feyenoord. Dates and prices on application from BAC Sport (020-7456 7100, www.bacsport.co.uk).
Horse racing
Le Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe takes place at Longchamp on October 7. Return first-class Eurostar from Waterloo to Paris, one night's B&B at the four-star Hotel Concorde La Fayette, central Paris, admission to Longchamp on race day and all transfers, is available from BAC Sport (020-7456 7100, www.bacsport.co.uk ) for £495pp. Or do a day return on October 7 via standard-class Eurostar from Waterloo to Paris, transfers and admission for £165pp.
Horse Racing Abroad (01444 441661, www.horseracing-abroad.com) organises trips to all the major races in the world. How about combining a win ter sun holiday with two evening meetings in Dubai from February 2-10? Stay at the five-star Jebel Ali Hotel and Golf Resort between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, 40 minutes from Dubai Airport for £1,249. Or wallow in five-star luxury at the Royal Mirage Hotel on the exclusive Jumeirah Beach, 20 minutes from the airport and Dubai city centre for £1,695.
Rugby union
Dublin is the favourite "home" of the Six Nations Championship, as the whole city takes on a holiday air and the Guinness flows freely. The experience is quite unforgettable and the Irish guarantee a warm welcome to visiting fans.
Don't miss the 2001 championship decider, Ireland v England, on October 20. A two-night package including hotel and ticket starts from £375, excluding flights, from The Sporting Traveller (01737 244398, www.sportingtraveller.com) who are also offering trips to Ireland v Wales on February 2.
Gulliver Sports (01684 293175, www.gulliversports.co.uk ) has trips to the Dubai Sevens (November 7-9) with accommodation in a central five-star hotel and exclusive grandstand seats from £899pp. They will be doing other Six Nations games next year as well as the Hong Kong Sevens (March 22-24).
Mike Burton Sports Travel (01452 412444) also organises rugby game travel.
Rugby league
The next Rugby League Challenge Cup Final (April 27, 2002) is being held at Murrayfield. Glory Days (0131-6579168, www.glorydaysonline.co.uk ) provides central accommodation, match tickets and guides. Prices vary according to the quality of accommodation and tickets. From £119 to £349.
Cricket
There is no definite news about England's winter tour because discussions are still taking place with both the Indian and New Zealand cricket authorities about where and when games will be played. But once finalised several companies, including Sport Abroad (01306 744345, www.sportabroad.co.uk), which also does rugby union and motor racing, and Gulliver Sports (01684 293175,www.gulliversports.co.uk) will be organising trips.
Golf
All golfers have dreamt of visiting the the US Masters at Augusta, Georgia. Now see how perfect the fairways and greens really are - at a price. Specialist (01422 846611 www.specialist-uk.co.uk) has holidays starting at £4,895pp for seven nights' accommodation, three rounds of golf nearby and badge for the final day (Sunday) and one practice day.
Watching the Open, at Muirfield, next July is a little cheaper. Glory Days (0131-6579168, www.glorydaysonline.co.uk) has packages for two, three, five or eight nights including Edinburgh accommodation, transfers to and from the course, tickets and travel. Prices range from £188 to £1,079.
Skiing
The 21st Winter Olympics take place in Salt Lake City from February 8-24, 2002. There are all-inclusive package tours or more flexible arrangements for independent travel to Utah with Sportsworld (01235 555844 www.sportsworld.co.uk/saltlake), reappointed by the British Olympic Association. This is their tenth Olympics. Stay for six, 12 or 18 days. Prices start from £2,495pp.
