Most people would prepare dishes and would adorn a similar dress because in a previous encounter that their team won, they had been wearing the same dress and had prepared similar food. Cricket fans would not shy from doing the impossible just to see their side win.
One thing you would love about Cricket World Cup is the venue. When you combine travel with a game of cricket, it is priceless. Some of the greatest cricket holiday destinations await your presence. However, the extravaganza this year is being held in Australia and New Zealand.
Melbourne
Melbourne has been the greatest travel destination that would cater you with an ultimate dose of cricket. Cited as the best livable city on earth, Melbourne offers you the best of tourist attractions. Moreover, you have the Melbourne Cricket Ground also known as MCG to cater food for your cricket taste buds. The MCG is the best cricketing grounds, which was built in 1853. The place is renowned for giving birth to test cricket, holding its first test match between host Australia and England way back in 1877. The feeling of being in the stands of MCG is comparable to none.
Sydney
You cannot rule out Sydney once you added Melbourne in the greatest cricketing grounds list. The Darling Harbor and Opera House is not the place to be missed, when in Sydney. Furthermore, the Sydney Cricket Ground or SCG is among the best available in the world. The SCG offers an unforgettable experience.
Christchurch
With all eyes set on New Zealand for Cricket World Cup 2015, more than half of the world’s population was upon Christchurch for the opening match of New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Hagley Oval. Apart from cricket, you can get air borne and experience an exhilarating dive into the surprising and compact nation.
Hamilton
Driving down from Auckland, you would reach Hamilton, which has developed into a genuine city from farming centre. The city supports active entertainment and sports scene. The Seddon Park has been specifically built for cricket. With a couple of matches on the cards, the ground has been a delight for the viewers and players. After the match, you can explore the CBD, which is well within a few minutes stroll.
Nelson
The World Cup match scheduled to be held in Saxton Oval, makes Nelson a newest cricketing location. Apart from the cricket matches, the region offers a typical summer holiday getaway. For those, who want to get a little more tan on their body would love to bathe extra hours under the sun. Other places of interest include sparkling waters and golden sands, Abel Tasman National Park, Marlborough Sounds and best-known wine-growing regions.
Other cricketing holiday destinations in New Zealand include Dunedin (the University Oval), Wellington (Party Central), Auckland and Napier. All these cities offer cricket at its best along with holiday destinations to make the most of your vacations.
Other Cricket Holiday Destinations
Apart from World Cup 2015, other cricket holiday destinations comprise the Lord’s in London, Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Kennigston Oval in Barbados, the Wanderers and Newlands Cricket Ground in South Africa. Cricket grounds in Sri Lanka also offer a great cricketing atmosphere along with beautiful sightseeing destinations to surrender into the laps of nature.
Beyond the Cricket World Cup: The best of the host cities
All eyes will be on New Zealand in 2015 when the Cricket World Cup – set to be watched by a quarter of the world’s population - comes to town.
Dunedin
Dunedin gets in on the cricketing action early: New Zealand’s Black Caps play Scotland at tree-lined University Oval on 17 February. Sri Lanka face first-time World Cup contenders Afghanistan on 22 February, and Afghanistan then stay in town for a key game on 26 February against Scotland.
This is New Zealand's oldest city, known as "the Edinburgh of the south", blending historic architecture with southern hospitality and heaps of indigenous wildlife scattered throughout the surrounding Otago region. It’s like National Geographic come to life. Under these big skies you’ll find the world's only mainland albatross colony, the world's rarest, wild sea lions and even the occasional leopard and elephant seal in their natural habitat.
In Dunedin itself explore the city's beautiful botanic gardens, enjoy live music at a local pub and head out towards Larnach Castle, built in 1871, where you can experience a proper English tea and stroll the pristine gardens.
But beyond the buzz of the sporting stakes, there’s plenty to see and do between games. Seize the chance to dive into this compact yet surprisingly diverse country!
Wellington
It’s known for being New Zealand's political capital and a colourful, artsy city. But don’t let any of that fool you into thinking that this city isn't passionate about sport: its 33,000 capacity stadium is otherwise known as party central. On 21 March it hosts the quarterfinal knockout between Group B's top qualifier and the fourth qualifier from Group A. Prior to that New Zealand’s Black Caps take on England on 20 February, England plays Sri Lanka on 1 March and South Africa meets United Arab Emirates on 12 March.
Fill in your spare time with visits to national museum Te Papa Tongarewa (where you can immerse yourself in our culture and history) or the Cricket Museum, set inside a vintage stand at the Basin Reserve. Get a taste of movie magic at Weta Workshop and Stone Street Studios or catch a film at the Embassy Theatre, a personal favourite of homegrown director Peter Jackson. (If you fly into Wellington, keep your eyes peeled for the sculpture of Lord of the Rings character Gollum in the arrivals hall!) You’ll be well fed and watered in between, with lots of top restaurants, bars and cafes to tempt your tastebuds.
Wellington lies between Cook Strait (the great divide between the North and South Islands) and the Rimutaka Range, ringed by hills on one side and an intensely blue harbour on the other. It’s also the gateway to the endless wild beaches of the Kapiti Coast, and other nature experiences. A Red Rocks land safari is an opportunity to see a fur seal colony, or you can go kiwi-spotting on a guided night tour at Zealandia or on Kapiti Island.
Auckland
There’s something for everyone in our biggest city. Auckland hosts four matches, including the clash between Australia and New Zealand on 28 February and a semi-final on 24 March – and offers visitors everything from city action to coastal relaxation in their downtime.
The sea is never far away in Auckland – be it black-sand surf beaches on the west coast or the sunny sands to the east and north. the Lonely Planet named Auckland Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf as the best experience in New Zealand. Kayak out to a nearby island, sail an America’s Cup racing yacht or cruise on the Waitemata Harbour. The jewel of the gulf is Waiheke Island, a haven of vineyards, olive groves, beaches and fine dining, just a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland. Rangitoto Island is a little more rugged, with its pohutukawa forest and lava caves. Or for something quite different, head over to the world-renowned wildlife sanctuary Tiritiri Matangi Island to hear the birdsong and soak up the scenery.
Back in the city, you’ll be spoiled for choice with modern dining options along the waterfront – or pack a picnic and head to the beautiful parkland surrounding One Tree Hill, detouring to the summit of Mount Eden along the way for spectacular panoramic views. At Auckland Zoo you’ll find the largest collection of native and exotic animals in New Zealand; get up close with stingrays, sharks and penguins at Kelly Tarlton’s; or try Butterfly Creek for giant crocodiles, farm animals and hundreds of colourful butterflies.
Napier
February is the perfect time to visit Napier as flappers, jazz and gleaming vintage Fords bring the annual Art Deco Weekend to life. Plus, with three Cricket World Cup matches to celebrate in the following weeks, the party will carry on. Pakistan gets the ball rolling at McLean Park against United Arab Emirates on 4 March, followed by New Zealand’s Black Caps facing Afghanistan on 8 March and the West Indies taking on United Arab Emirates on 15 March.
Traditionally sunny and dry Hawke's Bay summers have seen McLean Park develop a reputation as a batsman's paradise. Take it from us, this is a great place to kick back and watch the world's most accomplished players do what they do best.
Napier caters for all tastes and budgets, ranging from world class golf at clifftop course Cape Kidnapper's to the fun family seaside attractions along Marine Parade. Daily guided Art Deco Trust walks give an insight into the city’s design heritage, just waiting to be discovered. Napier’s also home to the National Aquarium and New Zealand’s oldest winery. Hit the wine country trail to visit restaurants like Craggy Range, Black Barn, Church Road, Mission Estate and Elephant Hill - the hardest part will be deciding where to begin.
(This Blog is a part of Blogger Dream Team)
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