Getting the most from spare time off work or enjoying a casual break for those of us lucky enough to be retired is always an attractive proposition. Those of us who love our groundhopping understand just how valuable time is, especially when it comes to fitting in multiple matches.
Therefore, finding cities that offer such options with lots of clubs of all standards is much desired. Ideally, with sightseeing, good food and drink, accessibility, and nightlife, with affordable travel and hotels rounding off a general tick list.
Much of which cities or regions are preferred is down to personal choice and what standard of football those travelling are prepared to drop down to. Some prefer a couple of big games, while others enjoy doubles or trebles, ideally at new venues.
Here, in no particular order, are my favourite 10 destinations for my long weekends away when I lived and worked in London before moving to Thailand, with some kind of rationale behind the selections. Please feel free to comment or ask any questions.
As a teaser, I’ve added links to the blog page to the club of my favourite outing in each city, which will give you some indication as to my eclectic tastes as well as other links to somewhere I consider worth visiting while in the city or a related video from my YouTube Channel, often with football influences.
Like the Northwest of England, there are so many clubs to watch at all levels within an hour or so, with train fares usually included in match tickets. Lots of games kick off at different times, so doubles and trebles are sometimes possible on a weekend, with choices too on a Friday night.
Bangkok. On a weekend? Well, yeah, I know what you’re saying, but it’s not as impossible as it sounds, though it is probably best to stretch a visit to 10 days if travelling so far to get two weekends in.
The Thai League has three pro divisions, with Thai League 3 regional including some local derbies. There are also a couple of amateur leagues for local football, which have surprisingly well-appointed venues, while the semi-pro league runs from March to May each year for election into T3. As for the food and nightlife! And quality hotels are inexpensive.
Always something to watch throughout the year in a wonderful city, with my favourite side being very close to the tourist areas, where fans are earthy and have fun home or away, and the fan zone outside the stadium is what I think to be Bangkok's best beer garden.
3. Bilbao
A city which often goes under the radar in groundhopping circles. There is often a Friday evening opportunity with Santander and San Sebastian not too far away. The valley reminds me of Newcastle, with a big river and lots of lower-league clubs on either side of it.
Under-age games start early on Saturday and Sunday mornings, along with a sprinkling of lower league fixtures. Ideal opportunities for those groundhopping addicts where food and drink are usually available at the venues, an ideal way to shake off the excesses of the previous evening in a city famous for its snacks and drinks around great fans. An ideal location for a couple's weekend, too.
4. GlasgowMany prefer Edinburgh to Glasgow, but to me, the western Scottish city has more heart and soul for a night out, when a great atmosphere can be enjoyed. It’s easy to get to the capital in an hour, where there are generally more Friday night opportunities, with Glasgow’s hotels making significant savings.
You need to get lucky for doubles, but with more clubs becoming savvy and sharing their artificial pitches, it is no longer unusual. A great city with some tremendous venues where football is a true passion, and the mandatory scotch pie and Bovril should always be part of the day out, no matter what size club or stadium is being visited.
The Geordie capital just sneaked into my list thanks to the Northern League and other feeders below it now, including more Friday night fixtures and more spread-out weekend kick-off times than once before, often to accommodate the chance of fans heading to the main attraction of the weekend.
Another magnificent destination with endless food and drink options, some amazing sightseeing, and a great place to stay offering magnificent value for money. One of Europe's great cities for a long weekend, it is easy to wander around. There is also no shortage of passion on a matchday.
Oh, Vienna, as Ultravox sang. Another classic city with a great history, well worth chasing up. Absolutely no danger of going hungry or thirsty, in a place I thought was like an up-market city in Germany.
Many people are put off by Brussels, considering it to have gone downhill and to be rough around the edges. I thought it was a good place, again with no shortage of food and drink and accessibility to so many other cities within an hour or so.
Last but certainly not least. Berlin. History is everywhere you look, especially in the east of the city, including their football clubs, as they tried to deal with the old regime. Another destination with great links to other nearby football towns if looking to fill a fix. Great nightlife and accessibility make it a perennial favourite.
As with many other German cities, matches galore from Friday evening through to late Sunday afternoon, at all levels, including the chance to tick off the iconic Olympic Stadium as well as experience the passion of a real fans-owned club.
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