Discover Valkenburg: Your next sports tour destination | Blog | Edwin Doran

Discover Valkenburg: Your next sports tour destination

by | Sep 26, 2024 | Destination

Searching for the perfect short-haul destination for a school sports tour? Look no further than Valkenburg. Nestled in the stunning Limburg hills, Valkenburg is a charming historic town in the south of the Netherlands, celebrated for its medieval architecture and vibrant cultural scene.

Beyond its beauty, Valkenburg offers a wide range of sporting opportunities for everyone to enjoy. MasterClass recognised this over 30 years ago and has spent the time since building strong relationships with local sports clubs, accommodation partners and activity planners.

These are some of the reasons we keep coming back:

1. Proximity to other sporting destinations

Panoramic view of Cologne at night

Valkenburg is a few miles from the German and Belgian borders, opening doors to a diverse range of sporting opportunities from all three countries.

The Netherlands is renowned for its high standard of Hockey and Football, while Rugby sides will thrive in nearby Belgium.

All three countries can offer a good standard of fixtures for girls’ and boys’ groups of all abilities.

2. The facilities

Touring groups can expect a high standard of facilities in Valkenburg, with pristine pitches and clubhouses reflecting the high levels of investment and care they receive.

Stay in one of our carefully selected hotels, all of which offer exceptional hospitality and dedicated service for school groups. Flexible full and half-board options can be tailored to meet everyone’s dietary requirements, keeping your groups energised throughout the week.

Valkenburg is also a very walkable town, with excursions minutes away from your doorstep. The pedestrianised streets make this location safe for children to explore, adding to its school-friendly appeal.

Hockey goalkeeper training in progress in Valkenburg

3. Excursions and activities

A Masterclass group posing in front on a goal in Valkenburg

Don’t be fooled by Valkenburg’s small size; there is a huge variety of excursions on offer in and around the town. Popular among locals and school groups alike, the Pancake House is a must when visiting. Teachers and students say it’s the perfect spot to relax and refuel between sporting sessions.

The Kabelbaan activity centre offers unique adventures such as tobogganing, trampolining and laser tag, all within Valkenburg’s famous cave system.

For Football fanatics, a half-day excursion to Philips Stadion, home of Dutch giants PSV, is recommended. Groups can enjoy a tour and purchase personalised club merchandise.

These are just a handful of the reasons that make Valkenburg the place to be for school groups. It’s hard to match its blend of cultural, recreational, and sporting experiences.

For more information on our sports tours to Valkenburg, visit our MasterClass Netherlands page.

When it comes to planning a sports tour for your school, the options are broad and exciting with Edwin Doran. Yet increasingly, teachers and coaches are turning towards short-haul multisport tours – and for good reason. These tours, which combine multiple sports such as rugby, cricket, hockey, netball, and football, offer a unique opportunity for a broader group of students to travel, compete, and bond. Whether you’re heading to Spain, the Netherlands, or Ireland, the benefits are tangible both on and off the pitch.

Inclusive and Team-Building by Nature

Multisport tours are inherently inclusive. Rather than focusing on just one team or sport, these tours allow multiple teams to travel together – for example, a football squad and netball team or a rugby and hockey combination. This not only broadens the appeal of the trip but also helps foster a greater sense of unity across the school.

Students from different sports bond through shared travel experiences, training sessions, and cultural excursions. The friendships built off the field often translate into stronger camaraderie and collaboration back home, even between teams that may rarely interact otherwise.

Easier Logistics, Bigger Impact

Opting for a short-haul destination makes logistics more straightforward and affordable. With flights to places like France, the Netherlands, or Germany often lasting under two hours – and in some cases replaced altogether by coach or ferry – travel time is minimised and costs are kept in check. This makes the trip more accessible for families and easier to plan for schools with tight academic calendars.

Additionally, shorter travel times mean more time to focus on what really matters: quality fixtures, team development, and immersive experiences. With well-established sporting networks across Europe, our Edwin Doran team are able to offer pre-arranged fixtures with local schools that match your teams in age and ability, ensuring every game is competitive and rewarding.

A Sporting Education

Short-haul multisport tours offer students exposure to different playing styles and coaching methods. Competing against teams from countries like Italy, Portugal or even Gibraltar gives young athletes a chance to broaden their understanding of the sport, adapt to unfamiliar conditions, and learn from others.

These tours also provide a platform to showcase versatility and cross-training benefits. For example, hockey players watching a football fixture may pick up on strategic movement or communication tactics, and vice versa. It’s an opportunity for athletes to appreciate different sporting disciplines and possibly even try something new.

Cultural Enrichment and Excursions

One of the highlights of any sports tour is the opportunity to explore a new culture. Our short-haul destinations are rich in history, cuisine, and heritage. Whether it’s visiting the WWI battlefields in Belgium, enjoying a flamenco show in Spain, or enjoy a Gaelic Games Experience in Ireland, our tailored excursions enhance the overall experience.

These cultural outings are more than just entertainment – they provide important context to the places students are visiting, encourage curiosity, and help create lasting memories that stay with them far beyond the final whistle.

Flexibility and Customisation

Multisport short-haul tours allow for greater flexibility in planning. With a broader pool of participants across different teams, you can often achieve better value for money on accommodation, transport and excursions. Tours can be tailored to your school’s size and sports offering, whether you’re looking to combine rugby and netball, or perhaps cricket and hockey.

Want to know more about how we can help shape your next sports tour?

We work closely with you to ensure the itinerary suits your sporting goals, school calendar, and pastoral requirements, providing a seamless experience from start to finish.

Great for First-Time Travellers

Short-haul destinations are often the perfect stepping stone for younger students or those embarking on their first tour abroad. The familiarity of European culture, shorter travel durations, and easy communication all help to ease nerves and build confidence – both for the students and the parents sending them off.

“Multisport tours have transformed the way schools approach travel. They bring more students together, create a real buzz across multiple teams, and offer incredible value. With so many great short-haul options just a short flight or coach ride away, it’s never been easier to combine top-quality fixtures with unforgettable experiences.”

-Toby Douglas, Head of Sales

A short-haul multisport tour isn’t just a trip – it’s an investment in your players’ growth, confidence, and connection to their sport and teammates. Whether you’re taking your netball and hockey teams to the Netherlands, or combining football and rugby in Italy, these tours offer a rich blend of competitive fixtures, cultural discovery, and shared memories.

Ready to plan your next adventure? Let’s create a tour that challenges, inspires, and brings your teams together – one goal, try or wicket at a time.

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