Thursday, July 2, 2009

Athlete's Who Earn the Most

It might feel like, in this economy, the entertainers and the athletes are immune from the negative impact. With the super stars still closing deals and getting endorsements by the fistful, our cash flow problems can feel pretty puny. A recent article in Sports Illustrated actually showed that the earnings of the Top 50 American Athletes fell by $1.5 million per athlete to $23.6 million. Tiger Woods pulled in $99,737,626, which a marked loss in earnings due to his recovery time after his knee surgery, while Phil Mickelson, another pro golfer, has lucrative deals with Rolex, Callaway, Barclay's, and Exxon and made $52,950,356. However, the international list grew to a high of $29.5 million, boosted by soccer and Formula 1 earnings. If you are looking to watch a few car races and perhaps a few major gold tournaments, let's see where you can go on your next vacation.

Monaco is an amazing European destination for luxury lovers, ocean gazers, and sports lovers alike, and it is one of the best choices for high-quality vacations. No matter what's on your itinerary in the beginning, you've got to swing by the Casino of Monte Carlo, which is opulently designed and still pretty casual in terms of dress code (the best of both worlds?). You can park for free when you swing by the casino, and then you can spend a day at Larvotto Beach for a charming beach stay in the warm sun. Now it's time for the sports! The Formula 1 Grand Prix zips through the streets of Monaco in May, so you can buy tickets to be a part of the action, while the Hercules International Athletic Meeting occurs in August and draws quite a varied crowd. The International Swimming Meeting also occurs in the summer, gifting one talented athlete with 60,000 Euros at its conclusion. Golfers might be interested in the International Open Tennis Championship in April, which offers final round tickets at the Monte Carlo country club for $125. Wondering where to stay? We recommend the Hotel Hermitage, which has an Exclusive Complementary Perks deal through WhataHotel.com. It overlooks the harbour for an outstanding view and is just steps from Monte Carlo's famed casino, along with plenty of shopping spots. If you need a break from all the touristing, staying in the Hotel Hermitage means that you will have direct access to the Thermes Marins de Monte Carlo, one of the most beautiful spas in Europe.

If outdoor sports are more your style, Switzerland is a smart place to stay. You might even learn about a whole new sport when you go to Switzerland, because they have a sport called schwingen, which involves a sort of wrestling in an arena covered with sawdust. "Hornussen" is another unusual sport in which a player knocks a “nut” into the air with a flexible stick in Switzerland. Catch some pictures if you can! Besides the unusual stuff, you can go ice skating in most cities and towns in Switzerland from December to March, and nearly every local can downhill or cross-country skis--and spends a holiday in Switzerland doing it, too. The Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues is located in the heart of Geneva, and is a great place to kick off your vacation. It was actually the city's first hotel (it was opened in 1834) and still offers great service along with all the creature comforts of the 21st century. When you're staying at the Hotel Four Seasons des Bergues, you should visit Lake Geneva and the Musee Ariana, where you can take a break before hitting the tourist track.

You might not be getting paid millions for your athleticism, but you can feel like a million after checking out these locations!

No comments:

Post a Comment