With the winter clouds rolling in, beat the blues with these holiday ideas for 2019 catered for the archer who can’t bear to leave their bow behind. Heather Flint has it covered.
Chianti 3D
Chianti 3D Archery is part of the extensive holiday vacation property Poderi Val Verde, an authentic 14th century Tuscan farm nestled in the Chianti Hills, close to many important cultural sights.
With its three ranges, three full-sized (28 + 30 positions) and one medium size (14 positions) it’s well on its way of becoming the largest privately owned archery location in southern Europe, with extensions planned, too. The 28 position range complies with IFAA competition rules, and all ranges start right in front of the property’s doorstep.
The ranges were built by German-born longbow archer Fabian Eder, who maintains the ground with loving care. He also offers non-archers and beginners the opportunity to learn the secrets of traditional archery.
For the committed field enthusiast, the courses offers life-sized 3D targets ranging from bear down to crow, set at IFAA and WA distances, with challenging up- and downhill shots. The courses also feature a moving target, an elevated stand, and challenging shots of 107m or 127m! The course layouts allows you to break them down into smaller chunks, or take on the challenge of a gigantic round of 72 positions.
For the days when you aren’t inclined to shoot, you can experience the Tuscan lifestyle of guaranteed sunshine(!), delicious food, and great wine, with hands-on cooking classes. The valley is also perfect for trekking or biking, and is situated only 3km away from the nearest Chianti town, and a 45 minute drive away from Florence.
Prices vary by size of accommodation and season and start from 530EUR per week – at present almost 60% of guests are archers.
You can see videos here of the accommodations here.
Email: [email protected]
Tel. 0039 0577 740266
The Southwest Challenge
An eight day shoot in the rolling fields of a beautiful part of Southwest of England, this shoot was first known a the Devon Challenge when it began in 1996. It runs as a challenging set of four two-day field shoots in four clubs throughout the southwest, with a day’s break in the middle for washing, kit repair and recovery! Awards are available for each venue and the overall carried score winners.
This event happens at the end of July and the beginning of August and is a brilliant opportunity to meet other archers and improve your shooting. Archers travel from all over the country to take part, and either camp in nearby sites or use local bed and breakfasts. Staying locally will allow competitors to enjoy the surroundings between events and explore what the south has to offer.
This year’s shoot details are yet to be released, but the fee for the 8 day shoot is expected to be £50 per adult.
Website: http://www.southwestchallenge.co.uk/
Kim Hyung Tak’s Archery School
For an adventure further afield, travel to the homeland of some of the most successful archers in the world. Coach Kim-Hyung Tak’s famous archery school in Goesan-Eup holds the Archery Training Centre, which hosts coaching and summer schools throughout the year. Bring your bow along and shoot in some of the most well-equipped facilities in the world, under the eye of one of the best known Korean international coaches. His fee includes basic accommodation and meals. South Korea is a country drenched in the cultural and historical significance of the sport. Complete your training with an exploration of what the country has to offer, or head straight to the capital for a concentrated dose of South Korea. Many people combine a trip to the country with a trip to Japan.
A two hour intercity bus takes you to the heart of Seoul for less than £20. Seoul’s palaces, markets, restaurants, skyscrapers and shopping should provide everything a traveller needs to satisfy their wanderlust. But if you still crave more archery, Seoul has eight clubs that practice traditional Korean archery, plus there are at least two museums dedicated to the sport. If that isn’t your cup of nokcha, Seoul now has several archery cafés, where visitors can enjoy a spot of modern shooting in a relaxed atmosphere.
Kim Hyung Tak also gives seminars in Europe (and he’s doing one at Aim4Sport in the UK next year) so get in touch and check when he will be available in Korea.
Website: www.archeryschool.com
Hotel Tiroler Adler
Hotel Tiroler Adler is located in the scenic village of Waidring, Austria, flanked by the Lofer Steinburg mountains, the landscapes of the Steinplatte and the forested Fellhorn slopes. When you are woken by the 6am church bells, you have the option of exploring the local sights and attractions, or choosing between one of the 31 different 3D field archery courses surrounding the hotel. The hotel offers packages for archers with trips to the many ranges within the three-country border triangle. Each has its own highlights and gives a taste of truly continental archery. Keep in mind though, that winter is the ski season, and some courses may be under the snow!
Waidring represents the perfect example of Alpine life, with hiking, cycling, and climbing all on its doorstep. The hotel offers Austrian and international cuisine and hosts a spa with Finnish sauna. Nearby, attractions such as the Krimmel waterfalls, Tratzberg Castle, and others may tempt you if the variety of archery on offer doesn’t take your fancy )
Rooms start at 100EUR for two people per night and all provide stunning balcony views of the surrounding mountains.
Website: www.tiroler-adler.at
Tel: +43 5353 5311
Budleigh Farm
Based in the rugged countryside of the Dartmoor national park, Budleigh is a family run, working farm providing international standard target shooting and archery facilities. Surrounded by craggy granite tors and rustic moors, the farm provides a base for exploration of this stunning part if the country, and is a gorgeous setting for some shooting! Redundant farm buildings on site have been converted into quirky-yet-welcoming self-catering accommodation, and the family have provided other facilities such as an outdoor pool, recreation room and more. The seven cottages on site sleep between two and six people, and are offered for a minimum of three nights stay.
Focussing mainly on target rifle shooting, the facility hosts numerous competitions and club shoots on site. However, there is ample provision for archers with a 25m heated indoor range, and both a 50m smallbore range and 100 yard range, each with covered firing points. The owners offer introductory courses for both target sports, and often take on archers looking for an extra challenge!
Prices include linens, Wi-Fi and range usage, and start at £224 a week. Discounts are available for longer stays, and shorter stays are offered on a pro rata basis.
Tel. 01647 440835
email [email protected]
Eaton Manor Country Estate
Eaton Manor Country Estate is a unique location for luxury countryside breaks in Shropshire. There’s something special about this holiday destination for archers- the estate offers two fully equipped and heated indoor ranges of 20m and 70m, which are both situated on its main site, providing the perfect space for winter training. These ranges can be booked for private use or as a shared space; exclusive use of the 70m range can be booked by large groups for a little as £125 a day. There are even opportunities for beginners to have a go- perfect if you are bringing your family along!
All properties have fully fitted, self catering kitchens and can be booked individually of for larger groups or clubs, with each sleeping between 2 and 14 people. Each luxury home has its own private grounds and your stay can be enhanced with extras such as a private chef, wine tasting, spa treatments, and much more. The surrounding countryside is a haven for walkers and cyclists, as the manor is nestled in 500 acres of countryside near the Shropshire Hills.
Prices vary throughout the season and for each property.
Web: www.eatonmanor.co.uk
Telephone: 01694 724 814
Email: [email protected]
The Vegas Shoot
One of the largest and most famous competitions in the world, this one is a must for every travelling archers bucket list. The Vegas shoot is a three day event that caters for all shooting styles, with a couple of days of trade show and practice sessions beforehand, and archers from all over the world make a holiday out of it.
Vegas offers two options for both amateur (the flights) and professional (the championship) archers. The shoot involves three consecutive ranking rounds on the traditional three-spot Vegas faces for both flight and championship shooters, with championship compound archers striving for a place in the coveted ‘900-club’. Amateur archers are divided into their flights at the end of the second day, with prize funds allocated by the flight number and the archers position on the third day. You can practice round the clock if you want to in the city that never sleeps. It’s a brilliant excuse to visit one of the world’s best known destinations, with an entertainment scene that sells itself and everything on offer from fantastic food to rollercoaster rides – and, of course, gambling. There’s plenty to do in the vicinity as well, with the Grand Canyon and the glorious landscapes of Bryce and Zion within driving distance.
The 2019 shoot runs from the 8th-10th of February at the South Point hotel and casino, and registration is open now. Prices for adult registration range from £175 for flights to £500 for championship entry. Rooms at the South Point start at $90 a night with discounts for groups and tournament participants.
Shoot website: www.thevegasshoot.com
South Point: www.southpointcasino.com
Centre For Horseback Combat
The Centre of Horseback Combat is set on the grounds of the stunning and historical 2,000 acre Gaddesden Estate in Hertfordshire, and provides the perfect backdrop to learn the exciting skill of traditional horseback archery. Its ideal location in the countryside, only a short journey from Luton Airport, makes it the perfect short break. The Centre was the first ever licensed and fully insured centre for horseback archery in the UK and has now taught over 2000 students this ancient skill. It is run by husband and wife team Zana and Karl who offer half day & full day courses, club sessions and weekend courses for both beginner and advanced Horseback archers.
For all courses, students bring their own camping equipment and stay onsite, or stay in a B&B nearby. Students are introduced to the techniques they will need while on the ground and are introduced to the horse later on. Some horse riding experience is needed for certain courses! Focus is centred on Korean style archery; however a Mediterranean style is also practiced. During the summer months, the weekend courses give a thorough introduction to horseback archery, and the chance to really delve into this unique sport. The Centre also offers a Saturday evening camp fire BBQ, with a bit of knife and axe throwing for fun! Lunch is also provided in the local pub based next to the estate land.
Prices for a half day start at £99, going up to £400 for the all-inclusive weekend course.
Website: www.horsebackcombat.co.uk.
tel 01442 462715
Email: [email protected]