1. Bobby Orr scores an iconic goal and flies into the air: One of the most iconic moments in the history of NHL is the winning goal by Boston Bruins defenseman Bobby Orr, one of the greatest NHL players of all time, against the St. Louis Blues in 1970. Immediately after scoring the goal, he was tripped. The moment he flew into the air to celebrate his goal was captured for posterity by TV cameras and will be an inspiration for both players and fans for years to come.

 

2. Patrick Kane scores a goal and nobody knows it: Considered rather anti-climactic at the time because nobody even saw it, Patrick Kane’s winning goal for the Chicago Blackhawks against the Philadelphia Flyers in the final of 2010 has got to be one of the greatest Stanley Cup moments.  After getting possession of the puck during overtime, he took a shot from an impossible angle and made a perfect score. But as he threw off his gloves in a fit of joy, he was greeted with stunned silence because nobody had seen him score. This is one goal that will never be forgotten!

 

3. Brett Hull’s controversial goal against the Buffalo Sabres: Probably the most controversial call in NHL’s history happened in 1999 when Brett Hull of the Dallas Stars scored a winning goal against the Buffalo Sabres. Players weren’t allowed to be in the goal crease before the puck at the time, the only exception given to the player who was in possession of the puck. The Sabres refused to accept the goal as similar goals had been disallowed throughout the season. But the referee allowed it and the goal stood. Despite the controversy, it was a great moment for Hull and his team.

 

4. Mario Lemieux scores the perfect goal: One of the most dazzling goals in the history of NHL was made by Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins against the Minnesota North Stars in 1991. In the second period of game two, he went coast to coast, smoothly sailing past the Minnesota defense and goaltender and then made a great goal. It is considered by hockey buffs to be one of the greatest goals in NHL history.

 

5. Mark Messier keeps his word: A day before game 6 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, Mark Messier, the captain of the New York Rangers, announced to the New York press that his team would win the next game against the New Jersey Devils. At the time, the Rangers were the underdogs and nobody believed him. The following evening, he scored a hat trick, leading his team to victory in the game, and throughout the playoffs where they eventually won the coveted Stanley Cup. What he did that day remains as one of the most remarkable moments in the history of NHL.

 
What‘s your favorite Stanley Cup Final moment? We’d love to hear from you!
 

1. Vieux Montréal:
    
   
   This is the historic part of the city and its cobblestone streets and colonial style buildings date back to 1642. The center of the old city is Place Jacques-Cartier, which is famous for restaurants, boutiques and clubs housed in 17^th century buildings. Something is always happening here and at times you may even be swamped by fellow tourists, but it’s a great place to be any time.

 

2. Vieux-Port:
    
   
   Dating back more than 350 years, the Vieux-Port was once Old Montreal’s gateway to the St. Lawrence River and the hub of shipping. It is now a top tourist destination where you can enjoy walking, biking, ice-skating and shopping.

 

3. McGill University:
    
   
   Founded by a wealthy Scottish immigrant by the name of James McGill in 1813, McGill University is Montreal’s signature university. A tour of the university, which lasts about an hour and is led by students, takes you to the major buildings and facilities in both the original downtown and the Macdonald Campus.

 

4. Musée du Château Ramezay:
    
   
   Built in 1705, the Château Ramezay is one of the oldest buildings in North America. But it also owes it fame to Benjamin Franklin who tried to persuade Montreal to join the United States from here. It is now a famous history museum where artifacts from the 18th and 19th century are permanently displayed and a re-enactment of the 18th century life is performed live by actors.

 

5. Basilique Notre-Dame:
    
   
   Designed by the architect James O’Donnell, this neo-Gothic church styled after the great churches of Europe was built in 1829. It is famous for its fine woodwork, blue vaulted ceilings, rose ceiling windows and a massive church bell. There is also a museum that has religious artifacts and paintings on permanent display.

 

6. Chapelle Notre-Dame-De-Bon-Secours:
    
   
   This small chapel built by Marguerite Bourgeoys, the founder of the Notre Dame congregation of nuns, to provide refuge to weary sailors. Dating back to 1857, it is the oldest church in Montreal. It also houses the Marguerite Bourgeoys Museum, which has historical and archaeological artifacts on permanent display.

 

7. Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde:
    
   
   Built as a replica of Saint Peter’s Cathedral in Rome, it is one-fourth the size of the original. It was built in 1894 and is the third largest church in Quebec. In 2006, the cathedral was designated as a National Historical Site of Canada.

 
These beautiful historic sites in Montreal, Quebec are a must-see as part of your Canadian Grand Prix travel package. For more information about our Formula 1 luxury travel, contact Roadtrips today.

The Venues

No list of what to see in Sochi would be complete without mentioning the venues.  The Olympic Park, known as the Coastal Cluster, is near the Black Sea and will connect all the coastal Olympic venues to each other.  They are all within walking distance from another, and include the venues for ice hockey, curling, speed skating and figure skating.
 
Five Winter Games venues will be situated in the Caucasus Mountains in the Krasnaya Polyana ski resort area.  This area is also called the Mountain Cluster and all of the outdoor venues are located here.  They include skiing, snowboarding, luge, skeleton, bobsleigh and biathlon.
 
Historical Sites & Monuments

Sochi has a rich history, and some of the most important historical sites and monuments in Russia are located here.  They include:
 

• Stalin’s summer residence
• Godlik Fortress
• Loo Temple
• Many Stalinist-period style structures
• Anchor and Cannon monument
• Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin monument
• The Golden Fleece
• Singing Fountains
• Zavokzalny War Memorial

 
Parks

Sochi is also rich in natural beauty, and boasts many parks and natural attractions that many tourists will love. Discover the beauty of this host city next winter with a custom Winter Games package that includes tours to the top attractions. Some of the most popular include:
 

• Riviera Park
• Sochi Discovery World Aquarium
• Park of Southern Cultures
• Frunze Park
• Aquarium and Marine Zoo
• Adler Dolphinarium
• Monkey Nursery Center

 
Museums

If a little culture is your thing between catching the events, Sochi also has its share of museums to explore.  When you have some spare time, check out:
 

• Sochi History Museum
• Sochi Museum of Art
• A.A.C. Art Gallery of Wood Plastic
• Museum of Sochi Sport Honour

 
No matter where your interests lay, Roadtrips can help you create the perfect 2014 Winter Games package tailored to your favourite events and cultural attractions. Contact us to book your custom travel package today!

You can bet that the security in Brazil during the 2014 World Cup will be visible all over the city, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take precautions. Here are a few tips to help stay safe whether you are watching a match or taking in some of the tourist attractions:
 

• - Don’t walk around the city with a lot of money in your pocket.
• - Don’t wear flashy jewelry or anything else that would indicate you have a lot of money.
• - As like other cities that you are unfamiliar with use your judgment with traveling after dark, and only go to places that you are familiar with or check with the hotel staff before you leave to discuss any security concerns you have.
• - Keep purses and bags closed up and close to your body at all times.

 
Watch for Scams

Scam artists are common in most tourist destinations, and Brazil is no different.  Some of them work in pairs, while others prefer to go solo, but their aim is always to separate you from your possessions or money.  Keep an eye on your possessions anytime you’re in crowded places or on the beach, and also watch for people offering to perform services for you such as shoe shining.  Obviously, not everyone you encounter is trying to take advantage, but it’s something to be aware of.
 
Your Money

You know not to carry large sums of money around for safety purposes, and you’ll be able to find scores of ATM machines throughout the city to make this easier.  Take the time to find out your own bank’s ATM rules and fees before you head to the World Cup.  Then you’ll know how often you can use them and how much you will be charged for the privilege. Making your banking institutions aware of your travel is also a great idea to let them know to expect to see transactions from a foreign country.
 
Leave It to Roadtrips

Booking your 2014 World Cup trip through Roadtrips will add some structure to your trip and give you access to 24-hour event hosts to help guide you through your stay.  With your itinerary laid out, and experienced hosts to help you steer clear of any troubled areas, you can focus on having fun and enjoying world-class soccer matches, which is what the World Cup is all about.
 
Click here to get a custom trip quote for your own World Cup sports travel package!

Copacabana Palace

Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro has been welcoming the rich and famous since it opened in 1923.  The Copacabana Palace is situated so it looks over Copacabana beach, and it features such amenities as two fine dining restaurants, soothing hotel spa, tennis court and picturesque swimming pool.
 
Each room boasts original works of art, and in 2011 it was given the award for the leading hotel in Brazil and South America.
 
Fasano Rio de Janeiro

The Fasano in Rio de Janeiro is another luxury address that will help you do the World Cup in style.  The hotel was designed by Philippe Starck, a world-renowned architect who used this property to reflect the Bossa Nova era of architecture.
 
The Fasano sits in the middle of Ipanema Beach, and you’ll have no shortage of shopping or dining options between World Cup matches.  This hotel features three restaurants, a full-service spa, as well as a rooftop pool, fitness center and full business amenities.  In 2012, the Fasano was named as South America’s top boutique hotel.
 
Tivoli Mofarrej Sao Paulo

The Tivoli Mofarrej Sao Paulo is located in the beautiful Jardins district, in the heart of Sao Paulo.  This hotel derives its luxury rating from its modern decor, award-winning cuisine, heater outdoor pool, exquisite views and Asian Spa.  The Tivoli is also home to the largest presidential suite in Latin America!
 
Whether you take advantage of an exclusive Roadtrips World Cup vacation or make other arrangements, these hotels will really add some style and luxury to your trip.  Roadtrips has exclusive access to bookings at these and other luxurious Rio hotels, so book with us today for the best accommodations during the World Cup!

1. Soccer is a very fast-paced, exciting sport. There is always something exciting happening on the field and if you`re a huge fan, you know the thrill of seeing your favourite team play their rivals. There’s nothing more awesome than watching your team compete on the world stage!

 

2. The 2014 World Cup is being held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and this is a great opportunity to explore all of the wonderful things Brazil has to offer. Brazil is the soccer capital of the world and has 12 different cities hosting the matches, so there will be many things to see and do during the World Cup. Explore beautiful Brazil and experience the unique culture all while following your soccer team through the tournament.

 

3. With a Roadtrips World Cup package, you will have an experience like no other. We’ve got access to the scarce luxury hotel space in Rio and offer completely customizable packages to make your stay unforgettable.

 

4. The post-game ritual where the players exchange their jerseys is definitely a tradition to witness in person. The exchanging of jerseys is a historical part of the World Cup and other soccer tournaments, and you won’t want to miss being a part of a historic moment!

 

5. There is no better way to watch your favorite soccer team than to watch them play live. If you’re excited when you’re watching a match in your living room, just imagine the thrill and the energy of thousands of other people cheering on the same team. There really is no better feeling!

 

6. You will get an opportunity to meet diehard fans from around the world. Soccer is a sport that brings many people together from different parts of the world. It`s a celebration of a lot of hard work from the players and sharing this accomplishment with peers from across the globe at the World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

 
The game of soccer is a nail-biting, fist-pumping, heart-racing experience. The World Cup comes only once every four years and now is your chance to watch it live! To get a custom World Cup 2014 trip quote, click here!

1. The World Cup has been played 19 times, with Brazil winning the championship final on 5 of those 19 occasions.
2. For the first time in the history of soccer, the 2002 World Cup was held in two different countries. These countries were South Korea and Japan.
3. The oldest goal scorer in the World Cup was Roger Milla, who was 42 in 1994 when he scored a goal for Cameroon.
4. In the year 1950, India withdrew from the tournament as they were not allowed to play barefoot.
5. Did you know that the host country and the World Cup winning country are rumored to see a baby boom of nearly 15 percent after the World Cup? In fact, ESPN even created a commercial based on this fact. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2FRXmjfVaE)
6. The World Cup trophy went missing for 7 days in 1966, when it was stolen just prior to the tournament.
7. Nike makes about $1.5 billion annually through the sale of soccer merchandise even though they are not the official sponsors of the World Cup
8. The average attendance per game at the World Cup is just over 43,000 fans!
9. The highest scoring game in World Cup history was in 1954, when Austria defeated Switzerland 7-5.
10. The Germans and Italians have had the most number of draws in World Cup history.
11. Indonesia is said to have played the least number of world cup matches – 1. They refused to play their second game against Israel, and have never played since. (They lost the first game 6-0)
12. Mexico is considered the biggest loser in the World Cup with a record of losing 22 matches.

Do you have a favourite little-known World Cup fact you’d like to share? Let us know.If you would like to join Roadtrips at the 2014 World Cup, contact us today!

• - First class accommodations
• - Dedicated airport transfers
• - Dedicated transfers to all the matches of your choice
• - Onsite hosts and local assistance
• - Full breakfast daily
• - Expert pre-trip travel planning and concierge services
• - Commemorative gift package
• - Brazil welcome kit
• - Personalized itinerary

 
Your 2014 World Cup sports package can also include:
 

• - Sightseeing in Rio to popular tourist locations like Christ the Redeemer, National Rainforest Park and the Sugar Loaf
• - Reservations for gourmet dinners at the top restaurants in Rio
• - Exclusive cruise on a luxury yacht on the Amazon River
• - Luxurious spa treatments
• - Amazon eco adventure tours
• - Custom-tailored adventures and excursions throughout South America
• - Private jet charters

 
For a true World Cup fan, there is no moment more invigorating than being in the stadium, watching the World Cup Final match. All of the world`s best soccer players will be gathered in the capital of soccer, Brazil, next year to compete on the world stage.  There is no better place to be than in Brazil to a part of such a great sporting event. Roadtrips is your ticket to the finals, offering tickets to your preferred matches, exciting excursions, and some of the very best accommodations in Rio de Janeiro.
 
Contact us today for more information on how to put together your ultimate World Cup travel package with Roadtrips.