The first weekend of June will see London's most fashionable summer garden party: Polo in the Park. This year, we just couldn't miss out on the fun and will be hosting a kids club alongside party gurus, Sharky & George and Eddie Catz. As well as the giant obstacle course, pitch invasion and space hopper polo (families, you are in for a treat), we can almost guarantee you will catch the polo bug. And, as your travel guardian angels, we have compiled our favourite destinations around the world to get your next polo fix. (Glass of Pimm's at the ready, please).
Argentina
Quite simply, Argentina is the best place in the world for polo. Home to the best polo players and clubs and a destination we know intimately at Original Travel. For those who can't confine themselves to the stands, and want to master the art of polo, we highly recommend a stay at Estancia El Colibri. Here, polo is the order of the day and the ranch offers tailor-made polo clinics with an in-house professional, who also puts on practice games and tournaments, dependent on your ability. Nestled in the Cordoba Mountains, you will also be able to try your hand at tango and living like a gaucho, albeit with a spa and delicious food waiting for you each evening - we could totally get used to that...
Top tip: If you are in town for the Buenos Aires' Open, a tournament reserved for only the best players in the world, it is well worth spending an afternoon in the sunshine. Rest your head at the minimalist Home Hotel, or BA's world renowned Four Seasons property.
St Moritz
St. Moritz is the oldest winter sports resort in the world, and has been host to two Winter Olympics and three Alpine Ski World Championships. Not quite so many people, however, are familiar with the tradition of snow polo. Yes, you heard us correctly, St. Moritz' annual Snow Polo World Cup is played on a frozen lake at over 5,000 ft and dubbed the 'Wimbledon of Snow Polo'. Intrigued? We certainly are. The length of each chukka is shorter, to account for the tiring effect the altitude has on both the ponies and players, and the ball is bigger and brighter to compensate for the visibility.
Guests are treated to three days of world class polo; admission to the stands is free and the apres polo scene is lively. Sold!
Top tip: combining snow polo with the manicured pistes of St. Moritz could be our coolest winter combo yet. We highly recommend a stay at the Kempinski, where the state of the art gym and steam rooms offer the perfect respite from the cold.
India
Ah, India, rich in culture and colour and considered the birth place of Polo. Babar, the founder of the Mughal dynasty in the 15th century, established its popularity amongst the royal family and British Polo Day ensures that the tradition lives on in all its opulence. Why not visit to the oldest polo ground in the world in Manipur State? Or, keep the equestrian theme running throughout the holiday and explore the Rajasthani countryside on horseback? The elegant Rohet Garh palace near Jodhpur has one of the finest stables of Marwari horses in the country.
Top tip: Polo in India was adapted by generations of colonial English cavalrymen. Hotels like the Samode Palace, The Imperial and our favourite rural hide out, Baghvan are havens of colonial style.
Spain
For top notch polo a little closer to home, Sotogrande in Spain is home to the Santa Maria polo club. Expect some serious high goal games throughout August and don't forget that the polo themed shopping village is open every day of summer. Repeat. Every day of summer. Which means there's plenty of opportunity for some 'multi-tasking'.
Top tip: Sotogrande is also famous for its golf courses and is a great holiday destination in its own right.
For more information on tailor made trips, contact Original Travel.