Can’t make South Africa? Here’s ELLA BUCHAN'S guide to the best places to cheer on our boys in the World Cup 2010

Sun, sea and soccer
MALLORCA
THE Balearic Islands are hotspots for lively bars where you can watch the World Cup 2010 footie and party afterwards. Mallorca is possibly the cheapest as far as hotels and drinks, so head there for an affordable sunshine break.

STAY: The three-star Don Jaime hotel in Cala Millor, right, has big screens showing all the football action. Seven nights’ all-inclusive cost from £263pp, based on two sharing, with flights from Luton. Call Freefone 0800 1116271 or see lowcostholidays.com

Click here now for amazing offers to Mallorca!

BEST BARS: Cheers Bar on Calle Son Corp, Cala Millor, is an old favourite with locals and tourists, open from 9.30am until 3am with large TV screens, including in the outside areas. Or try the Rope & Anchor in pretty Cala Bona which has a terrace with gorgeous views.

APRÈS FOOTBALL: Get away from the crowds with a horse ride in the countryside, through Rancho Willy stables at Cala Bona – from £13 for a 90-minute ride.

Carry on camping
BRITTANY, FRANCE
ENJOY a family holiday or break with your mates without missing the live action. Games will be screened at many of Vacansoleil’s European campsites.

STAY: At Camping L’Atlantique, on Brittany’s south-west coast, a week’s stay in a fully- equipped tent sleeping up to six costs from £190 per party, including midweek return Dover-Calais crossing. A fully-equipped Bali mobile home costs from £366. See vacansoleil.co.uk or call 0333 700 50 50 to book.

APRÈS FOOTBALL: Chill out on the sandy beach, 400metres from the campsite and swim in the sea. There are five pools, sauna, Jacuzzi, football pitch (if you think you can do better), games room and cycle hire.

Want incredible deals to Brittany? Click here now...

In the Med field
MANOEL ISLAND, MALTA
THE Gzira football ground on Manoel Island – linked to Malta by a four-metre bridge – is being taken over by the World Cup for a month.

It’s free entry to the World Cup Village, which has two huge screens, a restaurant and cafeteria, amusement arcade and games area with shooting galleries and rides. There is even a VIP area where, for a fee, you
can enjoy the matches in style.

See worldcupvillagemalta.com for more info. Flights cost around £120 return – see airmalta.com

STAY: The five-star Fortina Spa Resort in Sliema is great for match-weary minds, with spa facilities in the rooms. A Therapeutic Spa Bedroom costs around £250pp per night, on all-inclusive basis. Call 0800 917 3001 or visit fortinasparesort.com for more info.

APRÈS FOOTBALL: Explore the historic capital of Valletta and haggle down the price of a horse-and-carriage ride.

Beers and cheers
LJUBLEJANA, SLOVENIA
YOU might not be able to pronounce the name of this tiny, charming city but it’s a cheap and cheerful alternative to SA.

At BeerFest this month a big screen will be rigged up next to the railway and bus station – where you can watch all the matches free (including Slovenia v England on June 23) and sample 30 varieties of beer.

See beerfestslovenia.si for more information.

You could win a trip to BeerFest courtesy of the Slovenia Tourist Board, including two return flights to Ljubljana and two nights accommodation in Hotel Antiq, to be taken between June 16 and 20. Visit slovenia.info/worldcup to enter.

STAY: At Hotel Celica you can stay in a former prison cell for around £20 a night. See hostelbookers.com for this and other cheap hotel options.

APRÈS FOOTBALL: Explore this fairytale city with its bridges curving over the river and the castle, shrouded in mist, on a hill above the city.

Cruise to victory
MEDITERRANEAN
MSC Cruises is broadcasting all the World Cup matches on its cruise ships, with some bars specially decked out in all the teams’ colours.

There are quizzes, snacks and special cocktails for each nation – Pimm’s and ginger ale for England.

STAY: A seven-night Mediterra- nean Moments Cruise on MSC Splendida costs from £849pp, with flights from the UK to Genoa on June 26, cruising to Marseille, Barcelona, Tunis, Valletta, Messina (Sicily) and  Civitavecchia (for
Rome).

See cruisethomascook.com for details.

APRÈS FOOTBALL: Don’t throw yourself overboard if your team doesn’t do well – unwind with a Balinese massage in the Aurea Spa, take a dip in one of the four swimming pools or stay at the bar and drown your sorrows.

Villa thriller
ALGARVE, PORTUGAL
FEEL like an injured England player (in a good way) as you gather up your best mates and watch the footie from the
privacy of a luxury villa.

STAY: Villa Vernaccia has nine en-suite bedrooms (sleeping 18), a gym, tennis court and heated swimming pool to get you match fit – plus a cinema room with surround sound. It costs £5,700 per week – a bargain for this kind of VIP treatment.

See homeaway.co.uk for this (property 62342) and other villas with big TVs and cinema rooms.

APRÈS FOOTBALL: There’s really no need to go anywhere else, as this place has its own nightclub and games room, with professional DJ and karaoke system.

Hong Kong Footie
HONG KONG
YOU have to root them out but HK has some of the best bars in the world – from dive bars to rooftop terraces
where you can sip a pricey beer (views included). It’s seven hours ahead of the UK, so you’ll need to stay up to watch the games. Luckily, this is a city that rarely sleeps...

STAY: The King’s Hotel, on Jaffe Road in the Wan Chai red-light district, has an all-night poolroom and a roof terrace over Victoria Harbour. Rooms start at around £47 per night. See kingshotelhk.com for more info.

BEST BARS: Red Bar on Hollywood Road, below, has four plasmas, girls welcoming you at the door, plus the chance to win a trip to the World Cup finals. Inn Side Out, in Causeway Bay, has giant screens and free peanuts – throw the shells at your rivals.

APRÈS FOOTBALL: Chill out with some tai chi at Hong Kong Park or take the Peak Tram up the mountain for the best views of the city.