Poland / Warsaw

Early morning run in the "Saxon Garden" for business travellers staying near  Piłsudski Square – Warsaw - Poland.

This location is a good place to stay for customer visits in the capital of Poland.

This park was established in 1713-1733 by King August II the strong based on the so-called Saxon Axis...
and today in the 21st century this Saxon Garden is a beautiful park in Warsaw,
it is really worth to go there for a run before the start of the day,
it will not be the usual run in the park, you will be tempted to stop and admire the landscape often on your first lap.

Starting on Piłsudski Square

In front of the Sofitel Victoria Hotel

A wide open big square to warm up before entering the park.

Paying respect at the well guarded tomb of the unknown soldier at the entrance of the park. 

The baroque sculpture collection... and one out of many other early bird runners in the Saxon Garden.

Another entrance on the opposite side of the Saxon Garden park

Early morning lake view in the park

Romance in the park at 7:00 AM on a week day.
Poland seems to be truly a nation of early birds for everything in life.

Lake view with the temple of Vesta in the Saxon Garden.

The birds of the Saxon Garden are everywhere and they are not angry.

Herzelia / Israel

Early morning run for business travellers staying in Herzelia – Israel.

This location is a good place to stay for customer visits anywhere between Ashdod and Haifa, most Israeli businesses are never far away from Herzelia.

Starting point – between the Dan Acadia Hotel and the Daniel Hotel.

Access to the beach from street level using the stairs on the left of the picture, then proceed to run north on the right side of the picture.



Passing by the last hotels and buildings on the beach side.



Reaching the non-built area towards the North, you still have to share the beach space with the numerous early birds of start-up Nation “Israel”.

As you can see, early birds run in the shadow, this can actually be a positive in this part of the world where temperature can reach very high levels. But Sunshine is never very far and will catch those who sleep in and run late.

Keep going north and you will enjoy nature for yourself.



Reaching the point where you have to stop and head back, unless you are prepared to get your feet wet.

That is already 15 to 20 minutes run depending on your pace, I tend to make it 20 because the dry soft sand slows me down significantly more. I tend to have noticeably faster pace on the wet beaches in the Netherlands.

Enjoy the landscape on the way back.

Those who prefer running after work in the evening can enjoy this type of landscape on the same spot.

Other more extreme sport can be done on windy days,

for obvious safety reasons it is best to stay away from the rocks.



Regular tennis on the beach side,

these tennis courts are very well lit at night so you can play until late.





The Netherlands / Noordwijk aan Zee

Staying fit while travelling to Noordwijk for a meeting at ESTEC / European Space Agency.

Footprints of a business runner in Noordwijk aan Zee - NL.

ESTEC – The European Space Technology Centre of ESA is the place to go to if you are in the business of the space technology in Europe.

ESTEC/ESA has agreements for its visitors in the Netherlands with local hotels.

There is a choice of several beach front hotels with different standards and different price levels.

Even if the hotel that you choose is not exactly on the beach front, most probably it will not be far from it.

So joggers must remember to bring their running shoes and gear when planning for a meeting at ESTEC/ESA in the Netherlands, it is a rare opportunity to go running on the beach early in the morning before starting a day of meeting or a conference at ESA.

Start on Oranje Promenade.

Or start on Koningin Wilhelmina Boulevard.

A sense of Freedom. 

A broad and endless beach to run as long as you wish, perfect for every runner.

Do not be turned off by a slight rain.

Non-heavy rain will actually be good to keep you cool and will also make the sand less dusty.

Either under slight rain or just after a rainy night you will enjoy the best possible combination of good grip and perfect softness of the ground.

These are by far my favourite conditions to run at this location.

The beach is all yours.

Meeting with the birds for breakfast.

Italy / Castel San Pietro Terme (BO)

Castel San Pietro Terme is a nice Italian city located between Bologna and the city of Imola - famous for its racing track.

Castel San Pietro - Town centre

The area has numerous SMEs which can give you reasons to visit customers or suppliers.

But risks are high that during your stay you will enjoy a little too much tortellinis, or other fine local specialities during lunches and dinners with clients or business partners.
Or if you simply want to stay fit...  you need to get early up early and go for a run.

The best location I have found in Castel San Pietro for an early morning run starts from the area of "Le Terme". From there you can really enjoy a nice run along the Sillaro river before the start of your business day.

Starting point in the park on via Viale Terme.

Starting point in the park / Viale Terme.

From the park, reach the river and the bridge to go on the other side of the river where you will find a long track which you can follow to the right handside after you have crossed the bridge.

Cross that bridge, then proceed to the right.

You are then on a track which turns into a road and then back into a track and which will last as long as you decide that you have had enough. then you can simply turn back on your tracks, back to the starting point.

The riverside landscape and countryside away from the traffic are really worth it.

Riverside landscape / Panoramic picture.

Feeling safe - The city official sign says "Forbidden to hunt".

Vineyard on a side track near the river