Our Terms & Conditions | Our Privacy Policy
Adventurous, active, and kind — that’s how Natalya Coyle, three-time Olympian, multiple world medalist and sustainability advocate, hopes she might be described.
Though now retired from Modern Pentathlon, the Meath native is still on the go, with a growing career in corporate speaking and a passion for travel.
Here, she shares her most memorable trips, favourite cities, and the destinations still calling her name.
We did bits of travelling — not a huge amount — when I was younger.
But the big one that stood out, was when we went to Orlando to a theme park.
That was amazing because there were no rollercoasters like Emerald Park or anything like that in Ireland at the time.
I remember being blown away. But honestly, when you’re a kid, it doesn’t matter where you go; a kids’ club or just being with your family, it’s all fun.
Natalya Coyle in Tokyo.
One of the best was when we went to Korea for a training camp before the Rio Games. It was incredible.
The people were so lovely and kind, and the culture was amazing. We trained in this beautiful area in the middle of a park, and it was just so stunning.
Then we went to Seoul for a competition. I’d never really been that far before Tokyo, so it blew my mind.
The Tokyo Games were different. Because of Covid, we had planned to travel afterwards, but couldn’t.
That’s one of the sad parts — I didn’t get to explore more of that side of the world.
“I’d probably say places in Ireland. We went to Donegal last year and visited Errigal and Gweedore.”
I’d probably say places in Ireland. We went to Donegal last year and visited Errigal and Gweedore.
It was stunning. There was a kombucha brand brewed up there – SynerChi Kombucha – and all these pizza places, including The Rusty Oven pizza in Dunfanaghy, which we loved.
It felt really untouched. I think we just forget how beautiful some parts of Ireland are. You almost take it for granted.
A few years ago in Ibiza, we went to a place called the Fish Shack, right on the sea.
There’s no menu; you just get whatever they caught that day, with a little bit of salad. It was delicious.
It really pushed me out of my comfort zone, but that’s what’s so great about places like that; you just try what you’re given, and it’s always amazing.
London is obviously amazing. I live here now and there’s always something happening.
I love city breaks, they’re so handy.
London is obviously amazing. I live here now and there’s always something happening.
Every weekend you can go to something different: art galleries, markets, musicians, plays.
And then the fact that you can just hop on the Eurostar and be in Paris!
Paris is another one I love: the food, the vibe, just exploring all the different areas.
Natalya Coyle in Greece.
In Ireland, I really loved Dunmore House. It’s right by the sea, the breakfast eggs were amazing, and a family runs it.
I just loved the atmosphere. Abroad, we stayed at a place in Greece called Dexamenes Seaside Hotel — it’s a converted old wine distillery.
The rooms are full of these cool wine tanks, there’s an organic farm nearby, and it’s right on the sea. It was so beautiful and chill.
I love exploring. I do a lot of corporate talks and often travel to places I wouldn’t normally go.
I always bring my runners, which is such a sad Olympian answer! I lace them up, pick a coffee place and run to it. It’s a great way to see the local area.
I also love finding sustainable, local spots. If you can, it’s so important to try to eat locally sourced food. It goes right back to supporting the farmer.
Delhi, India
India is on my list. I’d love to go explore, see friends, try the food and experience the culture.
And I definitely want to go back to Japan. I feel like I only got a snack of the experience during the Games.
I didn’t get the full thing — I’d love to properly explore it and take my time.
- Olympian, and sustainability advocate, Natalya is a well-known name on the corporate speaker circuit where she speaks on determination, resilience, climate action, and sport as a force for change.
- Enquiries: navyblue.ie
Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.
Aggregated From –
Comments are closed.