Mention the word vacation to most people and they’ll conjure up images of glistening sands and rolling waves. Beach breaks are among the most popular types of holidays, but they’re not for everyone. If you get itchy feet after an hour on a sunbed, or you’re eager to explore and burn off some energy, adventure travel may be more up your street.
For thrill-seekers, there’s nothing better than a holiday that revolves around the great outdoors, trying new things and setting pulses racing. If you’re looking for inspiration, here are some fabulous vacation ideas to explore.
Hiking
If you’re a fan of hiking, the world is your oyster. Almost every country on the map offers walking holidays and the opportunity to explore off-the-beaten-track locations with stunning views, but you have to know where to look. To help you narrow down your options, why not try some of the world’s most popular hiking destinations, such as Switzerland, the French and Italian Alps, Spain’s Sierra Nevada, New Zealand’s South Island and the national parks of the UK, the US or Canada?
Focus on trips, tours and trails that cater to your interests and fitness levels and think about how much time you want to spend hiking. If you’ve got other activities on your wishlist, you’ll need to find locations that offer access to multiple pursuits. This may include skiing and snowboarding, mountain biking or even glacier climbing, for example.
Rafting
What could be better than rafting the Middle Fork or trying to negotiate the thrills and spills of the Kaituna River or the mighty Zambezi if you’re a fan of a white-knuckle water ride? Rafting is an increasingly popular hobby and it caters to a wide range of adventurers from novices to the most intrepid and experienced rafters.
If you’re trying white water rafting for the first time, it’s best to research agencies and tour operators that specialize in beginner trips and offer locations that are relatively easy to navigate.
Always make sure that you read information about the trip and the health and fitness requirements. Some routes may not be suitable for those who aren’t experienced open water swimmers, for example.
Winter Sports
Winter sports are exhilarating and they provide golden opportunities to discover incredible landscapes and enjoy spectacular views. If you’re into skiing and snowboarding, you fancy trying your hand at snowshoeing or ice fishing, or you love the idea of whizzing across frozen lakes or scaling glaciers on a snowmobile, there’s an array of scintillating destinations on offer.
Take to the slopes in Austria, Switzerland, the US, Canada, New Zealand, France or Poland, or head north to Iceland, Finland or Norway to enjoy some of the less well-known snow-based activities. If you visit at the right time, you may also be lucky enough to see the dazzling Northern Lights.
To maximize your chances, book a trip during the winter when the skies are dark at night. You’ll need clear, dark skies as well as significant geomagnetic activity to see the lights in all their glory.
Swimming, Kayaking, Paddleboarding and Surfing
If your idea of the perfect holiday involves spending as much time in the water as possible, you can choose from a range of different breaks and destinations. From open water swimming on the rugged coastlines and mysterious lochs of the Scottish Highlands to catching huge waves in the tropical paradise of Hawaii, there’s a wondrous list of locations for those who love the water.
Combine a beach holiday with water sports, learn to surf, or plan an outdoor adventure that enables you to swim and kayak in lakes, rivers or calm ocean waters. Paddleboarding has become popular all over the world. In the UK alone, more than 4.5 million people have now tried paddle boarding.
Top destinations include Perth, Australia, the South of France, Cornwall, UK, Cozumel, Mexico, Pearl Island, Bahamas, Oahu, Hawaii and Banff, Alberta.
Taking to the Skies
If you’re looking for the ultimate thrill, you may be thinking about trying activities such as parachuting, skydiving or sailing across the skies in a hot-air balloon. The best places to parachute and skydive include New Zealand’s South Island, The Great Barrier Reef, Australia, Dubai and Nepal.
If a slightly more sedate activity takes your fancy, hot air ballooning may be a better choice. Visit Turkey’s magical, unique hot-air ballooning capital, Cappadocia, take in mesmeric views of the Serengeti in Tanzania, or drift amongst the clouds high above the colorful palaces and temples of Jaipur.
Final Thoughts
For some, a vacation means hitting the beach and catching rays for a week or so, but for others, it’s an opportunity to test their mettle, explore new places and enjoy an adrenaline rush. If you’re a thrill-seeker, why not use this guide to plan your next active adventure?
