Adventure travel is taking over the world and increasingly people are adding an element of excitement to their travels. When people visit a destination, they want experiences. The profile of a traveler is changing and the attitude of a traveler is changing with it. Gone are the days when polar expeditions or mountain summits were only for the elite or ultra rich.
We believe it and while some people feel that climbing to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro or jumping out of an airplane is the only way to have a thrill, there are many other ways to add an excitement to your travels. Here are our top picks for adventure travel ideas for everyone that you can do anywhere.
Biking
When going on vacation, why not rent a bike to explore your destination? You don’t have to go hardcore mountain biking to have an adventure. Exploring the countryside while visiting villages and taking in the incredible scenery is a great way to pass the time. E-bikes are becoming increasingly popular in Europe and we gave it a whirl in Spain when we were there.
Spain may be known for its fine wine and dining, but it is also an excellent destination for the great outdoors. Spain is home to the stunning Spanish Pyrenees and the Tour de France makes several stops in these parts.
You can ride through history from town to town taking in the beautiful region of Catalunya. So many places in the world are bike friendly and you’ll find that once you try it on vacation, you’ll always add cycling into your next adventure.
Snow
Vacations don’t always have to be to tropical destinations. Some of the most fun we’ve ever had is in cold weather destinations. Be it kayaking through ice in Antarctica, trekking on glaciers in New Zealand and Alaska or skiing and snowboarding through Canada and Europe, we love our cold weather adventures.
Snow can be a lot of fun! Be creative and try something new. Sure, everyone has tried a ski vacation, but while you’re at that winter destination, give snowshoeing a try. It’s not much harder than walking, anyone can do it and it’s a great way to enjoy nature and get into the backcountry.
Sky
Not everyone wants to jump out of a plane or bungy jump over a gorge. But you can still have a great adventure in the sky. Paragliding is fast becoming popular. It’s all the thrills of parachuting without the fear of having to jump out of a plane first.
It’s also more affordable than taking a flight. With paragliding, you can strap on to a tandem flight with no experience and let the wind take you up into the air while having no fear of free falling at all. Or if that is too much for you, try a hot air balloon ride.
Hot air balloons fly all over the world from the Masai Mara of Kenya to Cappadocia Turkey, to most likely right in your own backyard at a country fair. If you are a little more adventurous, try rappelling over a cliff. If you have a good guide with you, you don’t need any experience. He’ll give you a quick lesson and within minutes, you’ll be dangling in the air, letting yourself fall gently into the abyss.
Hiking
Hiking is a great way to add adventure travel to your holidays. You can do it anywhere in the world. We’ve hiked in Asia, Africa, North and South America and New Zealand, but there is something special about hiking in Europe. Particularly Switzerland.
Switzerland is known for its amazing hikes through the Swiss Alps. They’ve been catering to hikers for decades, says health.com. With well-marked trails and organized routes, hikers can head out for a day from their hotel or take extended hikes cross country from lodge to lodge.
You’ll be mesmerized by the dramatic vistas of the snow-capped mountains as you listen to cowbells ring in the distance. Switzerland has some of the most pristine trails on the planet from easy strolls through foothills and farmland, to advanced treks over rocky outcrops and even expeditions to the summit of the Matterhorn.
Water
Everyone loves a vacation by the water, but why not try something outside the normal snorkelling or sailing trip? Scuba diving is a great option, but it can be expensive and not everyone is comfortable under the water.
If surfing or kite boarding is a little too adventurous for you, wikihow.com recommends you try paddle boarding instead. It’s a great workout and a fun adventure. You can do it anywhere in the world and if you practice on calm waters, you’ll be up and paddling in no time. We gave it a try in Hawaii and were instantly sold on making paddle boarding experiences part of our regular travels.
The world is filled with adventure and as more people look for ways to get off the resort, destinations are catering to the explorer in everyone. Adventure is what you make it.
You don’t have to trek to Everest Base camp in Nepal or canyon over waterfalls in Jordan to be an adventure traveler, just get outdoors, embrace the culture and step out of your comfort zone to enrich your travels and ignite your wanderlust
So book a safari in Kenya or try scuba diving the barrier reef. Sea Kayak through the Hongs of Thailand or zip over the jungle canopy of Costa Rica. The possibilities are endless and it’s all up to you what to do.
