You may be looking for a vacation that includes a nice beach and a good book. If you're like me, you want your trip to include a little bit of everything! For some travelers a new place is enough adventure of its own without adding additional excursions. However, there are plenty of ways to add an adventure to your travel plans. Here are a few ideas of the many ways you can look for adventure in your next destination.
Cultural Immersion
Experiencing the local culture is a thrilling experience for someone unfamiliar with the culture of their destination. Whether it’s trying new foods, taking a cooking class, learning traditional customs, songs or dances, or planning your travel around a local festival or holiday, participating in a cultural immersion is about experiencing connection. Your adventure will connect you with the destination and the people who lived there long before you arrived and will remain long after you leave.
I don’t think I will ever plan a trip for myself without planning to immerse myself in something new inspired by the local culture! I will forever cherish my memories of throwing boomerangs and atlatls in Queensland, Australia, being pulled on stage for a traditional dance in Malta, and attempting to bake an apple strudel in Austria.
One more experience I cannot recommend enough is participating in a homestay for a few nights. To this day I still keep in touch with my host "sibling" in Austria, despite not having seen her in more than 12 years. You can search for a homestay in your next destination on Homestay.com.
Explore in Nature
Appreciating the natural world brings me a sense of wonder. There are so many different ways to enjoy nature in your destination; going to a local park, hiking a trail, camping, fishing, or even trekking across a new route are always great ways to connect with nature.
I love looking for opportunities to explore even deeper into the local natural wonders with tours like rock climbing, canyoning, whitewater rafting, ziplining, cave exploration, or mountain biking. Any of these excursions will take you through the luscious flora of your destination of choice and send you home with an amazing story to tell.
Get Sporty
When you think of adventure, you might think of well know extreme sports like skydiving, white water rafting, paragliding, bungee jumping and more!
Don’t forget about the seasonal sports that your destination could offer. There are so many different kinds of water sports to try; skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, canoeing, jet skis, snorkeling, speed boats, sailing, SCUBA diving, parasailing, surfing, or paddleboarding.
If you're not traveling when it's sunny and warm you may be able to explore some winter sports. Your destination might offer skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, ice skating, snow shoeing, dog sledding, ice fishing, or snow tubing to name a few!
Sometimes spectating is just as much fun as participating in a sport. You may be surprised by how electric fans can be at a professional sporting game! Consider checking the local team’s schedules to see if there's a game you won’t want to miss.
Animal Encounters
While traveling to see a new country, city, or natural wonder you can’t forget about the other living creatures at your new destination. With beautiful vistas comes awe inspiring wildlife and endemic species - a species found nowhere else in the world except your destination!
Many destinations boast wildlife tours or animal encounters. Participate in a conservation effort or learn about an animal that only can be found in that part of the world. This is a great way to get off the beaten path and have a once in a lifetime experience. If you're booking on your own, do your research and choose a responsible operator.
See Sights in New Ways
Sometimes I fall into the trap of thinking sightseeing is boring. However, that doesn't have to be true, especially if I am planning your itinerary! It is all about touring in a way that is captivating to you.
Next time think outside the box with a horseback excursion, locally guided tour, ghost tour, historical tour, ATV tour, hot air balloon ride, or helicopter tour. There are so many options waiting to be found!
Your travel doesn't have to be cookie cutter, especially if you use your travel advisor’s expertise. Talk to your travel advisor about what you want your adventure to include. Make sure to disclose your comfort levels, mobility, and any health conditions that may be a factor for tour operators before booking.
Happy adventuring!
Your Snapshot
Adding Adventure to Your Travel
look for opportunities like
Cultural Immersion
Trying New Foods
Taking a Cooking Class
Learning Traditional Songs or Dances
Attending a Local Festival
Attending a Cultural Performance
Creating Traditional Art
Explore in Nature
Visiting a Local Park
Hiking
Camping
Fish
Rock Climb
Canyoning
White Water Rafting
Ziplining
Cave Exploration
Mountain Biking
Get Sporty
Skydiving
Paragliding
Bungee Jumping
Water Skiing
Wakeboarding
Kayaking
Canoeing
Renting Jet Skis
Snorkeling
Taking a Speed Boat Ride
Sailing
SCUBA Diving
Parasailing
Surfing
Paddleboarding
Snowboarding
Skiing
Ice Skating
Snow Shoeing
Dog Sledding
Ice Fishing
Snow Tubing
Professional Sporting Match
Animal Encounters
Booking Wildlife Tours
Doing Animal Encounters
Participating in Conservation Efforts
See Sights in New Ways
Booking a Horseback Excursion
Locally Guided Tour
Ghost Tour
Historical Tour
ATV Tour
Hot Air Balloon Ride
Helicopter Tour
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