For some, a good vacation is all about lying on a beach- cocktail in hand, soaking up the sunshine. And of course, there’s nothing wrong with that. Sometimes a week or two of pure relaxation and indulgence is just what the doctor ordered.
But if you fancy something a little different then there’s plenty more than just beach holidays out there, and if you’re the outdoorsy type, chances are you want to explore, interact with your surroundings and experience as much as possible while you’re away. If that’s the case, here are a few vacation ideas you’re sure to love.
Go Boating
There’s nothing better than getting outdoors on a boat, with the wind in your hair and gorgeous views in every direction. Boating can be fun and exciting or completely relaxing, so there’s something for everyone.
You could charter your own boat or hire a crew, and boating could be anything from a luxury yacht in Miami to a humble barge boat in Amsterdam to whale watching at one of the Oregon Coast state parks. You could cruise rivers in Asia or go out on a speedboat in the Seychelles. For this reason, boating is something that could be incorporated into just about every trip- even if your destination is a landlocked location as there are almost always rivers, canals and lakes you can utilize.
If you’re keen on boating you could consider purchasing your own vessel, you could either dock it and keep it at your chosen destination or you could tow it on your car whenever you want to use it.
Otherwise, you could consider joining a club such as Carefree Boat Club which gives you the chance to go boating without having to become a boat owner. Whether it’s in the country where you live or part of your trip when travelling abroad, if you’re an outdoorsy type then you’re sure to get plenty of enjoyment out of going boating.
Try Some Winter Sports
Snowy destinations are often popular for skiing, but there’s more you can do than just ski. Often there will be a whole host of winter sports on offer, from ice skating to snowboarding, sledding, snowmobiling and much more.
If you’re an active type then these kinds of things will be right up your street, now only will you get to keep fit but you’ll try new things and be surrounded with the most amazing views!
There are lots of places in Europe that are perfect if this is your kind of holiday; Megève, Val d’Isère and Courchevel in France are all popular. You have Cervinia in Italy, Verbier in Switzerland and so many more. Then of course there are many great ski and winter sports resorts dotted throughout the US and all over Canada.
These kinds of trips are never the cheapest, as you need to purchase or hire all of the equipment, even things like travel insurance are more expensive as you’re at more risk of injury while doing sports.
But since there are destinations all over that offer these kinds of activities, you can reduce costs by flying to one that’s not too far away. It’s peak snow season for most of these destinations right now, so if you’re after a fun trip then this is a great one to consider.
Consider Backpacking
If you’re a little later in life, you might write of backpacking as something that younger people do. While it’s a great way to see the world when you’re young and on a budget, it’s a form or travel that can be enjoyed by anyone providing you have a reasonable level of physical fitness.
Perhaps you’ve done the luxury travel- the five star hotels, the michelin star restaurants and browsed the designer shops. If you want something a little more gritty, a little more ‘real’ then backpacking is a fantastic way to explore a destination.
This humble style of travel enables you to see a location beyond the glitz and glamour of tourism. You get to find out about the locals- the kind of places they go and what they’re like. You get to discover places that are off the beaten track which can be absolute gems and really add to your trip.
If you’re new to backpacking, there are lots of companies you can book with where you travel with a group and a tour guide, this can be useful if you’re travelling solo or if you just want the security of being with someone that knows where they’re going and can take you to the best places. Otherwise you can go it alone with a travel partner or your own group. You’ll need to plan your route, based on the places you most want to visit while you’re away.
It can be helpful to sign up to a chain of hostels, that way you can stay in any one of them throughout your trip and it can work out cheaper and easier than trying to book multiple locations for the different dates.
Go On A Wildlife And Nature Holiday
One of the most exciting and rewarding parts of travel is being able to see and experience things that you never would have done if you’d have stayed at home. And being able to see animals in their natural surroundings is a great way to do this.
It could be elephants, buffaloes, leopards and lions on safari- or dolphins in the Florida Keys. It could be exotic species of birds, as well as plants and other flora which are completely different to the place where you live.
Wildlife holidays can be anything from self drive 4x4s, to camel tours to safaris to boat excursions. They can involve whale watching, swimming with manta rays and so much more. Do some research into different animal experiences, or if you’ve already decided on a destination then find out what animals you’re likely to see while you’re there.
It’s these kinds of experiences that can really blow your mind while you’re away and can be some of the most memorable elements of your trip.