If a sedate, all-inclusive in the Caribbean isn’t really doing it for you then you need to consider something more adventurous for your next vacation. Overseas travel can be an incredible, life affirming experience. You can immerse yourself in new cultures, try new and exciting cuisine, and meet new people. Seeing new vistas while trying high adrenaline activities is what many people hunt for when they are looking for their next destination.
If you love to travel, and are feeling stuck in a rut, it might be time to scratch that travel bug itch. Take the holiday that you are owed from work or consider taking a sabbatical, and enjoy hot footing it across the globe. Take a look at these ultimate travel adventures for adrenaline junkies.
Australia
Venturing halfway across the globe to Australia opens up a wealth of heart pumping doors for you to walk through. Perhaps you are a city slicker and love the thought of exploring Australia’s incredible urban centres. Sydney is a forward thinking, modern city full of culture, great food and wonderful people. It also offers plenty of action packed activities. Since it’s on the coast, you can head to one of the country’s surf camps in an effort to learn or hone your big wave action. If you’ve never surfed before, you’ll quickly learn that catching a wave in Australia isn’t a sport, but a way of life. Surfing is thrilling, awe-inspiring and action packed.
Alternatively, you might prefer scaling the Sydney Opera House or the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sure, you can catch a show in the theatre or you can walk across the architectural wonder, but there’s no better way to see them than by whipping on a harness and climbing. It may sound difficult to do, but as long as you are relatively fit, you can see incredible views of the city.
Iceland
If you are look for a unique destination, then Iceland is the perfect place for you. You may consider availing a car rental in Iceland and drive to the most beautiful spots in Iceland. Maybe you would like to try snowshoeing. With a guide, you can head to the largest glacier on the island and scale it. While this requires a greater level of fitness, you can enjoy whipping on your crampons and hopefully catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights if you head for a night time climb. At the end of your climb, you can head to a luxury wooden cabin cafe for hot chocolate and some Icelandic fare.
In addition, Iceland has some of the most active volcanoes on the planet. While you might assume that you have to steer clear of these natural wonders, you can actually book a helicopter flight to get up close and personal with the active crater.
Sea lovers can set sail for some whale watching or deep sea fishing. With any luck you will spot porpoises and minke whales as they frolic in the icy ocean. The captains of these tour vessels are super knowledgeable and friendly, and love nothing more than regaling you with some Icelandic folklore.
China
For the true adrenaline junkie, there are few more exciting places to travel to than China. This mystical, ancient land is full of history and culture. There are also many natural wonders to enjoy. Mount Huashan looks like something out of an action movie. Scaling this peak involves strapping yourself into a harness and hanging off the sheer face of a cliff edge, trying to meander between crevices as you venture further up the mountain. Many have called this the most deadly mountain tour of all time due to the number of fatalities. It is only meant for the most experienced climbers.
Alternatively, you may want to head to the most awe inspiring wonders of all: the Great Wall of China. There are plenty of sites that are close to the city of Beijing. If you would like to see a restored piece of the wall, Mutianyu is best. Badaling takes less time to get to, but it is always swarming with tourists meaning you won’t have a good climb and you won’t see the wall itself because of the sheer number of people visiting.
If you’d rather head to a more authentic but slightly dangerous part of the wall, consider taking a guide with you. Jinshanling to Simatai is a walk that will take in a gentler and more scenic part of the wall, followed by a more rugged and treacherous path. This allows you to see two very distinct parts of the wall and get your adrenaline pumping at the same time.
China is also home to the Yangtze river. You can enjoy a river cruise taking in the natural wonders surrounding it. Here you can sail the river and see the incredible mountain backdrops and the Buddha at Leshan that is carved into the mountainside. You can try bungee jumping from one of the many Chinese bridges, or perhaps you’d rather abseil down a mountainside. The possibilities are endless.
Alongside the awe and wonder of the locations you will see, you can also try some interesting cuisine. Head to the street food markets of Beijing and Xi’an and you can have squid on a stick, deep fried tarantula, or scorpion with chili. This sort of incredible and extraordinary cuisine is heavily marketed to tourists but it is fun to try some of these weird delicacies.
Traveling overseas and trying new things should fit your lifestyle. Don’t head away on a package holiday to a generic beach resort if you are after something more active, exciting and unique. Follow this guide and be inspired to choose something with adrenaline junkie in mind.
*Collaborative post