ADVENTURE & ACTIVITY
You could be looking for some adrenaline pumping thrills or a more gentle stretching of the legs in one of the world’s great walks. The choice is huge with a wide range of activity resorts in the Mediterranean, mainly geared towards watersports, and going further afield walking, trekking, rafting or cycling. Some of the long haul destinations renowned in this area are: Namibia, Nepal, Peru and Costa Rica.
The Amazon Rainforest
Visits to the Amazon can be made in Brazil, Peru, Ecuador or Bolivia. You can choose to be river based, with an increasing number of options to suit all budgets, or use a lodge to explore by foot and boat. The scale is immense and while it is not always the easiest place to see wildlife, the tropical atmosphere inside the rainforest is unique and plants, ecosystems plus the local communities will be brought to life by your guides.
Walking and Trekking
Whether you are a serious trekker or just fancy basing your holiday around walking then there are tons of choices available. The big names in the trekking firmament like Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, Kilimanjaro or one of the longer Inca Trail routes lend themselves to group trips with a trek leader and porter support. There are plenty of other less well known routes to challenge the keenest trekker, in the Himalayas, Andes, Atlas mountains or Alps, which will also be best in the company of an experienced team. There are also however a number of self-guided possibilities, particularly in Europe, that might appeal.
If you would class yourself a more of a walker then do not be put off by the Himalayas, there are plenty of less strenuous routes, and as well as in Morocco or South America. Fancy mixing the Mediterranean and walking then perhaps you should consider the Lycian Trail in Southern Turkey, Corfu trail, the newly opened Jordan Trail or options in Sicily and Cyprus. Corsica is known for the demanding GR20, Madeira has its trails along the dramatic levadas (man-made water courses) and there are plenty of gentle options throughout the Alps, Eastern Europe, Italy and Andalucia.
Soft Adventure and Activity
Soft adventure lends itself more to the discovery of a country or region and the active side may well be the sightseeing which will be coupled with local transport and the opportunity to get under the skin of a country. Take the chance to get off the beaten track and challenge yourself with some new experiences.
For those looking to push themselves a bit more, or with a keen interest, there are plenty of more genuinely active holidays around with winter activity (non-skiing) breaks in Northern Europe and the opportunity to enjoy rafting or zip-wiring in many countries and on many tours.
Cycling
Surely one of the best ways to explore the world is from the saddle of a bike. Getting away from the major roads you really get to see a country and meet its people. It’s invariably low impact while also being healthy and challenging.
The increase in the popularity of cycling in the UK means that there are more and more cycling holidays on offer all the time. They could be group tours with a leader to guide you along and most will have support vehicles to carry your luggage – they could also be, particularly in Europe. self-guided. You could explore off road, perhaps in the mountainous terrain of somewhere like Morocco or Tanzania or enjoy a classic road trip in Croatia, Cuba, Vietnam or Kerala – there are plenty of options around. If you are looking to really push yourself then the more experienced cyclists might want the challenge of a classic route such as Mont Ventoux or the Alpine Cols, Cape Argus or San Remo to Nice – all can be done on your own or as part of a private group.
Wildlife
There are wildlife options around the world for both the specialist and the part-time enthusiast. Safaris are an obvious example but if you are looking for a particular animal or bird species then joining the right holiday at the right time of year is key. Most wildlife experiences, from Tigers in India to Polar Bear in Canada can be done on a group or individual tailor-made basis – just ask Putney Travel for advice. The main exception to this is expedition cruises to see wildlife in the Polar regions – you will be with other enthusiasts although there is a wide choice of boats we can use.
- If you are comparing prices make sure you check the inclusions; tips, meals, local payments & sightseeing. These can add up to a huge amount and make a big difference.
RECOMMENDED HOLIDAYS
A selection of holidays
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