Travel
Photos via Flickr and Wikipedia Creative Commons
- The Top 5 Summer Holiday Destinations
It’s not too late to book a last minute summer holiday, and if you do some research beforehand you could find a real bargain as the season winds down. So if you’ve been mulling over whether to get on a plane and get away from it all, we’ve found...
- 3 Exotic Destinations For A Luxury Holiday
Many of us will look for something that takes us far away from the ins and outs of everyday life when looking for a luxury holiday destination. Whether you want your travels to take you half way across the world or if you only want to be on a plane for...
- Tips For Your Next Summer Holiday In Europe
While the cold winter months seem to drag on forever, the summer holidays tend to feel as though they last no more than a blink of the eye. Make the most of this short, and plan your ideal holiday today! Trips for the Beach Bum If you’re idea of the...
- Top 3 Family Friendly Ski Resorts In New Zealand
Taking a trip to the snow is one of the most fun and exciting things that you can do on your family holidays. There’s simply something magical about a skiing vacation, and there’s something that every age and skill level can enjoy when you choose...
- Create Lasting Memories By Going On A Luxury Cruise
There are many reasons why people choose to go on a cruise rather than settling for their usual package deal. A cruise will enable you to wake up somewhere new each day as well as making it possible to see more of the world in a shorter space of time....
Travel
10 Best Family Activity Holiday Destinations
Family activity holidays are the perfect way to get some fresh air, get a little time away and, perhaps most importantly, tire the kids out so much that you get long evenings to yourselves. Activity holidays can cover anything from a seaside escape in the UK to a cycling holiday in the south of France. Here Columbus Direct looks at some of the most exotic destinations where you can have a truly unique activity holiday.
The stunning Greek island of Crete is our first port of call, the perfect spot for a sun kissed adventure holiday. The unspoilt south western corner of the island is far away from the mass tourism and offers a wealth of activities for the whole family. Hiking through scenic gorges, swimming in the turquoise waters discovering shepherds living in remote classic hillside shacks are just some of the delights that await visitors. There are boat trips that can be taken to deserted beaches and, and if you fancy it, a climb up the rugged peaks of the Lefka Ori, or White Mountains.
A country that boasts miles of sandy beaches, virgin tropical rainforests and towering volcanoes is always a great place to go for a holiday, and when it is packed full of adventure activities its even better. Travelling across country between the Caribbean and the Pacific, you can cruise jungle waterways, discover hidden forest trails and even hunt for exotic wildlife on your journey through a truly diverse country.
The stunning landscape of Croatia is the backdrop for some of the best adventuring to be had in Europe. The thrills of white water rafting, sea kayaking and canyoning through waterfalls and caves all from a rural base on the Dalmatian coast. Alternatively, you could unwind aboard a chartered boat and cruise amongst the gem like islands that nestle in the sea just off the coast. Many other attractions include kayaking underneath ancient city walls, cycling through abundant olive groves, exploring hidden forests, learning how to windsurf.
One of the best places in Italy to hone your adventuring skills is the Garfagnana Valley, known as the hidden gem of Tuscany. Combining various fun activities with staying in a stunning Tuscan villa gives you the best of both worlds. You can chill out by the pool one day then the next go kayaking on a mountain lake, cycle along the ancient walls that surround the city of Lucca or walk along the Cinque Terra coastal path.
When you think of Peru and adventure there is one thing that instantly springs to mind; the Inca Trail. By following in the footsteps of this ancient civilisation you can trek along the trail right up to Machu Picchu. There is also the chance to explore the country's ancient capital of Cusco as well as going well off the beaten track to have a go at mountain biking or rafting in the Sacred Valley.
The real Turkey, behind the madness of the top resorts, is a glory to behold. Cappadocia, the world famous rock spires, and the neighboring Taurus Mountains provide everything a family could want from an unforgettable adventure holiday. The rocks themselves are truly amazing, with the forms the rocks have taken on thanks to 1 million years of rain, frost and wind. A landscape of fairy chimneys and strange spires is the backdrop for walking, swimming, cycling, horse riding trekking. This is Turkish Delight at its best.
Taking a trip to Thailand for an adventure holiday is a whole lot more fun that staying in one the 5 star resorts. You can get a taste of what life was like for the traditional hill tribes when trekking through the jungle to stay in houses on bamboo stilts, the traditional homes of the hill tribes in Northern Thailand. With river cruises and elephant rides also on the agenda, there is much fun to be had in Thailand.
It only seems right to include a winter holiday into the mix, and there are few better places to head to than the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania. The days spent here are action packed to say the least, where you can learn snow shoeing, tobogganing and ice skating. By taking a cable car you can stay in the famous Ice Hotel, which is totally isolated during the winter and can only be reached this way.
A trip to the southern hemisphere seeking adventure will take you to one place in particular; Queenstown in New Zealand generally considered to be the adventure capital of the world. There are so many activities to take part in here it would be quicker to name what you can't do. Kids from the age of 3 can take part in a plethora of activities, so little ones won't feel left out as the rest of their family have the time of their lives.
If you want to stay closer to home, you should check out the range of family adventure holidays available just a couple of hours away in Spain. One such holiday is Finca Splash, which operates in Spain, Morocco and Scotland. Staying in a traditional Finca home, you have access to a wide range of adventure activities that will appeal to all ages. Those who want to chill by the pool benefit from free Wi-Fi, but few can resist the lure of exploring Spain on horseback, or on two wheels, or the numerous other activities offered in the area.
By Sam Jones
Photos via Flickr and Wikipedia Creative Commons
- The Top 5 Summer Holiday Destinations
It’s not too late to book a last minute summer holiday, and if you do some research beforehand you could find a real bargain as the season winds down. So if you’ve been mulling over whether to get on a plane and get away from it all, we’ve found...
- 3 Exotic Destinations For A Luxury Holiday
Many of us will look for something that takes us far away from the ins and outs of everyday life when looking for a luxury holiday destination. Whether you want your travels to take you half way across the world or if you only want to be on a plane for...
- Tips For Your Next Summer Holiday In Europe
While the cold winter months seem to drag on forever, the summer holidays tend to feel as though they last no more than a blink of the eye. Make the most of this short, and plan your ideal holiday today! Trips for the Beach Bum If you’re idea of the...
- Top 3 Family Friendly Ski Resorts In New Zealand
Taking a trip to the snow is one of the most fun and exciting things that you can do on your family holidays. There’s simply something magical about a skiing vacation, and there’s something that every age and skill level can enjoy when you choose...
- Create Lasting Memories By Going On A Luxury Cruise
There are many reasons why people choose to go on a cruise rather than settling for their usual package deal. A cruise will enable you to wake up somewhere new each day as well as making it possible to see more of the world in a shorter space of time....