Taking a holiday?

From sun-soaked beaches to lounging about by the pool, some people’s idea for a holiday is to relax, take it easy and unwind. For every yin there is a yang and this section is for those who like to fill their holidays with adventure, sporting activities and extreme pastimes. Read about Adventure Tours, Mountaineering, Skiing trips, and Scuba Diving amongst other great holiday activities.

Coasteering Holiday
Jumping off rocks into the sea and clambering along a coastline may sound like a crazy thing to do, but for some it is the perfect hobby. There are plenty of centres and companies around the world that offer excursions for those that haven’t tried this activity before, and following we list a few great places where you can try Coasteering for yourself. Remember, you’ll need a pair of trainers to wear, (which will obviously get wet), and a wetsuit will probably be provided, at least in the sea around the UK, where the water is barely temperate even at the height of summer. One additional tip is not to hold onto the rocks if a swell is trying to drag you off, it’s a sure fire way to cut your hands!

Tyf Adventure – Pembrokeshire, Wales
http://www.tyf.com/

Cycling Holiday
There’s plenty of locations around the world which frown on the cyclist, and even though many capital city’s mayors are trying to make the roads a safer place, with buses, taxi’s random cars, pedestrians and the occasional wayward pigeon, cycling around large cities is mostly left for the commuter, courier or the confident. However, looking further there are some wonderful places to go on holiday where you can cycle, and surprisingly in some countries drivers are even mindful of cyclists!

Head to what is arguably the home of cycling- France, and follow some of the Tour De France routes, taking in wonderful mountainous routes such as the Alpe Du Huez climb, following in the footsteps of the greats, such as Indurain, Armstrong and Merckx.

Although most cities aren’t cycle friendly, there’s always an exception to the rule- Amsterdam, where the streets are filled with people on two wheels.

Dog Sledding Holiday
It probably goes without saying that to go Dog Sledding you are going to have to predominately go to the Northern Hemisphere unless you’re planning on a jaunt to the Antarctic. Head to Scandinavia, either northern Norway, or take a long train ride from Stockholm, Sweden to Kiruna to visit the Ice-Hotel were you can go dog sledding, see the Northern Lights (if you’re lucky), take an ice dip in a frozen river and sauna and sit in a hot tub to your hearts content. If you’ve ‘been there and done that’ as far as Scandinavia is concerned, try Finland, Russia, Canada, Greenland or Alaska- picking the right season of course.

Driving Holiday
Perhaps driving holidays do not immediately spring to mind as the perfect holiday break when you consider traffic congestion, pollution and all the other negative things associated with cars. However, who can deny the attraction of take a road trip in America, driving along the barren high-ways, at 55 MPH, taking in the brilliant sights the country has to offer. Take place in your very own cliché and pick a suitable car rental, such as a 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible, and travel along Route 66. Head down to the Florida Keys, from Miami to take in the fantastic ocean views.

If you prefer a driving holiday in Europe, perhaps the hairpin bends, and the climb up the highest mountain in Austria at the end of the Grossglockner Road inspires you, with the unbelievably beautiful scenery.

Fishing Holiday
Most people thing that fishing is a sedentary pastime, which involves a lot of waiting around, sitting by river waiting for a bite. Whilst this is completely possible and many enjoy this very method to relax, for those looking for some sport and excitement, fishing can fulfil an adrenaline rush as potent as jumping out of a plane. Head to Norway to fly fish for Salmon, there’s plenty of brilliant venues to fish and those who have friends in high places or the deepest of pockets the Alta River offers the very best, or at least probably the most exclusive Salmon fishing in the world. Those really wanting to test their metal can take a trip to Cuba to go for the big game fish, such as sail fish, marlin and the like. The most adventurous may even try to hook a shark, and anyone who’s caught one will tell you they are far from sedentary once hooked.

Golfing Holiday
For those who cannot abide golf, accompanying a partner on a golfing holiday would seem like one of these worst possible holiday destinations available. However for the avid golfer there are some ‘must see’ locations around the world where it is a dream to tee up and get in a round of a lifetime. St Andrews, The Home of Golf, tops the list of the Scottish courses, although there are too numerous courses to mention which will offer a mesmerising day out. America bound Pebble Beach is full of history, and there’s obviously Augusta, which will need a few strings pulling to play. Wentworth in the home counties of England is highly recommended and also the oldest links in England- Westward Ho! Offers a demanding, unforgettable challenge. Those looking to fit in the sun, constant golf, fine foods, drink and white sands should heads straight over to either Spain or Portugal, arguably the real home of golf for the touring handicapper.

Hang Gliding Holiday
There are some amazing places to go hand gliding around the world, but can any inspire as much as taking a tandem handgliding trip from the hills overlooking Sao Conrado beach in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. More than just a hand gliding holiday, this destination offers so much to the tourist, and yet what better way to see the city than head up to the mountains, close to Cristo Redentor(Christ the Redeemer) and see the amazing sites that Rio has to offer.

Hot Air Ballooning
Two locations spring to mind when you mention hot air ballooning, two locations that are as far apart as you can imagine. The first is taking a hot air balloon trip whilst on an African Safari, across the Serengeti, Tanzania. The later, soaking up the beautiful sights of Kent, dubbed the Garden of England, taking in the proud and picturesque Bodiam Castle.