Adventure means something different to everyone, whether it’s traveling to a new country, hiking a woodland trail or climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. One thing’s for certain, however: adventure travel has many physical and psychological benefits, so if life is getting you down and you’re craving a natural high, it’s time to plan your next excursion.
The world’s most stunning natural environments make for ideal adventure playgrounds for travelers of all ages, but less traditional vacations require a fair amount of planning. Here are five handy tips to help you plan your next adventure.
Set a Goal
Before you set off on vacation, it’s a good idea to have a goal in mind for your trip. Decide what you want to get out of your time away. Do you want to learn to surf in Hawaii, are you keen to conquer the Great Himalayan Trail, or would you simply like to try as many new activities as possible? Set a loose itinerary for your trip and try to make your goal the primary focus of your stay.
Choose a Beautiful Location
An adventure vacation is only as good as the setting you choose. Whether you’re looking for steep mountains, calm canals or the biggest waves, you need to make sure you choose a spot with city amenities as well as natural beauty. St George Utah is perfect for action-packed holidays because of its small-city vibe offset against endless trails, stunning views and sprawling national parks. For more information, see the Visit St George website.
Pack Your Essentials
If you’ve never been on an adventure holiday before or you’re going to be trying a new sport, spend some time researching how to pack for travel so you know what to take. Forums dedicated to travelers are particularly useful, as you can gain insight from other people who’ve done your trip before. If you’re backpacking, you’ll need a map or compass, water bottles, snacks, repair kit, first aid kit and extra insulation for overnight camps. If you’re heading abroad for a particular sport or activity, you may need specialist kit to take part.
Get Outdoors
No one’s saying you can’t book that luxury hotel, but you’ll get more of an authentic experience if you camp outdoors. Whether you travel with kids, as a couple or on your own, there’s nothing more grounding than snuggling up in a sleeping bag in front of roaring campfire after a day of adventure sports. Just don’t forget to pack a portable stove and some basic camping equipment to keep you cozy.
Roam Free
While adventure vacation are all about thrill seeking, be careful not to overload your schedule. By all means sign up to do that hike or abseil down a cliff, but make sure you leave yourself or your family some time just to roam free. Being close to nature has all kinds of psychological benefits as well as physical ones, so don’t deny yourself the pleasure of getting lost for a while.