The best countries in the world for an adventure vacation
Adventure vacations are often treated as a rite of passage for the worldly college student, but it can be a profound experience for just about anyone willing to get out there and do something entirely different. Choosing your perfect expedition is not easy, though! What are some of the best places to experience a trip like no other?
New Zealand
New Zealand as a destination is king amongst adventure vacations, boasting as it does wild and untamed landscapes with activities galore to experience them through. New Zealand’s landscape is world-renowned for a number of reasons – one of which being the runaway popularity of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films, which made heavy use of New Zealand’s stark geomorphology as the setting for Middle Earth.
But New Zealand is much more than a backdrop for fantastical storytelling. Its lush forests and steep mountains are a playground for the adventurous vacationer, boasting opportunities for all manner of adrenaline-pumping activities from paragliding to BASE jumping and beyond.
Canada
Canada might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of an exotic, thrill-filled adventure vacation extraordinaire – being one of the closest countries to you at this present moment in time. But Canada has so much to offer and so much more to explore, making it a uniquely close opportunity to experience something you’ve never experienced before.
The key to Canada’s merits as a destination for adventure can be found in its glacier lakes, and the incredible mountains that host them. From the Rockies to the Appalachians, there are hiking routes and glorious landscapes aplenty; a fantastic place to explore on foot, by bike or even by boat.
The Azores, Portugal
The Azores are a collection of nine volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean, and a truly underrated adventure destination for the intrepid vacationer. They come under Portuguese jurisdiction and enjoy many of the trappings of its culture – though the islands do have their own unique cultures, both from Portugal and from one another.
The Azores are a fantastic adventure vacation destination owing largely to their topography. As volcanic islands, they present unusual and edifying structures to explore and conquer, from the steep walls of Mount Pico to the volcanic caves of Corvo and Terceira islands respectively. Not only are there rocky outcrops and enclaves galore, but also lush biomes to get lost in as part of a week-long trek.
Egypt
Last but certainly not least, Egypt is a premier destination on the world map for history lovers most of all. Its archeological finds are of earth-shattering importance, with monuments and even ancient cities that remain standing and explorable today.
The adventure traveler will find more than history in Egypt, though; its coastline is world-renowned for diving, with Sharm El-Sheikh a particularly popular destination for exploring coral reefs and meeting exotic aquatic life.
