Adventure Travel: Destinations for Travelers of All Ages

This is a guest post by Amanda Kidd.

How do you define adventure? True adventures are often journeys that change you, mesmerize you and guarantee memories for a lifetime. But it’s not just for the young – people of all ages can seek adventure in all corners of the world. Adventure need not be in the form of physically-challenging activities: it could be a test of your endurance, mind or simply faith. Whether you are eight or eighty years old, adventure has no boundaries. Here are some ideas on adventurous activities suitable for travelers of all ages.

Floating above the world on a hot-air balloon

Seeing the world from the sky is a fulfilling and meaningful experience. Float over the Masai Mara in Kenya and take in a view of lions roaming below, get a bird’s eye view of the haunting landscapes of Cappadocia, Turkey or fly high above the eerie rock towers of Wadi Rum desert in Jordan. Balloon festivals are held annually at various places in the U.S.A. like Albuquerque in New Mexico, Snowmass in Colorado and Napa Valley in California. In Europe, hot-air balloon rides are found all over Spain, Southern Central England and Tuscany, Italy. Down Under, go ballooning over the picturesque countryside of South East Queensland as the Great Sunshine Way gently unfolds before your eyes.

Hiking or trekking in the backcountry

Hiking brings you close to nature and helps in expanding your cultural horizon. For hiking enthusiasts, trek along some of the famous places in Asia like the Angkor Extension in Cambodia; the Chomolhari Trek in Bhutan; or trek from the green mountains and grassy steppes to the dunes of the Gobi Desert, Mongolia.

Europe boasts of some marvelous hiking destinations like Cinque Terre in Italy which takes you across colorful cliff-edged fishing villages and alongside the Mediterranean Sea. From Florence to Siena, experience the finest expressions of Renaissance culture, and hike through the beautiful Tuscan countryside.

In South America, Ecuador’s Avenue of the Volcanoes gives you a chance to hike from the high Andes to the lush rainforest of the Amazon Basin, while the Inca Trail in Peru brings you through 13,000foot-high mountains to the famous Macchu Picchu.

Dog sledding in Scandinavia

For winter lovers, dog-sledding can be a fun adventure for kids and adults alike. In Slovenia, head out to the surroundings of Ratece, close to the ski area of Kranjska Gora, for some guided dog sledding adventures. Sweden’s Wolverine territory provides equally fun dog-sledding experiences, while Spitsbergen in the Norwegian Arctic offer miles and miles of untouched wilderness best explored on dogsleds.

Flickr photo by Drew Avery

About the author: Amanda Kidd is a blogger who is very fond of adventurous sports. She loves beaches and she has been into scuba diving since she was a teenager. When it comes to letting her hair down, a beach party is her favorite option.