Are you considering where to go on your next vacation? Many people picture the perfect vacation to look the same way every time: a nice hotel near a beach where you can lay in the sun…or something along those lines. However, what if you tried a vacation that looks totally different? What if it was more about discovering and adventuring, or simply finding unusual and beautiful places? Part of the thrill of vacationing is breaking out of our normal patterns and habits, so if you’re looking for a more adventurous and unconventional vacation, follow these tips!
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Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone
You can base your vacation entirely around an activity that’s new to you or that you want to do more of. If there’s something you’ve always wanted to try, this is a great way to get started planning an awesome vacation. Here are a few ideas for an adventurous vacation, just to get your gears turning:
- Learn surfing in Costa Rica.
- Take a Galapagos cruise and see incredibly unique wildlife.
- Ski in the Alps.
- Take a language course in a country where you don’t speak the language.
- Attend a celebration or festival, such as Diwali celebrations in India or Midsommar celebrations in Sweden. (Yes, Oktoberfest counts too.)
- Go on a safari. Some of the best are offered in Tanzania and Kenya.
- Try skydiving. New Zealand and Thailand have some of the most famous and beautiful locations for this (if you can handle it).
Once you’re in a new place, it becomes a little easier to leave your usual worries behind and get out of your comfort zone in more ways than one. Being your most social self can have great benefits on vacation. You never know what you can learn from the locals and what new adventures you can find from making a friend. If you are the type to keep to yourself or your group, try pushing past that instinct while on vacation and see where it leads you.
Stray From The Usual Path
The idyllic image of relaxing on the beach is wonderful, and sometimes it’s just what you need. However, keep in mind that you don’t need to stay in a resort the whole time or just go to the easy tourist attractions. Do some online searching or ask around to see what interesting restaurants, hikes, bars, museums, classes, or exciting activities you can find in the area.
Try An Unconventional Dwelling
No matter where you go, the lodging you stay in is a big part of your trip and should be carefully considered. Some people even base their vacation plans around a specific unique lodging. Unusual accommodations are growing in popularity and new ones pop up all over the world each year. These include treehouses, houses made from refurbished machinery such as train cars or submarines, houses that are floating on lakes, and there’s even a BnB in Boise made from an enormous (and realistic) potato statue.
Airbnb has many great options, and other rental services may offer dwellings that aren’t available on Airbnb, so it can’t hurt to do a thorough online search. Look for unusual hotels or rentals in the area you want to visit, and you may be pleasantly surprised by the options.
Look Nearby
Of course not everyone can afford an extravagant vacation adventure, but adventures come in many forms and people often take for granted the adventures that are in their own backyards. Maybe you only have enough time to travel an hour or two away for the weekend. That’s okay! Look for towns that are new to you and have adventures to offer. Maybe you can go whitewater rafting, hiking, cycling, bar hopping, or sleeping under the stars in a completely new place. Maybe you can do the tourist activities that you’ve never tried in your own city, and you’ll find something new to love about the place you live in. A smaller adventure is better than no adventure, and it will probably enough to scratch the itch until next time.
Vacations can be one of the most exciting parts of life when done correctly. Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and seek adventure on your next trip. You never know where it will lead you!