It is finally time to log out of Zoom after far too many meetings! And if you are anything like us, you have a lot of energy to burn. Adventure vacations, such as the five listed below, are a fantastic way to get to know a destination while pushing your own physical limits. So, whether you are snorkeling in Belize or jumping out of a plane, you will come away with a better understanding of that part of the world, as well as a wealth of stories to tell your friends back home. Keep reading to get your daily dose of adrenaline!
Canopy tour in Guatemala
If you are not afraid of heights, Tikal National Park in Guatemala might be right for you. This UNESCO World Heritage place is home to an exciting canopy tour that begins each morning at 9 a.m. On the tour, you will be able to zip-line through the trees.
The path connects ten platforms built 100 feet above the forest floor, providing an incredible bird’s eye view of flora and fauna. A team of naturalist guides will help you identify animals that catch your eye, including Howler monkeys, ring-tailed coatimundi, jaguars, and toucans.
Paragliding in Umbria
Castelluccio, located in Italy’s Umbria region, is three hours from Rome. It is known for its stunning views over the Piano Grande, a valley that blooms with thousands of tiny white, red, and purple flowers every spring (there is even a festival honoring the floral event in June).
It is the ideal spot to breathe fresh mountain air while indulging in the region’s famous pecorino cheese. It is also a paraglider’s paradise. Monte Vettore, at 8,123 feet in the air, is the typical starting point for a 20-minute tandem glide with Fly the Apennines.
Snorkeling in Belize
Snorkeling is a fun, beginner-friendly way to see life beneath the surface. On Ambergris Caye, Belize’s largest island, the area called Tres Cocos is a great place to start. There will be tropical fish, conch, banded shrimp, sea urchins, and stingrays.
This is a great destination for adventure seekers because there are many water activities to try. Located near the second largest barrier reef in the world, Mesoamerican Reef System is a great place to scuba dive.
Trekking to Machu Picchu
If trekking through a stark landscape of craggy mountains and lush jungle sounds appealing, it is time to check Machu Picchu off your bucket list. The Salkantay trek –a crowd-free alternative to the sought-after Incan Trail that leads to the archaeological wonder– offers hikers a colorful mix of landscapes.
The classic 5-day itinerary starts with a climb of Salkantay Mountain, Peru’s 12th highest peak. It is hard work, but the endorphins you will feel at the top of the pass, not to mention the views, will be totally worth it.
Seeing red-hot lava in Hawaii
A December 2020 eruption of Mount Kilauea, the most active of the island’s five volcanoes, has residents on the Big Island of Hawaii worried they would have to relive the devastation caused by the last eruption in 2018. Fortunately, the damage was minor this time.
Viewing the lava is completely safe while the eruptions are ongoing. Hundreds of people visit this National Park every day to see the gas and steam plumes; at night, the phenomenon is even more spectacular, with red-orange lava glowing from inside the caldera’s rim. It is an adrenaline junkie’s dream.
