Singles adventure travel: where’s the party capital?

Tamsin    ash     adventure holiday, Belgrade, Europe, Iceland, Kotor, Montenegro, Reykjavik, Single Adventure Travel, singles holidays, Summer adventures, water sports

Well, it doesn’t look like the British weather will be improving any time soon. And with no Glastonbury this year the UK party scene is looking decidedly soggy too.

Belgrade, Europe’s number one party destination. Image: Flickr/ SHAREconference

So, now is a great time to start planning your summer adventures.

Whether you’re going alone or with friends, there are enough action packed days and party nights out there to keep your adrenaline pumping right through to 2013.

Here are a few ideas to get your imagination hurtling towards summer.

Belgrade

Forget Barcelona, move over Berlin, there’s a new kid in town and Belgrade is fast become Europe’s number one party destination. The Serbian girls look like they’ve stepped straight off a catwalk and the men are of a definite muscular disposition. But they’re also probably the friendliest crowd north of Ayia Napa. So you’d be hard-pressed to find a better destination for a great singles holiday.

Built on the confluence of two great rivers (the Danube and the Sava), Belgrade is a great place for gettingin some water sports. Spend a day water skiing down the Danube or wake boarding the Sava and then by night experience the other activities that the river has to offer. After dark, barges all along the banks transform into bars and clubs, heaving with Eastern Europe’s newest party crowd until the sun comes up.

If you do happen to over indulge on a night out (not that we condone such behaviour, of course), then what better way to clear the hangover than a tandem skydive or a bungee jump? Or if that seems a bit much, head over to the cafes and restaurants on the Ada Ciganlija river island for some well-earned relaxation.

Kotor

If you’re looking for something a little more Mediterranean for your holiday, then Montenegro could be a great choice. With a coastline just as stunning as its Croatian neighbour, Montenegro offers a fantastic mix of dramatic mountains, fjords and beaches.

For some of the best partying in the Adriatic, head to the beautiful walled city of Kotor. Nestled between mountains and the Bay of Kotor, this city is not one you will forget in a hurry.

Trekking in Tara River Canyon. Image: Flickr/ xJason.Rogersx

The old town is stuffed full of bars and cafés, and with yachts regularly pulling in to the exclusive harbour to offload their wealthy occupants (think Malaga but with more style), you won’t be short of people to party with.

Its spectacular setting makes Kotor a great place for daytime adventure sports too.

From hiking in the surrounding mountains, rafting the Tara River or kayaking around Kotor bay, there’s plenty for even the most restless of travellers to get their teeth stuck into.

Reykjavik

For a little Nordic magic, visit our far-flung northern cousins in Reykjavik. There is something distinctly mysterious and exotic about this volcanic island. With a population of only 320,000, Iceland punches well above its weight as far as daytime and night time activities go.

With mountains, rivers, glaciers, active volcanoes, beaches and hot springs, there really is something for everyone.

If you want to get close to nature, as well as getting your adrenaline fix, try a combined white water rafting and whale-watching day. Departing daily from Reykjavik throughout the summer, you’ll spend the morning cruising along the coast and the afternoon rafting down Hvita Gorge.

Or if you want to keep your feet firmly on the ground, Iceland offers plenty of great hiking trails. You could try climbing a glacier, or if you like a little reward at the end of your exertion, how about a hike to the hot springs, where you can strip off and really enjoy your new surroundings.

Eyjafjallajökull Glacier in Iceland. Image: Flickr/ Kyle Taylor, Dream It. Do It. World Tour

If you’ve made any new Icelandic friends during the day, try and get an invite to their pre-going out party, a common event in Iceland as the price of drinks can make a serious dent in your holiday budget.

Alternatively, head straight for Laugavegur, a street overflowing with bars and bar-hoppers. And from there, simply follow the hoards of beautiful people as they lead you to one of the many super clubs that Reykjavik is famous for.

So, there you go, whether it’s Balkan beauty, Mediterranean magic or Arctic awe that you’re after, this summer could be up there with the best.

And if any of these haven’t got your juices flowing and your feet itchier than a serious case of athlete’s foot – then there’s always the alternative of a long wet summer full of sporting disappointments to look forward to.

For more adventure travel info and guides, check out: Adventure Sports Gear: Penknife or Multitool?/ Top 10 travel apps for iPhone, iPad and smartphones / The Ultimate List of Extreme Sports / Airline weight restrictions: what every traveller needs to know/ The Rise of Gastro Adventuring

About the author

Tamsin Ross van Lessen wrote 20 articles on this blog.

Tamsin was born and raised in London. After studying Editorial Photography at the University of Brighton, relocated to Berlin to work for the english language press. She has travelled extensively around Europe and Asia and after recently discovering a love for cycling, has undertaken some long distance bike trips through Eastern Europe.

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3. Iceland: Adventure Sports, without the ice

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