Adventure Holiday in the Algarve: Don’t miss these other activities.

Tamsin    ash     active holidays, Activities, activity holidays, Algarve, Bird watching, Centro de Observação Astronómica no Algarve, Dolphin Watching, Europe, Kayaking, Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, Quad Biking, Reserva Natural do Sapal de Castro Marim e Vila Real de Santo António, Rock Climbing, Sailing, Surfing, Wakeboarding

When you think of activity holidays in the Algarve, you probably imagine surfing, sailing or maybe even skydiving. But think again, with over 5,500 km2 of rugged countryside on offer, the Algarve has more than a few surprises when it comes to active holidays.

It's not only surfing in the Algarve. Image: Flickr/ Kyle Taylor, Dream It. Do It.

For example, have you ever considered visiting for a spot of astronomical observation? Perched on the very edge of Europe, the Algarve suffers less from light pollution than other areas, making it perfect for a little star-gazing.

There are observatories scattered throughout the region but some will require prior notice if you intend to visit. If you want to make astronomy the focus of your holiday, the Centro de Observação Astronómica no Algarve in Portimão offers on-site accommodation so you can spend every night looking through your telescope.

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Visiting the Lake District National Park: Why West is Best

Mark Pawlak    Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts, New Adventure Travel Ideas     activity holidays, Cumbria, Eskdale, Go Lakes, Lake District, Lake District National Park, Walking, Walking Holidays

Of the classic UK tourist destinations, the Lake District National Park is one of the best known. However, what many visitors fail to do is go far enough west. Visiting the Lake District National Park in search of real Cumbrian character? Stay west.

View over Wastwater by Stewart Smith courtesy of www.golakes.co.uk

With easy access from the west coast rail route that runs to Barrow-in-Furness, you’ll enter the valley soon after leaving Ravenglass station with ‘the lakes’ laid out before you.

There’s no public transport in Eskdale, although there’s a narrow-gauge railway that runs the 7 miles from Ravenglass to Dalegarth, straight into the heart of the lakes.

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Migrating South for Winter: Activity Breaks in the Canaries

Mark Pawlak    ash, New Adventure Travel Ideas     activity holidays, Canaries, Corralejo, Europe, explore, Flag Beach, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Hiking, Horse Riding, La Gomera, Maspalomas, Spain, Surfing, Tenerife, The Canaries, The Canary Islands

It’s grim isn’t it? The weather, I mean. Makes you want to bury your head in the pillow and stay that way till next spring. After a summer of love – a summer that saw Bradley Wiggins win the Tour de France and massively inspiring moments of Olympic glory – winter is at our door.

Flag Beach - Classic Fuerteventuran watersports spot.

But before you reach for the biggest, fattest winter jacket you can find, consider this: as you lie there moping, bemoaning your status a citizen of a northern-hemisphere nation, some people out there are soaking up the last rays of sun in the most southerly corner of Europe – the Canaries.

I say, extend your adventure, head south and there’s activity breaks in the Canaries that will keep you enthused until spring.

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10 Camping Mistakes You Should Never Make

Adam Woods    ash     activity holidays, adventure holidays, camping, camping holidays, Camping Trip, explore, family activity holidays, Family Holidays

A man once described camping as “nature’s way of promoting the motel industry”. Perhaps he had a bad experience. Perhaps he made mistakes. I know the feeling… In my time I’ve made just about every mistake in the book, and I’ve come to realise that a little planning beforehand can be the difference between an enjoyable experience, and a disastrous one.

Camping in tornado season's probably not a good idea. Image: Flickr/ Örlygur Hnefill

I have done my fair share of camping; from family activity holidays on campsites surrounded by children, to impulsive adventures in the wilderness surrounded by animals (although the latter two parts are not that dissimilar).

Drawing on these experiences, I share the following advice with you. Avoid these common camping errors and you’ll remain one happy camper!

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Activity Holidays for Singles: Why you should go it alone

Adam Woods    ash     activity holidays, Activity Holidays for Singles, adventure holidays, Argentina, cycling, Cycling Argentina, Finland, Hiking, Horse Riding, Horse Riding France, morocco, mountain biking, Mountain Biking Argentina, outdoor activity, Outdoor Holidays, Scottish Highlands, Sigle, Sledging, Sledging Finland, Solo Surfing Holiday, Sports Break, Surfing, surfing holidays, Surfing Morocco, The Himalayas, Trek, trekking, trekking holidays, usa, Water Rafting, Water Rafting USA

Going solo is the way forward – I’m convinced of it! You can do exactly what you want, when you want – without worrying about what anybody else thinks. So no wonder then that activity holidays for singles are all the rage.

Take a good stroll in the wilderness of the Himalayas. Image: Flickr/ pragmatopian

Perhaps the best thing about travelling solo is the freedom to choose your company. You’ll always be able to meet others in the same boat. And in such cases there’s no obligation; i.e you don’t HAVE to continue spending time with them if you don’t want to. It means you can decide when you want to be alone and when you don’t.

And there’s so many places to go, here’s just a few:

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Kayaking with kids: Activity holidays for all the family

Jeff    Kayaking Holiday Ideas, kayakingholidays     activity holidays, canoeing, Family Holidays, Kayaking, kayaking holidays, kids holidays, sea kayaking

Summer vacation is just around the corner, so parents everywhere looking to keep your children entertained why not try kayaking with your kids? It’s fun, healthy, engaging and just a little bit challenging.

Have fun with your kids and create lasting memories! Image: Flickr/ andrewmalone

Kayaking is a great way to enjoy a beautiful day on the river, lake, ocean or bay.

With proper equipment the sport is safe for all ages and guaranteed to amaze – and with a good plan, you’ll be able to really engage the entire family and create lasting memories.

Here’s what you need to know:

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Adventure Vacations for Couples

Lucy Grewcock    ash, New Adventure Travel Ideas     activity holidays, Adventure Sports, adventure vacations, holidays for couples, honeymoon travel, romantic holidays

For some couples, lying on a beach-towel all week and rubbing sun-cream into each other’s backs couldn’t be further from their idea of fun.

Choose an adventure honeymoon and share the fun! Image: Flickr/ magical-world

Most couples quickly feel the need to venture past the hotel lobby and soon find themselves exploring the local area.

And why book this kind of lazy holiday break if you know you’re an active couple with a love for adventure sports? If hiking at altitude, crossing continents and sleeping under the stars sound more like more your sort of thing, here are a few adventurous ideas for you.

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