Adventure Holiday Ideas: 10 trips to brighten up Summer

Tamsin    ash     adventure holiday, Adventure Holiday Ideas, adventure holidays, Adventure Travel, Almeria, Brazil, Croatia, Cuba, Europe, germany, Lapland, morocco, Outdoor Holidays, Summer 2012, The Danube, UK, Us Road Trip, usa

The wettest June since records began has started the British summer off like a disappointing damp squib. Those flip-flops are still well and truly stuck at the bottom of the shoe cupboard and the smart adventure holiday ideas you had remain unexplored.

320 days of sunshine a year in Almeria. Image: Flickr/ obscure allusion

Summer is starting to feel as mythical as the Easter Bunny or Father Christmas.

But fear not. Venture just a few hours from our grey shores and summer does still exist.

Whether you’re looking to top up that tan or get the adrenaline pumping, here are some ideas that should definitely get you reaching for those holiday request forms.

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Essential Travel Tips: the 5 features of a good travel pillow

Neil Skilton    ash     adventure holiday, adventure holidays, Adventure Trip, Inflatable travel pillows, travel pillow, travel pillows, travel tips

A travel pillow is one of those essential little things that can make getting to and from your destinations so much more comfortable.

Travel pillow with bag: removable and machine washable cover.

Turning up well rested and without a sore neck will improve the quality of your holiday no end – and of all the travel tips you ever get, to buy a good travel pillow is one of the cheapest to take on board.

Designed correctly the pillow will allow you to sleep comfortably in an upright position without your head rolling from side to side.

Here are five features you should consider before you part with your money.

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Climbing Mount Meru to prepare for Kilimanjaro

Dion Wick    ash     adventure holiday, Climbing Mount Meru, explore, Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro Trek, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, tanzania, Trek Mount Meru, trekking

Kilimanjaro may have become the byword for celeb charity treks after the likes of Cheryl Cole and Chris Moyles tackled its slopes, yet there’s nothing glamorous about it. What people don’t know is that many groups start by first climbing Mount Meru.

The spectacular Mount Meru. Image: Flickr/ Jorn Eriksson

This is because ‘Kili’ towers above the barren landscapes and mist-shrouded slopes of Tanzania – Africa’s highest mountain reaches a heart-thumping 5,895m and is no walk in the park so preparation is vital.

You’ll battle extremes in altitude, unpredictable weather and aching limbs. And while you can spend every Sunday trekking up and around the UK’s slopes, on top of evenings working up a sweat in the gym, the best way to get ready is by climbing the neighbouring Mount Meru at 4,565m.

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Money Belt Review: The Best Strap for Your Cash

Adam Woods    ash     adventure holiday, adventure holidays, Hidden pocket, Money Belt Review, The Bra Pouch, The Conventional Money Belt, The Money Belt, The Neck wallet, The Undercover Hidden Pocket, The Undercover Leg Wallet, travel gear

“No Mother, Yes Mother, I Will Mother” – This was my all-in-one, does-it-all response to her maternal words of warning before embarking on a recent trip to South America.

Carry your money safely when you travel. Image: Flickr/ iantmcfarland

In truth I had already thought everything through: I didn’t need her advice on my once-in-a-lifetime adventure holiday or her thoughts on which money belt to buy or her review of current travel gear!

Travelling solo in any far-flung destination requires a degree of caution, but the likes of La Paz and Lima perhaps require that little bit more. And I was doing the planning.

One of the first things that crossed my mind before leaving this ‘green and pleasant’ (and comparably safe) land of England was where I’d stash away my money when venturing into some of the more hard-up neighbourhoods of the New World (Yes, I’m THAT paranoid). I wasn’t going to let some trickster pull a fast one on me.

It’s all well and good going places with an open mind, but that doesn’t mean you should go with an open wallet (slash purse).

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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.

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Ski Equipment: Best powder skis 2012

Lucy Grewcock    bestskiholidays, Ski Gear     adventure holiday, buying skis, powder skis, ski, ski equipment, ski gear, Skiing Holidays, sking

Nothing beats the feeling of floating through fresh powder on a pair of the best powder skis. If you’ve been skiing in Europe this year, you’ll know what we mean.

Fat skis for deep powder Image: Flickr/ SkiStar Sälen

And with record snowfalls and revolutionary new rocker technology built into this season’s planks, now’s the time to get your hands on a new pair.

Here’s a taste of what the top ski manufacturers have recently served up for. If you are off skiing outside Europe later in the year, or after a new pair for next season, check out this list.

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The view from the top

Guest    rockclimbingholidays     adventure holiday, boots, Rock Climbing, rock climbing holidays, travel gear, Trekking clothing, trekking gear, waterproof clothing

Forget sun, sea and sand – wouldn’t you rather remember a holiday for something other than lying on a beach sunning yourself? This year, ditch the bikini and swap it for a fleece and some decent walking boots and get ready to enjoy the experience of a lifetime!

Grab an adventure, not a deckchair! Photo: Sophie Nicholson

While you may not be ready just yet to tackle France’s Mont Blanc, said to be one of the world’s deadliest mountains, there are plenty more achievable climbs to look forward to.

Here in the UK, we’re fortunate to have some of the world’s most spectacular views, often within just a few hours’ drive.

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