Rafting in Europe: Finding the finest rivers

Paul McWilliams    raftingholidays     austria, Çoruh River, Europe, Northern Iceland, Rafting, rafting holidays, Rafting Rivers, River Inn, Skagafjöröur, Turkey, whitewater, whitewater rafting

As far as extreme thrills go, white water rafting is about as good as it gets. Making your way down raging rivers, traversing rampaging currents and dropping down torrential waterfalls, all on what is essentially a glorified airbed, is certainly an exhilarating experience.

Europe, so many rivers to raft. Pic: Flickr/familymwr

And the best bit is that all of this is just on the doorstep across the continent.

Travelling around in Europe may be pretty easy these days thanks to the Schengen agreement – this allows freedom of movement within most EU member states (and even a few non members). And it gives us access to some fantastic rivers!

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Walking and Trekking Holidays you never knew existed

Tamsin    trekkingholidays     Antalya, Atacama desert, Cuba, explore, Family Adventure Holidays, Inca Trail, Las Terrazas, Macchu Picchu Trail, Mount Ararat, Mount Tota, Patagonia, Peru, South America, Taurus Mountains, Tierra del, Topes de Collantes nature reserve, Torres del Paine National Park, trekking, trekking holidays, Turkey, Walking, Walking Holidays

The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said: “All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking”. And in the modern world, filled with mobile phones, wi-fi hotspots, Twitter and digital TV, walking is one of the few pastimes left where our imaginations have the space to expand.

Following the train tracks back to town. Image: Flickr/ mckaysavage

Walking is also a fantastic way to get to know a new country. You may not see as much of it as you would driving or travelling by plane, but the parts that you do see you will affect you in a more profound way.

There are plenty of well-trodden walking routes around the world, but if you want to experience something really different and unique, you need to get off the metaphorical (and literal) beaten path and discover something new.

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Caravan Adventures:How to make the road your home

Tom Sykes    overlandholidays     adventure holidays, caravan holidays, greece, Iceland, Overland holidays, Turkey, US

‘Man’s real home is not a house, but the road,’ so wrote Bruce Chatwin. The urge to travel great distances in a caravan and get in adventures may be as old as humanity itself, but it is now adapting to our technological age.

Make the open road your home

Useful kit such as car tents, 4×4 cabs, motor homes and caravans allow you to extend a day trip into a month-long+ expedition. You needn’t plan your itinerary according to where hotels and camp sites are located – you’re pretty much free to go wherever you like and sleep wherever you like.

Let’s take a closer look at the sort of trips you can do in ‘moveable accommodations’.

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Paragliding in Istanbul: Where can I fly?

Tom Sykes    paraglideguide     Bosphorus, Cheap Hotel, Hostel Bookers, HostelBookers, Hostelbookers.com, Istambul Cheap Hotel, Istanbul, Karaburun, Paraglideguide, Paragliding, Paragliding Holidays, Paragliding in Istanbul, Paragliding in Turkey, Sile, Turkey

In the 70-odd years since its invention, paragliding has become a truly global extreme sport. Turkey – especially in the Istanbul area – is becoming the place to go; the conditions are excellent and the sights astounding.

Pick up the best winds for paragliding in Istanbul. Image: Flickr/ Eilidh B

If at any time during your trip you feel like taking a break from paragliding – perish the thought – you’ll find plenty else to do in one of the world’s most cultural and historical cities.

And you can rest easy knowing that accommodation is cheap and easy to find. A little insider knowledge is needed to pick up the best winds and landing zones – here it is!

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Windsurfing in Turkey: 10 Beaches for you

Jeff    windsurfingholidays     Alacati, beaches, family activity holidays, Turkey, Windsurfing, windsurfing holidays, windsurfing in Turkey, Windurfing destinations

The windsurfing scene in Turkey has become a tremendous attraction for solo adventurers and families alike. The jagged coastline is dotted with bays and coves that provide calm waters with gorgeous sandy beaches.

Calm waters with gorgeous sandy beaches. Image: Flickr/ neiljs

The primary wind source, the Agean Sea, causes airflow to travel east to west in an optimal cross-shore direction.

The best time to visit is in the summer when both air temperature and wind speed is peaking. While there are a few windsurfing spots on the Black Sea Coast, prime Turkish windsurfing is found on the Agean.

If your brood prefer family activity holidays where they mix excitment and action with beach life, there’s plenty of choice here. The following are the 10 best beaches to check out when windsurfing in Turkey.

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Rafting in Istanbul: Where rapids and cultures collide

Jeff    raftingholidays     Cheap hotels, Cheap hotels Istanbul, Hostel Bookers, Istanbul, Rafting, rafting destination, rafting holidays, Rafting in Istambul, Rafting in Turkey, Turkey

One of the world’s most significant cities in terms of history, geography, culture, and politics, Istanbul is the gateway between Europe and Asia. Straddling the Bosphorus Straight – a narrow causeway between the Mediterranean Sea (represented by the Sea of Mamara) and the Black Sea – the city is a conglomerate of Eastern and Western culture and a popular tourist destination.

The Coruh River, the most thrilling whitewater rafting. Image: Flickr/ Charlie Brewer

While the unique geography of Istanbul has made it a principal metropolis in the region for two thousand years, the hills, seas, beaches, and the straight also create excellent opportunities for rafting in Istanbul – for residents and visitors alike.

Naturally, sailing has evolved as a popular activity for water goers. But the mountains and rivers of Turkey make rafting the more tempting of treats.

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Turkey tip for sailing enthusiasts

Mark Pawlak    ash, sailingbreaks, Tribe Sailing Blogs     Istanbul, Sailing, Sailing Holidays, Turkey, Turkish holidays, Yacht charters

Tourists looking for an activity holiday in Europe this year could do worse than arrange yacht charters in Turkey or go flotilla sailing in the country. With more than 5,000 miles of breathtaking coastline, holidaymakers have an array of choices at their fingertips when selecting potential destinations in Turkey.

When not enjoying the spray of the sea, people can head inland to experience adrenaline-surging activities such as rock-climbing and trekking excursions, or they can don their wetsuits for white water rafting.

Joanna Marsh, PR co-ordinator for the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office, also recommended that “a hot air balloon ride over the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia is another experience not to be missed”.

The office has also suggested that visitors make a trip to Istanbul, a city which it claims has a unique culture and must be visited by travellers at least once in their life.