When the majority of people think about holidays, they might think about heading away on a beach holiday. That’s what we’re doing this year but we always try and chuck in some fun activities and sports along the way. Thoughts of sun, sea and sand automatically spring to mind and we all look forward to kicking back and relaxing while topping up the tan. Beach hols are the be all and end all, I love a good city break and there’s always activities to do in resorts too. There are plenty of alternative trips out there. Check out my 3 out of the box things to do in Crete for some previous fun we’ve had! If you’re a little more adventurous and feel you’d get a little bored sitting around doing next to nothing for a week or two, here are a few ideas that you might find more appealing!
1. Camping
Camping isn’t just for kids! While most of us have camped at some point or another, we generally haven’t camped for years or our last camping experience was at a music festival. But camping as a holiday can be all sorts of fun. Not only do you get the opportunity to face the elements and put some of your basic survival skills to the test, but you also get the genuinely fun aspects of the trip too. You can sleep under the stars, toast marshmallows on an open fire and take in some seriously breathtaking scenery – unmarred by people, cars and other day to day aspects of city living. If you want to get the camping experience, but want a little more comfort, you could always consider taking a campervan out into a more rural area. This is a warmer, safer and cosier alternative. Remember to do a little research into camping safety and best practice before heading out into the relative wilderness. You should also take some sort of first aid kit along with you – just in case.
2. Diving
Unless you’re a professional and qualified diver, you will need to book diving in with a sort of diving school. They will be able to make sure you can engage with this activity in a safe way. Once you’ve got the right equipment and the thumbs up, you can, quite literally, dive in! Beneath the surface, you’ll be in another world with all sorts of local wildlife swimming about. Some locations will result in you seeing fish, coral, turtles, porpoises and more!
3. Paddle Boarding
If you want to get into the sea, but want to do a little more than basic swimming or splashing about, why not try out paddleboarding? Paddleboarding lets you set out into open water without actually having to get wet (that is, as long as you don’t fall off). You will usually wear a wetsuit and you can hire an instructor to show you how to paddleboard safely and effectively. Paddleboarding generally consists of positioning yourself on a specialist board and propelling yourself through the water with an oar. Again, remember to be as safe as possible with this activity. Don’t paddleboard alone and always check water conditions before getting into the sea or any other expanse of water.
4. Skiing
Skiing is the ultimate winter sport. It has gained huge popularity over recent years and many people head away during the winter months when conditions are more optimum. Now, many people are a little intimidated by skiing – if you haven’t tried it out before, it can look pretty difficult. But the good news is that you can take lessons while you’re away and most resorts have areas and slopes that are suitable for a wide variety of ability levels. Consider a resort like Chalet Lapin Blanc. You want to ensure you’ll have somewhere comfortable to rest at the end of a relatively vigorous and intense day!
5. Hiking
If you feel more comfortable on solid, dry land, why not try out hiking. Now, hiking may not initially sound like the most fun activity. But it might surprise you! When you hike in unfamiliar places, you get to see some truly astounding views and landscapes. You might even see some local wildlife that you don’t get at home either. Just make sure to hike with a guide. This will reduce your chances of getting lost. They’ll also be able to point out notable sights along the way!
These are just a few different getaways that you might want to take into consideration if you’re looking for something a little different to a beach holiday. Do your research, see what ticks your boxes and try to incorporate some of these activities into future trips!
