where to adventure travel in indonesia

People seeking adventure while traveling will find Canada as the perfect place for action. Canada's geographic location offers a wide variety of choices for every type of adventure. The snow during winter offers a venue for skiing, snow boarding and snow trekking. It is a place of great lakes and thousands of smaller lakes and rivers which are perfect for recreational fishing, kayaking, canoeing, para-sailing and wake-boarding. Canada's rich wildlife is suitable for nature tripping while its long and rugged mountain ranges are perfect for trekking, bungee jumping, zip-lining, all terrain tours and even gondola rides.

South America also offers irresistible venues for those who are interested in wildlife adventure. Discovering the thrills in the Patagonia region across Argentina offers a sight that keeps the visitors from wanting to leave. If you are interested in history, you can learn about the Incas, once a glorious civilization whose relics are atop Andes mountains. You can find them by including Peru in your destination list. Amaze and thrill yourself to the richness of wildlife in the great rivers of Amazon by experiencing the adrenaline rush whenever you see huge anacondas and fatally poisonous snakes.

Another place known as the haven for adventure seekers is Africa. Its wildlife forest and the desert is a perfect place for those who love exciting encounters. The Sahara travel adventure is a perfect alternative if you are not fond of the snow. Here you can enjoy African wildlife with elephant and gorilla trekking excursions in the north and southern part of the desert. What more could be exciting than sleeping in a tent together with the untamed creatures of the wilds?

Moving in the east region, you can find the irresistible beaches of Hawaii, the Boracay Island in the Philippines, Bali in Indonesia, Phuket in Thailand and a lot more of perfect places for water travel adventure. The great waves of Hawaii are just what the surfers would love to see. Appreciate the diversity of the seas in Bali with deep water diving and snorkeling. Who has not heard of Boracay Island in the Philippines? Its pearly white sand has lured millions of tourist from all over the world. An enough invitation for you to come as well. Whenever you choose to go for an adventure in the pacific you can always expect a wide range of thrill and fun from sailing, diving, underground water adventure and keep in mind that a lot of things are yet to be discovered.

Discover other exciting destinations by visiting http://www.best-family-beach-vacations.com/top-family-destinations.html.
Joel Peter D. Vitug
Sourcefit - http://www.sourcefit.com

People seeking adventure while traveling will find Canada as the perfect place for action. Canada's geographic location offers a wide variety of choices for every type of adventure. The snow during winter offers a venue for skiing, snow boarding and snow trekking. It is a place of great lakes and thousands of smaller lakes and rivers which are perfect for recreational fishing, kayaking, canoeing, para-sailing and wake-boarding. Canada's rich wildlife is suitable for nature tripping while its long and rugged mountain ranges are perfect for trekking, bungee jumping, zip-lining, all terrain tours and even gondola rides.

South America also offers irresistible venues for those who are interested in wildlife adventure. Discovering the thrills in the Patagonia region across Argentina offers a sight that keeps the visitors from wanting to leave. If you are interested in history, you can learn about the Incas, once a glorious civilization whose relics are atop Andes mountains. You can find them by including Peru in your destination list. Amaze and thrill yourself to the richness of wildlife in the great rivers of Amazon by experiencing the adrenaline rush whenever you see huge anacondas and fatally poisonous snakes.

Another place known as the haven for adventure seekers is Africa. Its wildlife forest and the desert is a perfect place for those who love exciting encounters. The Sahara travel adventure is a perfect alternative if you are not fond of the snow. Here you can enjoy African wildlife with elephant and gorilla trekking excursions in the north and southern part of the desert. What more could be exciting than sleeping in a tent together with the untamed creatures of the wilds?

Moving in the east region, you can find the irresistible beaches of Hawaii, the Boracay Island in the Philippines, Bali in Indonesia, Phuket in Thailand and a lot more of perfect places for water travel adventure. The great waves of Hawaii are just what the surfers would love to see. Appreciate the diversity of the seas in Bali with deep water diving and snorkeling. Who has not heard of Boracay Island in the Philippines? Its pearly white sand has lured millions of tourist from all over the world. An enough invitation for you to come as well. Whenever you choose to go for an adventure in the pacific you can always expect a wide range of thrill and fun from sailing, diving, underground water adventure and keep in mind that a lot of things are yet to be discovered.

Discover other exciting destinations by visiting http://www.best-family-beach-vacations.com/top-family-destinations.html.
Joel Peter D. Vitug
Sourcefit - http://www.sourcefit.com

Malaysia is a country of natural fusion, located on two separate landmasses on the east, between Brunei and Indonesia and to the west, on the South East Asia mainland which if anything facilitates this fusion for what it is known for. This makes it quite the adventure vacation for travellers. It has a very diverse cultural background and while it is rich in historical value, it has also followed current trends of modernisation. The official language is Malay. English and Chinese dialects are also major languages used.

The climate is equatorial or tropical. The weather patterns are: southwest monsoon from April to October, and northeast monsoon from November to February. The best time to head there for trekking, diving or swimming would be during the cool and dry northeast monsoon months, the peak season, anytime from November through February, with emphasis on trekking and hiking. This is because highlands are vulnerable to landslides during the southwest monsoons due to some deforested parts. Typhoons are harsher and more common and accidents have happened in relation to this. During the hot season, forests on the other hand are more in danger for forest fires.

One of the best ways to experience Malaysia is to drive it. This is sure to be an adventure; there is a ton to discover in this beautiful country.

A popular starting point is the capital, Kuala Lumpur. This is a fairly new city so there aren't many historic buildings; however its modernism definitely makes up for it. One of those being the Petronas Twin Towers, which are the tallest twin towers in the world.

From Kuala Lumpur, you will want to head to the west coast. This is the most popular way to take your driving adventure. The first city you will come to is Shah Alam. Here you will find the biggest, most beautiful Mosque in Malaysia. It is also one of the largest Mosques in South East Asia.

Traveling a couple hours north you will come across the city if Ipoh. Make sure you get a city map! There are tons of one way streets and unfortunately not so many road signs. All the confusion is worth it though. This city has so much to offer. One of the main attractions is the contrast in architecture, between "Old Town" and "New Town". Adventuring outside of city limits you will find Kellie's castle and some famous temples.

Further up the West Coast you will come to the gate way of Penang Island. This is a beautiful and exotic island and if you want to experience some culture and history, Georgetown is the place to go. The culture comes from a mixture of Chinese and Muslim Malays, and the history is mostly colonial and architectural. That being said, there is lots to keep you busy here such as historical and religious sites, museums and markets, and even shopping malls and restaurants. The rest of the island has nice white sandy beaches to relax under palm trees.

Off the North West coast are the islands of Langkawi. The most popular island is Pulau Langkawi because it is duty free and has stunning beaches and resorts. It is a very popular tourist destination and there is lots to do. Asides from shopping you can enjoy a day cruise on a yacht, go snorkelling, bird watching, take a trek through the jungle or even just drive around the island.

The East Coast of Malaysia is not as touristy. Backpacking is the most popular way to travel here. It is a bit more adventurous than the West Coast. It is largely covered with thick jungle and has very few roads.

The good thing about this is that there are no crowds so you get the beach all to yourself. And you can visit the most unique little villages that are tucked away in the jungle. There is one dependable road that goes from Singapore up the East Coast to Kota Bharu. This is an amazing adventure!

Malaysia is an amazing country that has so much to offer. It is a very popular destination for travelers. The West Coast is full of culture, history and architecture, perfect for an exciting but not too audacious. The East Coast is more adventurous, with thick jungles and secluded villages. Back packing is the way to go for an incredible adventure vacation.

Check out my Adventure Travel Site: http://satisfythetravelbug.com

Although the wily jungles of Indonesia are slightly tamer than the days of the Borneo headhunters, there are still many options for the modern day thrill seeker. Whether trekking in the jungles and mountains of the vast archipelago, diving in some of the most biologically diverse waters in the world, or visiting with some of the few remaining tribal groups in the world, Indonesia can still live up to its unfettered past.

From the snow capped peaks of Papua to the smoking volcanoes of Java, Indonesia presents any trekker with a wide array of choices, regardless of skill level. The further a field you plan to go, the more valuable you will find using a tour agency to arrange your trip. Tour agencies often get better deals on national airline tickets and can arrange for transportation and accommodation in areas where such amenities are scarce. Papua, the easternmost province of Indonesia, is unfortunately experiencing periods of civil unrest, so be sure to get updated information if you plan to set off there. The snow covered Carstensz Pyramid, locally known as Puncak Jaya, is the highest mountain in Papua. Please note - the trek up Carstensz Pyramid is for the experienced climber. For those looking for something challenging, but without the need for carabineers, try the third highest peak in Papua, Trikora Mountain. Indonesia requires all trekkers in Papua to obtain a climbing permit, usually arranged by your tour company. Trekking can be combined with a visit to one of the few remaining tribal groups on the island to experience first hand the wonder of what it means to live off the land.

If you like diving, the blue waters of Indonesia, teeming with marine life of all shapes and colors, are not to be missed. Some of the best diving in the world is found in Indonesia and options come in all price ranges, from a quick dip off the coast of Bali to a two week liveaboard that will take you to areas otherwise inaccessible. Among the most popular dive spots for those wanting easy access, as well as beach resorts, is Bunaken Island off the coast of North Sulawesi. Bunaken has suffered some damage to its coral reefs from blast fishing, but much is still alive or recovering through the efforts of local conservation groups. If you prefer a liveaboard, there are many operators to the Komodo Islands, Sulawesi's Wakatobi and Lembeh Strait, Flores, and Alor, to name a few. Shop around for the best price and definitely check up on the company or you might find your accommodations less than desirable. Once you get in the water though, expect to be awed by teeming barracudas, colorful cuttlefish, and mantas.

For the eco-tourist, the options are endless. From orangutan spotting and jungle trekking in Kalimantan to Komodo Dragon watching on the shores of Komodo, options vary by budget and time frame. The orangutan population continues to dwindle every year and some of the money garnered from eco-tourism goes to support foundations and local groups that work to save them. Although the number of visitors is limited each year, tour companies can arrange a visit to the famous rainforest study area of Tanjing Putting National Park and Camp Leakey in Kalimantan (formerly Borneo). A visit to the Ministry of Forestry's feed station might earn you the chance to interact with the orangutans directly. Accommodation and transportation are best arranged beforehand as flights can vary throughout the year. Another popular ecotourism destination is Komodo National Park which includes the three large islands of Komodo, Rinca, and Padar as well as several smaller islands. A visit to this area can be combined with a dive trip as the waters in the reserve are home to an estimated 900-1,000 marine species. The Komodo Dragons themselves, giant monitor lizards, are relatively easy to spot, but you're guaranteed to find them safely with the help of a guide. Accommodation in the National Park is rustic, but the staff is friendly and the food is decent. Foregoing the beaches of Bali may not be easy for some, but the treasures of the other Indonesian islands are not to be missed.

Alex Smith maintains and manages the Cheap Thailand Travel website at http://www.cheapthaitravel.com

Surfing is a very challenging and exciting water sport that a lot of people enjoy. Many people enjoy riding big waves, watching the sunset, and feeling the adrenalin rush when a big wave comes. Surfers from all over the world travel thousand miles to the best surf spots in the world. The adventure of surfing does not only give them the enjoyment of sport itself, but also new cultural experiences. They easily make friends with other surfers from other countries, blend with the local culture, learn a little bit of the local language from the locals, and sample the local cuisine. Through the adventure, surfers can expand their network and share their exciting experiences with others. Some of the best surf spots in the world become their main travel destinations, although sometimes they find hidden treasures around the main spots that are also great.

The first surf destination that is also known as a surfers' paradise is Gold Coast, Australia. Located in the southeast corner of Queensland, Gold Coast offers the sunny subtropical climate and several perfect beaches for surfing. The waves are one the most consistent in the world and therefore it is very easy to get a good wave. The number two surf destination is Mentawai Islands, Indonesia. Located in the western coast of the island of Sumatra, the archipelago consists of four main islands that block waves from reaching the mainland Sumatra. Hence, you will always find big waves around the islands. Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, is number three on this list. Located in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, the bay consists of several beaches with good waves, but the waves are especially great during winter time. Super Tubes, which is one of the popular beaches in Jeffreys Bay, plays host to the annual Billabong Pro World Championship Tournament. Your adventure of surfing in those three paradises is guaranteed to be amazing.

Besides the three surf destinations above, there are several other locations which are equally interesting, such as Fuerteventura (Spain), El Salvador, Costa Rica, California (United States), Bali (Indonesia), Santa Catarina (Brazil) and Samoa. These places offer great waves and beaches that are worth visiting. Your adventure of surfing is a never ending adventure as there are just so many great places for surfing around the globe. Just make sure you go those places in the right time as the waves are also better during certain times of the year.

Pack your travel bag and surfboard and quickly head to the best surfing destinations in the world. Your adventure of surfing will never be the same if you have not been to any of those paradises.

Island of Sempu is a small island with no inhabitants, located at the southern part of Malang, East Java, Indonesia. Not many people know about this island, since it is hard to reach. I went there about six months ago with my friend. It took about five hours to get there from Malang, and we came there without enough information, nor preparation. The only thing we knew was just the beach, and the rest was adventure.

After a half-day journey with public transport, we arrived there at Sendangbiru beach, the only way to go to Sempu, at about 11 am. We could see the island from this beach. But the island is actually a conservation area, that made us a little bit confused with the bureaucracy. After a tough negotiation with the guard, we could rent a boat, together with two other people that became our friends then. It took 15 minutes to get to the island, and the boat costed Rp100,000 for roundtrip.

The island was so wet since it rained hard days before. The mud was so thick and hard. We slipped over and over again. There was no path since it is conservation area, so along the way was just forest, to get to the beach called Segara Anakan.The attraction of the beach is not just the white sand, but also the perforated cliff that confine the beach with the Indian Ocean.

Taking risk to come back late, we went ahead to reach the beach, and after we walked about three hours, there we were. Yes, is was beautiful! People say, it is like Phi Phi Island in Thailand. Though, we just enjoyed it for 20 minutes, otherwise we could not go back home, because the last minibus from the Sendangbiru was at 4 pm. We arrived at 3 pm. After taking some photos, our new friends left there, and we two went back to Sendangbiru.

On the way back, we met a group of five with whom then we went together. Unfortunately, one of us, got her leg injured. Day became darker, and we could not go faster. It was sunset already, and many other people came with us as the last group to come back. There was no torch, no electricity in the middle of the forest. There was only panic in silence but we went ahead. We often had to crawl for the slippery and barbed soil. We kept going while calling for help to some friends and boatmen. And after five hours, we felt revived, we found the way out with the boatmen waiting at the same spot where we arrived. We all were incredibly muddy all over our body.

Luckily, some of our friends had car, so I and my friend could go back home after taking shower at Sendangbiru to remove all the mud from our body. I arrived at home at 1 am, with my parents were waiting in panic.

After all, I would suggest my friends to come with preparation when coming to Sempu Island, such as good sneakers or boots. And since it is a forest, it is better to wait until the soil dried, so that we can reach the Segara Anakan Beach much faster and safer. Some people that rest on the beach at night should bring his/her own food and drink beside the camping utility as tent and torch, because no street vendor we can find there. Last, we should keep in mind about the latest hour for public transport.

Travel Guide Blog

Traveling to an exotic part of the world, specifically in one of the hundreds of islands of Indonesia, called Bali could really be a lifetime adventure. You do not want to leave right away from this dream come true of an island having one of the best white sand beaches and blue waters that can be subjects for postcards. So when you do decide to go and visit, you plan to stay a while - for some about two weeks to up to a month.

There is something about the tropical allure that can get people addicted. Maybe its the friendly locals, the assured security, and the fantastic tourist spots that can really be worth the experience.

The Bali Real Estate is filled with many establishments that can cater to tourists with what to eat, where to sleep, and the places to have fun in the sun. A Bali Vacation Rental is commonly located near beaches like homes and villas reaching out to the shallow part of the sea. Any Bali Property can raise its value by being located near tourist spots and activities center.

Bali Villas, hotels, homes and other accommodations are available in the local region and it is hard to pick one. Do not have second thoughts about choosing to stay in Vacation Homes in Bali as they provide you with the most essential amenities in a homely atmosphere. These structures are built to look like a local home complete with Western amenities and comfort. They have two to five bedrooms for small or big traveling groups. Complete with kitchen, den, living room, and similar rooms in a typical house. There are housekeeping and cleaning services packaged with some of the homes for vacation but you just have to ask your booking agent about such maintenance services to keep your home clean and fresh.

Unlike Bali Luxury Villas or any Bali Luxury Resort, Vacation Homes are far better to navigate around because of their guest friendly features. You do not have to worry about breaking something while staying in the home as they minimize furnishing to the essentials only. Usually, Bali Luxury Villa Collection can be quite expensive and this can only mean the shorter duration of staying in Bali at your end. So better choose Vacation Homes to lengthen your stay. The cost you spend on renting a villa can be an additional two or more days of equivalent stay in a home for vacation.

Now if you would want a further discount choice, then you can go to Bali Villas Ubud, but be warned that it does not have any proximity to beaches. Instead, it has green and lush landscapes that are charming to the traveler who appreciate a little bit of green instead of grains of white sands. There are plenty of Villa Ubud Bali in the area where you can see the interaction of the locals with their rich culture and religion practices. But again, if you want to find a cheaper but plausible choice, then pick Vacation Homes in Ubud so that you can experience the locals sharing their rich culture and religion. You can get to know the history of the area and you can experience having a home in Bali now with Vacation Homes.

David K. Bradley is a writer for Indovillas Bali which specializes in Bali Real Estate and Bali Vacation Rental as well as tour and activity arrangements. They offer an assortment of holiday packages and property deals on the island of Bali.

Ever since I was a child, I have enjoyed being on boats. My very first long ship journey was from Travemuende to Trelleborg, and I was 8 years old. With that journey started a lifelong love affair with the sea. For quite some time I dreamed about becoming a radio operator on a ship. Every trip an adventure, new places to explore, sailing under a velvet night sky with stars so bright and so close that you think you can touch them.

Well, not all dreams turn to reality. I became a travel agent and scuba diver instead, and with my hobby being my job (or is it the other way around - I am never quite sure), I have been able to do my fair share of exploring, as well as diving off some of the best liveaboard boats in Indonesia, Australia, and Papua New Guinea.

My first "liveaboard" was during my PADI Open Water course. Two nights onboard 'Scubapro' out of Cairns. Sitting on the open deck after dark, chatting with new found friends, admiring the Southern Cross, watching shooting stars make their journey across the night sky, from the unknown into the unknown - absolutely glorious!

Since that first liveaboard experience I have been on many different liveaboards, in many different parts of the world. The quality of the boats differed, but one thing all these trips had in common was the sense of adventure, the anticipation of the incredible diving on the days (and nights) ahead.

Being an early morning person, I absolutely love early morning dives. The underwater world seems even more mysterious before daylight illuminates every nook and cranny. You can watch a shift change, where the daytime fish start arriving, but the night shift is still lurking around, not wanting to leave just yet. There is always a lot of activity underwater early in the morning, have a look, experience the magic. After diving for about an hour, your stomach starts reminding you that you have not had breakfast yet, and you begin to imagine the smell of crispy fried bacon, and the taste of fresh fruit. Time to head back, but don't forget your safety stop!

Indonesia is an archipelago of over 17,000 islands. Although there is a lot of land based diving on offer, some of the best dive destinations can only be reached by liveaboard. Whether you dive in Northern Sulawesi, Raja Ampat, the Malukus, or Komodo Marine Park, one thing is for sure - there will be more fish than divers in the water. One of the highlights for me was seeing a dugong (manatee) when diving around the Banda Islands. I was on a trip which started in Sorong, West Papua, well-known to divers as the starting point to some amazing diving in Raja Ampat, finishing in Ambon. On another trip, diving in Komodo Marine Park, and we took a few hours out from diving, hiking on Komodo Island, the home of the Komodo dragon. Enjoying a cocktail hour and a BBQ on an uninhabited island, watching the sun set in a stunning display of colour, there was not a place where I would have rather been - a perfect end to a perfect day.

Liveaboard scuba diving is all about adventure, exploring the unknown, diving at places which can not be reached by day trippers, meeting new people, or catching up with old friends. Dive, eat, dive, eat, dive eat - have a shower. Finally collapsing on your comfortable bed, falling asleep to the gentle sound of waves lapping against the hull.

Are you ready yet - is your dive gear packed?

Sybille Conrad is an experienced international travel agent, and a specialist dive travel agent. She is a PADI Rescue Diver and TDI Solo Diver, and holds a Grad. Dip. in Recreation Management. She usually lives in Cairns, Australia, but has been living and working in Indonesia for the last couple of years. For information about diving and traveling in Indonesia have a look at her website http://www.divetravelindonesia.com

Ubud. The thing we know about this Balinese town is its reputation as the island's art and cultural center. Did you also know that the immediate area outside of Ubud is home to some great soft adventure excursions? That's right. Along with bringing your camera and art appreciation hats to Ubud, don't forget to pack in some outdoor shoes, clothes and of course your adventure spirit.

Over the course of four days you will raft, trek, bike and drive through the island's interior discovering stunning landscapes and scenes of rural lifestyles. But first, let's put on those art appreciation hats and discover Ubud with an orientation around town. Tons of art galleries are here, included are modern works, traditional pieces, western artwork and combinations of any or all these.

Off with the hat and on with the outdoor shoes! Let's head to the foothills of Mount Agung and go whitewater rafting along the Telaga Waja River. With a paddling guide, you'll pass over class II and III rapids as you make your way down this scenic river. A lot of fun! Now let's dry off and vary the trip a little bit with a cultural excursion to Besakih Temple, one of the island's most revered and scenic temples.

One of Bali's most iconic scenes, acres upon acres of green rolling rice terraces is yours to admire through a light trek. Loosen up this evening by attending a traditional dance performance.

Relax a little bit and let a VW 181 convertible do the work this time! Hop on and admire the spectacular Balinese scenery! You'll travel along secondary roads stopping at the spectacular Taman Ayun, three incredible volcanic lakes as well as the local village of Munduk. Again enjoy those glowing rice terraces and coffee plantations before looping back to Ubud.

Now let's try the area out on two wheels. Enjoy Mount Batur and the downhill ride with time, of course to admire nature's natural art. You'll also meet local villagers with time to say hello before heading back to your headquarters. Enjoy that well earned massage at the end of the day and reflect on the adventure you just took.

Indonesia, as you may have guessed from a country with more than 17,000 islands, is home to a vast array of adventures and experiences. There certainly is something for everyone! Come and see if there is something for you in our tours page.

www.exotissimo.com/

Whether you are camel riding in the Sahara desert, ice climbing in Alaska, diving with great white sharks in Mexico, trekking in Nepal, or doing any other adventure at some other place, you will have to make sure that you are thoroughly covered under a good adventure travel insurance plan. Misfortunes don't come knocking at your doors. Mishaps and accidents are very much likely in these extreme forms of travel. Such adventure activities are usually not covered under the conventional insurance policies. Following is a step-by-step guide on how to buy a special policy to get coverage for your travel adventures.

Review Your At-Home Medical Insurance

The first thing that you have to do is to look into the terms and conditions of your at-home medical insurance policy. You should particularly check the exclusions section. Most traditional policies include adventurous activities, such as scuba diving, whitewater rafting, and other such things under exclusions. It means if you get injured because of such activities, you will not be covered. But, at the same time, most insurers also offer special provision where you can buy supplementary adventure travel insurance especially for your trip. If you don't find all the details in your policy document, you should give a call to your insurance provider and know the options available to you.

Is It An Organized Tour?

If your adventure travel is an organized by a tour company, you should ask the company if insurance is covered within the price of the traveling package. Even if the package does not include the cost of insurance, you can still buy it additionally from the same tour company. Many make it mandatory - you can't join the tour team if you don't purchase adventure travel insurance for the trip. Make sure that the amount of coverage is neither too high nor too low. It must be sufficient enough to protect you against the possible misfortunes during your trip.

Get Recommendations From Your Tour Company

If your trip is not organized and you are going on your own, you can ask the tour company to recommend some good insurance companies and plans. It is worth going with their recommendations because they are in this industry and they very well know which insurers offers the best plans and services for such adventure trips. When they make recommendations, their reputation is at stake. So, it is very unlikely that they will offer you bad suggestions.

However, if you are one of those adventure addict travelers who frequently go for such trips, you had better consider obtaining a permanent adventure travel insurance plan. A good plan from a reputed insurance company will not cost you more than $20-$30 per month, but you will be covered for injuries and related medical expenses - no matter which part of the world you are traveling in. Overall, if you keep in mind the above things, you can easily provide optimum protection to the money you paid for travel adventures.

Adventure travel insurance offers coverage and protection against the risks involved with adventure activities like trekking, scuba diving, and mountain biking. The web portal, Finance enquiry, includes relevant information concerning the available types of travel insurance plans.

There are many places in this world which have something unique in them and people love having adventures there. I have added many places here which people consider the best places to have adventure. The most preferred adventure places of this world are as follows:-

1: Luang Prabang

This city is in Laos having a great atmosphere. This place is full of hills and rivers and if you are a lover of natural beauty then you are surely going to like this.

2: Bukit Lawang, Indonesia

Bukit Lawang is one of the best places to have adventure because of the great channels of water it has. Unfortunately this beautiful city was nearly destroyed of the Floods which came in 2003, however it is recovering now and I presume people would have a wonderful adventure there.

3: Yangshuo, China

If you want to get the taste of the perfect Chinese culture then Yangshuo is the best place to visit. This place has the the most beautiful natural scenery which the people would love a lot.

4: Myanmar, Asia

If you are a wildlife lover then this is the place you are looking for. This place has beautiful jungles and extraordinary wildlife. Myanmar has the best of village life and you can get an insight into the village life here.

5: Cesky Krumlov

This beautiful village is surrounded by a winding river. It has a beautiful castle, several museums, good hiking and other places to have adventure. Thus these were the most popular places where people can hang out for fun and adventure. One should really visit these extraordinary places to see how beautiful this world is.

More places to have adventure: Sleep Inn Austell.

I had a dream that I was walking up an ancient volcano and looking down over a valley filled with lush plants and tropical breezes blowing my hair. I was living a Hawaiian travel adventure and it was awesome, but could you experience that as well? You bet! One of the great blessings of living in the United States is our 50th state. I have found that place to be heaven on Earth, and I am not alone in my opinion. If a Hawaiian travel adventure sounds like something that you would like to do, fear not it is not really as expensive as you have heard or as far away as you have told. True it is not something that can be done every weekend (unless you are rich) but properly planned it can be an annual event. Can you look for sales on airfares and hotels deals? Can you be flexible on travel dates? If you can then a Hawaiian travel adventure awaits you, and it will be the trip that you talk about for years to come, believe me, and you friends and family will be jealous.

I first traveled to Paradise when I was in the Service and stopped at Honolulu. It was just for a short while, but let me tell you, it was something I never forgot and kept thinking about for years.

I kept thinking it was just so far away, and that alone kept me from trying to return again. Then one day I was watching the Discovery Channel and they were showing a great Hawaiian travel adventure, it made me reconsider my upcoming travel plans. I started searching for deals on Hawaiian travel adventures and low and behold, there were many deals all over the internet. I can tell you, the second time around was even better, and I saw many more things that kept the dream alive. It was not until the third Hawaiian travel adventure I took that I came to the realization that this is where I belong, and everywhere else was just a after thought. I truly love everything about the Islands, from the statically most perfect weather on Earth, to the friendly people who populate it. I love the fresh air, I always feel so healthy after being there, and more relaxed than I have ever felt. It has great food, drinks and of course beautiful women. (I am sure men for you women as well)

I think each island offers a different Hawaiian travel adventure for each taste, such as Kauai, the Garden Isle. The Volcano's of the Big Island offer a truly unique Hawaiian travel adventure where you can see eruptions and new creation. In Maui, the traveler's paradise in itself that offers Hawaiian travel adventures and abundant sea life. If you just go to the Gathering Place, Oahu you will find surfing and the Polynesian Cultural Center among many other great Hawaiian travel adventures. There are several other islands and each offer its own story and good times.

I love this place so much that I am planning on living there, and have my own daily Hawaiian travel adventure. It is not beyond the dream of anyone who shares my passion as well.

I have just given you a flavor for Hawaii, if you share my dislike of cold winters and the hustle and bustle of big city life, I strongly recommend a Hawaiian travel adventure to take away all your cares, you will not regret it. Aloha.

Jeffrey Meier at Jam727 Enterprises at http://www.thearticlehome.com blog offers even more detailed information on a wide variety of topics.

Is it possible that a trip of four weeks can change your whole life?

I don't know where to start telling you... so I will just mention the most important stages of my trip.

The first awesome part of the trip was driving on Highway 1 which runs up the coast of California. Along the way, there are different sights, and when I stopped, I was able to watch a huge group of sea elephants lying on the beach and having a siesta. They hardly moved at all, and one could easily think of them as looking dead. But they were very much alive, just in a state of relaxation. We can learn from them that we need some rest, too, no matter how hard we are required to work.

Perhaps you remember the story that I told you about Hearst Castle; to me it is rather Heart Castle. I was able to spend a full day on top of the hill where it is located near Highway 1 - and the weather was splendid. Hearst's father had found silver, and his son built this wonderful castle on the hilltop where he imported and displayed a great deal of magnificent European art. The castle seemed to whisper "nothing is impossible." When you are there, you can feel that this is true.

Then I suddenly found myself swimming with dolphins in a resort on Oahu, one of the islands of Hawaii. The precious creatures were so much fun to play with. When they asked me whether I would like to kiss a dolphin, I immediately answered "yes!", and so I kissed my first dolphin. The dolphins' message definitely was "be happy and have fun in life." It was a wonderful experience to get to know these awesome animals very close.

On Maui, I drove up Haleakala Crater, and therefore found myself on the highest place on earth, counted from below the sea level (more than 9000 meters). The landscape was exceptional, and I could see many small craters in the big one. The crater is said to be still, however I believe that there will be a next eruption, maybe not in the near future, but at a later time. "Seize your life, since it can be over sooner than you think and it's short anyway" was the message that this place carried for me.

The road to Hana, also on Maui, was a long, curvy and winding road leading through the rainforest to the small city of Hana. Hana is said to be the old Hawaii. Watching waterfalls, eating banana bread, drinking from coconuts, that's what you can do there. And it rains almost all the time - you know it's the rainforest. Hana's message is definitely that "there is another pace, a slower one." You can't drive fast on this road. And it takes some time to go to Hana...

You know, when you follow your heart, and go on a trip like this, it will change you forever. You will never be the same again. When you are open to understanding the messages that nature offers you, then a huge transformation can happen. There is always a big difference between reading about a trip and really going somewhere and experiencing it.

Follow your heart - don't let circumstances keep you off track!

In case you might want to read the messages again:

- Take some rest!

- Nothing is impossible.

- Be happy and have fun!

- Seize your life!

- Slow down your life.

Andrea Brigitte Klee
Author and Coach
E-Mail: andreaklee@gmx.net
My Blog: http://www.Express-Your-Voice.com
Official Website: http://www.AndreaKlee.com
Twitter: andreaklee
Facebook: Andrea Brigitte Klee

When you decide to set sail you will discover that there is a whole lot of fun and adventure you can have on the boat. You will discover that there are such beautiful and small ports where you can go and you'll have the freedom to choose as to when and where you want to go sailing. You may want to keep the following suggestions in mind, because sometimes it is difficult to have that dream vacation while you sail on boat.

You must first firm up as to what your destination is going to be and how long you need to go. Persons with steady life will not want to do the voyage, but you need not worry as there are several islands and ports out there off American coast which you can travel to and enjoy the life you are used to on mainland. You can sail up and down the ocean cost to have that memorable adventure. You can find several exotic places in South America and nearby close islands which can be your perfect dream destinations.

You can now finalize your destination depending upon the time you have at your disposal. Make it a point to do an in depth research of the destination before you set sail. Also you should keep in mind that you have plenty of time to go to that destination and enjoy there and then come back. When you call on the port, you should make sure that you are there for at least two to three days so that you can enjoy you vacations to the fullest.

You should also research on the money you may need for this adventure. You will find that few of the ports and places are too expensive. You can then find the areas near the port which you can travel without paying those high charges. You should consider your cost of traveling on land, transport charges etc.

When we talk of sailing, we may find it more convenient to charter a cruise. This is so because, if for some reason the cruise is cancelled, you will get to fly back to your state plus that money will be added to your trip. This is not possible when you sail on your personal boat. In cruises you will get the home comforts plus it would suit your planned budget. Cruises thus are more comfortable, sage and make your vacations great and memorable one.

Michael has been writing articles online for 10 years. Check out his latest website Fleck water softener which help people find more about fleck 7000 and information when shopping for one.

Take your weekend holiday to the next level by adding a little spice to your vacation activities! What better way to experience the world's greatest destinations than by going to the extreme and taking on some adrenaline-pumping sport? Below is a list of the top 10 attractions for the adventurer in everyone and the best place to go to do them.

1. Skydiving in the Swiss Alps -Let your heart race as you soak in the beauty while plummeting past the majestic Alps from a plane! I recommend doing a little shopping around to ensure that you book your trip with a company that will give you the most for your Swiss skydiving experience! You'll also be able to do some quick sightseeing during the flight up - you'll get great views of the Interlaken lakes as well as the mountain peaks Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. During the freefall you'll get that extra kick you've been craving as you plunge towards the earth at 120 MPH! After freefalling, you'll enjoy sightseeing from a different point of view - from the comfort of a canopy ride as you make your landing descent.

2. Hot Air Ballooning in France - Get to see one of the world's most picturesque countries from up above! A graceful way to explore the rich scenery of the French countryside, though hot air ballooning can be expensive, the memories from this trip are worth the fees. There are numerous places where you can take off, but I recommend going to Champagne for a balloon ride -you can take in a gorgeous view of the Reims. You can probably also catch a perfect view of the slopes of the Route du Champagne and the Regional Mountain Park of Reims.

3. Surfing in Indonesia - The Mentawai Islands are a surfer's dream with over 70 islands that are wave-rich and adventure-packed! Off the western coast of Sumatra in Indonesia, this is one of the hottest surfing destinations in the world. There are four main islands (Siberut, Sipora, North Pagi, and South Pagi) that provide some of the best surfing experiences. The only downside is that access to these swells is usually by ferry and charter boat, and costs can add up throughout the day for food and such, but dedicated surfers, or those looking for the ultimate first experience won't be disappointed.

4. Hiking in Morocco - The Toubkal Valley is one of the world's hidden beauties. Spend some time hiking and take in the scenery of one of the most exotic places on the planet. Travel from Marrakech through various hamlets and Berber villages and make your way to the Western High Atlas Mountains. Get the chance to trek past the villages of Taourirt, Targa and Imoula and visit a village in the Assif Aït Mizane Valley, where you'll overlook ancient irrigated terraced fields of fruit trees and vegetables! The winding mule tracks to the Tizi n'Tamatert provide you with a breathtaking panoramic view of the Atlas Mountains. The sightseeing possibilities in the Toubkal Valley are endless!

5. Rock Climbing in California, USA - Yosemite Valley in the National Park is the place to be for an extreme rock climbing adventure! Much more than just a valley filled with skyscraping rocks (literally, some of them are around 3,000 feet tall!), you'll get the experience - and exercise - of a lifetime when you visit here. Anyone passionate and adventurous enough to attempt to climb these rocks is in for a treat. Yosemite offers both the experienced and the beginner climbers not only challenging climbs, but mind-boggling views of the gorgeous landscape that's unlike anywhere you've been before.

6. Paragliding in India - If you're prepared to experience soaring through the sky and seeing the world from a bird's perspective, don't miss a visit to Kamshet, Maharashtra - a paragliding paradise! Kamshet is a hill station located in the Western Ghats near an ancient trade route. Prehistoric cave temples, hill citadels and colonial stations all give this area a unique archaic twist for anyone that loves adventure. Fall in love with the undisturbed nature of the area and relish the peaceful atmosphere of this location. On your paragliding adventure, you'll experience more than just a view of nature at its finest, but also an exhilarating experience that you'll cherish for a lifetime.

7. Coasteering in Wales - What better way to get your adrenaline pumping than by being tossed around the ocean swells during a session of coasteering in Wales? The birthplace of this ultimate adventure, they've got this sport down pat. Explore the brilliance of this country and test your abilities in the world's most natural playground. Though the concept of being thrashed around in the ocean is somewhat daunting, it is completely safe; qualified leaders are there to make sure your experience goes as smoothly as possible!

8. Scuba Diving in Australia - Probably the first thing that pops into anyone's mind for the best scuba diving experience is to see the Great Barrier Reef in Australia! This location is perfectly tailored for those that love to live life on the wild side. Scuba diving in Australia offers one of the most colorful and vibrant sightseeing underwater adventure experiences, and there is no better time than now to visit, since the Great Barrier Reef is quickly disappearing. The best times to go are from August to December, when the water is warmer and there is more aquatic life present, but diving is possible at any time throughout the year.

9. White Water Rafting in Thailand - There are so many ways to get your adrenaline fix in Thailand, one of the most exhilarating being white water rafting! Phang Nga, filled with gorgeous parks and scenery, is a must to visit, let alone white water raft! Get caught up in the ride as you raft down the Phang Nga River, while challenging your skills. This adventure is fairly new to Thailand and is considered the country's best kept secret. See the lush forests as you make your way down the river quench your thirst for high packed adventure!

10. Safari in Zambia, Africa - Discover all that Zambia has to offer by going on safari! Regardless of whether or not you're there for hunting game, river cruising down the Lower Zambezi National Park, or talking a walking tour through the South Luangwa National Park, you'll definitely be in for an eye-opening experience. Safaris in this African treasure are numerous and allow you to see the exotic wildlife (like a cheetah in Kafue!) and natural beauty of the area up close and personal.

By Jacel Egan

A Bali Vacation can become you lifetime Adventure Travel tropical holiday. Many couples and families are finding this place to be more appealing than in any other vacation destinations due to its breath taking beaches and the blue seas. The warm and hot climate also encourages activities outdoors that can develop bonding quality time for the whole family or between couples.

One of the most busiest Bali Beachfront Villas or for any Bali Villa Rental can be found in a a particular place called Seminyak. The town has been considered one of the most fast developing beach towns in Indonesia. Having only about 2,175 square miles but hosting about three million people shows that the region is getting populated both by locals and expatriates. This can be understandable because of the recent growth of tourism in the town. Locals and investors just realized the need for better establishments and services to accommodate the flux of visitors to their town. Services like food and beverage has also grown to provide the tourists local and international cuisine during their stay. And now, finding the Bali Dream Villa to stay during your vacation is as easy as booking them online.

Much more appealing to older tourists are the region's high-end spa treatments that can rejuvenate any tired soul. Using herbal oils and famous massage techniques more commonly known as a Balinese massage, almost all visitors could not resist trying the soothing effect of this massage. It is a good treat to their bodies after a long day of touring and exploring the exotic landscape. You can even have an in-villa massage arranged so you can have your massage sessions in your Bali Villa Rental Seminyak premises. Some Bali Villas offer the services for free although some Bali Vacation Rental do charge extra for the treatment.

Seminyak also has bars, shops, and restaurants that you can sample for your entertainment. The combination of local cuisine and international pallets of tastes. Balinese cuisine is a relief for those who love pork in the meals as it is the one of the few towns that serve pork in their menu and a staple serving of rice. These are usually mixed with vegetables served in different ways. Famous local delicacies include Lawar and Babi Guling. But if you are wary of trying new dishes, then there are other international food establishments in the area that can offer other cuisine of your preference. Some of the Best Bali Villa can serve you local dishes free of charge.

Bars are also a good way to party at night. Seminyak has many bars that are high-end and hip. You can meet a lot of different people there - tourists, locals, and expatriates. Shops around town also offers local handmade crafts and international labels. Start in Jalal Laksmana for varied picks and unique boutiques for your souvenirs or personal effects.

Spending a vacation in Seminyak, Bali can become the most unforgettable holidays of your life. Do not forget to pack lightly, check your budget, add a fun attitude and lastly splash sunscreen when you arrive in this dream destination.

David K. Bradley is a writer for Indovillas Bali which specializes in Bali Vacation and Bali beachfront villas as well as tour and activity arrangements. They offer an assortment of holiday packages and property deals on the island of Bali.

When I go to Oyolo, I always take some extra gasoline with me in a gas can. It is only 120 miles roundtrip but there are NO gas stations between Cotahuasi and Oyolo, and also none in Oyolo. If for any reason I need to do any extra driving (like when I had to go looking for the team from Florida last time) I want to have enough extra gas to get home. Unfortunately I didn't think of suggesting this to the team that came this time.

They had filled up at Marcabamba, the last available fuel before Oyolo (they were coming from Pausa) and then did some extra driving to visit another village before I met them. I had driven my car to Oyolo, left it there and then hiked about 3 hours to meet the team to guide them across the high plains. After they picked me up and we were heading up the switchbacks to the high plains, I realized that they didn't have enough fuel to get to Oyolo and back. I had extra gasoline for my car, but their pickup was a diesel so that was no help. We took a quick vote and decided to keep going and try to have someone deliver fuel to us in Oyolo, as it would have put us way behind schedule to go back and get some.

Then I got us lost as the road looked very different going to Oyolo than it did when I came from there the last time. That was a good reminder to me to turn around and look behind me as well, when I am trying to learn a new route. Our unplanned side trip of course used up more of our scarce fuel, but fortunately we still had enough to get to Oyolo. I figured we could call Cotahuasi and see if a supply truck was coming and have them bring some or order some from Marcabamba and have it delivered by a pack animal. When we got to Oyolo, I talked to Mariluz, who is a sister of Theresa and Isabel. Theresa has a restaurant where we often eat and Isabel is a teacher, who has invited us to talk to her students in the school. Mariluz often takes burros back and forth on the foot trail, from Oyolo to the end of the road at CCahuanamarca.

She brings supplies for Theresa's restaurant and for Isabel, who also has a small store. She said she could radio to Marcabamba and have the fuel sent by truck or combi (minivan bus) to CCahuanamarca and she would pick it up there and bring it back by burro. They have some kind of an arrangement where they can transfer money by radio, like we would make a wire transfer. We paid her for the fuel and transportation to CCahuanamarca and we were supposed to have 10 gallons of diesel by Thursday morning, when the team planned on leaving Oyolo. Wednesday afternoon, I saw her leaving with a burro and two 5-gallon cans but about an hour later she came back without the burro! She explained that she had sent someone else and that he would pick up the fuel when it was delivered in the late afternoon and leave early Thursday morning to bring it to Oyolo. However when I checked Thursday morning, we found out that the combi was too full so they didn't have room to bring the fuel, so he left the burro there and returned alone.

Mariluz said the fuel should arrive there in the afternoon and then someone would bring it to Oyolo by 8:00 pm. When we went to bed at about 10:00, there was still no fuel. In the meantime a truck had come from Cotahuasi with supplies and he agreed to sell us 10 gallons of his fuel, if ours didn't arrive in the morning. The team had a one-day "cushion" in their schedule but had to leave on Friday to get back to Lima in time to catch their return flight to the U.S. That night when I went to bed, I prayed again (as we had been doing all day) that the fuel would be there in the morning. A few minutes later, at 11:30, I heard some pack animals passing through the plaza in front of our hostel.

They had made the whole trip in the dark on a narrow mountain trail. I threw my clothes on and went to check, there were no fuel cans on their animals. I decided to ask if they knew anything about our fuel and they said someone was delivering it to Mariluz! I went back to the hostel and went to sleep, thanking God for answering our prayers. In the morning, Mariluz brought the fuel and with the help of a 2-liter soda bottle made into a funnel, the truck was fueled and ready to go. We drove together up to the high plain, I showed them where their road to Pausa was and I went the other direction to Cotahuasi. Another successful travel adventure in Peru.

Vic Hanson is the founder of Adventure Cotahuasi Tours, which offers pre-planned and custom adventure travel tours in Cotahuasi Canyon and other areas of Peru. If you are interested in your own adventure in Peru, check us out! [http://www.adventurecotahuasi.com]

For some people, simply seeing the world from a cruise ship or a guided tour is not enough. Adventure travel is a newer term for an age-old activity. Instead of simply viewing places of interest, you go out and find a way to have an adventure.

Adventure travel packages are available for almost any destination in the world. Hiking or camping out under the stars in a desired location are the most popular forms of adventure travel.

Do you dream of visiting ancient ruins or exploring canyons and valleys? Do you wish you could see more than just a far off view of some of the world's most beautiful sites? If so, adventure travel may be just what you are looking for.

Adventure travel is a great way to truly experience a destination. Instead of viewing the beautiful Rocky Mountains, why not take a hike through the beautiful scenery to get an up close and personal view, and experience it right under your nose?

You can also find African Safari packages, as well as adventure travel packages that will take you to South America, Asia, and Australia. If you have a special place in mind, chances are there is an adventure package that will take you where you dream of going.

Packing for adventure travel will be a little more complicated than your average vacation. You may need more supplies than normal. Things like tents, sleeping bags, sturdy hiking boots, and in some cases, your medical records, are all necessary.

Many companies have made adventure travel much easier. They offer packages that will take you to places you may not have even thought to explore. They can help you pinpoint the type of adventure you wish to have, and help make choosing your destination for adventure a whole lot easier.

There are also packages that are designed especially for women. You can find packages that cater to those who want to experience sport, biking, kayaking, and many other athletic pursuits.

Remember to keep your options open when choosing a package. Prices will vary widely, depending on which source you choose. It never hurts to look for the best travel package for your adventure travel by looking both online and by visiting a travel agent.

Also remember that your options are almost unlimited as far as destination, activity, and duration of your adventure travel package. It's your money and your time, so take the time to find the package of your dreams.

For more information on the best Travel Deals Online try visiting Ultimate Travel Deals Video located at http://vacation-travel-deals.com/traveldeals.htm where you will find valuable information on cheap tickets and other information..

I recently had a chance to talk to Chris Ronneseth of Trek Holidays (see interview preview) who gave me a good overview of adventure travel, an area of travel I definitely would like to explore sooner than later...

1. Tell us how you got into the adventure travel business.

I grew up around travel. My father, Allan Ronneseth founded the company in 1972 and with a passion to see the world in a different way than the norm, we had the opportunity to travel to countries that were considered exotic at that time and to some extent still are today. Venturing out on my own traveling while attending University I became more and more passionate about the world beyond North America. With a degree in marketing, I ventured off first to New York and later to Toronto working in sales and marketing for technology companies during the tech boom. Having learned the skill of sales in an industry outside of travel but backed with an upbringing rooted in adventure travel, I made the progression to heading up sales in Eastern Canada for the family business where I now provide support to our network of travel agents across Eastern Canada as well as compiling our monthly newsletter on adventure travel trends.

2. What countries have you traveled to?

Africa: Namibia, South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Egypt, Morocco

Europe: UK, Greenland, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria

Asia: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Hong Kong

South Pacific: Australia, Cook Islands, Tonga, Fiji

Americas: Canadian High Arctic, USA, Mexico, Jamaica, Cayman Islands,

Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia

3. Please share with us your top three travel memories of all times.

A. Peru -The last descent into Machu Picchu on the famed Inca Trail from the Sun Gate after seeing sunrise over the site, being the first to enter the site at daybreak and having a feeling of peace, harmony and strong magic in the air.

B. Vietnam - Travelling the countryside of Vietnam by motorbike and stumbling upon a hidden and seldom visited Buddhist Monastery resulting in a three-hour visit with a young Buddhist monk learning and understanding each other's ways.

C. Namibia - Skydiving at sunset at Swakopmund on the coast where the Atlantic Ocean meets the blood-red sand dunes for as far as the eye can see. One of the most tranquil moments of my life.

4. What is adventure travel and how has it evolved over the last few decades?

Adventure travel used to mean high adventure back when the company was founded in the seventies, it was time when the 'hippie-trail' was hot and buses used to travel across Asia from London to Kathmandu with itineraries that were largely invented along the way. Today it is about the small group experience and about experiencing a destination rather than simply seeing it. It is about participation and understanding of cultures, history and customs and being able to take that experience away as enrichment to your daily life.

5. Who goes on your adventure travel tours and why? What is the age, gender, nationality and income level of the people that go on your tours?

Adventure travel is largely about the passion to do it. For this reason it crosses boundaries of age, gender and income since the common goal of the travelers is the experience regardless of their life at home. However the largest demographic for us and the most important growth demographic is the baby-boomers who have experienced the traditional beach vacation several times over and now have the time and disposable income to travel to more exotic destinations. Nationality is generally made up of largely English-speaking nations with the makeup in order of numbers being Brits, Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders, Americans, some mainland Europe, some Latin American countries and the odd Asian traveler.

We offer more than 120 countries worldwide generally just about everywhere. However countries currently deemed to be unsafe for travel (eg. Iraq, Afghanistan) are not included but we expect they will be in the years to come as the situation stabilizes.

7. What type of accommodation is offered?

We offer generally speaking anything from 2 star budget accommodation to 6 star lodge experiences in Africa and everything in between. However what is common to all places we stay is that they must be clean, comfortable, centrally-located and most important have character that is reflective of the destination.

8. How do these tours work for single travellers? Do you provide a travel-mate matching service? What happens if I prefer single accommodation?

Our tours are designed with single travellers in mind. In fact 50% of all our travellers come by themselves. We match people up of the same gender and like age to share and avoid charging them a supplement. If clients prefer their own room, we can do this on approximately 60% of the tours, usually the more upmarket ones, but at a rate that is fair and affordable.

9. What about meals?

Depending on the trip we generally include breakfasts and some dinners but almost never lunch as many people like to be out at midday making their own discoveries. However when trekking or in the countryside or where alternatives do not exist we will always include meals.

10. What are the unique benefits of adventure tours as compared to other types of travel?

A sense of achievement, quality of experience, traveling with a small group of just ten people on average, generally better value than comparable bus tours, camaraderie with individuals that share a passion for this type of travel.

11. What type of activities are offered in your tours?

Sightseeing is a major part of every tour but beyond that we want to include as many cultural experiences as possible such as homestays with local families, village visits, etc. We also have many optional activities available such rafting, sailing, jeep safaris, day treks, etc.

12. Is there such a thing as adventure tours for families?

We now have tours built especially for families to travel with other families where children are age six and up. There is a large demographic of 'late-starter' families who never had children until in their 30s. Many of these people traveled with us in their 20s or backpacked independently and now want to give that experience to their children. They are not interested in introducing them to the 'coca-cola' culture pervasive in today's society. These have been met with great success.

13. Please share with us practical advice for someone who's never tried adventure travel.

Safety is a state of mind. Most people who elect not to travel to exotic destinations do so because of a fear for their safety while in the destination. If you heed the advice of your tour leader and be practical almost any destination in the world can provide a safe, secure and memorable experience. Where we have had problems with safety it has almost always been a disregard for common sense and advice. Don't be afraid of experiencing other cultures, you will almost always find that your curiosity will be the best guide though it all and that same curiosity will be reciprocated by the people we meet along the way. It is about learning and understanding other people as much as they need to understand us. It really does shrink the world. Our second biggest problem would be dehydration, when traveling to hot, dry countries or where activity is involved such as trekking ensure you drink lots of water!

14. How much time do you travel yourself these days?

Generally 5 or 6 weeks a year. It is imperative to my sales knowledge and experience and I owe it to my customers to be the expert in what we do! All of our employees are given wonderful travel opportunities which goes straight to our company motto: Expert advice from those who have been there!

15. Where are you going next?

I plan this year on escorting a trip back to Egypt in April, to South Africa in May to experience some of our new properties we work with and to hopefully take a side trip to Mozambique. Later in the year I plan to make my way to Turkey and the Patagonian outdoors In Chile & Argentina.

Thanks, Chris, for all your information, and have fun on your trips!

Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a website called Travel and Transitions(http://www.travelandtransitions.com). Travel and Transitions deals with unconventional travel and is chock full of advice, tips, real life travel experiences, interviews with travellers and travel experts, insights and reflections, cross-cultural issues, contests and many other features. You will also find stories about life and the transitions that we face as we go through our own personal life-long journeys.

Submit your own travel stories in our first travel story contest(http://www.travelandtransitions.com/contests.htm) and have a chance to win an amazing adventure cruise on the Amazon River.

"Life is a Journey ­ Explore New Horizons".

The interview with photos is published at Travel and Transitions - Interviews

When you go on vacation, are you the type of traveler that does all the touristy things, or do you like to get into the local flavor of things? I am a total tourist. I have never understood travelers who say that they do not want to do the touristy things when they go on vacation. I mean really, it was the touristy things that attracted you to the vacation spot in the first place, wasn't it? The touristy things are there, because people who've gone on vacation have found that they enjoy them. As far as hanging out in "local" spots, do you think that the locals don't hang out in the "tourist" spots?

So, when I go on vacation, I like to do the touristy things. My husband and I went to Ireland last year, and one of the things at the top of my list was kissing the Blarney Stone. I did not really know what was involved, but I knew that I wanted to do it. I had not really ever heard of how it was done, I just knew it was one of those "touristy" things that I wanted to do.

So we grabbed a car, and headed across Ireland. That in itself was an experience, but I'll leave that for another article. Back to the Blarney Stone. The Blarney Stone, as I'm sure most of you know, is in Blarney Castle. If I really thought about it, I guess I would have thought that it was like the Blarney Stone on the side of Fitzgerald's in Reno. You know, just a big stone in the side of the building that you walked up to and kissed. But that is not how it's done in Ireland.

The Blarney Stone in Ireland is at the top of Blarney Castle. Blarney Castle itself is awesome! And it's not a guided tour, so you can just wander around at will. If you feel like hanging out in one of the little rooms for an hour or two you are perfectly welcome to do that. I think that is what I loved about this Castle the most. I have a new appreciation for the servants of the 1500s, who had to carry food and drink up and down those tiny little spiral staircases for their masters.

So, you wander around in Blarney Castle, and you finally make your way to the top. You have an awesome view from up there. And the land around is so green and pretty, just like you expect Ireland to be. So after you're through taking in the view, you realize that there is a line at one side of the parapet. There are a couple of people there, one is taking pictures, and the other is holding onto people as they're laying down. Now by this point, I knew what was going on because I had heard talk about how you have to lay down to kiss the Blarney Stone. But I still wasn't clear as to exactly how it all worked. So we got in line, and waited for our turn at the Blarney Stone. I had my own camera, and I wanted to take a picture of my husband as he was kissing the Blarney Stone. I didn't get a good shot. But what I did see, as he laid down to kiss the Blarney Stone, is that there was an opening between the inner and outer walls of the castle, and that it was a long way down!

So basically, what you do to kiss the Blarney Stone, is you lay down on your back, grab hold of some bars behind your head, and pull yourself down into that opening between the two walls and kiss the Blarney Stone on the outer wall. The physical aspects of it really are not that tough, but if you're afraid of heights and you're looking upside down at a drop of 40 feet or so, it can be a big deal. I watched my husband do it, and I saw that big drop, and I decided no way! My husband tried to talk me into it, but I was pretty sure I did not want to hang upside down over 40 foot drop.

And so, we went back down to the bottom of the castle and exited. While we were at the top, we had seen a manor house in the distance across the park surrounding Blarney Castle that we wanted to go check out. As we were walking, we were talking about our experience in the castle, and how much we had enjoyed it. And I started thinking, seriously, you're coming all the way to Ireland, and you've been in the Blarney Castle, and you're not going to kiss the Blarney Stone? So I said this to my husband. And he says, you're absolutely right. And you know what? You can't really see the ground when you're leaning over backwards to kiss the Blarney Stone. And so, I decided to give it another shot.

We went back into the castle, and back up to the top. This time, we were the only ones at the top. I walked over and said that I was now ready to kiss the Blarney Stone. I laid down on my back, reached behind me and grabbed the bars, and the gentleman helping had a hold of my shirt to help me ease back to kiss the Blarney Stone. And I don't know if you've ever noticed, but when you are laying down and leaning over backwards, your eyes naturally get drawn to where you are headed. Yep, my husband had totally lied to me. About halfway to the Blarney Stone, my eyes were drawn like a magnet to the ground 40 feet below me. At this point, I'm already committed, and so I scoot on back to kiss that Blarney Stone with my heart in my throat.

So what is the purpose of kissing the Blarney Stone? Well, it's supposed to give you the gift of eloquence and gab. Now my husband pretty much always has this, but I think kissing the Blarney Stone that day gave him just a little bit extra. Because how else could he have convinced me that you could not see the ground when you're leaning over backwards over a wall? The first thing I did when I stood up off the ground was double up my fist and and smack him a good one. The photographer and the helper thought this was just hilarious.

So, that is my tale of kissing the Blarney Stone. And, I was right, I would have been severely disappointed had I gone all the way to Ireland and been in the Blarney Castle and not kissed the Blarney Stone. I had a traumatic 2 seconds, but it was worth it. And, I have the picture to prove it. Fortunately for me, no one can see the expression on my face. If you would like to see the picture of me kissing the Blarney Stone, you can see it on my Adult Travel site, just follow the link below.

I hope you enjoyed reading about Kissing the Blarney Stone. I love to travel and I love to talk about it, plan for it, and share it. If you love to travel too, visit me.

[http://adult-travels.com/category/overseas-travel/]

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