I was lucky enough that my parents loved travelling. From a young age they took me abroad - being eight on an epic trip through Scandinavia is probably my most memorable family holiday, although sleeping in a palace in Paris and hiking the Alps also left lasting impressions.
My idea of a good time and a great trip shifted during my lifetime and what excited me in my teens may not be quite as attractive now that I have entered middle age with a family of my own.
Here then is a round-up of the perfect adventure travel holidays for every age!
Teenagers - Costa Rica
It's that time when your kids may or may not want to travel with you - "yeah I guess" they'll say - provided the carrot is big enough. What better place to take them than Costa Rica, where hidden rainforest trails lead to timeless waterfalls, inviting you to a refreshing dip. Discover plenty of wildlife and birds or be awe-inspired at a view over the forest canopy. Then zipline down back to your hotel and enjoy a spot of kayaking, rafting, snorkelling or sailing or simply an afternoon on the beach. Just enough action for the kids and enough downtime for you!
Learn about our Family trips around the world.
Twenty-something - Thailand
Your first trip outside of North America and you want to have something exciting but also something not too weird. Enter Thailand, the Land of Smiles. Lush rice paddies, tropical forests and ancient villages; hazy mountains with cascading waterfalls; craggy limestone cliffs rising from the land; gleaming temples and golden Buddhas; jungle-covered islands anchored in azure waters; miles of sandy beaches; bustling cities and markets packed with people and produce. 18-30 somethings in Thailand
Thirty - Everest Base Camp
You are at the peak of your fitness and are looking for a challenge. Everest Base Camp has captivated the minds of trekkers around the world ever since the 1920's and the multi-day hike to basecamp offers some of the most breathtaking scenery you will see anywhere in the Himalaya. In addition, the fascinating culture and a personal sense of achievement will make this a once-in-a-lifetime trek. Trekking Nepal - Everest Basecamp
Forty - Jordan
You have seen lots of Europe and are ready to branch out. You have seen movies showing the Treasury at Petra -hand-hewn red sandstone buildings rising up into the clear desert sky, remembering ancient caravans of spice traders travelling far and wide to sell their wares. You want to experience Roman ruins and crusader castles, see Byzantine mosaics and relive the history of the Middle East. Travel to Jordan and begin to understand why T.E. Lawrence loved this land.
Jordan Highlights for the adventurer and Trails of Jordan for the active explorer.
Fifty - Hike Mont Blanc
OK, let's face it - most of us - and I include myself in this - will start to feel the effects of age when you hit 50. But that doesn't mean you're no longer looking for a challenge! Hiking the Mont Blanc Circuit is one of the hottest tickets right now and rapidly booking out for 2023 and into 2024. Here are five ways to tackle hikes on the Mont Blanc Circuit by trekking in the French, Italian and Swiss Alps.
Sixty - African safari
You are nearing retirement and are secure financially. There is something about Africa that draws you, that stirs the soul, something that makes you want to come back again and again. Perhaps it is the wildlife, wildlife that makes this continent feel like a proverbial Eden. Perhaps it is the people, so welcoming and light-hearted. Perhaps it is the landscape, so vast and open beneath big skies. Wait... What stirs the soul, is ALL of that.
Glamping in Botswana for the adventurer or a luxury safari for the ultimate exclusive experience
Sixty and up - River cruise Europe
So you are slowing down a little but your lust for travel will never diminish. You deserve the good things in life - great meals, a fine wine and a great excursion with an experienced guide - but you want to be active too. Enter our river cruises that offer walks and bike rides as part of their excursion programme. Imagine hiking up to the castle lording it over Dürnstein on the Danube, enjoying photography in the palace gardens of Vienna or spending time in the museums in Amsterdam. Grand European River Cruise if you want to see the highlights of Central Europe or Romania to Germany if you want something a little more unusual.
Sixty Five - Camino de Santiago
You have said your professional life goodbye and wonder what to do during this next stage of your life. Hiking the Camino de Santiago is a great way to contemplate and discern how to deal with any big transition in your life.
The 14-day Portuguese Camino is a great introduction to life on the trail. Contact us for other hikes, including the 40-day Camino Frances through northern Spain and pilgrimage trails in France and Italy.
Seventy - Antarctica
No other destination in the world will leave you feeling as insignificant before nature, yet as alive, as Antarctica does. Giant glaciers calving enormous icebergs; penguins porpoising through the waters; leopard seal chasing their prey; whales feeding and coming up for air, curiously inspecting you in your zodiac. Hike along pristine shorelines and up snowy ridges to experience incredible views. This is Planet Earth at it's best, a proverbial Eden, Earth as it was before the arrival of humankind. This is a journey of a lifetime and Antarctica will change you forever. Base Camp Antarctica for a cost-effective trip, South Georgia and the Falklands for those who want it all in one trip and Ultimate Antarctica for those who want to get away from it all.
Hundred - take the family to Galapagos
Perhaps wanderlust is genetically inherited - I know it runs through my father's side of the family - or perhaps you have regaled your kids and grandkids with stories of your life of adventure. And now you want to show them what it means to travel the world while keeping your family close. What better way then to discover the Galapagos on a multi-generational trip. With ships as small as 16 berths, chartering your own yacht is a distinct possibility. But if you do not have an extensive family, consider joining in on one of our small-ship Galapagos cruises. Walking in the Galapagos if you want to be active, Discover the Galapagos if you want to choose your activity level or Galapagos Islands Luxury Cruise if you want to travel in comfort.
If these adventures inspire you, or if you would like to discuss other plans, contact us!
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