The modern tourist has plenty of options when it comes to overseas travel. If you want to see some of the world’s most famous landmarks, then there’s never been a better time to do it – because surrounding many of these places is a well-developed and mature tourist economy. Whether it’s the Taj Mahal, the Statue of Liberty, or Disneyland, you’ll find plenty of local options when it comes to hotels and transport.
But this kind of holiday, for many of us, can be quite limiting. If you really want to see the world as it truly is, you’ll want to step away from the popular tourist spots, and go on a personal adventure.
Let’s take a look at some of the major benefits of adventure holidays.
Beyond the Tourist Trail
Almost by definition, an adventure holiday tends to be more authentic than a tourist-focussed one. When you visit a part of the world that’s been designed with tourists in mind, you might notice that they all feel quite similar. By contrast, if you’re visiting a part of the world where tourists are an afterthought, then you’ll get the chance to truly discover new cultures and people and interact with them as they truly are.
Connecting with Nature
Time spent in nature is undeniably fantastic for your mental and physical well-being. Whether you’re pushing through dense jungle, kayaking down a wild and unfamiliar river, or peering through a pair of binoculars at a magnificent wild animal, an adventure holiday is a great way to reconnect with the natural world.
In many cases, this form of holiday will allow you to give something back, at the same time. Eco-tourism is a way of holidaying responsibly, allowing you to enjoy a particular environment while also helping to preserve it. At the very least, it means picking up your litter as you go.
Cultural Immersion
An adventure holiday might acquaint you with cultures that you might otherwise overlook. You might be able to experience one-off events, like festivals, if you travel to certain places at certain times of year. Adventure breaks that centre around homestays and volunteering can often be much more rewarding than those built around hotel rooms and all-inclusive experiences.
Personal Growth and Challenge
By shunning the traditional tourist route and stepping out into the unknown, you’ll be pushing your boundaries, and forcing yourself to grow and develop. If you’re a shy and retiring person, then having to ask for directions in a foreign language might be a daunting thing – but once you’ve done it enough times, you might gain confidence and resilience that can be applied to other parts of your life.
Adventure for Everyone
All of this might seem to imply that adventure holidays are for a certain kind of rugged individualist and that everyone else might be better off sticking with the safe options. But there are forms of adventure holiday that might appeal to everyone – not just thrillseekers. Whatever your age, interests, and level of fitness, there’s sure to be a holiday experience out there that might appeal to you – so why not go out and embrace it?