Our Team&'s Top "Secret Adventures": Unexpected Active Travel Gems
There are plenty of destinations which as a matter of course conjure images of active adventure; Nepal, the European Alps, and the Scottish Highlands to name but a few.
There are however many adventures to be found in hidden corners and unexpected places, whether lesser known, or better known (but not the obvious choice for active travel & exploration).
We asked our team to share their favourite "secret adventures".
Hidden sides of Mallorca[/caption]
Mallorca is far from a secret for sun-seekers far and wide. Its many bustling resorts attract thousands of holidaymakers each year. Emma Strandberg says "My teenage self did head to one of Mallorca's resorts for a cheap, all inclusive break with friends, which was great, but that perception of the island lingered with me until recently. In fact, step away from the resorts and Mallorca is an absolute gem for adventure in the sun with beyond beautiful surroundings."
Mallorca's terrain is perfect for relaxed mountain trail walking and rugged coastal views. Pretty villages offer perfect places to pause with Tapas in the sun. For avid hikers looking for something with a bit more bite, the GR221 and the limestone peaks of the Serra de Tramuntana beckon. For cyclists, quiet roads are perfect for leisure seekers, and thrill seekers will revel in the famous road-biking climbs.
Adventure Tours in Mallorca.
On the Via de la Plata[/caption]
Berta Ramos is our resident Galician, and suggest a quieter way to Santiago on the Via de la Plata - "For me, this is a more interesting Camino de Santiago, with more miles off-road and more intersting landscapes. You can walk all the way from Seville, which allows you to experience a range of linguistic and cultural differences deriving from the Arabic past in the south, and the Celtic influence in green Galicia. Vía de la Plata passes through some beautiful towns and cities with an important historical past."
Via de la Plata from Ourense to Santiago de Compostela - This final stage is the most beautiful way to approach Santiago de Compostela.
Azure seas, perfect for an afternoon swim on the Pelion Peninsula[/caption]
A favourite and much visited destinanation of Sally Thompson, who developed our tour in this area. "This area of Greece is very different from the more typical tourist areas, and much quieter. Heavenly walking through a land rich in Greek legend, with opportunities to refresh with a dip in the Aegean sea."
Enjoy green wonderlands of fruit and nut trees, whitewashed villages and perfect beaches. Read more about this perfect walking escape in undiscovered Greece.
Walk the Pelion Peninsula
Slovenia's Julian Alps[/caption]
Slovenia is pretty diverse in terms of adventure destinations. Nikki Rickett adds: "The Julian Alps offer Alpine hiking away from the usual crowds you may expect in the Western European Alps. A true escape to the crisp air and perfect peaks & lakes."
Alternatively get on your bike for a grand tour of castles, caves, vineyards and mountains. The capital city of Ljubljana is the ideal place to start a tour of this central European gem, biking towards the glittering Adriatic sea.
Walk or Cycle Slovenia.
A foodie delight![/caption]
"THE FOOD!!" explains Jo Payne, "I wasn’t too sure what to expect, but Croatia is foodie heaven. Italian influenced from eras gone by - some amazing pizza & pasta, and seafood delights too. However the local moonshine a bit too strong for me!"
The country is placed directly between the culinary influences of the Mediterranean and the hearty schnitzel and strudel style central European cuisine, making for a great fusion of cultures and plenty of adventure fuel to try.
Walk or Cycle Croatia.
Sweden's "King's Trail" (Kungsleden)[/caption]
Laura Paterson suggests Sweden's Kungsleden: "You can't beat the sense of completion and achievement upon finishing a renowned long distance trail, and this one is something a bit unique. A classic walking trail located in the Arctic Circle, in Sweden's Lapland."
Swedish Lapland is often referred to as Europe's last great wilderness. and the Kungsleden has been listed as one of the "World's Best Hikes" by Naitional Geographic Magazine.
Walk the Kungsleden
For more inspiration on exploring the world by foot or by bike, visit www.macsadventure.com.
Hidden Mallorca on Foot or by Bike
Spain
[caption id="attachment_20540" align="aligncenter" width="900"]
Hidden sides of Mallorca[/caption]
Mallorca is far from a secret for sun-seekers far and wide. Its many bustling resorts attract thousands of holidaymakers each year. Emma Strandberg says "My teenage self did head to one of Mallorca's resorts for a cheap, all inclusive break with friends, which was great, but that perception of the island lingered with me until recently. In fact, step away from the resorts and Mallorca is an absolute gem for adventure in the sun with beyond beautiful surroundings."
Mallorca's terrain is perfect for relaxed mountain trail walking and rugged coastal views. Pretty villages offer perfect places to pause with Tapas in the sun. For avid hikers looking for something with a bit more bite, the GR221 and the limestone peaks of the Serra de Tramuntana beckon. For cyclists, quiet roads are perfect for leisure seekers, and thrill seekers will revel in the famous road-biking climbs.
Adventure Tours in Mallorca.
A Camino Away From the Crowds
Spain
[caption id="attachment_20541" align="aligncenter" width="900"]
On the Via de la Plata[/caption]
Berta Ramos is our resident Galician, and suggest a quieter way to Santiago on the Via de la Plata - "For me, this is a more interesting Camino de Santiago, with more miles off-road and more intersting landscapes. You can walk all the way from Seville, which allows you to experience a range of linguistic and cultural differences deriving from the Arabic past in the south, and the Celtic influence in green Galicia. Vía de la Plata passes through some beautiful towns and cities with an important historical past."
Via de la Plata from Ourense to Santiago de Compostela - This final stage is the most beautiful way to approach Santiago de Compostela.
Walk the Pelion Peninsula
Greece
[caption id="attachment_20542" align="aligncenter" width="900"]
Azure seas, perfect for an afternoon swim on the Pelion Peninsula[/caption]
A favourite and much visited destinanation of Sally Thompson, who developed our tour in this area. "This area of Greece is very different from the more typical tourist areas, and much quieter. Heavenly walking through a land rich in Greek legend, with opportunities to refresh with a dip in the Aegean sea."
Enjoy green wonderlands of fruit and nut trees, whitewashed villages and perfect beaches. Read more about this perfect walking escape in undiscovered Greece.
Walk the Pelion Peninsula
Alternative Alps and Adriatic Bliss
Walk or Cycle Slovenia
[caption id="attachment_20551" align="aligncenter" width="900"]
Slovenia's Julian Alps[/caption]
Slovenia is pretty diverse in terms of adventure destinations. Nikki Rickett adds: "The Julian Alps offer Alpine hiking away from the usual crowds you may expect in the Western European Alps. A true escape to the crisp air and perfect peaks & lakes."
Alternatively get on your bike for a grand tour of castles, caves, vineyards and mountains. The capital city of Ljubljana is the ideal place to start a tour of this central European gem, biking towards the glittering Adriatic sea.
Walk or Cycle Slovenia.
An Unexpected Foodie Heaven
Walk or Cycle Croatia
[caption id="attachment_20544" align="aligncenter" width="900"]
A foodie delight![/caption]
"THE FOOD!!" explains Jo Payne, "I wasn’t too sure what to expect, but Croatia is foodie heaven. Italian influenced from eras gone by - some amazing pizza & pasta, and seafood delights too. However the local moonshine a bit too strong for me!"
The country is placed directly between the culinary influences of the Mediterranean and the hearty schnitzel and strudel style central European cuisine, making for a great fusion of cultures and plenty of adventure fuel to try.
Walk or Cycle Croatia.
A Classic Yet Out of the Ordinary Trail
Sweden
[caption id="attachment_20539" align="aligncenter" width="900"]
Sweden's "King's Trail" (Kungsleden)[/caption]
Laura Paterson suggests Sweden's Kungsleden: "You can't beat the sense of completion and achievement upon finishing a renowned long distance trail, and this one is something a bit unique. A classic walking trail located in the Arctic Circle, in Sweden's Lapland."
Swedish Lapland is often referred to as Europe's last great wilderness. and the Kungsleden has been listed as one of the "World's Best Hikes" by Naitional Geographic Magazine.
Walk the Kungsleden
For more inspiration on exploring the world by foot or by bike, visit www.macsadventure.com.
Written by
Frances McCann
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New Zealand
South Africa
European Union