Travel Trends: Four Uncrowded Destinations for Adventure Seekers
While we enjoy a good documentary on fascinating travel destinations, there is nothing like experiencing them yourself. Finding an adventurous destination that won’t be completely saturated with tourists can be hard. After all, most of the best tourist destinations in the world are incredibly popular for a reason. Still, you don’t have to give up your dreams of finding that hidden gem of a vacation. Instead, it would help if you kept on reading. Today, we will introduce you to some of the world’s most fascinating and underappreciated adventure tourism hotspots.
Top 4 Alternatives for the Adventurous Tourist
You pull up to your computer and start researching adventurous tourist destinations. After spending a day binging shows like ‘Destination Unknown’ and ‘Dark Tourism,’ you are likely chomping at the bit to go out and see the world. Unfortunately, most popular destinations are probably completely overwhelmed by other travelers. While we can deal with crowds, we hate feeling like we are just another sheep in the herd. You might consider a few destinations to get your vacation thrills without worrying about beating the morning rush. Remember to pack an extra pair of clothes because we feel you will need them!
1) Waitomo Caves – New Zealand
When you sat down and watched James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ in 3D, were you blown away by the visuals? Of course you were; everybody was! Unfortunately, at the time, you probably thought you’d never experience anything like them. We are here to tell you this isn’t quite the case. If you can book a flight to New Zealand, you’ll want to schedule a stop at the Waitomo Caves. Inside the caves, you’ll find your way through an underground network of rock formations that date back more than 30 million years. Tane Tinorau first discovered the caves in 1887, and Fred Mace, a surveyor from England. Within the caves, you’ll find that the walls are glowing, thanks to the millions of worms that inch their way across the surface. You can walk through the caves or enjoy a raft ride through the waters. This incredible destination is located beneath waterfalls and massive, forested hills. You’ll never forget this experience, we promise you.
2) Jebel Jais Zipline – Ras Al Khaimah
If you want a serious change of pace from your stroll through the Waitomo Caves, pack your bags and hop on a flight to the United Arab Emirates. The Emirate known as Ras Al Khaimah is located in the northwestern area of the region. Ruled by Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ras Al Khaimah’s vision has been partly focused on embracing adventurous tourism. While in Ras Al Khaimah, you’ll want to head to Jebel Jais to enjoy one of the most thrilling ziplines in the entire world. The Jebel Jais Flight Zipline starts at the summit of Jebel Jais before sending zipliners down the mountains, moving at speeds over 120 Km/hour. Halfway through your flight down the hills, you’ll land on a suspended platform. Ensure you have a camera on you; you’ll never get views like this again. Ras Al Khaimah makes for a great destination for adventurous travelers. Why is this the case? Well, most travelers to the UAE end up setting their sights on the luxurious Dubai. As a result, many people never experience the culture, adventure, and natural wonder Ras Al Khaimah offers.
3) San Gil – Colombia
If you’ve just finished ‘Narcos’ and loved the beauty of Colombia’s natural surroundings, you might want to book a flight to San Gil. While you won’t meet Pablo Escobar, you will take on many wild adventures. In San Gil, you can access whitewater rafting, skydiving, horseback riding, paragliding, and even bungee jumping. You’ll want to have your porter send you to Parque Nacional de Chicamocha to get a taste of what the region offers. While you are there, we suggest testing your courage with the paragliding adventures at Chicamocha Canyon. For this adventurous event, you’ll run and jump off the side of the cliff before gently floating down a 6,500-foot descent. When your heart finally quits racing, you’ll be able to enjoy the soaring sky, looming mountains, and forested wonder sprawling below your feet; when you are done with your jump, head on down to the Meraki Boutique Hostel for a drink and some delicious food.
4) The Azores – Portugal
Finally, we will be setting our sights on the Azores in Portugal. Portugal is considered one of the hottest destinations in Europe to travel to in 2019. While most tourists will focus on the beautiful but crowded Algarve, you can avoid the crowd by heading to the Azores. The Azores is an ancient archipelago created more than 800 miles off its coast. The archipelago consists of nine total volcanic islands; boy, did they come together correctly. If you need a comparison for the Azores, consider it the European version of Hawaii. While there, you’ll find breathtaking views in every direction you choose to look. You’ll see volcanos, massive crater lakes, tiny fishing villages, and gigantic waterfalls. If there were a Garden of Eden on Earth, it would look like this.
Traveling can be a great way to experience the world, immerse yourself in culture, and reignite the spark in your life. Don’t forget to take plenty of pictures once you arrive! If you want to do something special for your next trip, consider our suggestions as a foundation for your research.