These days the world really is a playground for those with enough imagination and taste for new experiences. Whatever your preferences, with just a little bit of effort and creativity, it is possible to create memories that will last a lifetime, casting a warm glow over even the bleakest depths of a British winter.
What’s more, we’re not even necessarily talking about flexing the passport and stretching the credit card. Without doubt, there must be many who live within our shores and have never experienced the rugged beauty of the Cornish coastline or the frantic pace of a weekend in London. They may have never been to the top of Mount Snowdon or down in the mysterious depths Cheddar Gorge.
However, with the uncertainties of the traditional British summer and its lacklustre performance in recent years, you may be aiming for the furthest reaches of the globe, which are only a plane ride – or cruise-ship – away!
So what sort of things should those with a taste for warm sunshine and adventures in the blistering sun consider?
- State of mind is everything – it’s corny but true. Usual pessimisms should be left at home and travellers should try to be open to the possibility of new experiences. But with passport and tickets in one pocket and an envelope full of foreign currency in the other, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem!
- Unless you are travelling with children, try to avoid the school holiday periods. Better deals are to be had during term-time and the plane and hotel should be a whole lot calmer.
- Remember, it’s always summer somewhere. Why not take all the British summer has to offer, then extend it a bit with a foreign adventure.
- If you have kids, don’t resign yourself to a mediocre week around a hotel pool. In any destination, head just a little off the well-beaten tourist trail and you’ll find life as the locals live it. As lovely as the warm, sandy beaches are, the further inland you go, the more you’ll find to enjoy.
Fresh adventures for 2013
So you’ve booked the time off work, saved up for the traveller’s cheques and confirmed that the neighbours can feed the cats. What next?
Switch on the computer. Great deals are to be had and for all inclusive holidays visit Co-operative Travel now. These all-inclusive packages offer the reassurance of knowing that everything is taken care of. That isn’t to say that these destinations won’t offer you huge scope to build on what’s already included and to tailor a truly unique experience, but at least you will be sure that there is always a bed to sleep in and a meal to come back to at the end of the day.
Top destinations
If you’re looking for a holiday with a difference, the Guardian has picked some of the hottest trends for adventure holidays this season. Here are some of the best:
- Egypt – learn to scuba dive in Dahab
- Costa Rica – brush up on photography skills and learn to surf at Jaco Beach
- USA – a two week road trip from LA to Orlando
- South Korea – stay in a Buddhist temple and ‘find yourself’
- Morocco – camel trekking in the Sahara
- Mongolia – mountain biking a 200 mile route through the mountains and forests