Iceland Equals Adventure

Iceland is a little known adventure destination; it's a little known destination period, let's face it. But, if you are like me and really enjoy the outdoors, Iceland is a great place to visit. It has so many offerings, coupled with a near pristine environment.

Here is a list of some of the adventure possibilities Iceland offers, some all year round: hiking, trekking, snowmobiling, glacier hiking, mountain climbing, ice and rock climbing, downhill skiing, telemark skiing, ocean and freshwater fishing, white water rafting, adventure jeep tours, extreme off-roading, scuba diving (both fresh water and ocean) camping and cycling tours. Additionally, you can explore hot springs, ice and lava caves, lave fields, geothermal fields, bird watching - the list goes on.

I will not go into detail on all these activities, just the ones I have done myself. First up is hiking and trekking. In Iceland you can opt for easy, short hikes, half day hikes and overnight hikes. I have even see, though not done myself, a trek across the entire country that takes almost a month - what an experience that would be! I lived in Reykjavik for two years and participated in numerous hikes. Just outside of the capital is Mt. Esjan. This is a fairly easy 3-4 hour hike up the face of Mt. Esjan with a rewarding, uncluttered view back to Reykjavik.

The jeep tours are outstanding and I have been on several. Most will take you in to the backcountry, crossing streams (really rivers) along the way, driving on glaciers, black sand beaches, up tight mountain passes into some of the most beautiful areas I have ever seen. On memorable jeep tour I took was to visit several natural hot springs. The whole point of the tour was to bathe in as many hot springs as possible.

I have also done glacier trekking where you have to where crampons and follow a guide to make sure you don't fall into a crevasse. This is one of the most memorable and powerful outdoors activities I did while in Iceland. The colors and surreal beauty was outstanding.

I never personally got the opportunity to do many of the other items I listed but, I have spoken with people who have done them all. Of particular consequence is the salmon fishing. Iceland is a world-class destination for fly fishing and you don't even have to leave the city of Reykjavik. My apartment was about one half mile from one of the best fishing rivers in the country. During the season I would see the salmon grouping up together, resting before their next push forward. I would watch the fly fishermen hauling them in.

Iceland, as an adventure destination, does have some detractions. For one, it is fairly remote, located just below the arctic circle way out in the north Atlantic. Though, it is not as far away as you might think. Flight times from the east coast of the US range from 5 to 6 hours. Secondly, Iceland can have very bad weather, described as capricious. I would advise traveling there in the high season from May to late August. You can expect temperatures in the mid to high fifties and on a really nice day the temperature can reach 70 degrees. Another big hurdle is Iceland's high prices. I read recently that Iceland was one of the most expensive countries in the world. This is especially true for food, fuel and lodgings.

High prices, potentially bad weather and its remote location aside, Iceland is worth it. If you want an adventure, almost no matter what kind of adventure, Iceland will deliver. Just pick your thrill, book your flight and enjoy.

Iceland is a great place for adventure vacations and a good all-purpose beginning would be jeep tours or any day tour company that offers a wide curriculum of activities. - David Brooks

How to Have an Active Adventure in Puerto Rico

As an active backpacker, I always look forward to experience the best (and worst in some cases) that my travel destination can offer. One of the best ways to achieve this is by getting off the beaten path and exploring actively the destination's natural features. Recently, I adventured some of the best natural spots of the island of Puerto Rico. And I have to say... I was impressed!

When it comes to having nature as your platform for travel and adventure, this small island really stands out. Let's start with one of its most famous (and touristy) natural features, El Yunque. This rainforest, the only one in the United States, counts with many treks that let you explore its wild and rich landscape. You can hike to the watchtower on the top of the mountain and see the breath-taking view all the way to the sea. There are also others active ways to experience the rainforest, like zip-lining.

As a perfect contrast, you can go south and visit the Dry Forest and the Dwarf Forest. It's ironic to see a "desert" region in a tropical island, but this variety of ecosystems makes Puerto Rico even more interesting. Just a few miles south of the main island you will find one of the most beautiful mangrove islands I've ever seen, called Gilligan's Island (yes, like the TV show). This extremely small and uninhabited island shows you a small pocket of paradise where you can picnic between the mangroves, swim in crystal clear waters, and sun bathe at its stunning beaches. This is definitely a place not to miss.

Puerto Rico also counts with various bioluminescent bays. In my opinion, the most impressive one is found at Mosquito Bay in Vieques Island, at the far east of the main island. Nocturnal kayaking will definitely make you feel like you are in another world as you see the dinoflagelates create a beautiful glow around your kayak and paddle. Go ahead, take a dip and swim in the bay to be part of this impressive light-show.

For the wild adventurers, there are various places throughout the mountains to rock climb like a pro. Or you can even try spelunking at the Camuy Caves and its underground rivers.

Certainly Puerto Rico has a lot to offer when it comes to natural adventures. I highly recommend visiting the island and immersing yourself in this natural collage. In addition, the old towns throughout the island will show you a vivid representation of its Spanish past through its fortress, churches, and colonial buildings. No matter what you are looking for in your trip, Puerto Rico will have something to offer to make your vacations a unique experience.

Norbert Figueroa is the author of this article and provides additional information about Backpacking and Independent Travel at GloboTreks.com. GloboTreks gives you all the insider tips on how to travel cheap and smart.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side - Adventure Weekends With an Adrenaline Kick

Take your weekend holiday to the next level by adding a little spice to your vacation activities! What better way to experience the world's greatest destinations than by going to the extreme and taking on some adrenaline-pumping sport? Below is a list of the top 10 attractions for the adventurer in everyone and the best place to go to do them.

1. Skydiving in the Swiss Alps -Let your heart race as you soak in the beauty while plummeting past the majestic Alps from a plane! I recommend doing a little shopping around to ensure that you book your trip with a company that will give you the most for your Swiss skydiving experience! You'll also be able to do some quick sightseeing during the flight up - you'll get great views of the Interlaken lakes as well as the mountain peaks Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. During the freefall you'll get that extra kick you've been craving as you plunge towards the earth at 120 MPH! After freefalling, you'll enjoy sightseeing from a different point of view - from the comfort of a canopy ride as you make your landing descent.

2. Hot Air Ballooning in France - Get to see one of the world's most picturesque countries from up above! A graceful way to explore the rich scenery of the French countryside, though hot air ballooning can be expensive, the memories from this trip are worth the fees. There are numerous places where you can take off, but I recommend going to Champagne for a balloon ride -you can take in a gorgeous view of the Reims. You can probably also catch a perfect view of the slopes of the Route du Champagne and the Regional Mountain Park of Reims.

3. Surfing in Indonesia - The Mentawai Islands are a surfer's dream with over 70 islands that are wave-rich and adventure-packed! Off the western coast of Sumatra in Indonesia, this is one of the hottest surfing destinations in the world. There are four main islands (Siberut, Sipora, North Pagi, and South Pagi) that provide some of the best surfing experiences. The only downside is that access to these swells is usually by ferry and charter boat, and costs can add up throughout the day for food and such, but dedicated surfers, or those looking for the ultimate first experience won't be disappointed.

4. Hiking in Morocco - The Toubkal Valley is one of the world's hidden beauties. Spend some time hiking and take in the scenery of one of the most exotic places on the planet. Travel from Marrakech through various hamlets and Berber villages and make your way to the Western High Atlas Mountains. Get the chance to trek past the villages of Taourirt, Targa and Imoula and visit a village in the Assif Aït Mizane Valley, where you'll overlook ancient irrigated terraced fields of fruit trees and vegetables! The winding mule tracks to the Tizi n'Tamatert provide you with a breathtaking panoramic view of the Atlas Mountains. The sightseeing possibilities in the Toubkal Valley are endless!

5. Rock Climbing in California, USA - Yosemite Valley in the National Park is the place to be for an extreme rock climbing adventure! Much more than just a valley filled with skyscraping rocks (literally, some of them are around 3,000 feet tall!), you'll get the experience - and exercise - of a lifetime when you visit here. Anyone passionate and adventurous enough to attempt to climb these rocks is in for a treat. Yosemite offers both the experienced and the beginner climbers not only challenging climbs, but mind-boggling views of the gorgeous landscape that's unlike anywhere you've been before.

6. Paragliding in India - If you're prepared to experience soaring through the sky and seeing the world from a bird's perspective, don't miss a visit to Kamshet, Maharashtra - a paragliding paradise! Kamshet is a hill station located in the Western Ghats near an ancient trade route. Prehistoric cave temples, hill citadels and colonial stations all give this area a unique archaic twist for anyone that loves adventure. Fall in love with the undisturbed nature of the area and relish the peaceful atmosphere of this location. On your paragliding adventure, you'll experience more than just a view of nature at its finest, but also an exhilarating experience that you'll cherish for a lifetime.

7. Coasteering in Wales - What better way to get your adrenaline pumping than by being tossed around the ocean swells during a session of coasteering in Wales? The birthplace of this ultimate adventure, they've got this sport down pat. Explore the brilliance of this country and test your abilities in the world's most natural playground. Though the concept of being thrashed around in the ocean is somewhat daunting, it is completely safe; qualified leaders are there to make sure your experience goes as smoothly as possible!

8. Scuba Diving in Australia - Probably the first thing that pops into anyone's mind for the best scuba diving experience is to see the Great Barrier Reef in Australia! This location is perfectly tailored for those that love to live life on the wild side. Scuba diving in Australia offers one of the most colorful and vibrant sightseeing underwater adventure experiences, and there is no better time than now to visit, since the Great Barrier Reef is quickly disappearing. The best times to go are from August to December, when the water is warmer and there is more aquatic life present, but diving is possible at any time throughout the year.

9. White Water Rafting in Thailand - There are so many ways to get your adrenaline fix in Thailand, one of the most exhilarating being white water rafting! Phang Nga, filled with gorgeous parks and scenery, is a must to visit, let alone white water raft! Get caught up in the ride as you raft down the Phang Nga River, while challenging your skills. This adventure is fairly new to Thailand and is considered the country's best kept secret. See the lush forests as you make your way down the river quench your thirst for high packed adventure!

10. Safari in Zambia, Africa - Discover all that Zambia has to offer by going on safari! Regardless of whether or not you're there for hunting game, river cruising down the Lower Zambezi National Park, or talking a walking tour through the South Luangwa National Park, you'll definitely be in for an eye-opening experience. Safaris in this African treasure are numerous and allow you to see the exotic wildlife (like a cheetah in Kafue!) and natural beauty of the area up close and personal.

By Jacel Egan