10 Adventure Vacations for Explorers of All Ages

Adventure vacations are a true thrill

Even though Im a fan of adventure vacations, I never saw myself as the rock-climbing type. (Full disclosure: I am afraid of heights.) But on a recent trip to Midcoast Maine, I knew I would regret missing out on a totally killer view if I didn’t at least try to climb the rocky cliffs outside Camden. After my very patient instructor hooked me into a harness, I put my foot in the first outcropping, braced myself and went for it.

About halfway up my beginner climb, my breathing started to slow, and I began to see finding my next foothold as a sort of game. But the best part was the feeling when I reached the little ledge where I could stand and look at the shimmering lake below, knowing I had accomplished something that I thought was off the table for me. King of the world, baby! That feeling is at the heart of adventure vacations, even when you’re not doing anything as extreme as rock climbing, and there’s nothing else like it.

What is an adventure vacation, exactly?

The U.S.-based Adventure Travel Trade Association, of which I am a member, defines adventure travel as any tourist activity that includes physical activity, cultural exchange and connection with outdoor activities and nature. But what it really boils down to is that exhilarating feeling of taking on a challenge and experiencing travel from a point of view you’ve never seen beforewhether it’s looking back at land from the seat of a kayak, peering down through a snorkel or scuba mask over a coral garden or flying above a rainforest on a zip linethat makes you feel truly alive.

Some of my most memorable and awe-inspiring experiences happened during adventure vacations, such as the time a baby bear swam up beside my kayak as it crossed the lake to catch up with its mother. The best part is, you don’t have to be an adrenaline junkie or in the best shape of your life to have an adventure. There’s something for everyone.

How we chose the best adventure vacations

We selected the adventures on this list based on my experiences as an adventure travel writer. Indeed, my favorite trip is somewhere on this list! But because you shouldn’t just take my word for it (and I, unfortunately, haven’t been everywhere just yet), I consulted recommendations and rankings put together by other travel groups, guides and fellow adventurers, vetting thebest places to travelwith the help of online user reviews and ratings, to ensure that you find the best experiences. There’s something here for just about every type of person ready to shake up their vacations a bit.