Adventure travel calls out all thrill-seekers, outdoor enthusiasts and boundary-pushers, especially after two years of restricted travel. Discover your slice of action in the amazing spread of sunny and skiing locations, riding waves on a surfboard and climbing volcanoes and mountains. Together, California, Florida and Hawaii offer almost everything your heart could desire to recharge in nature. Enjoy wellness through an adventure packed vacation and energise at leisure at these handpicked locations across the US.
Find Florida
With its warm weather, endless beaches and wealth of cultural attractions, Florida and its coastlines bring in energising opportunities for adventure, wellness and rejuvenation.
The small town of Gainesville offers in performing arts, and lakes and forests all within driving distance of each other. The Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean are convenient for day trips on the beach, and Ichetucknee Springs State Park is a natural delight. Swim in the Blue Hole Spring, or kayak, tube, canoe down the Ichetucknee River. Next, discover an unexpected rainforest in Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park. Tiny streams run down the sides of the limestone sinkhole and disappear, leading to this rainforest that thrives during summers too. If the wilderness is your fix, enjoy the Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, just outside Gainesville. The prairie offers great opportunities for hiking, biking and camping. Spot wild horses, bisons, and alligators while you are at it.
Longboat Key brings in sugar-white, sandy private beaches. Then you can soak in the quiet, lounging at Riverwalk, and biking the coastal habitat of Robinson Preserve. If you prefer action on the beach, go to Anna Maria Island with Bradenton near Anna Maria, being a beach paradise on the gulf. Paddling along the mangrove lined waterways of the islands, hiking the forests of Rye Preserve and soaking up the sun on these dream beaches, makes for one of the best vacations in the Sunshine State. At IMG Academy, a good game of golf, baseball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, and track and field gets you going. And if you are a speed demon, go-karting at Andersen Race Park promises to rev you up. You must remember to keep your camera handy at sunset to capture the glorious colours that unfold in the sky.
Unbeatable water-thrills await you in the wild blackwater Suwannee River Valley. The famous Suwannee River Wilderness Trail is best enjoyed by paddle boat or on foot, with options to stay overnight. Explore unusual River Camps only accessible by boat, hiking trails, or tube down the Ichetucknee river spotting wildlife on the move. Florida will certainly fulfils your needs for a water-related holiday destination in more ways than one.
Hawaii: E komo mai (welcome)
Snorkel, surf, scuba dive or indulge in epic whale-watching tours in the biodiversity that makes up the tropical beauty of Hawaii – another nature’s paradise. Serene landscapes, aqua and equine therapies in a naturally luxurious, healing environment form the ode to nature. It is as if the life-energy of nature breathes new life into your very being.
Hawaii is a haven for all age groups. Zipline in beautiful Kauai, learn how to hula, stargaze on the beaches, go foraging or tuck in seasonal fruity treats. You will find a way of expressing your own unique self in this tropical land. Try kayaking, or paddle boarding Polynesian style, and play with marine animals at the tiny, dreamy Hawaiian town of Oahu along the North Shore – an oasis of sheer calm. You’ll love the small-beach town vibe here. Oahu is one of the best locations in the world that offers scuba diving with tiger sharks – that’s to get another tick-off on your bucket list!
Explore the islands, participate in the world’s best surfing events, trot on horseback or go kayaking on a jungle safari. For the more adventurous, tubing on a mountain stream, or rafting down on an expedition along the coast packs an adrenaline packed punch. Savour the sights, sounds, smells and feel the heat of active volcanoes in a once-in-a lifetime visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (also dubbed Big Island). Walk through the lit lava tubes and experience eruption activity as the temperature changes, at this unique park.
California Calling
World-class wineries, nature at its best in 9 national parks, 840 miles of ribbed coastline, and unbeatable biodiversity: The Golden State invites you for a reboot through its superb beaches, mountains, deserts, scenic towns, and large metropolitan cities. There is lots to explore whether you have a few days or many weeks at hand.
A combination of old, romantic redwood forests, sprawling farms and vineyards, kicky rides on dune buggies in the desert, exciting kayaking and white-water rafting, soaring above the ocean on a hang glider, skiing in the back country, rock climbing in Yosemite and so much more is what makes California simply irresistible.
Skiing and snowboarding bring in champions to Mammoth Mountain, the state’s highest ski resort in the stunning Sierra Nevada range. A world class winter sports destination awaits you, 10 minutes outside the town of Mammoth Lakes. While Squaw Valley at Lake Tahoe brings in over 1400 hectares of skiable terrain, with Bear Mountain a superb haven for snowboarders. For the low-snow years, Heavenly Mountain plays home to the largest snow-making system on the West Coast, bringing in freshly groomed snow, just for you. Sugar Bowl, one of the first ski resorts in California, has traditionally received more snow across its five terrain parks, than almost any other resort in North America. For history-lovers here’s a nugget, Squaw Valley Ski Resort played host to the 1960 Winter Olympics! With six snow-capped peaks at 2758 MSL, it is a slice of heaven for ski enthusiasts. If you’re a beginner, take heart, as 25 percent of the mountain is dedicated for amateur runs.
Hiking, golf, mountaineering, camping and backpacking fill up your days in California. The Mammoth Lakes serve up amazing sightseeing and biking trails as well. While in winter you can ski and snowboard on Mammoth Mountain, as spring arrives, ski and fish on the same day. In summer as the snow melts, it opens up the roads to Devils Postpile National Monument, 101-foot Rainbow Falls and the gateway to Yosemite National Park. And…..if you love the beautiful fall foliage and less crowds, visit in autumn.
The Big Sur region showcases spawling California campgrounds. Think yurts, award winning restaurants, glamping sites, picturesque locations, rugged misty coastlines together with jaw dropping state parks, cabins and campsites.
California, Florida and Hawaii bring in everything your little heart could possibly desire, to recharge. Choose to celebrate wellness through an adventure packed vacation to these states in the USA.
