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North Africa & Middle East

Few travellers make it to this icy continent, but the lucky ones who do get to explore a frozen Eden ruled by the elements and teeming with wildlife.

G Adventures Land

G adventures sailing & cruises, g adventures private travel.

Whether it’s a family retreat or a girls trip, you can surround yourself with a hand-picked crew and customize a tour that fits you all perfectly.

The Geluxe Collection

Our new line of premium active adventures is officially here. With perfectly paced itineraries, one-of-a-kind accommodations and elevated dining, this is adventure at its finest.

National Geographic Journeys

Go deeper into the cultures and habitats of the places we explore. More is included and you’ll enjoy greater hands-on exploration, interactions with local experts, and freedom to roam.

National Geographic Family Journeys

Are you an adventure-loving family in search of meaningful ways to discover the world together? These tours are specially designed for travellers seven and up and their inquisitive families.

Jane Goodall Collection

Step deeper into the animal kingdom while respecting all of its inhabitants. Our incredible collection of wildlife-focused tours is endorsed by the world-renowned ethologist.

Roamies by Hostelworld

The thrill of adventure. The awesomeness of hostels. Get ‘em both on these immersive small group trips for 18 to 35-year-old travellers.

Why choose us

As the leader in small group travel for 30 years, we know how to do it right: flexible itineraries, freedom to roam, safety, peace of mind, and locally based guides.

Change the world just by having the time of your life. When you travel with us, you become a force for good by acting responsibly and creating positive impact.

Together with our non-profit partner, Planeterra, we ensure local communities touched by our tours benefit from our visits in as many ways possible.

Trees for Days

Leave your destination even greener than you found it! For every day on tour, we’ll plant a tree in your honour and ensure that our forests get to live their best lives.

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Looking to have the time of your life in the next 90 days or so? You can save big if you’re ready to book now.

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Back home from a G Adventures tour? Submit a quick trip evaluation to save 5% on your next tour with us.

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Got proof that you’re pursuing higher learning? Then we’ve got a travel voucher with your name on it.

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New ways to save pop up all the time. Here’s where you’ll find every hot deal in one easy place.

Bring on the world with small group travel.

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Got the urge to get away? We’ve got you covered. Check out the tours below, then get booking today!

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Why travel with G Adventures?

We’re the leader in small group adventure travel for more than 30 years. How’d we get here? By redefining the way travellers see the world. Check out how we’re creating the future of travel.

Small groups

Join a small group of like-minded travellers that, like you, are eager to safely and confidently experience all the things that make our world worth exploring.

100% guaranteed departures

Pack those bags and don't break a sweat because we guarantee every single one of our departures. As long as it's safe, you're going!

Locally based guides

At G Adventures, we don’t have tour guides — we have Chief Experience Officers. And they are all locally based, meaning they know the area you’re exploring like the back of their well-travelled hand.

Built to support local communities

We have always created our tours by building meaningful relationships with local communities, directly benefiting the people and places we visit.

Flexibility, freedom, fun

No matter the Travel Style, our tours balance well-planned itineraries with the flexibility to do your own thing and make the experience your own.

When you travel with us, you experience first-hand our commitment to making travel a force for good is in everything we do.

Good Trips Only.

Small group travel that's good all over.

Good views, good friends and good times on hundreds of trips in more than 100 countries.

Ways to travel

Get inspired on the good times.

Finding the secret sauce to a great group in Patagonia

Intrepid’s new Women’s Expedition is exploring Saudi Arabia through a different lens 

10 ways 2023 was Intrepid’s most impactful year ever

An agricultural renaissance is underway on the outskirts of Rome

Why 2024 is the best year to see the northern lights

What it’s like to spend a day gorilla trekking in Uganda

A trio of Intrepid women is shaking up Botswana’s safari scene  

The silly side of small group travel you have to experience to understand 

Why choose us

Travel plans change. We get it – and we're here to help! Learn all about our flexible booking options.

Connect and share experiences with a community of spirited explorers who care about the planet.

Whether near or far from home, your trip will be local led and full of unforgettable experiences, with everything taken care of.

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Adventure Tours

Don’t just see the world; experience it! Discover the traditions of local hill tribes, bike or trek over unforgiving yet breathtaking alpine terrain, paddle to island coves only accessible by water, or hang under jungle canopies like sloths on a zipline. From New Zealand 's adrenaline-fueled activities to the desert dunes of Africa , the best active tours not only liberate the soul but also satisfy that deep craving for adventure!

6247 reviews on

Over 250 Active tours with 60,000+ reviews

Bali Bucket List Original 10 Day Tour

The Best of Peru and Bolivia

Essential Costa Rica - Package with Manuel Antonio National Park

3 Days High Atlas Mountains and Sahara Adventure

Bali Bucket List Boutique 10 Day Tour

Current deals on adventure tours.

Queen Cleopatra - 7 days

Vietnam Tour: Melody Of Mountain and Sea In 8 Days

Pu Luong Nature Reserve Discovery In 8 Days - Luxury Private Tour

8 Days Pyramids and Nile Cruise Aswan - Abu simbel - Luxor - Hurghada

Cairo-Luxor-Aswan-Abu Simbel 9 Days with tour guided - domestic Flight

Exotic Kerala Tour (Coconut Holiday Of India)

The best Experiences of Thailand: Mountains to the Sea - 14 Days

Vietnam Classic Tour in 9 Days

Everest Base Camp (13 Nights 14 Days) Trek

Marrakech To Merzouga 3 days camel ride

What to expect on an adventure tour.

An activity, or two, or three!

There’s no shortage of fun, exhilarating experiences to be had! Try your luck at surfing , weave through high mountain passes on a bike , or dive deep to discover a colorful underwater world. Or better yet, why settle for just one adrenaline high? With us, you can find an adventure tour that has them all!

Good old rest'n'relaxation

After a day full of activities, there’s nothing quite like soothing your muscles, kicking back, and taking a well-deserved break. That’s the beauty of an organized, active tour. Everything’s taken care of, from a hearty meal ready to fuel the day ahead to a hotel spa calling your name as dusk sets. Yes, please!

Share your adventure

Book together or go solo and make new friends—those adrenaline-filled moments are best when shared! Connect with other outdoor lovers on a group adventure , recount stories over a beer at an Old English pub, or huddle together over a campfire waiting for the incomparable Northern Lights to reveal themselves.

Chase the thrill

You can’t quite describe an adrenaline rush until you’ve felt it, that overwhelming sense of pushing your limits, breaking down barriers, and just simply going for it! An Active tour guarantees endorphins and smiles, from shredding fresh-powdered slopes on a snowboard to an action-packed multisport adventure!

Active trips for everyone

Come with us on an adventure tour!

Best active experiences.

With so many unique adventures all over the world, it can be hard to narrow down where to go and what to do. Not to worry, we have plenty of filters to guide you as well as reviews on our tours. Here are some of the absolute top activities you should consider for your next adventure—after all, the world is not to be seen but experienced!

Set off on a hot air balloon safari

Wake up surrounded by nature

Embark on an on-piste adventure

Chase the Northern Lights

Explore canyons of the United States

Dive and discover colorful corals

Most popular destinations for an adventure tour

Active tours around the world

• Tanzania (467)
• Morocco (307)
• Kenya (270)
• Egypt (143)
• Uganda (117)
• South Africa (89)
• Madagascar (84)
• Namibia (51)
• Botswana (31)
• Zambia (16)
• Tunisia (13)
• Zimbabwe (13)
• Senegal (10)
• Mozambique (7)
• Mauritius (6)
• Nepal (1189)
• Vietnam (315)
• India (305)
• Sri Lanka (135)
• China (115)
• Thailand (95)
• Jordan (75)
• Mongolia (73)
• Bhutan (61)
• Indonesia (51)
• Cambodia (31)
• Pakistan (28)
• Philippines (26)
• Georgia (26)
• Maldives (25)
• Malaysia (18)
• United Arab Emirates (16)
• Israel (15)
• Armenia (12)
• Kyrgyzstan (12)
• Azerbaijan (11)
• Uzbekistan (11)
• South Korea (5)

Australia/Oceania

• Australia (123)
• New Zealand (90)
• Papua New Guinea (5)
• Turkey (72)
• Iceland (65)
• Croatia (59)
• Greece (48)
• France (44)
• Portugal (33)
• Ireland (32)
• Finland (31)
• Albania (26)
• Germany (24)
• Romania (22)
• Slovenia (17)
• Sweden (16)
• Scotland (15)
• Norway (13)
• England (10)
• Austria (9)
• Switzerland (8)
• Bulgaria (8)
• Lithuania (7)
• Macedonia (7)
• Czech Republic (7)
• Moldova (6)
• Montenegro (6)
• Ukraine (5)

Latin America

• Ecuador (184)
• Argentina (156)
• Costa Rica (110)
• Mexico (67)
• Brazil (46)
• Colombia (34)
• Bolivia (28)
• Guatemala (25)
• Puerto Rico (6)
• El Salvador (6)

North America

• Canada (97)
• Greenland (11)

Choose your timeframe

1,038 Tours

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3 Day Getaway

Your adventure tours questions, answered, how do i know an adventure tour is right for me.

If your favorite thing about traveling is exploring new and exciting destinations where every day is different, and doing activities where you truly experience what your part of the world has to offer, then an adventure tour is for you. Remember that they come in different levels of difficulty, so even as a beginner adventurer, there’s something to get you started!

Are the activities included?

An adventure tour is centered around the activities on tour, so most of the time, they are included in the total cost. Many operators also offer optional activities designed for those who like to step it up a notch and seize the day! For a full list of optional activities on your adventure, just start an inquiry, and the operator will inform you of the possibilities.

Do I need to train for an Active tour?

Not unless you want to! The best thing about booking your adventure tour on TourRadar is that you can decide your own difficulty—from relaxing walks to heart-pumping challenges! Simply use our filters until you find one that ticks all of your boxes. If you’re not sure, just get in touch, and we will be happy to guide you to the perfect adventure for you.

What's the difference between an Active and Explorer tour?

We’ve curated our adventure styles to suit everyone’s taste, so you can easily find your footing. If you love a bit of everything when getting to know a new place, then an Explorer tour is for you, while Active tours tend to have more physical activities involved too, so you might also go ziplining in the jungle and cool off with a dive or snorkel.

What about travel insurance?

Travel insurance is  mandatory for most of the tours on TourRadar  and must be purchased before you start your travels. It covers trip cancellations, medical emergencies, lost or stolen baggage, and more. As you can imagine, this is extra important when taking an adventure tour, and in most cases, you can add travel insurance with Cover Genius directly to your TourRadar booking when placing it.

How do I book an adventure tour on TourRadar?

Find your next active tour by searching our tours until you find one that tickles your travel bug. You can filter by destination, dates, must-see locations, and level of difficulty. Simply set your preferences and fill out your details to secure your trip. If you have any questions along the way, just make an inquiry, and the operator will respond with answers.

Best tour companies for adventure tours

Much loved by our past travelers, these adventure operators know how to craft the perfect Active experiences!

37,787 reviews

Sherpa Expedition Teams

1,811 reviews

Amazing India Tours

1,038 reviews

Crossing Vietnam Tour

727 reviews

Spider Tours and Safaris

689 reviews

Peregrine Treks and Expedition Pvt Ltd

571 reviews

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Having a change of heart? We've got plenty of Adventure Styles to suit every taste - from the fussiest connoisseur to the hopeless romantic.

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28 Adventures to Travel For, From Glacier Chasing in Greenland to Sand Surfing in the Sahara

By Caitlin Morton

As much as we love lounging on a faraway beach or revisiting our favorite city for the tenth time, sometimes our passports need some adventure travel—we’re talking about those once-in-a-lifetime trips that push us way outside our comfort zones. Adventure travel is a great way to see more of the world, while also testing your physical limits, and coming home with a lifetime's worth of stories to tell at parties.

Below, we’ve rounded up some of the most incredible outdoor adventures for intrepid travelers, ranging from climbing Machu Picchu to skydiving in Dubai . Even if you don’t consider yourself a daredevil, you’ll still find activities that feel exciting (hello, camping under the northern lights) without too much physical—or emotional—exertion required. So fasten your seatbelts, grab your best pair of hiking boots , and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Boat under the Iguazú Falls

South America’s Iguazú Falls, located on the border of Brazil and Argentina, make all other waterfalls look like mere trickles in comparison. The system of more than 200 cascades (reaching heights of around 270 feet) can be viewed from surrounding walkways and catwalks, but we’re fans of the more adventurous vantage-point—hopping on an Iguazú Jungle inflatable raft and sailing directly under the exhilarating, high-pressure falls.

Climb to Machu Picchu

No adventurer’s must-visit list is complete without Machu Picchu , the famous Incan citadel located in the Andes. While the site can be accessed via train and bus, more active travelers can take the five-day trek along the entire 26-mile-long Inca Trail. Or, thanks to local tour operator Sam Travel Peru , you can get dropped at kilometer marker 104 and do the whole experience in 24 hours .

Sand surf in the Sahara

The dunes of the Sahara are colossal, untouched, and tailor-made for extreme sports. The desert’s rows of barchans (meaning “crescent-shaped dunes” in Turkic) have ideal shapes for sand surfing (descending the slopes on a surfboard) and sandboarding (descending the slopes on a snowboard)—and those views don’t hurt, either. Stay at Erg Chigaga Luxury Camp in Morocco, which offers sandboarding in addition to other desert activities like camel rides and quad biking.

Heli-hike in British Columbia

With CMH Heli + Skiing , you can helicopter to the steepest and deepest powder in Canada for backcountry skiing. However, come summer , the company’s guides take guests on multi-day hiking trips to terrain otherwise inaccessible, along ridgelines, through alpine meadows, and to stunning viewpoints. While these high-altitude adventures are not for the faint at heart, the accommodations are quite comfortable, with log-hewn lodges complete with full-service restaurants, spa treatments, and a rooftop hot tub to relax in before another day on the trail.

Hot air balloon over Cappadocia

A hot air balloon ride over central Turkey’s Cappadocia region provides 360-degree views of the famous limestone spires and “fairy chimneys”—something you can't get at the ground level. We recommend booking with Kapadokya Balloons , the first company that introduced hot air balloon tourism in Cappadocia. Services include transfers to and from your hotel, snacks, full insurance, and a champagne party after the flight.

Hunt for glaciers in Greenland

Greenland is relatively expensive and tricky to get to, but well worth the effort—especially since it’s one of the most untouched landscapes on the planet. Exhibit A: the hundreds-year-old icebergs and glaciers floating off the mainland, which you can get up close and personal with during a cruise excursion. ( Hurtigruten and Cruise Norway offer these sailings.)

Hop across Botswana on a mobile safari

While most safari camps stay in one place like a traditional hotel, the private canvas safaris by  Barclay Stenner Safaris are totally mobile, meaning you can pick up and move locations based on weather conditions and wildlife movements. The outfitter’s Botswana itinerary moves across the country to fauna-rich areas like the Okavango Delta and Makgadikgadi Salt Pans—get ready to follow groups of lions, hippos, elephants, and more.

Paraglide over Turkey’s Blue Lagoon

Oludeniz has one of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey, with pebble shores and a “blue lagoon” of aquamarine hues. The beach also happens to be one of the world's best places to paraglide, thanks to stable weather and gorgeous panoramic views. The launch site for most companies is from Babadağ mountain, with jumping-off points reaching 6,000 feet above sea level.

Explore the Great Barrier Reef

Divers and snorkelers everywhere need to experience the Great Barrier Reef at least once in their lifetime. Not only does the site have more than 400 different types of coral and 1,500 species of fish, but the natural wonder has been rapidly eroding due to coral bleaching and global warming . That means it’s more urgent than ever to see this sight in all its glory—and to understand what we are losing.

Swim through Mexico’s cenotes

Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula features a wealth of unique natural beauty, particularly when it comes to its cavernous cenotes. Floating in one of these natural sinkholes is an incredible experience, as is diving through the underground cave systems . When in Tulum , visit Dos Ojos (“Two Eyes”) to view one of the planet’s most beautiful underwater sites or Gran Cenote for rock formations that resemble Gothic architecture.

Free-fall over Dubai at 120 miles per hour

Dubai is one of the most over-the-top cities in the world, so are you really surprised that skydiving is one of its most popular activities?  Skydive Dubai is a company located near Jumeirah Beach, offering tandem skydiving for beginners and solo jumps for licensed divers. If you thought Dubai’s skyline was impressive already, just wait until you see it while falling from 13,000 feet in the air.

Scale Half Dome at Yosemite National Park

The Half Dome trail through Yosemite may be one of the most intense hikes you’ll ever take, stretching for 16 miles and ascending more than 5,500 feet. The final 400 feet are the trickiest—hikers must climb up the steep slope with two steel cables as their only support—but the breathtaking views from the top make the effort (and terror) worth it. Afterwards, stay at The Ahwahnee, one of the most beautiful national park hotels in the country.

Swim with great white sharks in South Africa

The fishing town of Gansbaai is often considered to be the birthplace of great white shark cage diving, an activity that would make most adrenaline junkies drool. Cage diving is totally safe (despite what some low-budget shark movies might lead you to believe), but we dare you to keep your heart rate in check as you come face-to-face with an apex predator.  Marine Dynamics is one of the most popular cage diving operators in town, with a marine biologist and videographer joining every tour.

Bungee jump in New Zealand

New Zealand practically invented adventure sports when the Kawarau Bridge Bungy opened in 1988. Here you join around 38,000 annual visitors to take the 140-foot jump from the South Island's historic, steel-framed Kawarau Bridge—an activity in which the views are almost as thrilling as the fall itself.

Climb Mount Fuji

Solitary Mount Fuji is probably Japan’s most iconic natural wonder , rising 12,388 feet above villages and reflecting on lakes’ surfaces. You can get views of the landmark from many places, like Lake Kawaguchi in Fujikawaguchiko and even the Park Hyatt Tokyo , but it’s the views from the mountain that will give you the most bragging rights. Visit from early July to mid-September to take advantage of the official climbing season, when the designated trails and paved roads are free of snow.

Go volcano boarding on Cerro Negro in Nicaragua

If you’re looking for action sports and adventure, we recommend booking a flight to Nicaragua right now. There you can kayak, surf, zipline through the jungle, and even sled down the side of an active volcano. Intrepid travelers love to climb up the 2,388-foot Cerro Negro and then “volcano board” back down (an activity where you sit or stand on a piece of plywood and slide your way down the slopes). You'll want to go with a guided group tour with this one. Bigfoot Hostels is one of many operators for excursions—for $25, you get transportation to the volcano, boards, safety equipment, snacks, and your speed clocked by a radar gun.

Take a white-knuckle drive in Norway

Who says your adrenaline can’t pump from the comfort of your car? Trollstigen is one of the world’s most popular (and  terrifying ) highways, known for its steep gradient and hairpin turns. The one-lane road passes such impressive wonders as the 1,050-foot Stigfossen waterfall, but be sure to pull over before you gawk and snap photos. There are several viewing platforms along the road that will let you take in the sites without risking a crash.

Dive Belize’s Great Blue Hole

Known for its circular shape and strikingly deep blue color , the Great Blue Hole is a 1,000-foot-wide sinkhole in the middle of Belize’s Lighthouse Reef. While an aerial shot is enough to convince anyone of its beauty, scuba divers are the ones who get to experience the wonders that lie beneath: massive, 40-foot limestone stalactites and stalagmites that formed during the last glacial period.

Go canyoning in the Azores

Portugal’s Azores Islands are equal parts adventurous and beautiful, inviting travelers to get up close and personal with nature while hiking, biking, and swimming. If you want to really push the envelope, try canyoning—an activity that has you rappel down a waterfall while navigating slippery rocks and fast-flowing water. Azores Getaways offers a comprehensive and easy-to-book experience. Training, equipment, on-site instructors, and snacks are all included in the excursion, which will no doubt become one of the most memorable of your life.

Kayak through Torres del Paine National Park

Chile’s Patagonia region is one of the most beautiful spots on the planet, and there are plenty of ways to explore the area. But while most people experience the sights while hiking, you can get a slightly different view from the water via a kayaking trip.  Kayak en Patagonia offers several tour options ranging in duration and difficulty levels, but all let you paddle past towering mountains, rugged glaciers, and other incredible vistas.

Sleep under the northern lights

Ah, the elusive northern lights . So many factors are at play when it comes to seeing the technicolor phenomenon—location, time of year, weather conditions—but it’s hard to lose with an excursion to Finnish Lapland. The Arctic area is one of the planet’s best for aurora viewing, especially if you get to sleep in an igloo hotel at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort or mobile Aurora Bubble Sled . Up your viewing chances by planning a trip between December and March.

Go heli-skiing in Alaska

If you’re a seasoned traveler who’s conquered every black diamond slope in North America, there’s still one snowy adventure left to vanquish: heli-skiing. There’s nothing quite like hopping in a helicopter and being dropped onto untouched snow at the top of a mountain—especially in a setting as formidable as Alaska’s Chugach Mountains. The experienced guides at  Valdez Heli Ski Guides (VHSG) will help make this dream a reality, taking you to some of the best runs of your life and then letting you unwind (hot tub and massages included) at the cozy  Tsaina Lodge .

Snorkel between continents in Iceland

Iceland is one of the best countries in the world for adventure travel , with opportunities for everything from glacier hiking to snorkeling and diving. For the latter, head straight to Thingvellir National Park along the country’s Golden Circle route , where two tectonic plates slowly pull apart at the rate of about two centimeters (0.8 inches) per year. The phenomenon results in the Silfra fissure, a stunning rift valley where travelers can snorkel or dive in impossibly clear (and cold) waters. Tour company DIVE.IS offers tours for divers and every level of snorkeler—including those with no prior experience—and will snap an underwater photo of you touching two continents at the same time.

Float along the Amazon

Some remote destinations are best seen from the deck of a boat, and that includes the upper Amazon River. Aqua Expeditions ’ luxury cruises through the Peruvian stretch of the river tour the area’s wildlife and culture at a delightful, leisurely pace. You'll even have chef-prepared gourmet meals and five-star suites with floor-to-ceiling windows. Looking for something a little less luxe? Amazon Adventures offers kayaking trips along some Amazon tributaries, where you can fish for piranhas and camp out in the rainforest.

Surf ‘The Pipeline’ in Oahu

Oahu’s Banzai Pipeline (commonly referred to as The Pipeline) is easily one of the most sought-after surfing spots in the world. Located off the coast of the island’s north shore in Ehukai Beach Park, the surf reef break averages waves measuring nine feet high. This activity is definitely not for beginners, but even non-surfers will get a thrill out of watching the many surf competitions that take place at The Pipeline—all from the safety of a sunny beach.

Spot elusive wildlife in the Great Bear Rainforest

Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest is the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world—and one of the most magical, with elusive species like sea wolves and Kermode bears roaming its 21 million acres. Outer Shores Expeditions will take you on a nine-day excursion aboard a schooner, departing from British Columbia’s First Nations community of Bella Bella and stopping for sea kayaking along the way.

Soak in the planet’s most extreme infinity pool

Located on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, Victoria Falls attracts thousands of tourists each year. One of the biggest draws here is the Devil’s Pool , a naturally formed eddy sitting at the very edge of the falls, where daring swimmers can splash around between August and January (depending on water levels, that is). Given that a slippery rock barrier is the only thing separating you from going over the edge, this site is easily the planet’s most extreme infinity pool .

Camp in Antarctica

Antarctica is truly the final frontier when it comes to adventure travel, providing untouched landscapes, unique wildlife, and more activities than you’ll know what to do with (like cruising, caving, and thermal spring soaking , to name a few). If you can get yourself to Punta Arenas, Chile, Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions will fly you to Antarctica for three days of skiing and hiking before setting you up for a South Pole sleepover.

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“Absolutely EVERYTHING about this trip was perfect: itinerary, food, lodgings, trip leaders, educational opportunities. A perfect example of why Wilderness Travel will always be our first choice when planning adventures.”

“We were taught so much beyond the usual viewpoint given to a tourist that I felt I had a much deeper understanding of the culture and history than I would have if traveling with a different company.”

“An incredible variety of activities was packed into the trip, yet we never felt rushed. It would be impossible to do what we did in the same period of time without the expertise of WT guides.”

“I have dreamed of taking this trip for years. Truly this journey exceeded my expectations on all fronts. The wildlife, terrain, people, staff and fellow trip mates made it an adventure to always treasure. I feel blessed and fortunate. Thank you Wilderness Travel. You have my complete confidence.”

“Because of our Trek Leader’s vast experience in the area, we used several trails that aren’t known to many trekkers and we were invited into Sherpa homes, which was wonderful. I had been dreaming of this trip for 30 years and now those dreams are fulfilled.”

“Couldn’t have asked for a more interesting trip and two outstanding guides, accommodations, and meals. This was our fourth trip with Wilderness Travel and one of the best (although we say that about every trip we have been on!)”

“I love Wilderness Travel! You select the best guides, a variety of special places to stay, the food is always plentiful and cultural, and the adventure is top drawer! Thank you for offering trips that expand one’s knowledge of other cultures while making it enjoyable and fun.”

“We are still on a high a month after the trip, having had wonderful guides, camp crew, co-travelers, and the right mix of comfort and authentic experience.”

“WOW! This was an extraordinary trip. It was meticulously planned, but allowed for many spontaneous interactions and delightful surprises. Another WT success story.”

“This was my first trip to India and I cannot imagine a better introduction. Because of the care with which the trip had been planned and organized, I was able to relax, enjoy, and try to fully absorb the experience without spending even a moment concerned about the quotidian details of the trip. What a luxury.”

“Everyone was so thorough and helpful. It was like being whisked around on a magic carpet. Doors opened, every wish fulfilled, amazing service!”

“It was an indescribable, life-affirming experience that I will always cherish. In particular, I wanted to commend your selection of Trip Leaders. Their skill, thoughtfulness, and dedication made the entire trip seem effortless even though the challenge was great.”

Talk to an expert

Our Area Specialists know every detail about our adventures around the world. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!

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• New Zealand
• United Kingdom
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From big wows to hidden gems, our tours leave you feeling that you've really explored.

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Chosen for their great knowledge of your destination and a passion to make your trip extraordinary.

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Average groups of 11; solos, couples and friends, united by a desire for authentic experiences.

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How we operate sets us apart; our flexible booking policy, our loyalty scheme & sustainable approach.

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Explore Flex

Explore has always been known for its flexible booking conditions and since the Coronavirus pandemic, we've gone even further to ensure you can continue to book your next adventure with confidence.

WELCOME TO THE ADVENTURE COLLECTION

Nine Pioneering Adventure Travel Companies

Offering Over 1,000 Distinctive Journeys Across the Globe

From the Arctic

And All Points Between

Our Member Companies

Request a brochure or newsletter, need some inspiration check out our featured adventures, hawaii’s big island bike tour.

Circumnavigate the Big Island on two wheels, passing lava fields, rain forests, coffee plantations and scenic beaches.

Africa by Private Jet

This whirlwind trip takes you from South Africa to Botswana to Zambia to Tanzania to Ethopia in 16 days.

Treasures of Persia

A land of astounding beauty and modern intellect that transcends its Western image. Immerse yourself in energetic Tehran, Iran’s capital city and cultural hub. Explore ancient Persepolis, Esfahan’s architectural treasures, and Tabriz’s great bazaar

Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands

It’s the impossible beauty of Antarctica exponentially increased by unimaginable numbers of animals. A not-be-missed polar experience, for those with the luxury of time.

The Insider’s Africa

Come visit our home! We created Insider’s Africa around the idea of friends inviting friends to their—it just so happens, unforgettably extraordinary—East African homes.

Alaska’s Coastal Grizzlies: Kodiak to Katmai

Get closer to giant brown bears – the world’s biggest coastal grizzlies –  in a wilder setting, than anywhere else on earth! Cruising just offshore on our private chartered ship allows unparalleled access for bear watching, in the most intimate of contexts.

Alaska Packrafting

Designed for students 18 and over, this 30-day land- and water-based expedition uses packrafts—single-person inflatable rafts weighing four pounds each—to open up some of the world’s most remote country that would be otherwise inaccessible to overland travel.

Grand Canyon Dory Trips: Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek

All the scenery, side canyons and whitewater excitement of our full Grand Canyon trip plus the glories of Marble Canyon, the mysteries of the Inner Gorge, terrific side hikes and Indian ruins, crystalline creeks and waterfalls, and whitewater galore.

The Great American West

From Crazy Horse to Custer and Deadwood to Devils Tower, the West is a colorful storybook spilling over with strong personalities and profoundly historic landscapes. Discover some new chapters and write your own footnotes on this fun and engaging exploration.

The Latest from our Blog

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5 Books to Inspire Your 2018 Travel Adventures

Want travel inspiration you can page through as you sip your eggnog by the fireplace? Check out these five recent titles. They may just prompt you to drop everything and head out into the world!...

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Sometimes, fear can be debilitating; but in the right doses, it can actually be good for you! Here are 10 reasons why....

Looking for Lemurs in Madagascar

There are more than 100 different varieties of lemur that live in Madagascar—and only in Madagascar. Finding them entails a trek through the island’s rain forests… ...

Why Travel With Adventure Collection?

Responsible travel – walking the walk.

Our members are deeply respectful of the destinations where they are operate and have received numerous accolades and awards for blazing new frontiers in responsible travel. Our members continuously strive to minimize their impacts on the environment and give back to the places they visit.

Unparalleled Passion & Expertise

Every Adventure Collection trip is the legacy of a company with a rich and unique traveling heritage. We're proud of our travel innovations all over this bounteous world. And while Adventure Collection's story is new, the stories of the passionate men and women who created it are travel industry legends.

The World's Most Celebrated Adventure Travel Companies

With over 300 years of collective experience, Adventure Collection members have gained the trust and respect of tens of thousands of travelers and together have earned nearly every major travel award and accolade. Our members are consistently recognized as the “best in class” operators in their respective fields.

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Where will you go?

Explore popular tours.

The Inca Trail & Machu

Everest Base Camp

Kilimanjaro

The Galapagos

Mount Toubkal

Walking the Amalfi Coast

Popular destinations.

Explore by adventure

Climb Mount Toubkal

Galapagos Islands

Kilimanjaro Trek

Machu Picchu

Trek To Everest Base Camp

Epic Adventures

Great Wall of China

Northern Lights

Polar Exploring

The Silk Road

Walking & trekking.

Amalfi Coast Tours

Annapurna Treks

Camino De Santiago

Dolomites Holidays

European Trekking Holidays

France Walking Holidays

Greece Walking Holidays

High Altitude Treks

Italy Walking Tours

Path Of The Gods

Salkantay Trek

Spain Walking Tours

Trek The Atlas Mountains

Trekking & Hiking Holidays

Trekking In Peru

United Kingdom Walking Holidays

Cycle Vietnam

Europe Cycling Holidays

France Cycling Holidays

Italy Cycling Holidays

Spain Cycling Tours

Tuscany Cycling Holidays

United Kingdom Cycling Holidays

18 - 30 Somethings

Croatia Island Hopping

Egypt Pyramid Tours

Great Barrier Reef

Nile Cruises

Work In Australia

Safari Holidays

Tanzania Safari

Solo Travellers

Singles Holidays

Solo Holidays

Solo Travel For Women

Activity Holidays

Family Adventure Holidays

Foodie Adventures

Greece Sailing Tours

Kayaking Holidays

LGBT Travel

Multi Activity

Self-Guided

Meet our People

Call or email our expert team to find out more and help with ideas and planning.

Build your Adventures

Our tailor-made tours and holidays are crafted by you and for you, with the invaluable assistance of our expert team

Frequently asked questions

Why book with the adventure people.

Looking for an adventure-filled holiday? Look no further than The Adventure People! We specialise in crafting the ultimate adventure holiday experiences that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.

Our team of experienced adventure guides will take you off the beaten path and into the heart of the action. Whether you're into hiking, cycling, rock climbing, kayaking, or any other adventure activity, we've got you covered. Our multiday tours and experiences will immerse you in nature, challenge you physically, and awaken your sense of adventure.

Embark on a trek through the Himalayas, summit a volcano in Indonesia, kayak along the stunning coastline of Croatia, or cycle through the picturesque countryside of Tuscany. Our adventure holidays will take you to some of the most breathtaking destinations on the planet, each with its own unique flavor and challenges.

At The Adventure People, we're committed to sustainable and responsible travel. We believe in leaving a positive impact on the communities and environments we visit, and our tours reflect that commitment. We work with local guides and small businesses, use eco-friendly modes of transportation, and leave no trace behind.

So what are you waiting for? It's time to step out of your comfort zone and embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Contact us today to learn more about our adventure holiday options and to start planning your next big adventure!

Benefits of booking with The Adventure People!

Top 10 reasons to book with us:

1. You'll receive the best service available.

2. You'll have access to your own personal travel expert.

3. You're financially protected through various means:

a) ABTA membership

b) ATOL certification

c) Strong English consumer protection and trading law 

4. You can book your flights with us.

5. You can book your accommodation and transfers with us.

6. We can build a bespoke tailor made holiday for you.

7. We're one of the leading travel companies in the UK ( see our reviews!)

8. We have amazing choice

9. We won't be beaten on price or value.

10. With your help we're supporting local communities.

What is an adventure holiday?

What is an Adventure Holiday?

An adventure holiday is more than just a getaway; it's an adrenaline-pumping, heart-pounding escape from the ordinary. It's about pushing your limits, discovering hidden gems, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Imagine hiking through pristine wilderness, cycling along breath-taking coastal routes, or embarking on thrilling water-based escapades. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or a first-time explorer, we've got the perfect adventure waiting for you.

Why Choose an Adventure Holiday?

Adventure holidays offer an unparalleled opportunity to:

Reconnect with Nature: Get up close and personal with the world's most stunning landscapes, from majestic mountains to lush rainforests.

Challenge Yourself: Push your boundaries and conquer new feats, fostering personal growth and self-discovery.

Escape the Ordinary: Say goodbye to routine and hello to excitement as you embark on unique experiences and cultural encounters.

Create Lasting Memories: Forge unforgettable memories with like-minded travellers who share your passion for adventure.

Our Adventure Holiday Offerings

At The Adventure People, we have carefully curated a range of adventure holiday packages to cater to all preferences and levels of experience. Choose from a variety of thrilling activities, including hiking, cycling, water sports, wildlife safaris, and much more.

We partner with expert guides and adventure specialists to ensure your safety and satisfaction throughout your journey. From picturesque hikes in the Alps to thrilling water rafting in the Amazon, we've got you covered.

Book Your Adventure Today

Don't miss out on the adventure of a lifetime. Let us help you plan your next adrenaline-packed vacation. Contact us now to start your adventure holiday journey. Your extraordinary adventure awaits!

Ready to take the plunge? Contact us today to begin your adventure of a lifetime!

What are the most popular adventures?

There are many types of adventure holiday but here we list the top 10 over the past 12 months:

1.  Everest Base Camp

2.  Inca Trail & Machu Picchu

3.  Kilimanjaro Trek

4.  Exploring the Galapagos

5.  Northern Lights

6.  Mount Toubkal (Morocco) Trek

7.  Walk The Amalfi Coast

8. Visit The Amazon

9.  Safari Camping and Trekking

10.  Trekking Mont Blanc

How does an adventure tour work?

Most of the adventure holidays are small group tours. They are great ways to explore, meet people (maybe even friends for life) and enjoy experiences you may never have otherwise had. They're travels best kept secret!

The small groups are typically  around 10 people and are made up of solo travellers, couples and friends from all over the world. If you ever want to find out who's booked just ask our team or you can submit a 'Who's Going?' query on any available date.

Each group has a guide who'll meet you on day one and be with you all the through your adventure until the end.

Details about what's included and not included can be found on any adventure page or from the brochures which are free to download.

Who goes on adventures?

All sorts of people! We have customers age 18 to well over 80 years old.

We have solo travellers couples, friends and families.

Ad adventure holiday is an experience. 

Some of our adventures are challenging and some are not. Some are guided trips of exploration whilst some will take you to a high peak.

There is something for everyone.

Can I be a solo traveller?

YES! Up to 50% of our customers are solo travellers and so loads of adventures are geared up for those travelling alone.

If you're a solo traveller you'll be with a group which means you'll make loads of new friends, you're safe and you're going to have a lot of fun.

Typically solo travellers can opt to have their own room (usually with a small surcharge) or you can be paired with someone of the same gender and age if possible.

Can I speak to someone?

Yes. We have a team of experts available to help. You can contact via phone, email or chat. We'll always get back to you quickly if not immediately.

Our team have multiple years experience each in the adventure holiday sector with some even being ex-expedition leaders. We really pride ourselves on our team as we think they're the best in the business. 

Are you ATOL registered?

Yes. In the UK we're members of ABTA which is a trade body and we have an ATOL, a license which allows us to sell flights and this is ran by the civil aviation authority.

Both bodies monitor our business monthly.

For anyone outside of the UK, if a company in the UK sells flights it must have an ATOL, it's a legal requirement. Along with this are certain financial protection measures to be in place. The conclusion is that we protect customers monies until they actually go on holiday.

No matter where you are in the world, your money is safe when you make a booking. It stays in a bank account until you depart.

Lots (probably most here in the UK) of travel companies tell customers their money is safe but really they use it and insure it rather than actually protecting it. We actually protect it.

About The Adventure People

We are a travel agency who specialise in adventure holidays. 

Most of the adventure holidays we feature are small group guided trips starting at point A and ending at point B with lots of experiences in-between.

We are part of the company World Adventures. We established in 2017. We have an ATOL license and are members of ABTA. 

Our office is in south London but our team are based all over the United Kingdom.

List of Adventure Holiday Destinations

Adventure Holidays In Peru

Adventure Holidays In Costa Rica

Adventure Holidays In Mexico

Adventure Holidays In Cuba

Adventure Holidays In Croatia

Adventure Holidays In Italy

Adventure Holidays In Spain

Adventure Holidays In France

Adventure Holidays In Iceland

Adventure Holidays In Greece

Adventure Holidays In Thailand

Adventure Holidays In Vietnam

Adventure Holidays In India

Adventure Holidays In Bali

Adventure Holidays In Sri Lanka

Adventure Holidays In Cambodia

Adventure Holidays In China

Adventure Holidays In Borneo

Adventure Holidays In Malaysia

Adventure Holidays In Jordan

Adventure Holidays In Japan

Adventure Holidays In South Korea

Adventure Holidays In Mongolia

Adventure Holidays In Nepal

Adventure Holidays In The Philippines

Adventure Holidays In Australia

Adventure Holidays In New Zealand

Adventure Holidays In South Africa

Adventure Holidays In Tanzania

Adventure Holidays In Morocco

Adventure Holidays In Egypt

Adventure Holidays In The United States

Adventure Holidays In Canada

Our Most Popular Adventures

Everest Base Camp Treks

Machu Picchu & The Inca Trail

Kilimanjaro Treks

Mont Blanc Trekking

Mount Toubkal Treks

Masai Mara Holidays

Gap Year Adventure Holidays

Foreign Travel Advice

For UK customers the latest travel updates can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Still have questions?

Can't find the answer you're looking for? Please chat to our friendly team.

Amazing adventure stories

First Time Travelling Alone

walk the wicklow way

Why is Thailand a great place for a GAP year?

What our customers say, trust the adventure people.

Communication was excellent both by email and over the phone, everyone I had contacted followed and actioned my request or answered my question politely and efficiently.

Would definitely recommend this company.

The staff are super helpful and friendly and always answer e-mails as soon as they can.

Trip achieved all my expectations!

The tour that I booked with The Adventure People met all my expectations. The local agent in Vietnam kept in regular contact with me during my trip. All of the connections worked perfectly. The hotels were all of a good standard and comfortable as well as being in a good location. Would definitely use them again

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The Adventure People has been rated excellent by its customers

The Different Types of Adventure Travel

Adventure travel is one of the fastest segments of the travel market, drawing in more and more people on a yearly basis. But what exactly is adventure travel and what can you expect out of an adventure trip? That is completely up to you, because "adventure" has a different meaning for every individual traveler.

That said, in its purest form, this type of travel generally offers some classic experiences and activities that truly help to define its style. If you're planning on taking your first adventure travel trip, here are some of the activities you can expect to be a part of the itinerary. 

Trekking/Hiking

Traveling on foot through remote locations has always been at the core of adventure travel. Whether that means backpacking along the Appalachian Trail, trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, or simply heading out for a backcountry adventure on a local trail, this is a great way to explore any destination. Travelers have always enjoyed walking tours and pretty much no matter where you want to go, you'll likely find some options for hiking and trekking there. Often these trips involve camping overnight along the way too, adding yet another adventurous element to the equation. 

Cycling/Mountain Biking

Cycling trips are another popular method of transportation and category for adventure travel. Rather than exploring a destination on foot, travelers climb aboard a bike instead. This allows them to cover more ground at a faster pace, while still feeling connected with the landscape, culture, and people there. Mountain biking offers a similar experience, but allows access to more remote, off the beaten path, destinations, while introducing a more challenging aspect to the riding as well. 

Travelers will find options to ride just about anywhere these days, ranging from French wine country to the entire length of Africa . 

Canoe/Kayaking

Canoeing and kayaking trips are another popular way to experience a destination, granting travelers access to lakes, rivers, and even oceans. This type of travel can be as serene as paddling the Greek Isles or as wild as taking on some of the top whitewater destinations on the planet. One word of caution however, travelers should have some experience paddling before embarking on these types of journeys as they can be strenuous and dangerous depending on the nature of the water involved. Flat water is generally safe, but whitewater can be treacherous. Both can be fun if you are well prepared. 

Climbing/Mountaineering

While not often viewed as a form of adventure travel, mountaineering and climbing expeditions still fall under the same very broad umbrella. These types of trips typically require more skill and experience than simply trekking in the mountains and tend to be more technical too. That means requiring the use of ropes, ice axes, crampons, and other specialized equipment to reach the top of a mountain. A climb to the top of Kilimanjaro is mostly non-technical, and falls under the trekking category, while an expedition to Mt. Everest is squarely in the more challenging mountaineering realm. Altitude can often play a bigger role in this type of adventure too, which can literally take place on every continent.

Take caution however; you should only embark on a mountaineering trip if you have the necessary skills and experience to do so and are traveling with a certified mountain guide. 

Skiing/Snowshoeing

Some of the best adventures take place in the snow, with skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing offering great experiences for travelers who don't mind colder weather. These types of trips can include everything from resort and backcountry skiing, to cross-country and snowshoe traverses too. Winter adventures are once again very popular in pretty much every corner of the globe, ranging from North America, to Europe, and even the Antarctic. 

Horseback Riding

Horseback adventure tours are also a fantastic way to explore the more remote regions of any country. Horses can travel faster and more safely to places that we humans can't always reach on our own. This allows us to go along for the ride while taking in the scenery along the way. While travelers will want to have some level of skill on horseback before setting out, these types of trips are a great way to gain experience for those who want to improve their riding. Just be sure to be confident in the saddle, don't be afraid of the horse, and enjoy the ride. (And if you're in Jordan, check out how to ride a camel.)

Dogsledding

Horses aren't the only animals that get to join us on our adventurous travels. Dogsledding is another exciting activity that travelers can indulge in if so inclined. These types of tours can last four a few hours or a few weeks, depending on just how adventurous you want to get. Driving a team of dogs takes a bit of practice, but it can be a lot of fun and a wonderful way to travel through the backcountry during the winter. Be sure to pack your warmest clothes and bring your most adventurous attitude. Oh, and try not to fall in love with the dogs. 

Overlanding

If you're the type of traveler who likes to get off the beaten path and explore remote parts of the world by motorized vehicle, overlanding is the option for you. Typically done in 4x4 vehicles, overlanders relish the journey rather than the destination. These types of excursions will take you off-road and into the wilderness where you'll be completely self reliant. Camping is usually a part of the experience, with only the occasional dip into nearby towns to refuel and resupply. Travelers can choose to join an organized overlanding expedition or go completely independent as well, depending on their own level of experience and confidence. 

Traditionally speaking, a safari is a wildlife viewing trip to Africa, although these days the term can be applied to all kinds of excursions to just about any part of the planet. In fact, "safari" is the swahili word for "journey" and it is widely considered to be one of the first forms of adventure travel. Today, the African safari remains a great option for spotting wildlife in its natural habitat, but there are also penguin safaris , polar bear safaris , and other times of safaris that take place across North and South America, and Asia too. These types of trips are family friendly, relaxing, and perfect for a wide variety of ages, making them one of the most popular forms of adventure travel, even in the 21st century. 

Just as the name implies, a multisport adventure travel experience combines two or more of the activities listed above into the same trip. For instance, travelers might go hiking, biking, and paddling when visiting a certain destination, allowing them to stay very active and experience a wide variety of aspects of the place they are visiting. These types of itineraries can be found in just about any corner of the globe and during any season too. In the winter, travelers might ski, snowshoe, and dogsled their way across the landscape, and in summer they could bike, surf, and sail for instance. These types of outings are generally very popular with those who like to stay very active and are in good physical condition. 

Sailing/Cruising

For most adventure travelers a cruise doesn't seem like much of an adventure, but there are some great options for those who enjoy traveling by ship. Small-ship cruises to places like Alaska, Antarctica, and the Falklands can be amazing options, with opportunities to go hiking, kayaking, and wildlife spotting. Plus, small-ship cruises are much more intimate and allow passengers to get to know one another better. These types of adventures are far cry from the massive ships that carry thousands of tourists, with the smaller vessels allowing access to some of the most remote and rewarding places on the planet. 

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The 10 Most Romantic Adventure Trips You Can Take

Your Complete Guide to Bikepacking

The 8 Most Adventurous Things to Do in Tahoe

9 Very Adventurous Things to Do in Costa Rica

How to Go Hiking With Your Kids

The World's Highest Places and Attractions That You Can Visit

How to Choose and Prepare for a Hiking Trip

10 Reasons to Visit Yellowstone in the Winter

Guide to the Spectacular Scenery of Chile's Lake District

Best Tour Companies for Singles

20 Top Things to Do in Diverse India

Amazon Tours & River Cruises

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I Visited the Only Country in the World With Walking Paths Along Its Entire Coastline — Here's What It Was Like

From the rush of downhill mountain biking to hikes along the rocky coast, this often-overlooked corner of the U.K. holds outsize adventures.

Julian Broad

Last year, the Welsh Affairs Committee noted in a House of Commons report that of the 41 million “international holidaymakers” who visited the U.K. in 2019, just 1 million went to Wales. “Marketing of Wales must be stronger,” the report noted, “with a clear theme devised to attract international tourists based on Wales’s unique strengths and attractions.”

Poor branding has long troubled the country. In her excellent 2023 memoir, "The Long Field," Pamela Petro, an American who fell hard for Wales, notes that this small country, which “clung to the periphery of Europe and the margins of history,” was often defined by what it was not. Starting with its very name: “ Wales is actually an Anglo-Saxon word meaning ‘place of the others’ or ‘place of the Romanized foreigners.’” Britain’s flag tells a similarly othering story: Wales is the sole U.K. country not represented on the Union Jack.

Even its most famous travel narrative — George Borrow’s 1862 tome "Wild Wales" — speaks to this exclusion. “Wales is a country interesting in many respects,” the book opens, “and deserving of more attention than it has hitherto met with.” Borrow, a polyglot Englishman and occasional travel writer, also just happened to lay out a strong brand identity: “Though not very extensive, it is one of the most picturesque countries in the world, a country in which Nature displays herself in her wildest, boldest, and occasionally loveliest forms.”

I decided I would take my wife and daughter on a tour of Wales — a place I, like so many others, had never been — to experience this lovely and bold nature. And so I began reading, with increasing excitement, of what was to come. I learned that almost a fifth of the country is covered by national parks (compared with roughly three percent of the U.S.), and there is chatter about “rewilding.” Heights are a common theme: clambering up peaks, careening down zip lines, bombing down flowing mountain-bike tracks. But there is the ocean, too. Wales is the only country in the world with walking paths along its entire coastline. There are stunningly scenic, hardly crowded beaches, and any number of surf breaks.

And one of my favorite facts, one that was to feature in a number of ways: there are more sheep than people.

Wales has just one motorway, the M4. Beyond that are a number of main roads, and then smaller local roads, and then, eventually, a spidery network of shockingly narrow lanes. Already tight for one car, they are expected to sometimes — and with great ceremony — handle two. Worsening matters are the high, verdant hedges on either side. “Pembrokeshire walls,” the gardener at a nursery called them, and they were unavoidable. “You should see when the cow parsley’s in bloom,” she said. “Then they really make the lane seem small.” I tried to embrace the slow-travel spirit of it all; a mile of Welsh lane held more adventure than half a day on a U.S. interstate highway.

And one of my favorite facts, one that was to feature in a number of ways: There are more sheep than people.

We were a bit road-jangled when we arrived at the Grove of Narberth, a lovely pastoral inn restored by Welsh hoteliers Neil and Zoe Kedward. The main house dates back to the 17th century, but the adjacent outbuildings — look for the arrow slits in the walls — go back as far as the 15th century. There were fresh-cut flowers, sleepy dogs at their owners’ feet in the library, and an afternoon tea set before us in the Artisan Brasserie.

Fueled by buttermilk scones and black Assam tea, we set out to stretch our legs and clear our heads. A short drive away, down farm tracks with signs announcing duck eggs and tractor pull, we arrived at the trailhead of the Bosherston Lily Ponds, a National Trust–managed park featuring a series of man-made lakes dotted with the eponymous aquatic plants. A half-hour’s walk brought us to Broad Haven South Beach, which was populated only by a small pod of surfers. We picked up the Pembrokeshire section of the coastal path, and after a hike up gorse-lined limestone cliffs to a vast, treeless tableau, we were rewarded with an epic view of the Bristol Channel. We luxuriated in the fact that we were wearing jackets (high temperature for July 2: 63 degrees) as a heat wave raged at home.

The next morning, we were doing more than looking at rocky cliffs — we were on them, and occasionally jumping off them into the frothing ocean, at Pembrokeshire’s Abereiddy Beach, a popular spot on St. Davids Peninsula, the westernmost point of Wales. Our host was Cleo Browne, owner of Celtic Quest Coasteering, a local outfitter. Coasteering, a portmanteau of coast and mountaineering, is a kind of intertidal frolicking, born amid the dramatic volcanic cliffs of Wales (don’t worry, none of Wales’s volcanoes are active anymore).

“Coasteering is everything you’re usually not allowed to do around water,” she told us cheerfully after we’d donned wet suits and helmets, sneakers and life vests, and waded into the chilly waters. Like seals we would swim, pausing to look at translucent moon jellies and compass jellyfish (“It’s like nettles,” Browne said when I asked if they stung). We would paddle into caves, look for critters in rocky tide pools, clamber out of the water and up slabs of volcanic rock studded with limpets, then fling ourselves off in a variety of positions — including a no-hands dive called the “penguin,” which I botched with face-slapping intensity.

We drifted into Abereiddy’s famous “Blue Lagoon,” a deep, aquamarine-tinged quarry — one cliff wall breached years ago, forming an ocean inlet. Browne pointed to white markings high on the rock. “That’s where they had the platforms for the Red Bull cliff-diving championships,” she noted. Thankfully, our launch point was leagues lower. After a small jump off a stone ledge, we moved to the top of an old quarry structure that overlooks the lagoon. I opted out, leaving my daughter standing on a high granite wall, looking like a damsel in distress. Browne shouted, “You can do it, Sylvie!” But my wife shouted, “You don’t have to do it, Sylvie!” Sylvie jumped, to applause from picnickers across the lagoon.

While I am usually not one to seek out these random, impromptu conversations, they kept happening in Wales — a country the size of New Jersey with one-third the population.

We headed toward the beach town of St. Davids for lunch. But not far away from Abereiddy, on the Llanrhian Road, I caught a sign, rendered in a seductive typeface, that said plants/garden/farm shop/café. They pretty much had us at plants, but café sealed the deal. Perennial, as it is called, was an auspicious choice, and soon we were tucking in to sandwiches of Caerphilly cheese and chutney in an exquisitely rendered garden. Near the cash register, I spied a sign for a lost African grey parrot. “We’re afraid he may have been eaten,” the woman behind the counter told me. As we kept chatting, we were soon joined by the cook, who chimed in that he’d seen it a few days after it was reported missing. Our meal had suddenly turned into a memorial for a stray bird. 

While I am usually not one to seek out these random, impromptu conversations, they kept happening in Wales — a country the size of New Jersey with one-third the population. Later, in the quaint redoubt of St. Davids (Britain’s smallest “city” — it gets called that because it has a cathedral), we were looking at gorgeous Welsh wool blankets in the gallery Studio 6. Made by the mill Melin Tregwynt, they had tags listing the people who’d woven them. We came across one whose color scheme had been inspired by Abereiddy’s Blue Lagoon, which seemed fateful. After more prolonged chat, we bought it.

Weeks later, I would get an email from a friend in New York, who’d heard from her friend — a native of St. Davids — that we’d been in her friend’s shop and bought a blanket.

In our quest for Wild Wales, we were supposed to have been at the bottom of Cardigan Bay, snorkeling for spider crabs with James Lynch. But with strong winds whipping the seas into a murky bouillabaisse, we were, instead, eating king prawns and drinking artisanal gin on the terrace of Albion Aberteifi, one of the hotels that Lynch owns. The refurbished former warehouse (circa 1745) fronts the river in the town of Cardigan, about an hour’s drive north of St. Davids.

Decades ago, Lynch was an art-school graduate in London who happened into property development when he bought a building — “I made studios for all my mates in the creative industries,” he told me — in not-yet-fashionable Shoreditch. Years later, on family vacations to western Wales, he would feel a similar entrepreneurial twitch in Cardigan, which, at the time, he said, “was very inexpensive and a bit neglected.” In 2009, Lynch and his wife, Sian Tucker, opened Fforest Farm, a sort of Welsh glamping fantasia, on a big plot of land that once held an Iron Age settlement. A decade on, “Cardi” is on the upswing, its attractive riverside streets filled with restaurants like the Lynch-owned Pizzatipi, the Michelin-recommended Yr Hen Printworks, and the excellent bakery Crwst (pronounced “croost”).

Lynch calls Fforest a “diffuse hotel,” meaning the rooms are spread across multiple buildings. As such, it doesn’t announce itself as a hotel. We entered a remote parking lot, where grazing sheep were our only company. After a long but pleasant walk, we made it to one of Fforest’s newish Onsen Domes. These spacious, canvas-covered geodesic domes are each connected to a small cedar bathroom and, just outside, a Japanese-style soaking tub. I felt like I was in a Terrence Malick film, with red-tinged rye fields all around shimmering in the summer haze, the pointy tops of canvas tents peeking through copses, and a generally dreamy atmosphere.

We took advantage of the walking paths on offer: to Cardigan itself, through the Teifi marshes, and to nearby Cilgerran Castle, the famed home of William Marshal, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, which is perched dramatically above the river Teifi. A National Trust property, Cilgerran was for centuries in a state of romantic ruin — one of many castles in a land with more per square mile than anywhere in the world — and visited by J.M.W. Turner and other artists. We went to the staggeringly beautiful Mwnt (pronounced “moont”) Beach, where we climbed Foel y Mwnt hill, which rises nearly 250 feet above the sand. 

One afternoon, we drove to Llys-y-frân Lake, a park and reservoir managed by the utility Welsh Water, and rode beautiful, scarcely populated trails on rented bikes. Next came surfing, for which we repaired to Poppit Sands beach for a session with Kwame Salam, an ebullient instructor whose Tonic Surf project specializes in the therapeutic aspects of surfing. The waves were not epic (as a surf-shop manager told me, “Good waves and good weather don’t go together in Wales”), but we had the beach to ourselves. After, we replenished with cheese toasties and honey ice cream at the Poppit Sands branch of Crwst.

From Cardigan, we pressed on to North Wales, a region of high, craggy peaks and moody weather, the historic center of Welsh coal mining and slate quarrying and the home of Eryri, the huge national park formerly known as Snowdonia. (It was renamed as part of a general thrust toward promoting Welsh language and culture.) We arrived at Plas Weunydd, a hotel that opened in 2021 in the 19th-century home of John Whithead Greaves, an Englishman who was headed to Canada to find his fortune when he detoured into Welsh slate (used, among other things, for roof tiles). The hotel sits at the foot of rolling mountains, in the former slate-mining region that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. (Blaenau Ffestiniog, the closest village, is known as the “town that roofed the world.”) Slate roofing was eventually superseded by other, less expensive materials. While there’s still money in recycling the remaining heaps of lower-quality slate for use in gardens and the like, much of the site has been turned over to outdoor recreation, and now has a zipline park and a downhill mountain-bike course.

Our destination was not the hotel itself, attractive as it was, but its new glamping huts, which were situated up on a high plateau near Barylwd Lake (reached after a panoramic 10-minute drive in an electric golf cart). Our accommodation was a pair of retro-style small houses with cozy interiors on metal wheels. It was just us, the wind, and the sheep. Early one morning, I was awakened by a thumping sound. It seemed too early for the daily service visit. Later, the hotel clerk told me the woolly neighbors do get a bit curious: “They unplugged the power at one hut.” (The staff retrofitted it against further ovine-induced blackouts.)

Ascending to the huts, we passed the entrance to Zip World Llechwedd, where my daughter was keen to try a kilometer-long plunge on “Europe’s first four-person zipline.” We strapped in to helmets and harnesses and were sent whizzing down a wire with a view of the village of Rhiwbryfdir far below in the valley. Its houses, which had slate roofs the same color as the surrounding slag heaps, seemed to grow out of the earth.

Zip World, it turns out, is not the only way down the mountain. Just next door is Antur Stiniog, a mountain-bike park. Simon Williams, a trail designer and one of the founders of Antur, told me the park had gotten funding from the European Union, among other entities — part of an effort to help revitalize the area, which is still adjusting to the loss of its principal industries. Once Antur built a road to the top of the hill, he told me, “the Zip World fella saw this place and went, ‘Yeah, there’s potential here.’ ”

We boarded a small bus, which pulled a trailer loaded with mountain bikes. The passengers looked like a Mad Max casting call — dirt-streaked, body-armor-wearing men (and a few women, the youngest being my daughter). Deposited at the top of a high, rugged peak, we would then ride down any number of trails (their difficulty graded, as in skiing, by color). While more experienced (and often Welsh-speaking) riders ripped down narrow tracks and jumped over earthen features, we poked and prodded our way down. Ziplining was entertaining enough, but it felt passive. On the bikes, we had to get our own way down the mountain. It was vaguely terrifying yet enormously fun. “You’re using all of your senses,” my daughter observed. “It makes you feel so alive.”

That seemed to be the mantra for our entire trip.

Navigating around the country clockwise, we moved on to Bannau Brycheiniog (in English, Brecon Beacons). It was named, one theory goes, for the Lord of the Rings –style signal fires that have been lit since the Middle Ages — and burned most recently during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.

Our base was the Felin Fach Griffin, the platonic ideal of a Welsh country pub with rooms. Situated above a winning restaurant (newly helmed by chef Gwennan Davies, who returned home to Wales after working with Tom Kerridge, the acclaimed gastropub specialist and a staple of British television), the Griffin was an ideal base for exploring. To clear our heads after the long drive, we set out for a walk along the bucolic towpath of the 35-mile-long Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal. While my daughter ran, trying to maintain her high-school cross-country training schedule, my wife and I moved at a more sensible pace, pausing to gaze at wildflowers and the handsome canal boats that are available to rent as overnight accommodation.

On the bikes, we had to get our own way down the mountain. It was vaguely terrifying yet enormously fun. “You’re using all of your senses,” my daughter observed. “It makes you feel so alive.”

The next day, my wife headed to the fabled book town of Hay-on-Wye, just 15 minutes away. But my bibliophilic dreams ran into my daughter’s newly unlocked passion for downhill mountain biking, so we set off to another incredible facility, BikePark Wales. A typically abundant Welsh rain did nothing to deter the scores of riders in attendance, and we blissfully rode down trails like the mossy “Kermit,” a magical carpet of green we flowed through on knobby tires. It felt like the magical Elvish realm Lothlórien from The Lord of the Rings (J.R.R. Tolkien famously derived one of his Elvish languages from Welsh).

On our last day in Wales, I went to visit an old friend, a writer named Rob Penn, at his house near Abergavenny. Apart from catching up, I wanted to hear about his new passion project, an initiative called “Stump Up for Trees.” We set out for a walk, accompanied by his dog, Wiggins, and a neighbor’s retriever. “If we wait,” said Penn, wearing wellies and clutching a gnarled blackthorn walking stick he’d crafted, “a few other neighbors’ dogs might come along.”

A visitor to Wales cannot help noticing what Petro, in The Long Field, calls “shorn hills,” usually populated by sheep. Dappled in shades of green, divided by neat hedgerows, they have a pleasing “Shire” vibe. The deforested tops of these hills tend to be “commons,” places for neighboring farms to send their sheep during the summer to graze.

Whatever the aesthetic appeal, Penn wanted me to know, as we crested a high ridge, that what I was seeing was actually a depleted natural landscape. Intensive agricultural usage, long promoted by government funding, gives way to the rampant spread of bracken — a type of fern that, left to its own devices, grows upwards of six feet, choking out any other life. He peeled back a cluster of bracken to reveal a rowan sapling hidden beneath. Aided by legislation that rewards landowners for increasing the biodiversity of the Welsh uplands, his group has been planting trees — more than 300,000 at this point, including that rowan.

The ultimate hope: to make “Wild Wales” more wild. 

Where to Stay

The Feelin Fach Griffin : This excellent pub with rooms outside Bannau Brycheiniog is dog-friendly, like most of Wales.

Fforest Farm : Book an Onsen Dome at this glamping pioneer outside Cardigan.

GR Grove of Narberth : A peaceful country property with walking paths in Pembrokeshire. Don’t miss the standout afternoon tea (if you’re traveling, they’ll give you cakes for the road).

Plas Weunydd : Choose between the handsome rooms at this 19th-century former home near Eryri and the cozy glamping huts on the peak nearby.

Where to Eat or Drink

Crwst : An artisanal bakery with branches in Cardigan and at Poppit Sands beach. 

Dylan's : A seafood spot with several locations; we chose the one in Menai Bridge, which has wide-angle views of the water.

Perennial : Grab a picnic at this café and farm shop north of St. Davids and eat among the expertly tended flora.

Pizzatipi : A popular pizza restaurant in Cardigan run by the team behind Fforest.

YR Hen Printworks : Snack on creative dishes that spotlight local ingredients.

Antur Stiniog : Mountain biking on a high peak with sweeping views, just outside the town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. 

Bikepark Wales : More biking, this time in a lush forest north of Cardiff. 

Celtic Quest Coasteering : Celo Browne and her guides will have you jumping from cliffs into the “washing machine” of tidal inflows. Getting wet has rarely been so fun.

Studio 6 : We weren’t able to visit the famed Melin Tregwynt mill, but this lovely shop in St. Davids stocks its blankets.

Wales Coast Path : The instructions are simple: Head to any part of the coast, look for signs to the path, and start walking. You can hardly go wrong.

Walkin on Water : Kwame Salam’s surf school on Poppit Sands beach.

Zip World Llechwedd : This ziplining park offers the chance to learn about mining history, both by going underground (where there’s a mini-golf course, among other things) and above the ground, on Europe’s first four-person zipline.

A version of this story first appeared in the July 2024 issue of  Travel + Leisure  under the headline "Wild Wales. "

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Travel like a Swede: Practice ‘lagom’ to balance rest and adventure

Getting your Goldilocks on can help you restore a sense of spontaneity to your travels without hitting a wall.

If you’re the planning type, your vacations may begin to feel so structured that you need a do-nothing holiday by the time you return. Sound familiar? It may be time to consider the Swedish practice of “lagom.”

The word, pronounced lah-gom, means “not too much, not too little.” When applied to a trip, it means striking the ideal balance of exercise, adventure, food and relaxation.

Remember the coziness craze inspired by the Danish concept of “hygge ”? Similarly, lagom has been practiced for generations but is now gaining steam worldwide. Lagom is an overarching mind-set that applies to balancing all aspects of life, but it is ideal for travel.

Helen Russell, journalist and author of “The Atlas of Happiness: The Global Secrets of How to Be Happy ,” says that the word “lagom” derives from the Swedish word “lag,” or “team,” and that Swedish folklore suggests that “laget om” — or “around the team” — was a phrase Vikings used to make sure everyone got their fair share when a horn full of mead was passed around.

There’s no exact science or recipe to lagom; it varies by each individual’s own balance. Lola Akinmade Åkerström, travel photographer and author of the book “Lagom: The Swedish Secret of Living Well ,” says to think of lagom as an internal scale that must always stay balanced. Too much or too little of any one thing stresses the scale.

“Lagom actually means the optimal (not best) solution for maintaining balance and removing stress within your control,” she says. “As a personal ethos, it’s trying to help you live a sustainable life you can comfortably maintain.”

This means that lagom can be as simple as the “just-right” amount of salt in your soup or an entire idea such as eschewing bigger and better. Here are a few practical ways to fold lagom into your travel plans.

Start with a declutter

I grew up in a Southern household devoted to maximalism, so every suitcase-packing session ended with a good sit-and-zip because you never knew when you’d need a silk caftan and feather fascinator. But packing items you don’t need is the antithesis of lagom. Clutter can make a person anxious. Packing light (but smart), as with a travel uniform , better suits lagom travel.

My husband once told me that I have an otherworldly talent of turning our hotel room into a disaster zone in a matter of seconds. But with the practice of lagom, I now spend five minutes organizing my belongings and there’s an instant sense of calm in a new environment.

Akinmade Åkerström says that while traveling, you want to think simple, practical and sturdy, “from the gear you pack, so it lasts for a long time, to the activities you engage in.”

Pause for fika

In Sweden, “fika” is loosely defined as a practice to stop and recharge. And while Swedes do this on a daily basis, a vacation is the perfect time to dip your toe into the concept.

“This social act is often translated as taking a break several times during the day to socialize with friends, loved ones and colleagues over cups of coffee and pastries like cinnamon buns,” Akinmade Åkerström says.

“The unspoken reason why we fika is to center and reconnect with ourselves.”

Fika means swapping your order-ahead Starbucks latte for a sit-and-chat over a drink in a real mug. For solo travelers, it’s a fine time to people-watch in a new environment.

In its simplest form, fika is about recharging — perhaps by sitting for half an hour to rest your tired feet, or taking a refreshing nap before your next tour.

Leave room for spontaneity

Confession: I used to rely heavily on my No-Fun-Type-A Travel Planning Document, a spreadsheet that documented down-to-the-minute plans for every single day of our vacation. A sample:

• 6 a.m. Wake up everyone!
• 6:30 a.m. Please shove breakfast in your face, and make it snappy.
• 6:35 a.m. Leave hotel for a must-do tour. (Don’t be late!)
• Noon: Exhausted, but who cares because we have coveted restaurant lunch reservations!
• 3 p.m. Not hungry? It doesn’t matter — we have a food tour on tap.
• 4 p.m. Wanna nap? Too bad, it’s museum time.
• 5 p.m. Happy hour? What’s that? No one here is happy.

I’ve since pared down my planning to a skeletal version that contains important details and a few plans but also some room for relaxation or spontaneity.

My husband and I have adopted a new acronym that fits with lagom travel: T-WOO, for “The world is our oyster.” In other words, no plans!

This approach has led to glorious days spent zooming around Laos on a motorbike, stumbling upon perfectly briny oysters near a peat-fed stove in Ireland, and making a last-minute decision to drive the Mississippi Blues Trail and finding live music in a smoky juke joint.

Spread out the indulgences

I don’t have enough fingers to count the number of times I’ve overeaten (and over-imbibed) on vacation. I wish I could turn back the clock and tell 21-year-old me that “all-you-can-drink mimosas” doesn’t mean you actually have to drink all the mimosas.

With lagom, the idea is to savor. Swedes have a diet rich in whole grains, lean proteins, veggies and berries — but they also have a serious sweet tooth (as in those beloved cinnamon buns for fika).

So eat the rich dessert and drink the beautifully made cocktail or mocktail, but do so with a sense of balance. For me, this means putting the brakes on at the breakfast buffet so that I can splurge on the multicourse prix fixe dinner.

Exercise — but also rest

I’ve always envied a skier’s vacation that includes a vigorous day of swooshing down the slopes and then the reward of an après-ski hot toddy and a warm soak.

Lagom allows you to forgo the hotel gym and instead enjoy the offerings of your destination. I like to think of it as making exercise local: a jog along the sea in San Juan, Puerto Rico; a hike in a Swiss forest; a bike ride in Amsterdam .

Aside from T-WOO, Russell suggests we embrace the letters WWASD: What Would a Swede Do? In short: Be mindful of biting off more than you can chew.

“To vacation like a Viking, lagom-style, think WWASD — is your cup really half-empty, or is there, in fact, just enough?” Russell says.

Anne Roderique-Jones is a travel writer who splits her time between New York and New Orleans. You can follow her on Instagram: @anniemarie_ .

More travel tips

Vacation planning: Start with a strategy to maximize days off by taking PTO around holidays. Experts recommend taking multiple short trips for peak happiness . Want to take an ambitious trip? Here are 12 destinations to try this year — without crowds.

Cheap flights: Follow our best advice for scoring low airfare , including setting flight price alerts and subscribing to deal newsletters. If you’re set on an expensive getaway, here’s a plan to save up without straining your credit limit.

Airport chaos: We’ve got advice for every scenario , from canceled flights to lost luggage . Stuck at the rental car counter? These tips can speed up the process. And following these 52 rules of flying should make the experience better for everyone.

Expert advice: Our By The Way Concierge solves readers’ dilemmas , including whether it’s okay to ditch a partner at security, or what happens if you get caught flying with weed . Submit your question here . Or you could look to the gurus: Lonely Planet and Rick Steves .

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Camping Essentials Checklist: How to Pack for an Unforgettable Outdoor Adventure

By Bethanie Hestermann

More than 80 million Americans go camping each year, making it one of the most popular ways people in the United States choose to spend time outdoors. Camping can be a lot of fun—you’re often surrounded by nature and people you love, plus you get a break from day-to-day life.

Camping takes you out of your “normal” and puts you in a new place, where you can explore, relax, exercise, and socialize outdoors. The connections you form while camping—connections with others, with nature, and with your inner self—make it even more valuable as a form of outdoor recreation.

As any happy camper will tell you, though, camping is also a lot of work. It’s not the easiest hobby to get started with, because there’s a lot of gear involved. If you’re new to this game and need some help planning for your first (or your next) camping trip, you’ve come to the right place.

The key to a successful camping trip is preparation. While there’s always a little bit of “winging it” involved in camping, if you don’t have the camping essentials, you probably won’t have much fun.

Whether you have questions about how to plan a camping trip, need a rundown on some camping basics, are curious about camping safety and etiquette, or just need to know what to pack for a camping trip, you’ll find it all in this ultimate camping essentials guide.

Table of Contents

Different types of camping, how to reserve a campsite, tips for selecting a campground and campsite, sleeping while camping, what to wear camping, cooking while camping, how to wash while camping, going to the bathroom while camping, how to prep for making a campfire, shelter and sleeping, cooking and food, lighting and navigation, first aid, hygiene, and personal items, tools and miscellaneous, camping packing and organization tips, camping safety and etiquette, feeling ready to go camping, how to plan for a camping trip.

So you’re ready to plan a camping trip in the great outdoors? First, you need to decide where you want to go. You can camp in an established campsite for a fee in places like national parks, state parks, and regional or county-run parks.

In the U.S., you can also camp on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land in established campsites or on public lands (this is called dispersed camping).

You can also camp on private land in privately owned campgrounds and RV parks, like KOA establishments, or by renting space from a landowner via platforms like Airbnb and Hipcamp .

The type of camping you choose will depend heavily on your preferences, your location, and how far in advance you’re planning your trip.

When planning a camping trip, be very aware of the weather during the time of year and at the location you’d like to visit. If you’re tent camping, you’re more or less at the mercy of the elements (although gear like tent heaters can make a big difference when it’s cold).

Unless you’re an experienced camper or have gear to help you enjoy being outdoors in very hot or very cold temperatures, avoid putting yourself in these situations by camping in milder weather.

When deciding on a duration for your camping trip, consider your gear and your group’s limits. For many, a two-night camping trip over a weekend is long enough to enjoy the activity. For others who may have more gear and/or more tolerance for living primitively, a week is more ideal.

As you research for your camping trip, you may come across different terms for different types of camping. For instance, there’s tent camping, car camping, RV camping, backcountry camping, backpacking, overlanding, and glamping (plus many more).

Try not to get hung up on the terms; we explain the basics below.

Car Camping

The camping trips you remember from childhood were likely traditional tent camping—where you pitch a tent and sleep in it. Car camping can also be a form of tent camping because one meaning of car camping is any type of camping where you drive up to your campsite and can store gear in your car.

This is in contrast to backpacking, where you carry all your gear on your back and hike to the place where you’ll be setting up camp. Some people define car camping more literally as sleeping in your car.

RV camping involves driving an RV or a van or pulling a camper trailer to a designated place and sleeping in it.

RV campers may choose to camp in established sites with hook-ups for electricity, sewage, and/or water, or they may choose to “boondock” or “dry camp”, which is basically just RV camping without those amenities.

Tent and RV campers typically set up in the front country, where campsites are established and there are basic amenities like roads, bathrooms, and potable water.

Backcountry or Dispersed Camping

Backcountry camping is any form of camping that takes place in more remote and less-established parts of parks or wilderness. Backpacking and thru-hiking are the best ways to backcountry camp because you can often only get to these places on foot.

Overlanding

Overlanding can also take you to remote places . . . with the help of your 4×4 vehicle. Overlanders may pitch a tent when they’re ready to make camp, or they may use a truck tent for sleeping that connects to their vehicle.

Glamping was a $3.2 billion market in 2023 , so maybe you’ve heard of it. “Glamping” means different things to different people, but it always involves amenities you don’t typically associate with other types of camping.

Amenities may include Wi-Fi, bathrooms with plumbing, and real beds. The difference between glamping and staying at a hotel is usually the setting that surrounds the establishment.

If you’ve selected front-country tent camping or front-country RV camping, before you can get out there on your outdoor adventure, you must reserve a campsite.

Keep in mind that reservations are not required for all established campgrounds; some are first come first served. However, you won’t know that until you look, and many do require a reservation and, therefore, planning on your part.

For federally owned and managed lands, including U.S. National Parks and U.S. National Monuments, you should visit www.recreation.gov to explore what’s available and ultimately book a campsite. Be aware that if you’d like to camp in popular places, you may need to book up to six months in advance.

To camp on state-owned land, search for the state’s parks and recreation website or do a web search for “California state park camping” (replace “California” with the relevant state for your search).

Each state does it differently, but this should get you to the right place. Many state campgrounds also provide a mix of first-come-first-served sites and reservation-only sites.

When selecting a campground, consider where you want to be while you camp. In the U.S., you can camp in alpine/mountain environments, you can beach camp, and you can camp in the desert—and there are many variations of these basic categories as well.

Your preferred scenery, ideal weather, and favorite activities to do while camping will all help narrow down the choices when it comes to choosing a campground.

Pinpointing the Best Site

Once you’ve selected a campground, it’s time to pick the best campsite. First, consider your equipment.

Some sites are reserved for tents only, while others are designated for RVs. Often, sites can accommodate tents, trailers, or RVs up to a certain length, but not always, so be sure to check the site requirements.

Consider your group size. Double sites are often available within campgrounds to accommodate large groups who would like to camp together. Individual and group sites often have limits on the number of people and vehicles allowed.

To select a prime campsite, look at a map of the campground online. Often, you can pinpoint sites that have more space, are closer to (or farther from) amenities like bathrooms and water spigots, or that have a particular view you’d like to have.

You can often use the map to pick a site that backs up to a creek, that’s next to a trailhead, or that is farther from the road, depending on your preferences.

Camping Basics: Explained

If you’ve never been camping before, the idea of temporarily living outside may seem a bit foreign—and maybe even overwhelming.

Before we get to our camping essentials checklist, which will help you get all your camping gear packed and ready, let’s prepare for your next camping trip by going over some camping basics.

Ah, sleeping under the stars. It sounds so dreamy, right? It’s not always, though. Sometimes, it’s just sleeping outside in the freezing cold. The thing is, we all do this to ourselves because camping is fun.

So how do you sleep while camping? What are your options for staying comfortable ?

Most people don’t sleep out in the open when they camp; they’re in some sort of structure. This structure could be a camper trailer, a van, or an RV, or it could be a tent.

When it comes to selecting a camping tent , you must consider things like how much room you need, how easy you want the setup to be, and what bells and whistles you want or need.

Within your sleeping structure, you’re going to add some more sleeping items to your camping checklist, like a sleeping bag, an air mattress, a sleeping pad, and/or a camping cot .

Decide whether you’re comfortable sleeping on the ground in a sleeping bag or if you need to get up off the ground by using a camping mattress or cot.

If you’re out in cold weather without the proper warmth or stuck in the rain with no rain jacket, you’re going to have a rough time no matter what you’re doing.

Therefore, to have a good time camping, you must bring the right camping clothes. What you wear while camping will depend on where you are, what season it is, and what the weather is like during your trip.

Generally, in warm weather, camping clothes should be lightweight, moisture-wicking, and offer sun protection. Check out our guides on hiking shirts and hiking shorts for ideas.

In cold weather, you should layer clothes to stay warm and dry. Check out our ideas for winter hiking pants , and learn how to layer below.

Before you go, don’t forget to check this list of winter camping items you shouldn’t travel without .

How to Layer

Layering is important when camping because the weather can vary significantly depending on the time of day. In general, layers of camping clothes should include:

• A moisture-wicking base layer
• An insulating layer
• A waterproof and windproof outer layer (like a rain jacket)

Always check the weather forecast before you pack for camping. This will help you know which layers you need and how many items from each category to bring so you can stay comfortable.

Camping Footwear

The footwear you need will depend on the activities you plan to enjoy while camping. If you’ll be hiking, bring hiking boots or other hiking shoes. If there’s a lake, river, or stream nearby, bring hiking sandals or water shoes.

For around the campsite, it’s best to have at least one sturdy, closed-toe shoe option and an easy-to-slip-on pair of shoes, like sandals or boots you can step into. Don’t forget moisture-wicking socks for daytime and thick socks for chilly nights.

Camping food can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be, but most people keep it simple. Camp kitchen essentials include a portable camping stove or BBQ and fuel for it, some cooking implements and cooking utensils, and some serve ware and eating utensils, to cover just the basics.

Most campsites will have a picnic table, but if there’s no picnic table at your campsite, you’ll also need some sort of camping table for preparing and/or eating food.

Transporting food on camping trips is a bit of an art. You need a way to store food and keep it cool for the duration of your time camping.

This typically involves some specialized cooler and ice or ice packs. The best camping coolers are bear-resistant, which means they’ll also keep out other wildlife, not just bears.

If you’re camping in bear country, it’s extremely important to keep all of your food in bear canisters or locked in your vehicle away from your tent or sleeping space.

Treat your trash the same way. If you’re using plastic bags for trash, hang them up from a tree branch overnight or put them in a wildlife-proof container.

Many campgrounds are close enough to towns with grocery stores and restaurants, so you can leave your campsite to go pick up more ice and food, or even just have someone else cook you dinner if you need a break.

If you really don’t want to cook while camping, you can always survive on canned foods, trail mix, and energy bars for a few days.

Though cooking every night can be tiring, it’s fun to break out the Dutch oven and see what you can create over an open flame. Try out a few of your favorite recipes from home, and taste the difference between cooking over an open flame.

There are a few different camps of people when it comes to hygiene on camping trips:

• Camp one says you’re camping, you’re dirty, you’re fine
• Camp two does the minimum by filling plastic bins or buckets with soap and water, then cleaning themselves using a washcloth
• Camp three buys camping showers (or camps in an RV)

Depending on how clean you want to be while camping, your camping checklist will look a bit different. At the very least, add biodegradable soap and a towel to your camping gear to wash up when you need to. If you’re going all in with the camping shower, add some more camping toiletries to your packing list.

How much you wash may also depend on how available water is to you at your campsite. If you have easy access to water via a spigot or sink, you may feel more inclined to wash up than if you only have what you’ve hauled in.

Note that some campgrounds do have coin-operated showers available.

Washing Dishes

Washing dishes is similar to washing bodies; you need biodegradable soap, a dishcloth or sponge, and a towel for drying. You can wash dishes in a bin or bucket or add a collapsible sink to your camping gear (a collapsible sink is totally worth it).

A camp kitchen is one of the campsite essentials for people who like to cook. It’ll include surfaces and methods for prepping and cooking food and cleaning up your dishes when you’re done.

When nature calls and you’re camping in the remote wilderness, you head into nature with a wag bag or a small trowel—unless, of course, you have a camping toilet on your packing list. Some areas have rules that require you to pack out your waste using a wag bag or similar solution.

If your area does not have a pack-out rule, then the best practice is to dig a cat hole at least 200 feet away from a trail, campsite, or source of water, cover your waste, and pack out your used toilet paper.

If you’re front-country camping, though, there are likely facilities available to you, ranging from flushing toilets to outhouse-style toilets in a dedicated building. If you prefer to BYOT (bring your own toilet), there are plenty of options . Choose biodegradable toilet paper to complement your portable throne.

Most campsites have fire pits available for campers’ use. It’s best practice to either collect firewood from the area (be sure to add an ax to your camping gear for chopping wood) or buy a bundle of locally sourced firewood at the campground or nearby.

Your camping packing list should include a lighter or matches, some fire starters, and some firewood.

If you’re going dispersed camping and there is no fire pit available, you’ll need to bring or make your own. It’s a good idea to add a portable fire pit to your camping must-haves if you plan to camp anywhere other than an established campground.

Alternatively, you can always find a clear, level space, encircle it with rocks, and build your fire there.

Always check for fire restrictions in an area before lighting a campfire and properly extinguish your fire when you’re done.

The Ultimate Camping Packing List

Ready for a list of camping must haves? When it’s time for your next camping trip, pack the following items to ensure you have all the camping gear you need. Please note that your camping packing list will vary slightly depending on the type of camping you’re doing, as well as the season and the location.

• Camping tent with tent stakes (consider bringing extra stakes)
• Tent footprint and rain fly
• Sleeping bags
• Sleeping pads, air mattresses, or camping cots
• Camping blanket(s)
• Shade structure
• Camp stove or portable grill
• Fuel, charcoal, or propane
• Lighter or matches
• Cookware (including pots, pans, and cooking utensils)
• Cooler and food storage bins
• Biodegradable soap and sponge
• Food and snacks
• Water containers, gallon water jugs, and/or water bottles
• Camping table (if no picnic table at your site) and/or portable camp kitchen
• Bottle opener
• Portable coffee maker
• Base, insulation, and outer layers (see How to Layer above)
• Weather-appropriate footwear (see Camping Footwear above)
• Extra socks and underwear
• Hat and sunglasses
• Headlamp and/or flashlight (with extra batteries)
• Power bank and/or solar panels
• Map and compass
• GPS device ( GPS watch , personal locator beacon, smartphone, etc.)
• First-aid kit, including bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, scissors, safety pins, etc.
• Personal medications
• Pain relievers
• Biodegradable soap
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Biodegradable toilet paper and trowel
• Hand sanitizer
• Cell phone (note, you might not have cell service)
• Bug protection/insect repellant
• Other personal items like lotion, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, and others as needed
• Multi-tool or knife
• Fire starters
• Camp chairs
• Backpack or daypack
• Camping fan
• Extra batteries

How, you may ask, can you pack everything from graham crackers, a bottle opener, and a sleeping bag to solar panels and a tent in a way that makes sense?

Many people have dedicated storage bins for their camping gear, so these items can often be transported in the same bins that they’re stored in. Clear plastic bins are helpful because you can see what’s inside.

Use coolers and any sort of reusable bags you have on hand to transport your camping food and drinks. Collapsible totes are a great choice for staying organized, and you can collapse them when you’re not using them. A duffel bag does the trick for transporting your camping clothes.

Bring some extra trash bags (or, even better, a large cloth bag) to store dirty clothes in after you wear them, and don’t forget to have a bear-proof container on hand to store your camping food so wildlife can’t get to it.

Small clear plastic bins are also helpful for storing things like cooking utensils, serve ware, and first-aid items.

Potential hazards while camping are similar to potential hazards while hiking ( see our guide to day hiking here ) and include slips and falls, getting lost, wildlife encounters, and extreme weather.

Be diligent about where you walk, add offline navigation tools to your list of camping must-haves (since you might not have service at your campsite), carry bear spray, always watch for wildlife, and don’t forget to check the weather forecast before you start a camping trip.

Campsites have rules to not only keep people safe but also to make sure camp neighbors are being courteous to each other. Rules may include campsite-wide quiet hours, fire restrictions, and rules about where to park and not to park vehicles.

Leave No Trace Principles

In general, when outdoors, you should also follow the seven Leave No Trace principles , which include:

• Plan ahead and prepare
• Travel and camp on durable surfaces
• Dispose of waste properly
• Leave what you find
• Minimize campfire impacts
• Respect wildlife
• Be considerate of other visitors

The ultimate camping checklist may not exist, simply because there are so many different types of camping and so many different types of campers, and everyone’s needs are going to vary sightly.

However, now that you’re armed with information about how to plan a camping trip, know all about the camping basics, and have a camping checklist of gear and other essentials, you’re ready to start prepping for your first (or next) trip.

No matter how much you prepare, stuff will come up. If you have the knowledge and the essential items, you can be creative when challenges arise while camping. And sometimes, the unexpected makes for a particularly memorable camping experience.

As you enjoy one of the most popular outdoor recreation activities around, please remember to recreate responsibly, leave no trace, and preserve nature for future generations of campers.

Also check out our top tips to make camping more comfortable .

Related Tags:

Sleeping Outdoors in a Hammock Saved This Man’s Health

Good Samaritan Saves Choking Raccoon in Viral Video

When it comes to bins, use wood instead of plastic. You never know when you might need the fuel.

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29 top cheap weekend getaways in the u.s..

Weekend getaways are often cheaper by default – especially in these destinations.

Top Cheap Weekend Getaways

Jason Tarr | Courtesy of ExploreAsheville.com

Asheville, North Carolina, is one of the best places for an affordable weekend escape.

Sometimes you just need to escape from your everyday routine – but you may not have weeks (or funds) on end to spend away from home. For those seeking a quick, affordable trip, we've compiled a variety of cheap weekend getaways across the U.S., organized by region so you can find something within driving distance to keep costs low (or further afield if you're up for the journey).

Top Regional Destinations:

Burlington, vermont.

Getty Images

You don't have to spend a lot of money to enjoy Burlington, Vermont – especially since the best ways to experience it are low-cost or free. Rent bikes and go for a ride on the Burlington Bike Path, which later becomes the Island Line Trail – a stunning pathway over Lake Champlain. You can also stroll Church Street Marketplace, where the Burlington Farmers Market is hosted on Saturdays; sample sweets at Lake Champlain Chocolates; and enjoy a craft beer tasting or two.

Niagara Falls, New York

There's no cost to visit this iconic landmark , and if you want to get up close, you'll find several affordable tours of Niagara Falls – namely boat rides that'll get you up close to the roaring waters. A visit to Niagara Falls, New York, also omits the cost (and hassle) of getting or renewing a passport . Free and low-cost things to do in Niagara Falls include hiking state parks and sampling vinos along the Niagara Wine Trail.

Atlantic City, New Jersey

You can enjoy an affordable weekend in Atlantic City – provided you steer clear of (or don't spend too much time at) the casinos. Instead, explore the beach and boardwalk, whose roots date back to 1870. Other budget-friendly things to do in Atlantic City including visiting Absecon Lighthouse (the tallest in New Jersey) and Lucy the Elephant. If you come here for a romantic getaway , treat yourself and your partner to dinner on the waterfront.

The Poconos, Pennsylvania

Spend as much or as little as you like in the Pocono Mountains. Located in northeastern Pennsylvania, the region's terrain affords a variety of free and low-cost activities amid beautiful scenery, from hiking and biking to fishing and boating. Lake Wallenpaupack, Hickory Run State Park and Lehigh Gorge State Park offer some of the best camping for those who'd like to keep lodging costs low, though you can also find affordable vacation rentals in the area.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Courtesy of Destination Gettysburg

Gettysburg National Military Park (which also comprises the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center) is free to visit, and there's no cost to explore the Civil War battlefields with a national park ranger. Gettysburg ghost tours – a must for anyone who's interested in the area's haunted history – are relatively affordable, too, as are local hotels , which include options under $200 and $100 per night.

Farm Sanctuary: Watkins Glen, New York

Courtesy of Farm Sanctuary

Farm Sanctuary in the Finger Lakes region of New York is part animal sanctuary, part country retreat – and an ideal location for a weekend escape from New York City . Travelers eager for a break can book a tiny home or cabin and spend time with more than 500 rescued farm animals in Watkins Glen. Nightly rentals start at $250 per night (plus a $25 membership fee) for up to two people in May through December, and include a special tour each morning of your stay. Sample the region's signature rieslings and chardonnays at some of the top wineries in the Finger Lakes during your visit, or hike to waterfalls at Watkins Glen State Park .

Address: 3150 Aikens Road, Watkins Glen, NY 14891

Black Hills National Forest and Badlands National Park, South Dakota

This area of the U.S. is home to Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park and the fascinating caverns of Wind Cave, making it easy to see several iconic attractions in one jaunt. To save on entry fees, consider the America the Beautiful National Park Pass. Priced at $80, it provides access to all national parks and federally protected lands in the U.S., so you'll likely be able to use it for another trip down the road, too.

Read: The Top Things to Do in South Dakota

Holiday World & Splashin' Safari: Santa Claus, Indiana

Courtesy of Holiday World & Splashin' Safari

Holiday World & Splashin' Safari ranks among the most affordable amusement parks in the U.S., in part because of its free parking and modest lodging costs. The amusement park also offers complimentary family-friendly perks with admission, including sunscreen and soft drinks.

Address: 452 E. Christmas Blvd., Santa Claus, IN 47579

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Courtesy of Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau

Wisconsin Dells is home to myriad water park resorts – many of which combine water park admission and overnight lodging in one rate. Other attractions in Wisconsin Dells include a Ripley's Believe It Or Not museum, a bustling downtown and plenty of gorgeous scenery marked by unique rock formations. You can frequently find hotel and attraction discounts on the Wisconsin Dells tourism bureau's website ; keep in mind for any family trips that the best prices are typically available when kids are in school.

Branson, Missouri

Courtesy of Explore Branson

Table Rock Lake State Park, where you can swim, canoe, kayak, fish, hike and bike, as well as Branson Landing, which features a spectacular fountain show at night, are among the free attractions in Branson, Missouri . You can also ride a free trolley around town from March to December. The most expensive activity in Branson might be a visit to Silver Dollar City, though you can often find deals on tickets, like discounted evening rates in the fall. For affordable lodging in Branson , try the Thousand Hills Resort Hotel , which often lists rates around $100 per night.

Indianapolis, Indiana

Courtesy of Visit Indy

There are a variety of free things to do in Indianapolis , including the Monon Trail, which connects downtown Indy to the Carmel area, with shops and restaurants along the way; the 250-acre White River State Park, perfect for a picnic lunch; and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, which connects the city's public spaces. On the first Thursday of every month, the Newfields Art Museum offers free admission (and whether or not you go to the museum, the grounds alone are worth a visit). In the summer, Concerts on the Canal brings free entertainment to the area – just bring your own blanket or lawn chair.

No matter your budget, a visit to the Indianapolis Children's Museum is worth the splurge if traveling with kids – it is the largest children's museum in the world.

Cedar Point: Sandusky, Ohio

Courtesy of Cedar Point

Not only is Cedar Point one of the best amusement parks in the U.S. – and the self-proclaimed Roller Coaster Capital of the World – but a visit here is also relatively cheap when you factor in the affordability of hotels in Sandusky . The Comfort Inn Sandusky , for example, offers free breakfast with rates starting at less than $100 per night. Keep in mind that, as a seasonal attraction, Cedar Point is typically closed from November to early May.

Address: 1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, OH 44870

Read: The Top Water Parks in Ohio

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Washington, D.C.

Courtesy of Washington.org

With 22 free Smithsonian museums including the National Zoo, Washington, D.C. is an obvious choice for a cheap weekend getway. And while many hotels in D.C. are expensive, you can still find affordable accommodations on rental sites like Airbnb and Vrbo.

Gulf Shores, Alabama

Gulf Shores boasts more than 30 miles of white sand beaches , making it one of the best beaches on the Gulf Coast . You don't have to visit during the summer to experience the area's best weather, though: Spring and fall bring temperatures that are still comfortable for sunbathing, swimming and strolling on the sand.

Budget-friendly things to do in Gulf Shores include bike riding at Gulf State Park; casting a line at Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier; exploring The Wharf, an entertainment and shopping venue; and visiting the Orange Beach History Museum and the Gulf Shores Museum, both of which are free. At local hotels like the Staybridge Suites Gulf Shores , nightly rates for apartment-style accommodations and free breakfast currently hover around $100 a night.

Massanutten Resort: Massanutten, Virginia

An ideal weekend getaway from Washington, D.C. , Massanutten Resort offers four-season fun, from winter sports like skiing and snowboarding to golf, mountain biking and water park action during warmer months. A la carte fees for many activities allow you to spend as much or as little as you'd like, and while there's a nightly resort fee, it covers access to the indoor and outdoor pools, playgrounds, sports courts (including pickleball), hiking trails and more. Plus, the resort fee doesn't seem so bad when you consider that townhomes and guest rooms are available for less than $150 a night.

Address: 1822 Resort Drive, Massanutten, VA 22840

Asheville, North Carolina

Krista Rossow | Courtesy of ExploreAsheville.com

Situated within the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is known for its mix of history (Biltmore Estate), nature (the Blue Ridge Mountains) and food (from craft breweries to a flourishing dining scene). Travelers can tackle a number of hikes in Asheville for some scenic – and low-cost – fun. You can also stroll along the 1.7-mile Asheville Urban Trail to learn about the city's unique past, go for a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway and explore downtown, where you're bound to come across some of the tiny city's famous street performers. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an easy and relatively affordable day trip from Asheville, too.

Bahia Honda Key, Florida

You don't have to visit Key West – or break the bank – to experience the best of the Florida Keys; in fact, the best beaches in the Florida Keys are not even in Key West. At Bahia Honda State Park, for example, you can swim, rent kayaks and snorkeling gear, or even hop on a boat to snorkel in the Looe Key marine sanctuary reef. Entry fees at Bahia Honda State Park are $8 per vehicle with two to eight passengers. Plus, you can camp here for just $36 per night (not including tax and the utility and reservation fees). Renting a cabin costs about $120 per night plus fees from May through October, and slightly more in the cooler months.

Read: The Best Places for Camping in Florida

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

One of the most affordable beach destinations in the U.S., Myrtle Beach is known for its roster of low-cost or free activities that appeal to travelers of all ages. Explore the mile-long Myrtle Beach Boardwalk (home to the iconic Skywheel) as well as Broadway at the Beach (an entertainment complex), both of which offer live entertainment including music performances and fireworks shows. Vereen Memorial Gardens, just north of the city, is also free to visit. When it comes to Myrtle Beach accommodations , there are affordable options aplenty; the Crown Reef Resort, for example, offers an on-site, year-round water park and rates as low as $92 per night for a family of four.

Polk County, Florida

Courtesy of Visit Central Florida

A vacation in Orlando has its time and place, but if you're on the hunt for a cheap weekend getaway, head to Polk County instead. Here, you can explore stunning (and free) parks and nature preserves such as Bok Tower Gardens, a National Historic Landmark, as well as Bonnet Springs Park. The park connects several attractions, including a kids treehouse, a rooftop bar, a butterfly house, The Florida Children's Museum, botanical gardens and more. Legoland Florida Resort and Peppa Pig Theme Park are close by if you decide to splurge on a theme park visit.

New Orleans

There are more things to do in New Orleans than you could ever accomplish in a weekend, but you can still enjoy a short and cheap trip to The Big Easy. Ogle the historic houses in the Garden District, stroll along iconic Magazine Street, wander through the French Quarter (where you're bound to see street performers), or stop in a local eatery for a famous po'boy sandwich or beignet. For affordable accommodations in New Orleans , look outside of the French Quarter.

South Padre Island, Texas

Courtesy of South Padre Island CVB

Not only does South Padre Island offer 34 miles of coastline and the cleanest beach water in Texas, but it's also ultra-affordable. Low-cost attractions include Sea Turtle, Inc., which is currently building the world's largest sea turtle hospital, and South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center. There are also plenty of places to enjoy fishing, one of the island's most popular activities. A visit to the Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site – the last Texas lighthouse open to the public – costs just $5 per adult ($3 for kids). Sandcastle Days, the island's beloved festival that is hosted every October, is also free.

Joshua Tree National Park, California

One of the most beautiful national parks in California , Joshua Tree National Park is also fairly affordable thanks to campgrounds like Jumbo Rocks, where you can enjoy the seclusion of the deserted wilderness. There are more than 100 primitive campsites available here, with reservations required in the busy season from September to May; a maximum of six people can occupy a campsite for just $20 per night (on top of fees to enter the park).

San Luis Obispo, California

Courtesy of Visit SLO CAL

Combining small-town charm with beautiful weather, San Luis Obispo is an ideal weekend getaway from Los Angeles (about 190 miles from the city). With the plethora of outdoor activities here, visitors can enjoy budget-friendly fun like hiking the area's trails, surfing in the ocean, zip lining or horseback riding. For local flavor, visit the Thursday evening farmers market or dine alfresco at one of many downtown patios. The town's free Concerts in the Plaza series features performances by the area's top artists. Beaches await those seeking relaxation in SLO, while wine lovers can explore the region's Edna Valley wineries.

A glitzy getaway in Las Vegas can be yours – and it may be less expensive than you initially imagined. Hotels in Vegas can cost as little as $50 per night on weekdays (plus resort fees), and local attractions like Bellagio Fountains, the Fremont Street Experience, the Las Vegas Sign and Seven Magic Mountains (just outside the city) are all free to visit. This might just mean you'll have some room in your budget for a casino visit, tickets to one of the city's spectacular shows , and/or a tour of the Grand Canyon .

Sedona, Arizona

Courtesy of Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau

It won't cost you a penny to visit most attractions in Sedona , including Cathedral Rock, Devil's Bridge and Fay Canyon. And while Sedona's spa and wellness resorts are undoubtedly pricey, you can find lodging for less in off-peak months (summer and winter), as well as a variety of vacation rentals year-round.

Read: The Top Things to Do in Arizona

Gros Ventre Wilderness, Wyoming

The Gros Ventre Wilderness, which is part of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem, is another natural wonder worth visiting. Plan a weekend here to discover rolling rivers, abundant wildlife, and amazing geological features such as rock formations and natural slides. As for accommodations, travelers can rent the cozy Hoback Guard Station cabin for $80 per night for a party of up to six guests from May to October.

Olympic National Park, Washington

Olympic National Park is well worth a weekend visit, whether you want to hike, stargaze or explore its more than 70 miles of untouched Pacific Coast shoreline – which include dog-friendly beaches , if your furry friend wants to come along. While here, visit the famous Hoh Rain Forest, Lake Crescent and Rialto Beach. You can even camp within the park for as little as $40 per night for up to 10 people sharing a campsite. Note that you'll have to pay a fee to enter the park.

Read: The Best Weekend Getaways from Seattle

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Courtesy of Visit Albuquerque

Albuquerque is quirky and fun, with an Old Town that features cobblestone streets and adobe-style buildings and is free to explore. Plan a visit during spring or fall for the best weather, then take advantage of local, low-cost festivals: May brings the New Mexico Wine Festival ($25 or less per ticket) to town, or come autumn, you can stop by the famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (around $15 per person) to witness one of the best hot air balloon festivals in the U.S. Other things to do in Albuquerque include visiting the Petroglyph National Monument, which is free of charge. Opt for a vacation rental rather than a hotel to save some coin.

San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio is an affordable Texas destination brimming with cultural flair, historical significance and free activities. There's no cost to visit iconic attractions like the Alamo or the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, and you won't pay anything to stroll the famous River Walk (though dining at least once here is a must). Another popular activity, narrated river cruises are also cheap, with tickets for less than $15 per person via local operator GO RIO Cruises.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Cheap Family Vacations
• The Best Cheap Spring Break Destinations
• The Best Presidents Day Weekend Getaways
• The Best Places to Go for the Fourth of July
• The Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies

Cheap Tropical Vacations

Tags: Travel , Budget Travel , US Vacations

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

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We’re among the first people to ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. It’s no Splash Mountain.

• Tiana's Bayou Adventure is a feel-good ride that's perfect for families.
• It's not a roller coaster, but guests may want to bring a poncho to stay dry.
• Tiana's Bayou Adventure opens on June 28th at Walt Disney World in Florida and later this year at Disneyland in California.

Early on in Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog” movie, Tiana’s dad James tells her, “You know the thing about good food? It brings people together from all walks of life. It warms them right up, and it puts little smiles on their faces.”

Instead of food, insert Tiana’s Bayou Adventure , and you’ll know what to expect when the highly-anticipated attraction officially opens on June 28th at Walt Disney World in Florida and later this year at Disneyland in California. 

USA TODAY got a preview of Disney World’s new ride, which replaces Splash Mountain at both parks. Here’s what guests should know.

What is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure like?

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a feel-good ride.

Unlike “The Princess and the Frog,” the ride has no villains, like Dr. Facilier. Guests with little ones who are scared of the dark should be aware that it gets quite dark for multiple stretches, but there’s nothing else to be afraid of. Even the big drop is more thrilling than frightening. Lively music plays the whole time, and the bayou critters guests see along the way are as endearing as Louis the alligator from the film.

The outside of the attraction is covered in lush foliage, which carries into parts of the interior. Inside are some digital on-screen visuals mixed in with physical sets, but not as many as on Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway or Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure . And the swinging and swaying audio-animatronics are just what fans have been asking for after seeing the technological advancements at Disney’s international parks .

Is Tiana's Bayou Adventure the same as Splash Mountain?

No. The bones of the attraction may be similar and there are few Splash Mountain Easter eggs, but it’s a completely different story. The big splashdown is still there, but the mountain has been reimagined as a salt dome-like Avery Island , Louisiana, which Imagineers visited on one of their research trips for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. This salt dome houses Tiana’s Foods , an employee-owned cooperative that guests learn about in the ride queue.

“She's continued to grow her business, but this time she's included members of the community,” said Ted Robledo, one of Disney’s creative executives on the attraction. Robledo explained that a co-op was chosen because it was accurate for Tiana’s time and region, and co-ops empowered the historically disenfranchised. 

Inclusion, authenticity and representation are significant parts of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which fellow creative executive Charita Carter called “truly a love letter to New Orleans.”

Who is Tiana inspired by?

“Tiana would not be possible if we were not Leah Chase ,” said fellow Disney creative executive Carmen Smith. Chase was the famed late executive chef and owner of Dooky Chase’s Restaurant in New Orleans. “It wasn’t just a restaurant. It was a gathering place that inspired so many.”

Chase’s grandson and the restaurant’s current executive chef Edgar ‘Dook’ Chase IV said his grandmother invited everybody into the kitchen. “That's what her true gift was – not only her passion of food, but she just loved people.”

He said she would’ve been honored and humbled to be part of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. “Every time she would get recognized, she would always say, ‘I have to work that much harder. I have to do more to showcase this honor that I'm getting,’” he said. 

Smith said the Chase family was a “huge part of this project.” Louisiana artists like Sharika Mahdi and Malaika Favorite inspired the feel of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and some of their work is featured outside it. New Orleans music legends PJ Morton and Terence Blanchard worked on the music. 

“It makes me feel as though I’m seen and that they took so much care to not just like use the culture, but actually understand the culture and involve the people who help continue the legacy of that culture,” said Victoria Wade, a Disney fan and theme park influencer who previously spoke with USA TODAY about the cultural impacts of both Splash Mountain and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. “It's important, and it's honestly a great way, especially with this particular princess, to continue a legacy for New Orleans and for Black people in general.”

Why did Disney shut Splash Mountain?

Splash Mountain's Br'er Rabbit story was tied to "Song of the South," a 1946 Disney film, which has been criticized for its idealized portrayal of plantation life . A petition to retheme Splash Mountain went viral in 2020.

That same year, Disney announced the ride’s reimaging, saying, “The new concept is inclusive – one that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by, and it speaks to the diversity of the millions of people who visit our parks each year.” Disney also noted that changes had been in the works since 2019.

Wade was one of the first people to preview the new ride .

“There's a sign when you enter, and it says everyone's welcome,” she recalled. “I love that message so much because it's not just about, you know, Black people. It's ultimately welcoming everybody in to be joyful and celebrate one another in our cultures and what makes us unique.”

Tiana may be Disney’s first Black princess, but Carter noted, “Tiana is everybody's princess. She comes from a real place in America. She wasn't born into royalty. She has a working mom. She has military ties. And there's so much about her life that is relatable.”

Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Done: Why some Disney fans were done with Splash Mountain

What is Tiana's Bayou Adventure based on?

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is the next chapter in the story that begins with “ The Princess and the Frog .” 

Spoiler alert : At the end of the film, Tiana’s dream of owning a thriving restaurant finally comes true. Now, she’s giving back to her community and hosting a big Mardi Gras party, where everyone is invited.

The only trouble is she’s missing a key ingredient. Mama Odie shrinks guests down to the size of frogs to help look for it in the bayou. Along the way, they’ll see familiar characters voiced by the same actors from the film and meet new musical critters.

“Technologically wise, it was phenomenal,” Wade said. “They're very lifelike in their movements. I was particularly impressed with the Louis the gator animatronic.”

Is Tiana's Bayou Adventure a roller coaster?

No. It’s a log flume-style water ride like Splash Mountain was. Guests may want to bring a poncho to stay dry, though there is plenty of Tiana-themed merchandise for sale if they need a change of clothes.

“I didn't get wet, but I think it's because I was in the back of the boat,” Wade said with a laugh. “I actually love what they did with the drop. I feel like, based on how it looks with Mama Odie's bottles, it’s reminiscent of the (movie’s) ‘Dig a Little Deeper’ scene. I feel like at night, particularly, it's going to look absolutely incredible.”

Can I meet Tiana at Disney World?

Yes. Princess Tiana greets guests in her signature ball gown at Princess Fairytale Hall in Magic Kingdom. 

Guests can also meet her outside the parks with character dining at 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. She wears her new pantsuit there. 

What is Tiana's restaurant called at Disneyland?

Just like in “The Princess and the Frog,” Tiana’s restaurant in Disneyland is called Tiana’s Palace . The quick-service eatery opened last September and serves iconic New Orleans dishes like gumbo, po’boys, muffaletta sandwiches, and beignets.

While there’s no Tiana’s Palace at Disney World, guests can get Tiana’s Bayou Adventure treats in Magic Kingdom from June 28 through Sept. 6 and at select locations across the resort for a limited time. 

They can also take home Mama Odie’s Hot Sauce and Dooky Chase’s Seasonings, which were previously only sold at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant in New Orleans. 

The reporter on this story received access to the event from Disney. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of reviews.

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

Paddle into new adventures: Kayak rentals open at Hanover's Long Arm Reservoir

Visitors to Hanover's reservoirs can now paddle into new adventures, thanks to new kayak rentals.

Susquehanna Outfitters, a small business based in Wormleysburg, was contracted by Hanover Borough Parks and Recreation to open kayak rentals at Hanover's Long Arm Reservoir − and soon, the Sheppard-Myers Reservoir.

The rentals at Long Arm Reservoir opened in late May, and they are currently being offered on Saturdays and Sundays, said Hanover Borough Parks and Recreation director Matt Purkins.

The Sheppard-Myers reservoir kayak rental should be ready by the end of the year, Purkins said. The borough is working on improving boating safety in the area and adding a handicapped boat dock to provide visitors with access to the water.

Related: Hanover Borough awarded $500K grant to repair and upgrade water dam

At the open Long Arm Reservoir location, visitors can currently rent kayaks, paddleboards, fishing kayaks and tandem kayaks, Purkins said.

The kayak rentals at Long Arm are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, according to Susquehanna Outfitter's website, susquehannaoutfitters.com, where customers can schedule their rentals in advance online.

Single kayaks and stand-up paddleboards cost $30 for the first hour, plus $10 for each additional hour, while fishing kayaks and tandem kayaks cost $45 for the first hour, plus $15 for each additional hour.

Canoes, which were not yet available at the time this article was written, may become available at Long Arm depending on availability and will cost $45 for the first hour and $15 for each additional hour.

Life jackets, in both adult and juvenile sizes, are available on-site and are provided with the rentals.

While Long Arm has always offered visitors boat ramps to bring their own unpowered boats, Purkins hopes the rentals will expand the access to the water to more of the borough's residents and area visitors that don't own their own vessels.

"It's giving more accessibility to the lake for people who might not be able to access it otherwise," said Purkins.

Between the two reservoirs, the borough has over 2,300 acres of property, Purkins said, which has been an untapped resource for the borough.

Both reservoirs are man made, with the Sheppard-Myers reservoir having been constructed in 1932, and Long Arm reservoir constructed in the 1960s. The two reservoirs provide billions of gallons of water to the Hanover area, which is treated before being utilized for public water supply.

Despite their man-made nature and use as a water supply, the two reservoirs offer the community invaluable chances to experience nature in their own backyard, Purkins said.

Even for those who might avoid the water, the two lakes offer visitors numerous activities, such as "hiking, birdwatching, nature activities, relaxing on the shore, and fishing," Purkins said, "we're very lucky to have these."

"They would be the envy of any borough, probably the envy of the commonwealth," Purkins said, "What's there could easily rival any state park in Pennsylvania."

Another important aspect of opening access to the two lakes, Purkins noted, is the economic boost it provides the borough.

"If you take a Saturday and walk around the parking lots, it's not just Pennsylvania license plates," Purkins said.

That was the case on a recent Saturday, when Upperco, Maryland, residents Michael and Stephanie Piotrowski, rented kayaks to spend some time on the water.

The couple had visited the park prior to that Saturday, and spotted the new rentals. That brought them back to the area on a later date to rent kayaks, taking a trip paddling around the lake together.

"That's people going into restaurants, going into stores, going into breweries, and spending their money in Hanover," said Purkins. "It's putting tax dollars back into Hanover."

"It's really a win-win for everyone," Purkins said.

Harrison Jones is the Hanover reporter for the Evening Sun. Reach him at [email protected] .

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Best waterproof hats for all your summer sports adventures in 2024

Keep the rain, sweat and sun off of you with the best waterproof hats for summer in 2024..

Don't let rain (or sweat) stop you from enjoying all your favorite outdoor activities this summer. Whether you're hiking  through an unexpected storm, getting your daily run in on a drizzly morning, or squeezing in a round of golf  on a rainy day, a waterproof hat is essential.

The best waterproof hats for summer keep the rain and sun off of your head while still being breathable so you don't end up drenched in sweat instead of rain. If you live somewhere with a lot of summer rain, you might also want something that looks good enough to wear on the regular. No matter where or how often you plan to wear it, we found the absolute best waterproof hats you can get in 2024.

Best waterproof hat overall: Outdoor Research Seattle rain hat

The Outdoor Research Seattle rain hat is one of the most versatile and functional designs you'll find, making it one of the best waterproof hats for almost any sport or activity. To make it waterproof, Outdoor Research added a Gore-tex shell.

The same material used in waterproof hiking boots  and other premium waterproof gear, Gore-tex is uniquely designed to create a waterproof barrier that still allows air to pass through. It's not as breathable as a hat without Gore-tex, but it's more breathable than many other waterproofing materials.

The full brim provides wraparound rain and sun protection. It's also lightly stiffened with foam so that the brim won't flop down and stick to your face and neck in intense storms or high winds. So the rain will still roll away from you, no matter how bad the storm you're caught in gets.

With an adjustable (and removable) chin strap, we also like this hat for biking , surfing and other sports where there's a risk your hat could fly off of your head.

Get the premium performance waterproof hat from REI for $65.

Why we like the Outdoor Research Seattle rain hat:

• A Gore-tex shell keeps rain out while still allowing some airflow.
• The wide, full brim provides some neck protection and offers better sun protection.
• An adjustable chin strap allows you to get a secure fit for high-intensity activities.
• The durable hat can be folded or crumpled up to stash it in your bag when you don't need it.
• The UPF 50+ adds full sun protection along with rain protection.

Best waterproof hat for golf: Footjoy Dryjoys Tour rain hat

Some golfers  stay home when it rains. The rest of us know that's the best time to enjoy a near-empty golf course. Whether you're taking advantage of the rainy day to beat the crowds or you got hit with an unexpected downpour halfway through, you want this Footjoy Dryjoys Tour rain hat with you.

The bucket hat style with a stiffened brim directs the rain away from you while the waterproof material keeps your head and face dry. A Velcro strap on the inside allows you to adjust the fit to your head. And when the sky clears up, you can crush this into a pocket in your golf bag  without worrying about it losing its shape.

Get the waterproof golf hat at the PGA Tour Superstore for $35.

Why we like the Footjoys Dryjoys Tour rain hat:

• The waterproof fabric keeps you dry.
• With a full, stiff brim, the rain will roll off and away from you.
• Use the Velcro strap inside to get the most comfortable fit.
• Foldable and packable, you can shove this into your golf bag and it won't lose its shape.

Best waterproof hat for running or biking: Adidas Terrex Rain.Dry cap

For a high-intensity activity like running  or biking, you need a hat that's not only waterproof but lightweight, moisture-wicking and breathable so you can stay comfortable while you work up a sweat. That's the Adidas Terrex Rain.Dry Cap.

On the outside, it's a waterproof baseball-style hat that sheds rain. On the inside, a moisture-wicking band absorbs sweat. So this waterproof hat has the power to keep you dry even when you're sweating in the rain. Plus, it's made from a thin, lightweight material and includes a buckle closure at the back so you can adjust it for a snug fit that won't fly off your head, no matter how fast you're racing (or cycling) through those rainy miles.

Get it from Adidas or Amazon while it's on sale for $21 (reduced from $30).

Why we like the Adidas Terrex Rain.Dry Cap

• Built for trail runners , this hat is lightweight and comfortable even when you work up a sweat.
• It's waterproof on the outside to keep the rain off your head.
• A moisture-wicking band on the inside keeps the sweat out of your eyes.

Best waterproof hat for water sports: Everyday California Floating Waterproof Snapback

Summertime is water time. Whether that means surfing, whitewater rafting or floating in a lake with a cold beer, you want a waterproof hat that stays put -- but also is easy to find in case it doesn't. This waterproof hat from Everyday California is the perfect sidekick for your water adventures.

It's fully waterproof, durable and adjustable so you can get a snug fit. If the rapids or the party gets a little out of hand and your hat still manages to fall off, don't worry. It floats, so you'll easily be able to snag it from the water.

Functionality aside, this is also a stylish waterproof hat made from aviator flight satin and featuring Everyday California's surfing bear logo on the front. It looks good enough to wear all summer long, even on days when there isn't a body of water in sight.

Get the floating waterproof hat from Amazon for $34.

Why we like the Everyday California Floating Waterproof Snapback:

• The aviator flight satin fabric looks good and makes this hat fully waterproof.
• The snapback closure lets you get a snug fit that stays on your head.
• This hat floats, so you can find it again if you happen to lose it on the water.
• Durable fabric and double-stitched hems ensure this hat will hold up through all of your adventures, both in the water and on dry land.

Most stylish waterproof hat: Outback Trading Co. Aussie Slugger Cap

Luxury meets durability in the Outback Trading Co. Aussie Slugger Cap. The classic baseball cap design is made from 100% cotton oilskin--that's a thick cotton material that's been treated with oil to become waterproof. Worn by sailors and fishermen for centuries, oilskin is super durable, waterproof and it preserves the breathability and odor-resistant properties of cotton. That breathability is enhanced by the addition of strategically placed air vents.

The timeless style and premium look of this hat make it a great option for someone who wants a waterproof hat that looks good enough to wear everywhere, all summer long. But don't let the stylish look fool you. This hat can hold up to the demands of working on a fishing boat in the middle of a storm. So it can definitely hold up to the demands of your kayaking trip or round of golf .

Get the Outback Trading Co. Aussie Slugger Cap from Amazon  for $35.

Why we like the Outback Trading Co. Aussie Slugger Cap:

• The 100% oilskin design is waterproof, durable and breathable.
• The baseball cap has a timeless look that will pair well with just about everything in your summer wardrobe.
• The snapback closure allows you to get the right fit.

More top-rated waterproof hats:

• A stylish waterproof golf hat from Titleist: Titleist Players Stadry Cap, $40
• Keep the sun and rain off during hikes: Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Storm Hat, $45 (reduced from $64)
• A sweat- and water-resistant runner's hat: Alter Ego Running Cruiser Splash, $49
• A versatile, waterproof Boonie for $20: Frogg Toggs boonie hat, $20
• A waterproof hat you won't lose in the water: Rip Curl Saltwater Culture Surf cap, $40

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Ryan's World the Movie: Titan Universe Adventure

Ryan's twin sisters Emma and Kate get trapped in a comic book world. Ryan enters this realm to rescue them, facing adventures, battles, and mishaps while attempting to bring them back before... Read all Ryan's twin sisters Emma and Kate get trapped in a comic book world. Ryan enters this realm to rescue them, facing adventures, battles, and mishaps while attempting to bring them back before his parents discover their disappearance. Ryan's twin sisters Emma and Kate get trapped in a comic book world. Ryan enters this realm to rescue them, facing adventures, battles, and mishaps while attempting to bring them back before his parents discover their disappearance.

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