Mar 03, 2022 BY AWE365 Team
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking – it’s time to get adventurous!” Well, no, I’m not actually a cruise captain or pilot, but I do have the goods on the top five star adventure holidays and best luxury activity vacations for you to enjoy.
Now that life is stepping back towards normality and the travel industry is hopping again, it’s time to treat yourself to a break; you need one! Taking a holiday this year is practically mandatory, but it doesn’t have to be a run-of-the-mill vacation.
Oh no, this holiday should be unique, and nothing says special like luxury and adventure!
Whether you’re into sailing the Caribbean and stopping off at delicious little islands, prefer staying at Atlantis The Palm in Dubai, rather serene desert scenes or you’d like be skiing all day and relaxing in front of a fire all night, there’s a luxury adventure vacation just for you.
Looking for inspiration? Check out our list of nine of the best luxury activity vacations below:
Now we know that the term “walking safari” will have a few of you raising eyebrows in concern, but worry not! Take the country’s only certified malaria-free Big Five walk from Marataba Trails Lodge. Winter in South Africa is relatively mild, so you can experience this year round.
Hike the micro-environments in the Marakele National Park; trek along mountain gorges and ravines, and visit watering holes and ancient caves. You’ll continue onto the Oystercatcher Trail and walk along some of the most beautiful, golden beaches in the world.
Explore rock pools and bays, see rare animal life and each night sit around a fire under the sparkling African sky. When you’re done with the South Africa safari portion of the trip, check out Cape Cadogan for a little R&R to make it one of the best luxury activity vacations!
Nothing says adventure quite like volcanoes, does it? This curated adventure experience will take you from ancient volcanoes to tropical paradises and sandy beaches. Your trip will begin in exciting San Jose, Costa Rica, at the Grano de Oro Hotel.
Travel north to drink in the majesty of the Arenal volcano and take a gentle guided hike along its base. There you’ll soak in mineral pools and be treated to a delicious feast. The Sky Tram will take you all the way to the volcano’s summit, and you’ll traverse its slopes on horseback, like the adventurers of old.
Head further north to Rio Perdido and experience the violent, harsh landscape. Your journey will draw to a close when you reach Nicaragua’s Emerald Coast. Here you can indulge in water sports, lounging on the beaches, island exploring, or day trips to nearby locations.
The five star Adler Dolomiti spa hotel in the town of Ortisei is the perfect place to drink in spectacular views, get active and relax. The accommodation is of exceptional quality and the facilities are everything you would expect to find during the best activity vacations. And it’s all surrounded by stunning Dolomite mountains.
The hotel provides guided hikes and mountain bike rides at no additional charge. They even let you use top of the range mountain bikes and eBikes. So you can take to the trail on foot or bike for some of the best MTB and hiking in the world.
The winter is incredibly cold in Iceland, so it’s best to enjoy Icelandic activities in the summer months. Southern Iceland welcomes you to Reykjavik, where your adventure begins. After experiencing the wonders of the city’s architecture and the exquisite coastal views, you’ll join a local chef for an Icelandic cooking class.
Next head to Thrihnukagigur volcano and drop into the mouth of the beast if you’re brave enough! Then take in Thingvellir National Park in the Golden Circle. Here you’ll feast your eyes on the natural wonders that have made Iceland famous as a place of natural beauty.
Fancy snorkelling where two continental plates meet? At Silfra you get up close and personal with this geological sight. Next, you’ll move on to Landmannalaugar, which you’ll view from the comfort of a Jeep to enjoy some of the best 4×4 driving in Europe. You can also swim in the natural pools, which is an experience quite unlike any other.
Heading back to Reykjavik, you’ll pass through the Reykjanesskagi peninsula. Take a buggy over the lava fields and gaze at the towering cliffs and rugged coast.
Stockholm will welcome you with open arms for the start of your adrenaline-fuelled ice adventure! Take a boat, bike, or walking trip around the city and the natural sights surrounding it.
Head north to Arvidsjaur and get the action started at the Laponie Ice Driving track. Drive dream cars with professional drivers by your side in unforgettable conditions. Don’t forget to take in the incredible landscape surrounding you while enjoying one of the top five star adventure holidays.
Five star adventure holidays don’t get more exciting than the Kulm Hotel. The resort is 160 years old and offers a luxurious break in the glamourous Swiss town of St Moritz. In the summer you can enjoy windsurfing and kitesurfing on Lake Silvaplana plus golf, hiking and biking.
But for adrenaline junkies the Kulm’s winter extreme weekend is not to be missed. Including bobsleigh, skijoring, snowkiting, skydiving and a tobogganing on the notorious Cresta Run it’s tough to beat. There are also more than 350km of ski slopes to explore.
Take an eight-night journey through classical Greece. See places you’ve only read about in books. Walk in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks from more than 3,000 years ago.
Your journey begins in Macedonia, the land of Alexander the Great. Visit Thessaloniki, the largest port in old Greece and a center of commerce in ancient times. Walk right up to Mount Olympus, home of the Gods, and experience the greenest fields you’ll ever see.
Head to UNESCO World Heritage site Vergina and spoil yourself with a wine tasting and delicious luncheon. At the same time, you learn about the history of the area and its ties to early philosophy.
End your journey in Athens, where you’ll partake in the city’s wonders for two days. Athens is the capital of democracy, science, and philosophy and there’s no end to what you could learn there.
Before the “roughing it” really begins, stay in the Park Hyatt hotel in Buenos Aires. Allow yourself to be swept away by the magic of the tango and delicious food and wine, before heading to Patagonia for two nights at the Llao Llao Hotel and Resort.
Next, you’ll be mounting your steed for an unforgettable adventure in St Martin De Los Andes for a three-day trip into the great outdoors. Patagonia is famous for its unparalleled natural beauty! So you’ll get to enjoy one of the best five star adventure holidays while travelling how people have for centuries.
Your experience begins in Lima, where you can take in the art and crafts that have been made by the locals of this area for generations. From there head to the Sacred Valley and join yoga classes while looking out over the mountains.
Connect with the earth by partaking in a Mother Earth ceremony before trekking the Inca trail to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu. Take in the architecture and history and experience the sights and sounds of this magical place. When you reach Cusco, you’ll rest in luxury in a hotel that has been standing since the 16th century.
We hope you found these best luxury activity vacations inspirational. If you have not found what you are looking for then take a look at these five star activity holidays for more ideas.
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