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Adventure Travel
One of the fastest growing segments of the travel industry is what might
broadly be referred to as "adventure travel." This segment encompasses a broad spectrum of  destinations and activities, but what it
isn't, though, is the family vacation week at the beach!
Maybe its the stress that so many of us endure in our daily lives or maybe it has something to do with our fast
paced existence, but whatever the reason, adventure travel is growing more popular each year by offering a whole
new vista for the modern traveler.
What is adventure travel?
Something that is above and beyond what could be called a "normal" destination and activity. It may be
something as sedate as a wine tasting tour in Burgundy, France, or it could be as active as a trek to Mt. Kilamanjaro.
An adventure travel trip may be as close as a few miles from your home town, or it can be thousands of miles way
in Asia or Africa.
Eco-travel. One
of the components of much adventure travel is what is becoming known as "eco-travel." Adventure travelers,
in general, are far more likely to be respectful of the environmental concerns at their destinations. Although
blasting through fragile underbrush may be considered "adventure" to some, it is extremely unlikely that
such activity would be part of an adventure tour. Much more likely is, for example, day hiking through a remote
region with an adherence to the Sierra Club motto of "take only photographs. Leave only footprints."
Is adventure travel for you?
Although there are some "low key" adventure travel activities, the majority of them are designed for
those with a fairly active lifestyle--or at least a desire for one! You'll probably need a pretty strong thirst
for new experiences --many adventure destinations and activities are not for nightly couch potatoes. In addition,
in most cases you must be in reasonably good health. There are adventure travel groups and tours for virtually
all age, family and activity category, including an increasing number of options for those with disabilities. For
a wide variety of FREE
brochures on various adventure travel programs available,
visit Travel
Roads.
What about safety? Isn't adventure travel dangerous? Obviously, mountain trekking carries more risk than planting yourself under an
umbrella at the beach. As in most travel situations, though, a healthy dose of common sense and observation will
go a long way toward minimizing risks. In some cases, for example, you will be in foreign locales with differing
standards of safety, but more than likely none that having a realistic awareness of the situation can't handle.
For information, see the hints on travel
safety.
Isn't adventure travel expensive?
In reality, compared to other types of travel, adventure trips can be quite reasonable. In most cases, you won't
be staying at "Ritz-class" hotels and dining at exclusive (and expensive) restaurants, which helps to
hold the line on the total costs. Air fare, of course, will be comparable to any similar destination.
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