It’s easy to make the mistake of associating adventure with far-flung corners of the world, but that assumption does Europe a disservice. Whether clients are searching for challenging treks, gentle cycling, cultural experiences or sun-kissed fun, there are heaps of options just a short hop away.
Action stations
For those with boundless energy to burn, some operators offer multi-activity tours with a range of sporting activities every day. Explore and The Adventure Company have the widest range of such tours in Europe, defined as Multi Activity, and Activity and Adrenaline respectively.
Kayaking, cycling, rafting, mountain climbing and trekking all feature in these types of trips, some of which are specifically designed for families (see this week’s family adventures feature).
Turkey is particularly strong for this type of holiday, with the Lycian coast offering sailing and rafting, plus good walking, and the central Cappadocian region ideal for trekking, mountain biking and horse-riding. There are similar trips on offer in Croatia, while the French regions of Mont Blanc, the Dordogne and the Ardeche have plenty of these types of trips to offer.
Snowy stays
Northern Europe is perfectly suited to adventures in the snow, whether it’s mushing huskies in Finland or Sweden, taking a dip in one of Iceland’s geothermal pools or polar bear-spotting in Spitsbergen.
Less obvious options such as Poland and Bulgaria also offer opportunities for snow-shoeing, snowmobiling and sleigh-riding.
Walking and cycling
While many of the more generalised adventure tours involve a few short walks and a gentle pedal or two, there are also niche tours that concentrate on these activities. For fit-as-a-butcher’s-dog clients who crave constant action, suggest they scale the Swiss Matterhorn, trek Mont Blanc or hike in the Italian Dolomites.
For more relaxing itineraries, try exploring the Loire Valley, Belgium or the Netherlands by bike, or gently strolling around Tuscany and Umbria.
Cycling and walking specialist Headwater has a wide range of options across France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Greece and Turkey, with guided and independent tours on offer.
UTracks specialises in self-guided itineraries, with detailed route notes and maps. Luggage is transferred for clients, so all they need carry is a day-pack. Alongside the more usual European destinations, it also offers itineraries in Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary for clients looking for something a bit different.
Broader adventure operators like Explore and The Adventure Company also offer specific cycling and walking itineraries.
Discovery
You might think that Europe’s famous cultural sights aren’t really the preserve of an adventure tour operator. However, trips visiting these highlights are popular with many adventure firms.
Often there’ll be elements of activity – perhaps a walk or two, or the chance to cycle or kayak at some point on the trip. And these tours typically head further off the beaten track than those run by more traditional escorted tour operators.
Some companies differentiate their product by getting clients closer to the locals. Tucan Travel has just launched a new range of eastern European itineraries using public transport to get around. Others sell on expertise – Explore offers an expert guest lecturer on some trips to keep history buffs happy.
Gap Adventures offers a range of unique experiences, including heading to Pamplona for the running of the bulls, and being shot up to 34,000 feet in an aircraft to experience Zero Gravity in Russia.
In some cases, the benefit for clients of booking with an adventure tour operator rather than a traditional one may be a matter of finding like-minded travelling companions rather than any huge variation in itinerary.
Outside the Eurozone
As eastern Europe opens up, there is a wealth of possibilities that don’t require clients to pit their puny pounds against the euro. The huge variety of experiences available in Turkey makes it a popular choice.
Clients can explore the historical sites of Troy, Ephesus and Pergamum, or the buzzing city of Istanbul. Cappadocia’s lunar landscapes, the limestone ‘cotton castles’ at Pamukkale, and the sunken city of Kekova – over which clients can kayak – provide unique experiences.
For the adventurous, eastern Turkey is still off the beaten track for most, and Mount Ararat provides a climb to the height of Everest Base Camp.
Croatia has all the benefits of the Med – balmy beaches, pretty towns, cultural sights and island-hopping – but priced in kuna, not euros.
For a more unusual experience, clients can explore the Baltic states, the Balkan area, or eastern European destinations such as Hungary, Romania, Poland and Bulgaria.
Active options include walking in Bulgaria’s Rila Mountains or in Romania’s Transylvania region, which offers great hiking as well as the legend of Dracula.
Longer itineraries
Although Europe is convenient for shorter trips, those with more time on their hands won’t be disappointed. Operators such as Tucan Travel and Gap Adventures offer itineraries of up to 60 days, going overland and taking in a host of countries.
UK adventures
Clients don’t even need to dust off their passports – there are plenty of options in the UK.
Explore offers walking in the Lake District and cycling in the Cotswolds, plus Scottish itineraries including a Ben Nevis trek and explorations of the Outer Hebrides. Clients can cycle in Shropshire or the Wye Valley with Headwater, or walk in the Cotswolds or between Stratford and Oxford.
Utracks offers guided and unguided Irish itineraries visiting rural beauty spots such as the Ring of Kerry and the Connemara countryside. It also offers cycling in the Scottish Highlands.
Sample product
Explore offers an eight-day Active Turkey itinerary based on the Lycian coast including hiking, biking, canoeing and sea-kayaking from £727, including flights and seven nights’ B&B. explore.co.uk, 0844 499 0904
Imaginative Traveller offers an eight-day Finnish Wilderness Week including dogsledding, cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing, from £999 half-board, excluding flights. imaginative-traveller.com, 0845 077 8803
Tucan Travel offers a 10-day Jewels of Croatia itinerary visiting Dubrovnik, Hvar and Zagreb, from £520 plus a £198 local payment, excluding flights.
tucantravel.com, 020 8896 1600
