Comeback kid: adventures with wow power for summer 2022
Hands up who’s had cabin fever over the past two years? Thank the travel Gods that this all-familiar ailment is starting to ease (finally!), courtesy of the world opening back up post-Covid, for summer 2022.
We don’t know about you, but all those months on home turf have given rise to feet that are itchier than ever. We want to get out there and drink in the sweet scent of adventure once again, with new people, fresh horizons and experiences that light us up from within. We want, in other words, to think BIG with the ultimate comeback vacation.
Are you with us? Then you’ll be pleased to know that there are a whole roster of adventures just waiting to satisfy that wanderlust urge. From the wild open plains of the Serengeti to Inca bike rides in Peru – not to mention glamping in the deserts of Jordan – the world is waiting to welcome us back in.
So, put that sunrise enchilada down and look alive. These are the best places to head to for a comeback adventure in summer 2022.
All the charm in Croatia
This ancient and beguiling land has everything going for it as far as adventure is concerned. You can grab your kayak and paddle down the rapids of Mrežnica River, or turn mermaid for the day with a private island experience on the Adriatic coast. Oh, and did we mention paddle-boarding by starlight near the Roman town of Split? Think Game of Thrones with a dash of modern-day joie de vivre to make the whole thing go with a swing.
Smashing South Africa
South Africa is THE place to be if you want to, a.) test your comfort zone a little, and b.) nab a taste of the sweet life. On the tip of this magnificent continent, you’ll find thrills aplenty, including abseiling down the handsome Table Mountain and a chance to swim with octopi in the kelp forest of the Cape (made famous by the Netflix documentary, My Octopus Teacher). The high life continues with a zip line ride over Graskop Gorge, but there’s also time for a delightfully chilled e-bike ride through the vineyards of Stellenbosch. And a private wine cellar tour and tasting, naturally.
Peaceful Peru
The showtime appeal of Peru comes with the sheer expanse of it: here you’ll find everything from bohemian Lima neighbourhoods to the wide skies of the Amazon and the intoxicating wildlife chorus of the Amazon basin. Hop on-board for a boat trip in the rainforest (keep your eyes peeled for the giant river otter, red howler monkeys and the yellow-spotted side neck turtle), and a bike ride through Peru’s Sacred Valley, complete with mystifying Inca ruins. The icing on the cake comes with a chocolate-making workshop and a trip to Machu Picchu.
Spectacular Sri Lanka
The thing about Sri Lanka is, it’s home to some truly incredible hotels. We’re talking huge, ocean-facing pools, mountain spas and fresh fruit cocktails served by twilight. It’s a bonus to this already-awesome adventure, which offers the chance to cycle through the palace ruins of Polonnaruwa, and be guided through a private meditation session with a Buddhist master. Scenic train rides through the misty hills of tea country are all part of the fun, as is a trip to Yala National Park: which boasts the highest population density of leopards worldwide.
Savour the delights of Sri Lanka
Jaw-dropping Jordan
If you want an adventure of an Indiana Jones variety, look no further than Jordan – with its timeless desert landscapes, and the rose-red city of Petra. An escape here is on a different level of wonder, as you canyon through the Wadi Mujib ravines, and glamp amid the rolling dunes of the Wadi Rum. En-route, you’ll get to revel in a desert sunrise by camel, hike a back route trail to the Nabatean kingdom of Petra, and stay in an award-winning hotel – the candlelit Feynan Ecolodge – in the heart of the Dana Nature Reserve.
Terrific Tanzania
The annual wildebeest migration is frequently hailed as one of the greatest shows on Earth. If you’re an animal-lover, you won’t want to miss this breathtaking sight of millions of wildebeest thundering across the plains of the Serengeti, in search of seasonal rains. By staying at the Bush Rover Migration Camp, you’ll get the best possible view of this natural phenomenon, too – because the camp moves in tandem with the migration for a front-row window to the action. Staying in a series of converted Land Rovers, with private balconies and hand-drawn baths, you’ll get to immerse yourself in this powerful show, along with a taste of the finest safari experience around.
Mesmerising Mexico
Ever had lunch with a Luchador? Or taken a hot air balloon ride over the temples of Teotihuacán? These pinch-myself are all in easy reach with a getaway to Mexico City – the place to be for rooftop tequila tastings and ancient healing rituals. Learn all about duelling techniques from a Luchador, Mexico’s legendary masked superhero wrestlers, before seeing them in action in a flamboyant live battle of good versus evil. There’s just time to unwind with a temazcal experience – a sweat lodge rite that involves soaking up steam from hot volcanic rocks – before setting sail on a private sunrise balloon ride over Teotihuacán, followed by breakfast in a cave. Phew.
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