Are lazy vacations not for you? Are you an adventurer at heart, and do you expect travel to take you out of your daily comfort zone? Here is an article made for you! The following activities are all very unusual, ideal to push your limits or to discover a new culture and landscape. So, are you ready to swim with jellyfish or to dance to Latin rhythms? Here is the selection of the Petit Futé!
N°10 - Sleeping in a yurt in Mongolia
The yurt is an integral part of the Mongolian landscape. These fabulous tents are real small houses, with all the modern equipment necessary for an optimal comfort. Ger-buudal, yurt-hotels, are present in most Mongolian destinations. These homestays are perfect to discover the culture of the country. It is one of the most beautiful experiences in Mongolia..
N°9 - Go for a dog sled ride
Whether in the Vosges, in the Alps or even in Lapland, dog sledding is a must for all travelers in search of the sweet thrill! This Great North atmosphere is ideal to learn about the pleasures of sledding in a total change of scenery. After some instructions, the musher may even let you take the reins for an unforgettable driving lesson! Be careful, these ice baptisms are very popular, so don't forget to book!
N°8 - Relax in a sauna in Finland
Because there is nothing more Finnish than the sauna, it is a must during a stay in the country! In these steam baths, the temperature oscillates between 80°C and 90°C. Favourable to physical and mental relaxation, they are very popular with Finns who come to bare their bodies and minds. The most courageous do not hesitate to take a frozen bath as soon as they leave the steam room, to activate the blood circulation... Come on, a little courage!
N°7 - Bathing in the "devil's pool
At the top of the sumptuous Victoria Falls, on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, there is a rather special pool... The "Devil's Pool" is located more than 100 m high, at the edge of the falls. This spectacular site has been declared a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is accessible only during the dry season, from September to December, and attracts the most daring bathers of the planet!
N°6 - Zipline over the Grand Canyon
If the Grand Canyon makes you dream, you will love to admire it from another point of view... Why not in the air ? Yes, it is possible to zip line over this natural wonder! With a height of 345 to 765 m and an average speed of 80 km/h, this activity is reserved for those with a strong stomach! Once in the air, don't close your eyes: the most beautiful is under your feet!
N°5 - Take a samba class in Rio de Janeiro
Mythical, this activity will allow you to really enter the Brazilian culture. Born at the beginning of the 20th century in Rio, samba became the official music of its carnival in the 1930s. Starting in August, the best samba schools in the city open their doors for rehearsals. To take a course in one of these legendary establishments is to become the king/queen of one of the most sumptuous carnivals in the world.
N°4 - Fly over Cappadocia in a hot air balloon
Cappadocia is a region of great seismic and volcanic activity. Over the years, it has seen the formation of amazing landscapes: canyons, gorges, fairy chimneys... this is what you will be able to admire during a hot air balloon flight! Every morning, the Turkish sky is invaded by these charming balloons of all colors. The sensations during the flight are unique, just like the landscape that stretches under your feet.
N°3 - Swimming with jellyfish
If we spend most of our vacations fearing them, jellyfish are the joy of some swimmers at the other end of the world, in the archipelago of Palau, in the middle of the Pacific. An amazing lake is populated by these charming little creatures. However, you can swim there without fear because their microscopic bites are harmless to humans. Be careful though, you swim at the surface because the lake contains a big layer of hydrogen sulfide, a very dangerous toxin for humans!
N°2- Take a kung fu course in China
Have Jet Li and Jackie Chan always made you dream ? Are you fascinated by the Chinese culture? What could be better than to discover one of the most representative combat sports of the country: kung fu? Mastery of the body and mind, learning Chinese culture: it's the ideal way to immerse yourself in the country. These training courses with the Shaolin monks are open to beginners, but we advise you to have a good physical condition to follow the sustained rhythm.
N°1 - Diving in the cenotes in Mexico
Mexico, and mainly the Yucatán peninsula, is pierced by fresh water chasms, formed by the collapse of the limestone rock. Sacred for the Mayas, the cenotes are nowadays fantastic swimming and diving spots! In the open air or in depth, these natural wells can be found everywhere. Around the Chicxulub crater, the arrangement of the cenotes in a ring suggests that they were created by the impact of a meteorite, 66 million years ago. In total, the Yucatan Peninsula would have more than 10,000 cenotes.
