Microadventures in Turkey

MICROADVENTURES are becoming increasingly popular for time-crunched travellers looking for their next adrenalin fix. With many European adventure destinations becoming overcrowded and overdone, intrepid travellers are now looking for advice on where to escape the crowds, get active and embrace the outdoors in the new year.

Located on the refreshingly remote southwestern coast of #Turkey, Sarigerme’s enviable location between the stretching turquoise sea and spectacular mountains makes it the ultimate, crowd-free outdoor playground. This land of adventure is just a mere four-hour flight from the UK.

White water rafting… Stretching 229 kilometres and offering a number of different routes, the nearby Dalaman River promises wet and wild fun for rafters of all abilities. Besides being a white water hotspot, there are also many secluded spots along the riverbank where travellers can stop and take in the impressive waterfalls, caverns, craggy mountain ridges and colourful forests.

Sea kayaking… The Lycian shore is one of the most irresistible in the entire Mediterranean. Kayakers can explore a heavenly labyrinth of secluded coves, remote peninsulas, hidden islets, and rugged cliffs, and if they are lucky, bump into endangered Loggerhead turtles, known as Caretta Caretta, that come to the Sarigerme shores every year to nest. Swoon-worthy Göcek Bay’s beautiful beaches and idyllic islands are just a short paddle away.

Catch the wind… Unlike other beach destinations along the Turquoise Coast, Sarigerme’s unique position between the Aegean and Mediterranean seas welcomes a cool sea breeze that creates the ideal waves for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Visitors can sign up to lessons and courses and learn how to discover the sea in style.

Scuba diving… For those searching for their next aquatic adventure, Sarigerme boasts fantastic diving conditions with warm temperatures ranging from 20-30°C and clear visibility for 20-40 metres. Divers can explore ancient shipwrecks and ruins, colourful reefs and hidden caves. This part of the Mediterranean Sea also offers visitors the chance to see diverse underwater creatures including turtles, barracudas, rays and groupers.

Paragliding… Down the coast from Sarigerme, Ölüdeniz is one of the best spots in Europe for solo and tandem paragliders. For the ultimate flight, adrenaline junkies make the brave leap off Babadağ Mountain from where they will enjoy breath-taking views of the big blue from above.

Horse riding… With a number of equestrian clubs and ranches in the area, Sarigerme is a top choice for a horse riding holiday. With professional and friendly instruction, travellers can grab the reigns of beautiful Turkish horses and trot through fields of fragrant flowers, climb into the surrounding mountains and breathe in the fresh forest air. 

Caving, rock climbing abseiling… With over 40,000 caves and caverns, Sarigerme is a paradise for potholing and caving, offering adventurers the chance to see crumbling hidden churches, secret underground lakes, cisterns, stalactites and stalagmites. The cave network is not for the faint hearted, particularly because cavers will often be sharing the dark corners with friendly families of bats. For those who prefer to explore in the light, travellers are welcomes to try rock-climbing and abseiling in Sarigerme’s rocky mountain surrounds.

Hiking… A trip down the coast leads to Saklikent, which means ‘hidden city’ in Turkish. Here, travellers will find a secret paradise which spans 18 kilometres in length and 300 meters in depth, making Saklikent Gorge one of the deepest canyons in the world. The gorge is so steep and so narrow that sunlight often cannot reach it. In order to reach Saklikent Gorge, the Xanthos River has to be crossed which is guaranteed to get heart beats pumping. For those looking for an easier alternative, there are also wooden boardwalks positioned above the river leading to a picturesque riverside restaurant.

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Rafting through the Grand Canyon requires patience

DOES rafting through the Grand Canyon top your bucket list? One company that specializes in rafting western rivers says a dollop of patience is required to make dreams come true due to unprecedented demand.

One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, a trip through the #GrandCanyon, appears to sell itself. However Western River Expeditions’ sales team is tasked with suggesting suitable alternatives for sold-out Grand Canyon space for those river enthusiasts who just can’t wait. Two good alternatives include a four-day trip through Cataract Canyon, often referred to as the “Grand Canyon’s Younger Sister” or a five-day journey down Desolation Canyon on the Green River.

Grand Canyon – www.westernriver.com/grand-canyon-vacation. Western River Expeditions is now taking requests for 2019 as most of these vacations in 2018 are already booked.

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White knuckle ride down the Zambezi

THE World Famous Zambezi River proudly boasts the biggest, wildest, most exciting one day White Water Rafting experience on the planet! Take on the Grade 5 rapids and pounding white water of the Batoka Gorge below Victoria Falls with Wild Horizons and the finest crew on the river - Africa's Greatest Adventures. 

Our one day rafting trips kicks off from Rapid 1, right below the incredible Victoria Falls - Simply being in this spot is enough to get the blood pumping! Hours of adrenalin filled fun all the way through to rapid 19.

www.wildhorizons.co.za

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White water playground

DIP your toes in Wero Whitewater Park - New Zealand’s first purpose-built whitewater playground, a $37-million marvel found in South Auckland’s Manukau City. 

With a Grade 3-4 river, as well as a tamer Grade 2 river, activities are accessible to people of all ages and abilities. 

If you’ve always wanted to have a go at rafting, kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), this is the ideal place.

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Picture Credit: Todd F Niemand 7487886@N04/30409970315 via photopin

Adventure activities in Serbia

WHILE #Serbia is developing a reputation as a cycling and hiking destination –offering experiences such as the Danube Bike Trail – these activities represent only a small sample of the adventures an adrenaline junkie can expect to find. 

The country’s wild spaces are calling out to thrill-seeking holidaymakers …   

HIKING – Serbia offers a variety of hiking options for walkers of all aptitudes. Some of the top destinations include the national parks of Fuska Gora, Djerdap, Zlatibor & Tara, and Kopaonik. 

CYCLING – From the sedate to the challenging, Serbia offer this and everything in between. Options for the more sedate cyclists include the Danube Bike Trail, 410 miles of which are to be found in Serbia. Road cycling and mountain biking options include the Beast From The East, or more formerly the Euro Velo 11.

CAVING – Serbia has more than 4,000 caves, including the 3,000ft Lazareva Cave near Zlot, the longest in Serbia, or the 2,542ft Ceremošnja Cave near Kučevo.

FLYING – Serbia has a long tradition of aerial sports. Travellers can choose from gliding, paragliding, microlite flying, ballooning and tandem skydives. Many resorts and spas are now offering paragliding under the guidance of experts from local clubs.

ORIENTEERING – If you like to find yourself in a remote spot with little more than a map and a compass ticking off control points in the right order in the shortest possible time, Serbia will greet you with open arms. This sport is popular in Serbia, with around 180 specialized orienteering maps covering many tourist locations.

SKIING – Serbia's most developed and popular ski resorts are Kopaonik, Tornik on Zlatibor, and Stara Planina.

WHITE WATER RAFTING – Hot spots for rafting include Lim, one of Serbia's most exciting rivers, and the River Drina, which is suitable for dinghy rafting.

CANYONING is new sport for Serbia. Key locations include the Tribe Canyon, the second highest in Serbia. Most canyoning takes place in May to late September. 

WATER SPORTS – The fast-flowing rivers are great for rafting, dinghy sailors, rowers and flat-water kayakers head for the wide waters of the Danube, Lake Sava at Ada Ciganlija, Lake Palić, Bela Crkva lakes, and the Silver Lake.

GETTING THERE –

Tour operators offering activity holidays in Serbia include Ramblers Worlwide Holidays, Travel The Unknown Utracks, and Blue Plum Escapes

Flights to Belgrade are with: Air Serbia from Heathrow, from Manchester via Amsterdam, Wizz Air from Luton, and British Airways from Heathrow via Frankfurt.

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Picture Credit: Image-of-Sumadija by Струјајое - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons