How would you like to get off the beaten path and do something really extraordinary? The adventurer in all of us is just dying to get out and explore the world’s most fantastic destinations. Why hit the usual tourist traps and same-old vacation spots when you can look a hyena in the eyes, track elusive Mountain Gorillas in Uganda or drive your own husky team in the Arctic? Join us as we explore 10 unusual trips for the adventurer in you.
Climb to the Top of Agia Triada
KALAMBAKA, GREECE
The Holy Trinity Monastery or Agia Triada is one of the most difficult of the sky-high monasteries in Greece to reach but the trek is well worth it. Once you get to the top of Agia Triada, the panoramic vistas will literally captivate you. These Greek Eastern Orthodox monasteries were built on “meteora” stones, which roughly translates into “suspended in air,” in Greek. Building monasteries high on meteora stones was popular in the 14th and 15th centuries because the monks believed that they would be closer to God. You can get to the monastery by climbing stairs on the neighboring cliff and then taking a cable car across the chasm between the two cliffs.
Mountain Bike to the Roof of the World
TIBET
There’s nothing like the spiritual high you get from atop majestic Himalayan peaks and the spectacular vistas of Mount Everest are even more amazing if you’re experiencing them from the seat of a mountain bike. Put your skills to the test by peddling challenging climbs, coasting down exhilarating descents and taking in the breathtaking scenery of Tibet. Explore the backcountry as you cycle past ancient temples, monasteries and remote villages that make up the culture and history of this remarkable part of the world. You will also meet warm and charming locals as you ride the trails of these sacred mountains.
Feed Hyenas in the Holy City of Harar
ETHIOPIA
Harar is a city in Northeast Ethiopia near the Somalian border and a great seat of Islamic culture. Its walled city, dubbed “Africa’s Mecca,” is home to more than 100 mosques and is considered to be the “fourth holy city of Islam”. The unusual part of your trip to Harar is a visit to the legendary “hyena man of Harar”. At the Fallana Gate, the hyena man will call out to the hyenas by name in Harari. They will come up, one-by-one and take a piece of meat from a stick he has placed in his mouth. If you have the nerve, you can also take a turn hand-feeding these wildly beautiful, but dangerous African predators — don’t worry, I did it and survived!
Kayak Around the Galapagos Islands
ECUADOR
The 19 islands that make up the Galapagos are is as unusual as you can get. Located in the Pacific Ocean some 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador the Galapagos are surrounded by a marine reserve that has been called the “showcase of evolution.” This trip must be on any adventurer’s bucket-list of travel spots. You won’t find an island on the planet with a bigger melting pot of exotic marine species such as the pink land and marine iguanas and a myriad of unique birds like the Galapagos albatross. Kayak and snorkel with a variety of friendly wildlife, such as giant sea tortoises and playful sea lions for an experience you won’t forget. The Galapagos Islands are a place where lizards swim, birds walk, and for once, humans don’t take center stage.
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