Now we all know that this last year has, let’s face it, been a bit of a shambles. So, after over a year of not having left the country, I can imagine everyone is craving a little bit of adventure. I’ve put together a list of ten big trips you can take when the world opens up again (please be soon, my passport is about to become a mug coaster).
They range from climbing mountains in Morocco to cruising down the backwaters in Kerala, India. As always, let me know in the comments or hit me up on my socials below if you have any questions !

KEY:
£ = Backpacker Budget , ££ = Best of both worlds , £££ = Spend the Savings

Cruise the Keralan Backwaters in India 

Kerala, in the south west of India, is known for its tranquil backwaters, distinctive wooden houseboats, native wildlife and welcoming locals. The main entry point to the backwaters is the city of Alleppey (Alappuzha), where many people go to hop aboard one of the traditional rice barges. Kerala is a peaceful contrast to India’s more northern states and is rich with colonial history. I recommend flying into Kochi and exploring the old trading port to see the cantilevered Chinese Fishing nets on the edge of the water. Make sure to explore Munnar, renowned for its spice and tea plantations, and Periyar National Park to try and spot elephants in the wild (from a safe and respectable distance). Just avoid the leeches!

Road Trip Around Iceland

Iceland is a great place for a post-covid adventure as there’s so much to see and do outside in the fresh air. Choose between gushing waterfalls, towering peaks and chilly glacial lagoons and don’t forget to bring your camera. Start in the charming city of Reykjavik and choose to do the smaller golden circle route or follow the famous Route 1 around the country. The golden circle sticks close to the capital and takes you to some of the highlights if you are short on time. Alternatively, if you have a bit more time to spare, route 1 is reasonably easy to navigate and takes you past most of the must-see hotspots and much much more (this would be my recommendation)!

For an off-the-beaten-track adventure, as you reach the north-eastern part of the country, take a right and head over Fjarðarheiði mountain pass to reach the town of Seyðisfjörður. This winding road down to the town was the location of the famous skateboarding scene in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (which was one of my original inspirations for visiting Iceland!)

Explore the Deserts and Mountains of Morocco

I love Morocco. Having worked with Moroccan local guides, I have gained plenty of inspiration and ideas for a fantastic trip and can’t wait to go back. In Marrakech, explore the vibrant medinas and souks, relax on the roof of a riad as you hear the locals call to prayer and enjoy the mouthwatering traditional tagines. After exploring the city, enture out with a local guide to explore the vastness of the Sahara Desert, which spans over 9 million square kilometres. The sweeping red sand dunes, named Erg Chebbi (towering at over 150m in some places), are easily accessible from Merzouga village.
Another must-do on the adventure bucket list is to climb Mount Toubkal; North Africa’s tallest peak, standing at around  4,167m high. The Mount Toubkal climb could easily be done in a long weekend if you are short on time. I recommend visiting with an experienced guide/leader, as this is a reasonably challenging hike usually spanning over a few days. This combination of adventurous activities is a great introduction to Morocco’s beautiful natural landscapes and fascinating Berber culture.

I have not yet been to the Sahara or climbed Mount Toubkal, but I have worked with local Moroccan guides and done plenty of research on both activities.

Malaysia Overland Adventure

Begin your overland adventure in Kuala Lumpur and explore the multicultural city for a few days (make sure to head out on the metro to see the Batu Caves). After a couple of days exploring, make your way to the Cameron Highlands to wander around the tea plantations and admire fields of multi-coloured Gerbera Flowers. Next, head towards the Kuala Besut Jetty to catch a boat to the close-by Perhentian islands for incredible diving opportunities. Make sure to stop off at Taman Negara for a few days to explore the lush, biodiverse rainforest.  After your island exploration, cross the country and head towards George Town, Penang. George Town is famous for its unique graffiti and delectable street food. End your trip by disembarking on the archipelago off the west coast of Malaysia – Langkawi. This is an excellent spot to complete your Malaysian trip with a scenic cable car and idyllic sandy beaches.

  I must add that I have done MOST of this journey myself, however there are a few sections (Perhinthian Islands, Langkawi and Taman Negara) that I missed due to a biggggg error – found out about that here.

USA West-Coast Roadtrip

Ah, the glorious American road trip. My suggested adventure route begins in the City of Angels – Los Angeles – and – after a few days exploring Hollywood – heads straight to the glorious Colorado River. Camp by the river overnight and carry on your journey the next day to the unmissable Grand Canyon. You can easily spend a couple of days trekking the sandy trails of this Wonder of the World, toasting s’mores on the fire and recounting past travel memories. When you’ve had your fill, get back on the road and make a beeline for the bright lights on Vegas. If you have time, stop off at the quirky town of Seligman and grab yourself one of their famous thick shakes! I’d say you don’t need more than a couple of days in Vegas, as it can get pretty intense.

TIP: If you can, hop on a party bus down the Vegas strip, it’s pretty fun if you are with a group as you can get the drinks flowing!

I don’t think I need to tell you what to do in Vegas, head out, explore the casinos, pool parties and the famous churches and remember – what happens in Vegas, (mostly) stays in Vegas! From here, head straight to Yosemite and hike your hangover off in the sprawling national park. Finish up your trip by soaking in the great-vibes of San Francisco. It’s easy to see why so many writers and filmmakers were inspired by the city. Head out to all the hotspots (Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz etc) but make sure you wander around and get (a little) lost to find your own inspiration too. 

Embrace the culture and rejuvenate in Bali

Bali is a remarkable destination for adventure travel and, I must admit, I was initially inspired to visit when I first watched ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ (This is a fabulous film, I refuse to accept otherwise, but I am yet to meet Ketut). I recommend heading out to Ubud – the heart of Balinese culture and spirituality – to embrace the tranquility of the rice paddies and lush forests. Escape and enjoy slow bicycle rides through the rice paddies, a local cooking course or traditional Balinese spa treatments. Renowned for being an expat hotspot, it means Ubud is a great place for remote working. Additionally, its serene atmosphere means it’s perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation (it’s been a long year, sign me up). I’ve heard excellent reviews about Lombok too (and would definitely choose this over the Gili Islands – more on this TBC). I haven’t actually been to Lombok yet, but have heard it’s a lovely island and is easy to reach by boat.

Norway Rail Adventure

1. Repeatedly named one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world, is the train from Oslo to the village of Flam. Hop aboard the elegant emerald-coloured train and have your camera ready to capture some of the mind-blowing panoramic vistas. After leaving Oslo, the famous Flam rail journey starts from the remote mountain rail station of Myrdal – standing at around 866m above sea level – and ventures past steep peaks and tumbling waterfalls. Did you know, this railway line is one of the steepest on earth?!

   
   I haven’t actually done this route yet myself but I have planned it all out as an itinerary and will be following this soon!

Rome to Venice

Can’t decide where to go in Italy? Do a point to point trip! Divulge in the ancient history of Rome before catching a (rather comfortable!) train to Venice.

I recommend heading here off-peak (February can be quieter and still sunny if you are lucky) to get the best of both cities and help to combat over-tourism. Rome is great for wandering, make sure you see all the hotspots (Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, Roman Forum etc) but remember to wander off-the-beaten-path too. Food is best a few streets away from the tourist areas as it is much cheaper and more authentic (and way more tasty!). Hop on a speedy train from Rome and you can get dropped straight in the centre of Venice. As you leave the station in Venice (make sure you get off at the right stop!) you wander straight out to the edge of the water and it is BEAUTIFUL. Take a water taxi and explore the myriad of canal networks, venetian mask shops and hidden trattorias.

Explore the South of France

If you only want a short flight (from the UK) but are in search of the sun, Nice is perfect for a balmy adventure. Hire a car so you can stay in the city but explore other villages and towns too. Take a short trip to Monaco and head to Tête de Chien, an incredible viewpoint standing at a whopping 500 meters above sea level. There are sweeping 360 degree views over Monaco and you can spot all the huge yachts from here (and somehow they still look ridiculously huge). This is definitely one of the most spectacular views i’ve ever seen (just dont drop your phone down the cracks in the rocks like one poor bloke did). You can also venture to the medieval mountain village of Èze. Wander around the historic streets and explore the Jardin botanique d’Èze to see a variety of cacti and succulents (as well as another excellent view!)

Adventure into the Jungles of Malaysian Borneo

Borneo, for me, is the epitome of adventure. Rainforests, diverse wildlife and Mount Kinabalu make this an excellent destination to get out into the wild. Start in the city of Kota Kinabalu and take a few days to explore. After wandering around the compact city, start your ascent of Mount Kinabalu – don’t forget to look for the endangered Rafflesia plants (which apparently smell like rotting flesh – lovely!)
 After a scenic climb, hop on a bus to Sabah and visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. From here, you can join a tour with Uncle Tans (these guys are incredible!) and spot endemic species  in the rainforest along the Kinabatangan River. This area is unrivalled for spotting wildlife in their natural habitat and Uncle Tans uses knowledgeable local guides to teach you about the benefits (and dangers!) of the flora and fauna. Finish your trip by delving deeper into the 140 million year old rainforest by visiting the Danum Valley and trying to spot my favourite bird – The Rhinoceros Hornbill!

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