The Queenstown area is home to some of New Zealand’s most stunning natural landscapes. It offers numerous intriguing trails for hikers, where one can enjoy the spectacular scenery for miles on end. Quality Queenstown hotel accommodation is not hard to find in this “adventure-capital” of New Zealand. After taking in the breathtaking natural splendour, one can enjoy superb hospitality at the Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview featuring stylish modern comforts in a scenic setting at this fine New Zealand Queenstown hotel. Experienced hikers will enjoy a day out trekking the Ben Lomond hiking trail, all the way to Ben Lomond Summit, which features fantastic views of the rugged Queenstown terrain. Breathe in the magnificent trails flanked by towering beech trees on the One Mile Creek walk, and marvel at the massive Douglas Fir sentinels that guard the path of the Skyline Access Road. At the 800-metre elevation point, hikers will spot the native alpine tussocks and Dracophyllum, which dominate this part of the country, and be treated to magnificent views of the mountains and the lake. The next section of the track up to Ben Lomond Saddle is a gentle slope, but it gets steep up the trail to Ben Lomond Summit, so only advanced hikers with appropriate hiking gear are advised to proceed further. Adventurers who actually make the demanding trek to the summit are subject to spectacular views, and on clear days, one can marvel at the majestic sights of Mounts Earnslaw/Pikirakatahi and Aspiring/Tititea framing the summit, which is 1748 metres high. Hikers will truly appreciate this magnificent hiking experience, a true scenic jewel in Queenstown’s glittering natural crown.
Category: Land Extreme Sports
Mountain Biking in Rotorua
The New Zealand town of Rotorua is set in the midst of a rugged landscape with pristine forests and majestic mountains, which makes it an ideal location for all kinds of fun outdoor sports, such as hiking, off-roading, and the perennial favourite: mountain biking. Adventure bikers would be well taken care of at a quality Rotorua hotel such as the superb Millennium Hotel Rotorua. Featuring stylish interiors and luxury amenities, this quality hotel in Rotorua is the perfect place to relax after an exciting day of peddling the mountain bike trails. Mere minutes away from the city proper is the rugged and lush Whakarewarewa Forest, which is home to a 70km network of riveting trails to be discovered, explored and conquered on your trusty steed, the mountain bike. The trails offer numerous possibilities of outdoor explorations to bikers of all levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced, spanning family groups and expert riders. Ride your way through beautiful species of native ferns flourishing beneath the impressive canopies of the tall Doug Fir, Redwood, Radiata, Eucalyptus and Larch trees that cover the landscape with their imposing presences. In the midst of the trail, you’re offered tantalising glimpses of the scenic lakes and the sombre figure of Mount Tarawera rising in the distance. Whether you’re a fan of cros-country biking or downhill biking, the amazing landscape will offer hours or days of fun in this mountain biking heaven. Because of its stellar natural offerings, Rotorua has hosted mountain biking competitions such as the Worlds Mountain Bike and Travel Championship in 2006 and the Single Speed Nationals in 2008. So grab your bike and gear and come ride the trails of Rotorua into a world of excitement and adventure!
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.
Skywalk in Auckland
Auckland is New Zealand’s vibrant hotspot with an exciting nightlife, riveting arts and culture scene and exhilarating adventures on offer for the few and the brave. To truly savour all these experiences, indulge in some quality Auckland hotel accommodation in the heart of the city, close to many fun attractions. One excellent Auckland hotel is the Copthorne Hotel Auckland Harbour City. Its central location and modern conveniences provide the perfect starting point from which one’s Auckland adventures can begin!
For the ultimate thrill that lasts longer than bungee jumping but shorter than sky diving for that perfect middle ground experience, try the Auckland SkyWalk, where adventure seekers get to tread a walkway that is 1.2 metres wide, 192 metres above the Auckland ground, with no handrails except the wind whipping around your face! Get strapped in to an exciting orange jumpsuit and secured to a harness while you make the one-hour-fifteen-minute trek around the panoramic Sky Tower and catch the gorgeous spectacle of the splendid Auckland skyline as well as the sparkling habour. Sky walkers can capture this experience to take home to friends, as a video and photo package is available for purchase after the experience. Capture all your crazy antics and even have a go at hanging over the edge of the tower! Adrenaline junkies can take this one step further with an exciting SkyJump after the SkyWalk! The SkyJump mixes bungee jumping and sky-diving, where adventurers free-fall for 11 seconds before gently floating to the ground. Whatever one’s brand of thrills, Sky Tower’s SkyWalk and SkyJump is sure to be an unforgettable adrenaline rush for everyone who wants to walk the Auckland skies!
Abu Dhabi Archery
Abu Dhabi is a splendid emirate that forms part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and it is home to a fascinating array of activities for the cultural and curious tourist. If you wanted to try your hand at archery, there are a range of clubs as well as a spa resort Abu Dhabi features that offer visitors the chance to channel their inner archer. The Anantara Al Yamm which provides its guests with premium accommodation at its beautiful villas in Abu Dhabi also offers lessons and equipment for visitors to try out this long-cherished Arabic tradition. For those serious archers dedicated to the sport, the Abu Dhabi Archers Group provides a community of support for archers looking to get into the field, or serious shooters. Top archers can take part in the Top Archers Competition, which targets top archery dogs to crown champions on the range. The group does not have official status yet; however, it does provide the opportunity to gather and practice at the Al Forsan Archery range, which offers ten lanes and the best equipment to try one’s luck at a distance of 5 to 60 metres, depending on preference and ability. The range also offers Re-curve and Compound bows if archers do not have their own. The range provides arm guards, releases and tabs too, so head on down for a practice round or two!
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.
Kicking up a Dust
Although Abu Dhabi at first glance seems all desert there are amazing natural destinations in the emirate that extend all the way to the Empty Quarter in the south and the mountains of Oman in the east where pristine waterfalls, cliffs lined with fossils and freshwater lakes are part of the environment.
Adventure travel in Abu Dhabi is all about getting to know the landscape and stretching the mind and in many cases the body to embrace exciting experiences. Late evening dune bashing trips or desert safaris to the Liwa desert is one of the best ways to experience the desert landscape in Abu Dhabi. Traveling in a convoy of 4x4s, travelers are offered a roller coaster ride over sand dunes and are taken to vantage points to see gorgeous desert sunsets. The trip include a visit to a camel farm, camel rides, dinner in a Bedouin style desert camp where guests get to sit around a campfire, smoke an aromatic shisha, partake of a traditional Middle Eastern meal and with no light pollution to detract from the experience, enjoy a sky thick with stars. Overnight camping experience in the desert can be added to dune bashing.
Wadi bashing, driving a 4×4 along rocky and dry river beds is another aspect of adventure travel in Abu Dhabi. This is one of the best ways to see naturally beautiful parts of a wadi such as waterfalls, animals in the wild and mountain pools among others. Another option would be to join one of the many 4×4 clubs and after a little training go dune and wadi bashing with family and friends. The massive dunes in the Empty Quarter offer awesome driving challenges and learning to navigate the dunes is one of the best adventure experiences around. Sand skiing on the 984 foot high sand slopes is another way to enjoy the desert landscape.
Camel racing is a popular local activity and adventure travelers can catch some of the action on race days in Shweihan and Liwa and see racing practices and camel paddocks at Al Wathba.
Traveling 140 km out of town to Al Ain is a must to enjoy the greenest parts of Abu Dhabi, the site of many oases, parks, tree lined avenues, museums, forts and an archaeological park. From here travelers can access Jebel Hafeet the highest point in the area and known for the mineral springs at its base and fantastic views of the sunset from the top. Wadi Adventure in Ain Al Fayda nearby has the regions first artificial white water rafting, surfing and kayaking facility. The 3.3 meter manmade surf wave here is the world’s most impressive. Its 1.7 km kayaking channel is the world’s longest.
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara a calm and peaceful oasis is undoubtedly a lovely place to experience the desert landscape at its best. As one of exceptional luxury hotels Abu Dhabi, guests are offered a selection of spacious, well designed contemporary rooms, suites and villas added to which are services and facilities that complement the very special quality of the setting. Enjoy well selected traditional Middle Eastern, Oriental and International menus, relaxing and rejuvenating spa treatments and a host of desert based activities that will make a stay at one of prominent Abu Dhabi hotels a real pleasure.
Al Wathba Camel Race Track
An oasis in the desert, Abu Dhabi defies all expectations. It is the largest of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. It is the ideal destination for tourists who want to learn more about the Middle East but want to do so in a somewhat liberal setting. The emirate has plenty of cultural and historical attractions. It also has a fair share of shopping malls and contemporary attractions, such as the Ferrari Theme Park. However, for tourists intent on learning more about the local culture and traditions the Al Wathba Camel Race Track is a great place to start.
At one time camels were highly valued for their usefulness. They were an important means of transport and provided sustenance in the form of milk and flesh, and while they are no longer relied upon in the same fashion, they are still prized animals beloved by the locals. The tradition of camel racing is quite old but has been kept alive through the ages and those who want to catch all the action can head over to the Al Wathba Camel Race Track.
The race track is open on Thursdays and Fridays and is located around forty five kilometres from the city. The races start early in the morning and those who want to witness the best camel racing should try to get to the track by at least 8 am. While the camels are the main attraction, first time visitors are probably apt to be more fascinated by the fact that robots are used instead of jockeys! The races are quite exciting with many people attending them each week, and tourists should try not to miss out on this interesting blend of modern technology and age-old tradition.
The local infrastructure is quite impressive and tourists looking for good Abu Dhabi hotels will have plenty of options. Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi is a great place to consider when holidaying here. This Abu Dhabi city hotel is situated in one of the most scenic parts of the city. Guests of the hotel will be treated to stunning views of the Arabian Gulf and the Capital Gardens.
Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry.
Outdoor adventures in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is home to a plethora of fun activities for members of the whole family. One of the best locales from which to experience this vibrant emirate is one of many villas in Abu Dhabi that cater to comfort and convenience. Of the many options for a spa resort Abu Dhabi offers, an excellent choice are the Anantara Sir Bani Yas Al Yamm Villas which provide a home away from home in the midst of a scenic island set in the shimmering azure waters of the Arabian Gulf.
Outdoor adventures are found aplenty in Abu Dhabi…the only problem is choosing which one to plunge into headfirst! How about a 4×4 adventure across the Arabian sands from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, for an afternoon and evening desert safari? Catch a splendid desert sunset and enjoy a tasty barbeque dinner around a campfire under the stars. On the way, why not get a beautifully intricate henna tattoo, go on an exciting camel ride and taste the sand firsthand with a thrilling sandboarding experience? And safariers will not want to miss the mesmerizing movements of a belly dance for a truly immersive Arabian Nights encounter. Or for nature enthusiasts, how about an adrenaline-bursting camel right? Except the summer and early autumn months, any other time of year is the perfect time to go “camel back”. Or rip out that rugged 4×4 for an amazing thrill ride of “wadi-bashing”. A wadi is a desert fixture that has been scooped out by flood waters, and its sloping sides provide the perfect course for 4-wheel drives from October through April. Dune-bashing is another exciting off-road experience, which will be an electric experience on Abu Dhabi’s slopes expansive and steep slopes. Or, for those wanting a wet n’ wild experience, kayaking in the mangroves is a fantastic way to go, as the natural swamplands provide the perfect setting for this water sport. The desert is home to many unique adventures so take your pick and just do it!
Hiking Adventures in Koh Samui
Koh Samui has a wide variety of attractions for the nature lover. Among the many things that travellers can do there ranges from hiking, trekking and exploring the Ang Thong National Park, visiting the Samui butterfly garden, game fishing, elephant trekking, snorkelling or jeep safari.
For those who are into hiking and trekking there are a number of routes and treks in the area. Tourists can take one of the jungle treks and tread through thick jungles covered with massive trees and spot a variety of birds and insects. From time to time one is sure to come across beautiful viewpoints providing panoramic sceneries of these and the other island in the horizon. Some of these treks lead to waterfalls such as the Nauamg waterfall. At the end of an exhilarating walk you can enjoy a dip in one of the pools in the area and cool down as well. Many tourists take a picnic and double up the stroll into a nice little picnic amidst the greenery and the amazing surroundings.
Among the diverse places that a traveller can saunter about in the area, there is the Buddha Magic garden. There are exquisite sculptures located here and from here one can also get an impressive view of the greenery of the jungle around as well as of the island.
The best way to find the many trails in the region is to hold of a map and explore where the trails lie and take one of those. The good news is that while there are a number of attractions on the way, a welcome treat of tiny restaurants are also there at the end of some trails.
Most of these walks can be enjoyed from the various Koh Samui Resort. For the travellers staying at Chaweng Hotel who are looking for ways to explore the vicinity by foot, there are many places to stroll about and for the traveller who is staying at a place such as Anantara Lawana Resort & Spa Koh Samui, there is much pampering awaiting them at the end of a tiring day exploring this tropical region.
Fun with Wind Surfing in Maldives
Velassaru Maldives is one of the most amazing Maldives resort that one would come across while on the search for a Maldives island hotel. This hotel is modern and includes all necessary facilities to pamper you throughout your vacation. The friendly staff and the beautiful natural surrounding would add more value to your stay.
While in these beautiful island you would come across many activities based on the turquoise blue sea around it. Windsurfing is one such exhilarating activity that you could take part. Even if you’re a beginner do not worry because this is one perfect place in the world where you could learn windsurfing throughout the year. Sail in the beautiful Indian Ocean while feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin and the water splashes that would be refreshing. While cutting through the waves feel the soothing sea breeze that would touch your face and make your ride relaxing. Enjoy paradise and take home lovely memories.
Adventures at Wahiba Sands- Desert Stories
Wahiba Sands is a 12,500 sq km desert area in Oman that aroused scientific interest after an expedition in the late 1980s discovered an uncommon diversity of terrain and flora and fauna. Scientific interest aside, this is the type of desert in everyone’s imagination with miles upon miles of rust and honey coloured dunes, some towering over 100 meters interspersed with flat sandy areas. Except for parts occupied by Bedouins of the Al Wahiba tribe that has given the region its name and tracks left by dune bashers, the desert remains empty and gets even more magnificent further into the interior.
One of the best ways to have an adventure as well as experience the vastness and solitude of the desert and explore the sands is to stay in a nomadic desert camp in the middle of the dunes, run by local families. The accommodation is rustic, a ‘barasti’ house built of palm logs and leaves with a basic wind tower and absolutely no frills, not even electricity. The houses are set in a circle in the middle of which is a campfire in the evenings with Arabic style seating of colourful cushions and rugs. Desert experiences at the camp includes camel and horse rides over the dunes in the mornings before they heat up, Bedouin music, camaraderie and food round the campfire and dune bashing under the stars in the night. Quad biking trips, sand boarding on the dunes and trekking are other ways to experience the desert. The fact that there is no sign of life other than in the camp for miles around is the most remarkable experience here and the fact that anyone can get atop a dune to take a closer look as it is just a matter of a few steps from the accommodation.
For an experience of a somewhat more vigorous kind, the best option is to hire an experienced driver and race up and down on the steep slopes of the dunes in any part of the desert. For those wishing to have a bash themselves joining one of the many 4×4 clubs and getting some training will be a good idea.
For guests who like adventurous holidays Millennium Resort Mussanah is very well placed to offer them an active lifestyle. An onsite private marina, swimming, diving and snorkeling opportunities and dune bashing and mountain trekking are some of the activities within easy reach from the hotel. Additionally guests can enjoy spacious contemporary accommodation and many excellent facilities and amenities at this well known Oman Muscat hotel. Stay at this Muscat hotel to enjoy the many adventurous opportunities that Oman has to offer.