10 of the best European activity breaks with a spirit of adventure
Fancy seatrekking, swimrunning or bodypainting? These and more familiar outdoor pursuits are on offer at destinations from northern Norway to the Greek islands
Brilliant activity breaks by readers – from Portugal to the Lake District
River trekking, paragliding, cycling and via ferrata feature among our tipsters’ adventurous jaunts across Europe
‘I’ve made friends for life’: Rising number of travellers find going solo is the ticket to happiness
Holidays alone are getting easier. The number of single trips has risen from 6% in 2011 to 16% in 2023, according to latest figures from the Association of British Travel Agents
‘If you are not lost within a minute, you’re not trying hard enough’ – my search for magical Morocco
It’s celebrated as a place that influenced generations of artists. Our writer attempts to recapture the spirit on an overland journey from London to Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains
I took on Europe’s toughest trek – Corsica’s spectacular GR20 – and came back changed for the better
With a tent and little else our writer set off along the GR20, known as Europe’s toughest trek. It was an experience that sharpened the senses and offered rich rewards
My Greek sailing adventure: across the Ionian sea to Ithaca
Islands and mainland towns south of Lefkada are perfect for a relaxed mooch between idyllic beaches and pretty port towns
I campervanned across Ireland alone – and climbed as many mountains as I could
Soon after a painful separation, this traveller had to overcome fears of solitude – but the mountains, seas and bars she found helped her let go
‘Turn left for paradise’: top 10 readers’ adventure trips
Trekking, climbing, abseiling, kayaking and more – tipsters reveal the ups and downs of their intrepid active holidays
The ultimate haute cuisine: outdoor cooking on the Lake District’s fells
Harrison Ward, better known as Fell Foodie, began cooking elaborate meals on mountain summits as a way to improve his mental health. Now he’s sharing his recipes in a cookbook
How I learned to make and sleep in a Swedish snowhole – at minus 30C
Kevin Rushby saw a way to fulfil his childhood dream with an adventure company in Sweden – but could he ski into the snowy wilderness on a twisted ankle?
How taking up running changed the way I travel
Learning to run was inspirational, but it has also changed my approach to travelling, which is now based on staying near green spaces and beautiful places to jog
Paparoa Track: the challenging road to New Zealand’s 10th great walk
After eight years, two cyclones, a landslide and a pandemic, international hikers are at last lacing up for this remote and spectacular trail
On the midnight express train across Turkey
On the final journey in our long-distance rail series we take the Doğu Express, which runs east from the Turkish capital, Ankara, towards Kars and the border with Georgia
From sulphur baths to Stalin’s home: five great trips in Georgia
Spectacular mountains and valleys, natural hot baths and a Soviet-era ghost town are all just a day trip away from the Georgian capital, Tbilisi
In Sudan, I rode the roof of the train for three days: why rail is the best way to travel
Memorable trips in France, Sri Lanka, Canada and more underline just how superior the train is to taking a plane