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With its numerous islands dotting the picturesque blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, Greece undoubtedly ranks high on many aspiring world travelers’ must-visit lists. Not only is this Southern European country the site of one of the world’s earliest civilizations, but it is also a veritable treasure trove of bays, cliffs, and caves for the adrenaline junkie in you.

After all, the best way to get a glorious, olive-toned tan on a Greek vacation is to sample all the adventurous delights that this ancient island nation has to offer.

So, how do you make the most out of your sojourn into these islands?

Start your day right, with a cup of joe at the nearest kafedaki, that is. These traditional Greek cafés are sure to be a welcome change from your usual neighborhood coffee shop chain. Knock back a cup (or two) of Greek coffee with a bit (metrio) or a whole lot (glyko) of sugar, or if you’re feeling particularly brave, take your daily dose of caffeine straight orsketo, as the locals would say.

Scale the iconic, pale white cliffs of Santorini. Some first-time travelers like to take a camel up this renowned resort town’s sloping alleys and streets, but if you’re fit enough, you can do that on foot. The glorious sunset that you’ll catch at the tip of this little island is more than worth the trip, and the view is certainly better than anything you can get on a postcard.

Go sailing. There is no better way to see the Greek islands than while skimming the azure waves of the surrounding oceans towards them in a yacht. The Cyclades are a popular option for this activity, and you can charter your own yacht (preferably with an experienced guide lest you get lost) for island-hopping. You are sure to find each island to be as distinctly beautiful from the last one, from the dainty, jewel-like Sifnos to the rugged and rustic Serifos.

Stop for a long lunch. No Greek vacation is complete without partaking of that glorious Hellenic tradition that is the “long lunch.” After a busy morning hitting the islands on your yacht, make a pit stop in Crete or Corfu. Sit down at a local seafood tavern and feast on authentic small dishes or mezedhes like grilled octopus, meatballs, zucchini balls, and heaps of that tangy fish roe dip called taramasalata. Make sure you take refreshing shots of the Greek anise-flavored liquor known as ouzo between bites. Do this all al fresco for best results and repeat as needed (or desired) throughout your vacation.

Go kite-surfing on the beach. Greece is nothing if not famous for its beaches (well, they are also known for their mythology and civilization, but that’s not really why you’re going there, is it?), so be sure to get your fill of typical summer activities like scuba diving, beach volleyball, or just plain sunbathing. If you want to try something different, the island of Paros is perfect for kitesurfing.

When you think of England, you think of the Royal Family, the Big Ben and the London Bridge. You also think of city tours, double decker buses, and other famous city landmarks that tourists frequently visit. What you probably don’t know is that England also has some of the greatest adventure tours that you have to experience.

The Coast to Coast walk/cycle/ride is an event that thousands of people from around the globe flock to England to participate in. Alfred Wainwright was the genius behind this exciting journey that takes you through the off beaten paths around England. Back then, Wainwright just walked around England.

Today, people take on Wainwright’s path by walking and cycling. The 5-day event meant that people had to use the path that Wainwright created long ago and stick to the path as closely as possible. This is a challenge because England isn’t the same as it was during Wainwright’s time. There are new buildings and new roads that have been created that could make following the original path a bit tougher. Participating in this event meant you get to go see the England that tourists don’t often see.

England doesn’t have a lot of diving spots, but there are some places that you can still go to in order to have your underwater adventure trip. At the Scapa Flow in the Orkneys, you can go on a diving expedition and explore the warships and destroyers that sank off this coast during the World War I. Marine life had taken over the sunken ships so you can see the beauty that sprung up after the devastation. There are beginner courses that you can take for less than £100. There are also longer expeditions that can set you back £500 or more.

If bungee jumping is your thing, you can go to the Transporter Bridge in Middlesborough to get your fix. This is the only bridge in the UK that allows bungee jumping. Satisfy your bungee jumping craving with this 200 feet high jump that lets you fall head first to the Tees. The freefall won’t lend you any picturesque views as you go down but it is still worth it. Not many people can say that they bungee jumped in England.

Sailing is another way that you can explore England from a different point of view. From the Tower Bridge you can sail through to Devon, north Cornwall, Isle of Man, the Scottish Islands, Edinburgh and then come on back to the Tower Bridge via the east coast. Sailing through all these places can take more than 2 weeks so plan your vacation accordingly. You can opt to sail through only a few of the 60 stops that this tour offers or you can go on a limb and go through all of them.

These and other lesser known adventure tours in England are steadily gaining popularity as people are recognizing the need to really discover what else England has to offer other than the city tours and normal tourist attractions. Let your wanderlust take over and book a tour and find out more about England’s hidden gems.

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