Adventure Holidays over Christmas

Get away this Christmas
For many people, getting away over the Christmas holidays it’s about making the most of the time off and enjoying a sense of adventure in winter surroundings, often learning new skills and developing a new hobby/skill set in the process. The new skill I learned last year was how to clean a sheep skin rug – it’s a long story. This year I am determined to go away and escape the entrapment that is Christmas and its traditions.

Ice climbing in the Southern French Alps is becoming an increasingly popular adventure holiday. Those willing to face the cold can go on week long trip where all essential skills are taught, enabling individuals to progress in their own time from climbing frozen waterfalls to tackling obstacles further afield later on in the week. This may be an ideal trip for couples or groups with a head for heights, a love of extreme sports and who are slightly crazy. Basic Essentials of Climbing Ice (Basic Essentials (Globe Pequot)

Adventure holidays in winter are, however, not limited to couples or those without children with one of the most popular destinations being Finnish Lapland. The area may be ideal for visits with Santa Claus but there is much in the region to get the adrenaline flowing. Such wintry pastimes as a guided husky dog safari and sleigh rides with reindeers are available with higher octane options such as snowmobiling for those that that crave a rush. For individuals wishing to really push themselves there is the option of staying in an igloo for the night giving a real sense of adventure to the time there. Now, that’s my idea of outdoor comfort! Lapland (Bradt Travel Guides)

Another popular Christmas adventure holiday is a weekend trip to Norway exploring the region in search of killer whales. The area of Tysfjord in the north of the Scandinavian country is the whales’ destination in winter as they search for food, most notably herring. Tourists are required to view the whales from the safety of the boat but as the weekend progresses there is the option to join the whales in the water with the help of a dry suit and snorkel. This is a unique experience which would make any Christmas holiday a memorable one. Norway: Country Guide (Lonely Planet Country Guides)

All of these places, however, are a little too chilly for me and I shall dream of escaping to warmer climes and I shall let you know how I get on.

You should follow me on twitter here.