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Action-Packed Destinations for the Adventurous Soul
Experience true adventure from your villa base
By Heather Whipps
We can appreciate a lazy vacation. Sometimes sitting on the beach all day is just what the doctor ordered, and Luxury Retreats has plenty of destinations that can fill that prescription. But what about those times when you want to slip a few adrenaline rushes in between afternoons by the pool and evening mai-tais? As relaxing as villa holidays tend to be, they don’t discriminate against the adventurous at heart: choose the right location and the comfort of your villa can be just minutes away from the most heart-thumping activities out there.
Here are a few of our favorite, most adventure-friendly spots in the world:
  
Hawaii
The Hawaiian islands are all mountains, waterfalls and dramatic beauty–the perfect recipe for a holiday that’s both relaxing and exciting in one go. A list of the activities available across Maui, Oahu and Kauai would be longer than all of its vowel-rich island names combined, but a few of the best are surfing and kayaking above the water and scuba diving below it. On land, one of the most popular things to do is hire a bike and scream down the sides of the tall volcanoes. Hiking is also a rewarding experience, with hidden waterfalls often marking your pit stops.
Villas: Kaanapali Sun Villa, Ocean Song
South Africa
A country filled with the world’s most exotic fauna—from sharks to lions and elephants—just has to be action-packed. Rugged and naturally beautiful, South Africa easily fits the bill for the adventurous soul. Staying in Cape Town, you’re just minutes from Africa’s most southerly point, where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet at Cape Agulhus. Head to the Eastern Cape to visit Addo Elephant Park, a national sanctuary thick with the majestic pachyderms. Nearby you’ll find a similar park dedicated to crocs and lions. And what adrenaline-junkie could resist a leap from Bloukrans Bridge – currently the highest bungee jump in the world? It’s a ways off east along the Garden Route, but worth the trip if only for the bragging rights.
Villas: Villa Verguth, Villa St. James
Morocco
Morocco is known mainly for its heady cultural atmosphere, vibrant markets and the distinctive architecture of its kasbahs. But don’t be fooled: it’s no slouch in the adventure department either. Just a few miles outside of its cities are deserts waiting to be explored by Land Rover, mountains to be hiked or biked and, amazingly, hills to be skied. You can even hunt wild boar, if that’s your thing. One of the best ways to experience the outdoorsy side of Morocco is to check out the Sahara atop a camel—how delightfully cliche!
Villas: Riyad Charia, Riyad Dalia
Ski It Up
Maybe the ultimate test of an adventurer’s might—heli-skiing is fast becoming the extreme activity of choice for travelers in our ski destinations of Whistler, Colorado and the Alps. If you plan on hitting the slopes this winter, why not try dropping from a helicopter for a real heart-racing experience? The pristine powder will fast soothe your trembling knees. |
For more information on these or other vacation rentals in exotic locations around the world, please contact us:
Call 1-877-993-0100 or E-mail.
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