Page 71 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

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SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES

ABOVE Sailing the Adriatic off the Dalmatian Coast

SAILING THE ADRIATIC The sparkling blue sleeve of the Adriatic skirts Italy’s eastern CYCLING THE LOIRE, FRANCE Take HOT AIR BALLOONING, TURKEY
shore on one side, and those of Croatia, Montenegro, and Albania on the other. Croatia’s advantage of the “Loire-à-Vélo” route The ancient volcanic landscape of
dusty coast and charming islands are increasingly popular stops for sailors – whether to explore the glorious châteaux and Cappadocia (see pp230–31) is at its most
they’re trying the activity for the first time or taking their own boats on epic routes vineyards of the Loire Valley. You can fantastical seen from above, as dawn
around the Med. Picturesque Hvar and lively Split make fine stops, but if you want to wend your way along the river on over creeps up over its weird and wonderful
venture further off the beaten track, Albania is becoming increasingly hip, its classical 190 miles (300 km) of designated cycle rock formations. Balloons take flight from
sites and mountainous interior as appealing as its developing beach scene. routes between Orléans and the Atlantic. the town of Göreme.

CAVING, PUERTO RICO In the wild heart MOUNTAINBOARDING, ITALIAN DOLOMITES Mountainboards are not the most
of Puerto Rico is a compelling subterranean graceful pieces of sporting equipment, their flexible bodies set off by four oversized
world of vast caves, submerged rivers, and rubber tires. Riding them, twisting your body into turns, and crouching down over
huge stalagmites. Sightseeing tours around bumps, can feel even more ungainly. The gear isn’t cheap and the sport is still in its early
Río Camuy give you a taste, while organized stages, but week-long instruction courses are a fine way to hone your skills. The resort
expeditions in the hills nearby include town of Cortina offers rolling slopes on which to bust those fly moves – and some rather
rappelling, canyoneering, and stunning hikes. flash shopping opportunities if you feel the need to regain some elegance after class.

HORSE SAFARIS IN THE MASAI MARA, KENYA The mind-boggling Great Migration, in WATCHING JAI ALAI, THE SCRAMBLE UP TRYFAN, WALES
which zebras, wildebeests, and gazelles sweep across the savanna, looks sensational on PHILIPPINES Often claimed to be the Two legends are attached to this mountain.
TV and thrilling from the safety of a vehicle. However, to really get an eye on the action, fastest game on earth – the handmade The first is that it’s the only mountain in
try making your own way across the Serengeti on horseback. Riders can join tour groups rubber balls can fly at over 150 mph Wales you can’t climb without using your
in Kenya on trips lasting a week or longer, cantering alongside and amongst the herds, (240 kph) – jai alai was imported to the hands – the scramble up its jutting crags
while spotting lions, hippos, and elephants along the way. You do need previous Philippines from Spain’s Basque country. requires considerable concentration and
experience in the saddle (most companies will only take skilled riders), but the area’s It’s a furious spectacle, vaguely related to a head for heights. The second is that by
altitude means that neither the temperature nor the mosquitoes are too troubling and, handball, in which players sling the ball making the leap between two pillar-like
while the days can be exhausting, expeditions generally come with luxuries such as from basketed hands against a massive rocks at its summit (3,000 ft/915 m) you
chefs, beer, and ice cubes. wall, cheered on by fanatical crowds. earn the “Freedom of Tryfan.”

WATCHING THAI BOXING, THAILAND WINDSURFING, PENGHU ISLANDS, KITESURFING, PREÁ, BRAZIL First
Strongly ritualistic, shockingly violent, and TAIWAN Lying around 50 km (30 miles) things first: kitesurfing is not easy, and
followed with real passion throughout west of the mainland, the Penghu all too often you end up wrestling with
Thailand, Muay Thai is one hell of a Archipelago is a popular retreat for the wind and cursing. Yet while it has
spectacle. Catch a fight in Bangkok, where Taiwanese vacationers. The winds that a tricky learning curve (lessons for
clamorous, hard-gambling crowds and eroded its distinctive stacks and cliffs also beginners are almost essential),
hammering percussion serve as the make it a world-famous windsurfing kitesurfing is not a world away from
backdrop for nightly fights. You can even destination – home both to international windsurfing, and Preá beach, with its
undertake training yourself – with no competitions and numerous rental warm waters and almost constant
obligation to actually step into the ring. outfits offering lessons to beginners. breeze, is a superb place to learn.

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