Top 5 Activity Holidays in the World

For travelers who want more than just sun, sea & sand, here are five of the most awe-inspiring activity holidays in the whole world.

Horse Riding in Iceland

Iceland has some of the most unique landscapes in the world - rugged, beautiful, largely uninhabited, and perfect for an off the wall activity holiday. Sweeping glaciers and geothermal curiosities offer a great sense of being close to nature and its phenomenal power.

An adventure holiday through Iceland on horseback can bring you up close to the island's natural wonders, providing a truly exhilarating way of experiencing the fantastic scenery, and the pure-bred Icelandic horse is gentle, spirited and eager to please.

Scuba Diving on the Great Barrier Reef

Australia has some of the most diverse and amazing scuba diving locations in the world, and Queensland's Great Barrier Reef tops them all for an ultimate activity holiday.

Nearly everyone has heard of the largest reef in the world, a well-established destination for adventure holidays. However, many don't have any idea of its vastness, with 500 islands covering an area as large as Great Britain!

This marine wilderness and nature reserve has 400 species of coral, 1500 species of fish, 4000 species of mollusk, 500 species of seaweed, 200 species of birds and something for all ages for an exceptional family activity holiday.

Traveling Across Africa

Take a few weeks out for a real African adventure holiday, traveling overland across the marvelous areas of Namibia and Botswana.

The northern Namib desert is called the Skeleton Coast because sailors washed ashore from shipwrecks over the centuries soon turned into skeletons! On an activity holiday to the Namib you can experience the vivid colours and changing moods of its vast landscape and observe the amazing adaptations of its flora and fauna.

In Botswana, by contrast, you can walk with cheetahs and spot the 'big five' - lion, elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros and leopard. The blue of the national flag represents the peaceful nature of the country - this is a wonderful area to get a taste of real Africa without the hazards, and can be a good place for a family activity holiday.

Madagascan Wildlife Holiday

Legendary for the diversity of its wildlife and flora, most of which is found nowhere else on earth, Madagascar's riches include unique landscapes, dazzling Indian Ocean beaches, tropical island archipelagos and pristine reefs.

On an adventure holiday in Madagascar you can see a wide variety of lemurs, endemic birds, extraordinary reptiles, frogs and weird-looking plants.

On a Madagascan activity holiday you can explore wildlife hotspots in the eastern rainforests and in the bizarre 'spiny desert' of the semi-arid south. And on the northwest coast you can explore the wildlife-rich, seasonally dry forest of Anjajavy, where you can also relax by the sea.

Trekking in Peru

For the classic trek, start off in the city of Cuzco, Peru, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Journey into the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Then trek the Inca Trail for 4 days over original Inca stonework winding through majestic mountain passes.

Walking for six to seven hours a day, this is probably more of an adventure holiday than a family activity holiday. Follow in the footsteps of the Incas trekking high into the breathtaking mountain scenery with vistas of glaciate peaks topping 20,000 feet.

Arrive at the incredible site of Machu Picchu - the 'Lost City of the Incas'. Explore the ruins and discover the secrets of the remarkable archaeology and natural history of this magical place.