Vacations you must take once in a lifetime
Vacations don’t have to be all about lounging by the beach bar – you can make them an adventure, something you will always remember clearly and distinctly. After all – the beach will be there every year, but feeling that rush of adrenaline while you explore a brand new nook of the world is not something you can do every day. Here is my list of must-take vacations.
The Annapurna Base Camp Trek – Nepal
Nepal is famous for its incredible mountains and profound trekking experiences and while there are many treks to conquer, the Annapurna Base camp trek is perfect for a wide variety of ages and levels of physical fitness. The Base Camp trek is the most popular in the Annapurna region, and for good reason. The trail winds its way along thick forests and mountainous regions with a beautiful view of the Annapurna Mountain range for most of the trek. Taking about 7-12 days, it is wise to find yourself a local guide who will also set you up with great food and accommodation along the way.
The Lut Desert Trek – Iran
Trekking the Lut Desert is a wild adventure that encompasses shifting sands, enormous dunes, salt plains and Kaluts and is said to be a truly life-altering experience. Trekking the Lut Desert will bring you face to face with geological phenomenon after geological phenomenon as you explore the Lar National Park, the ancient city of Tehran, as well as crossing the hottest place on Earth. You will also see (or even summit) the tallest mountain in the Middle East, Mount Damavant. It is not for the faint of heart – but it is magnificent!
The Camino de Santiago – Spain
People have been walking the Camino de Santiago (also known as The Way of Saint James) for hundreds of years. It is a pilgrimage that leads to the tomb of Saint James in Santiago de Compostela, and is travelled by many; up to a staggering 300,000 people per year, with August being the most popular time to travel. It is seen by most as a spiritual journey and while it may be spiritual, it is not only religious, with 70% of pilgrims not being religious at all. The biggest allure of the Camino are the lustrous, picturesque mountains and the historic, tale-telling buildings that are seen along the way. I personally recommend going on the Camino Frances first – it is best for first-time Camino walkers.
Uluru (Ayers rock) – Australia
Uluru is located in the centre of the vast continent of Australia and is commonly known as Australia’s red heart and encapsulates the importance of indigenous culture while offering a true Australian Outback experience. This extravagant sandstone rock is endearingly photogenic and changes hue depending on the time of day. It is best to visit the Uluru between the months of August and September to ensure temperature stability and as it is located pretty much in the middle of nowhere, camping will ensure that you have a place to rest while still getting the true experience of the bareness of the Australian outback.
Drive from Coast to Coast – United States
If you have ever thought of heading to the United States but want to do something a little bit more outside of the box, hire a car and drive the 5000km from New York to Los Angeles. This drive can cover all the monumental American hotspots including; Route 66, Nashville, Memphis, Washington, the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas. In fact, there are many routes to take, and you can craft your own. Just make sure to find a reliable rental (I do advise a convertible) and don’t worry about the destination. It’s the journey that matters.
The next time you begin to plan your next vacation, think about doing something a little bit different. There is a whole lot of culture and interesting experiences out there and you will not see them comfortably sitting in a resort or hotel room. Be brave and explore.
Words by Rebecca Brown
