For 2022, adopt a different and unique purpose to plan your next trips, such as: Diving in French Polynesia, mountaineering in Japan or Kayaking in Norway.
Of all the New Year's resolutions that really work and stick to the end, if you have the time and money, it's travel. It happens to you every year. What can you do as an alternative? Mark a vacation on the calendar and plan an adventurous trip. If you have nothing in mind, we recommend these 13 destinations that the AS public newspaper:
- (1) Mountain biking through the Negev desert (Israel)
The Negev desert extends over 50 % of the territory of Israel and hides wonderful landscapes, historical relics and a rich Bedouin culture. One of the most magical and least known places in the Middle East. To explore it and enjoy its natural parks and its UNESCO World Heritage Sites, nothing better than a bicycle. it crosses the Israel Bike Trail which runs from the north in Hermon to the south, the coastal city of Eilat. Although signposted, there is only the southern section from Mitspe Ramon, in the middle of the Negev desert. Ravines, wadis, great dunes, canyons, Bedouin camps, starry skies and fellowship. More information: Israel Bike Trail.
- (2) Diving in Moorea (French Polynesia)
Tahiti's charming sister island, just opposite Papeete, boasts a spectacular, constantly choppy coastline, white-sand beaches, and a beautiful lagoon. The paradigm of paradise, especially for those who enjoy hiking, surfing or diving. The lagoon has two main passes, Taotahi and Avamotu, with a multitude of fish in conspicuous livery. In the area known as Napoleon's Plain, divers can see wrasse up to 40 kg in weight. Not far from Hook Bay, famous for hosting a migratory population of humpback whales, there is a dive site with large galano sharks. Más información: Moorea Top Dive.
- (3) Skiing in Sölden (Austria)
The Austrian station is famous for its world championships, glaciers and high mountain landscapes. Sölden is the star resort of the Austrian Alps, the one that opens first, the one that kicks off the alpine competition season with the Audi FIS, the one that connects 3 three thousand peaks with funiculars of the 250 three thousand that border the domain and the one that allows skiing on the two largest glaciers in Austria: the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach. An inescapable thing is to eat on the ice Q, 3050 meters above the top of the Gaislachkogl, the setting for the spectacular 007 film Spectra, and ski down a narrow and steep red slope. that in sections unfolds in black, until the foot of the cable car in Sölden, 1722 meters of difference in level and 10 km in length. More information: Soelden.
- (4) Faroe Islands trekking
The Faroe Islands are a true theme park for outdoor sports. I recommend hiking through the Krosstindur mountain, on the island of Vagar. A gentle climb with the picturesque town of Sandavagur on the back and the sea hitting the cliffs from which a 313-meter-high rock separates, the Trøllkonufingur, the "witch's finger", which has only been climbed twice in the history. The difficulty of this route is the gusts of wind that hit in all directions, especially on the crest of the mountain, which in sections only offers 70 cm width. The vision is beautiful and at the same time terrifying, with the sea on its east side and the valley on the west. And on both sides a fall of about five hundred meters. It is not the length of the ridge or the steepness of the terrain that makes the route disturbing, but without a doubt one of the most grateful scenes that a photographer or a mountain lover can find. More information: Faroe Islands
- (5) Surfing in Fuerteventura
The good thing about the Canary Islands is that each of its seven islands has something special, none is the same as another. In terms of surfing, Fuerteventura is known as "Hawaii Europe", with 150 km of coastline and endless beaches (the big island of Hawaii has 428 km but fewer beaches due to its volcanic activity), waiting to be enjoyed. Piedra Playa in El Cotillo, north of Fuerteventura, is a spectacular beach that has magnificent waves to learn in summer. The waves, left and right, do not always break perfectly, but the sand bottoms give several peaks. In winter the waves are bigger and more powerful, great fun for experienced surfers. El Cotillo first receives the waves from the Atlantic, but there are always waves for all levels at one point or another on the island.
- (6) Mountaineering in Daisetsuzan National Park (Japan)
The park is home to the Asahidake, Tomuraush peaks or the Tokachi and Ishikari mountain ranges, the latter being the only non-volcanic one. The native Ainus call it "The playground of the gods". The average height is 2,000 meters, but due to the northern latitude, the mountains rival higher but southern ones. Points of interest are the Sounkyo and Tenninkyo gorges with walls over 100 meters high formed by polygonal columns, and the Tokachi-Mitsumata Sea of Trees, a volcanic caldera 10 km in circumference and 30,000 years old colonized by a forest wonderful mixed deciduous and evergreen trees. In winter, skiing in Asahidake is doing it in the best powder snow on the planet, without question, in the middle of a magical landscape. More information: Daisetsuzan.
- (7) Mountain biking in Lapland (Finland)
Urho Kekkonen is the second largest protected area in Finland, probably the cleanest nature in Europe, because of its skies there are no air routes. A rocky ridge forged during the last ice age, which runs from Raututunturi to Saariselkä, gives character to the park with snow-covered gorges even in the summer and scree of large rocks formed by granulite. In some hills these rocks raise prodigious formations. And all this escorted by extensive heaths. The southwestern part of the park is covered by large swamps that are refuges for numerous birds. The south is characterized by being that sea of pine forests and spruce forests where the hills rise like islands. And at the southeastern end is an imposing canyon, the Nuorttijoki. There is the Kiilopää Fell Center MTB center that has all kinds of bikes and sizes. The cycling centers in the area usually have fat bikes because they are more suitable for winter with all the snowy trails. The trails are lined with spruce and pine forests, with clear streams and tundra vegetation growing on the ridges of the hills. They are the domain of the brown bear, the king of the Lappish forest, and of the wolves, but the easy thing is that you will find groups of reindeer. However, birds are boring, the park is home to more than 130 species of birds in summer, from eagles to royal finches. More information: Kiilopaa.
- (8) Kayaking Alesund (Norway)
Alesund, the largest city in the Sunnmore region, famous for its cod exports, its fantastic center with the largest number of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe, and for being the outdoor capital of Norway. Founded in the Viking Age, it suffered a devastating fire that almost completely destroyed all its wooden buildings in 1904, so the city was rebuilt with granite and marble, raising beautiful buildings. In the heart of the city is the Brosundet marina, a marina that looks like a movie set, lined with colorful buildings, a promenade, fishing and sports boats and the Utenguiden adventure company. Uteguiden offers kayak routes that range from two hours around the channels of the archipelago that forms the islands, to authentic multi-day adventures where kayaking is combined with hiking through the Hjørundfjorden fjord. After 50 km through the fjord, you reach Urke, about 50 km away, where you camp and the next morning climb to the summit of Mount Saksa among spectacular mountains and waterfalls. More information: Uteguiden.
- (9) Surfing in Somo (Cantabria)
The City Council of Ribamontán al Mar, which encompasses the mythical Somo beach, has made every effort to promote surfing, integrating it perfectly into its landscape and using it to protect its greatest treasure, the natural environment. It is not in vain that it is the first City Council to declare its beaches an integral surfing reserve. Somo is one of the benchmark surf spots in Cantabria and one of the most consistent beaches in Spain, because it faces the open sea and receives good left and right waves that break on the beach throughout the year. In fact, if there are no waves in Somo, you probably won't find waves in all of northern Spain. But what you will surely find there is everything you need to experience the sport and culture of surfing. More information: Surf at all costs.
- (10) Cycling Pyrenees (Spain and France)
The Great Crossing of the Pyrenees is a circuit that winds through mythical mountain passes and impressive landscapes. It runs through the Añisclo canyon, one of the secret jewels of the Pyrenees, and the Route of the Lakes-Néouvielle National Reserve, Saint-Lary: An asphalt snake that leads to a mosaic of very blue mountain lakes between rhododendron meadows and pine forests. This route can be done with MTB bikes, and it was one of the queen stages of the 2018 Tour. The route also runs through the mythical Tourmalet pass, Pic Du Midi where you can enjoy spectacular views or the Cirque de Gavarnie, World Heritage Site. Humanity, with walls that can reach 1,500 meters in height and sixteen 3,000-meter peaks that surround it. All these wonders and a few more for 7 days for 500 euros. More information: road-trip
- (11) Ski Touring in Aletsch Arena (Switzerland)
The station begins at the summit of the Moosfluh, from which the impressive Aletsch glacier can be seen, and which extends down the slope, dividing into tongues between the traditional wooden alpine houses of the village and disappearing into the larch and pine forests. Few stations have such a spectacular environment, nestled in the almost virgin European nature and with so much charm. The best option for those who enjoy virgin snow, adrenaline and nature. In the domain of the Aletsch Arena, mountain schools and sports clubs can be hired for expeditions, for one or several days, led by high mountain guides through the peaks of the canton of Valais and down slopes that no one has trodden. The technical or physical level required varies according to the expeditions, the UNESCO ski tour is recommended: 4 days through the valley of the Binntal Natural Park with ascent to the Stockhorn (2612 m.), Gandhorn (2467 m) and Schinhorn (2939 m.) ) and descent down its slopes to the valley. More information: Aletsch Arena.
The quantity and diversity of fauna, extravagant underwater geological formations, interesting wrecks, conditions for diving and tourist quality, make the Canary Islands one of the best destinations in the world for diving. Between each of the islands there are notable differences both in species and in types of bottoms. In general, the small island platform stands out, reaching great depths a short distance from the coast, a water temperature that ranges between 17 and 24 degrees throughout the year, transparent waters that can exceed 40 meters of visibility, and a flora and fauna representative of the Mediterranean and North Atlantic, including some tropical and subtropical species. Of the 117 registered dives (Diving in the Canary Islands, 2014), a large part of them are carried out in the southern part of the island, specifically in the municipality of Arona from the Marina Las Galletas or Puerto de Los Cristianos. From there the most demanded "hot spots" or dives are La Cueva de Los Camarones and El Bufadero where you can enjoy an abundant fauna, such as various species of rays, garden eels, roosters (ballista fish), moray eels and even turtles. More information: Diving in Tenerife.
- (13) Ski adventure in Svalbard (Norway)
Svalbard, located 1300 km south of the North Pole is the domain of the great white bear, one of the most extravagant destinations in Norway. Gigantic glacier tongues bordered by threatening peaks, where you can't see a tree and everything on the horizon is an extensive desert of snow. In the Svalbard expeditions you learn to ski in all types of snow, how to move in the arctic environment, how to behave outdoors and how to set up a camp for the night. Svalbard Wildlife Expedition proposes to explore and camp in Bolterskaret, an area with no snowmobile traffic between Soleitoppen, Gilsonriggen and Foxtoppen peaks. A fantastic completely wild environment and domain of polar bears. In fact, each member of the expedition must keep watch at night to alert if a polar bear approaches the camp, although encounters are not frequent. More information: Svalbard.
Source: https://as.com/opinion/2021/12/30/blogs/1640858114_845934.html
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