Very often there is a level of horsemanship needed for these trips. At the very least you will need to know how to tack up but you defintiely don’t need to be ready to step out at Badminton!

So the first option is something called unguided trail riding. You get given a horse, a map, directions and the somewhat vague promise that dinner, your bed and perhaps more importantly your luggage will be waiting for you at the designated B+B… The beauty of this is that you have to do everything yourself. Open the gates, manoeuvre through, past or round other livestock and also sort your horse out in the evening.

So where is this happening? Over in the Welsh Hills of Radnorshire. There is a company called “Free Rein” who sort everything out for you and are an absolute joy to go with too.
The horses themselves are incredibly well trained and are tolerant of pretty much everything whether that be motorcycles, other animals and tractors.
As you set off the horses easily get into their stride and it all pretty much all your can do to remember that you are the one that needs to offer directions. Map reading skills are a pretty good added bonus as depending on the weather the hills can be a pretty bleak place to spend the night! Having said that you are given a load of directions that should help out if your year 8 geography has slipped your mind.
The Roast Ox Inn, in Painscastle, is a delightful place to have a bit of refreshment and the fantastic thing is that there are more horse parked up than cars!
Throughout the day you are likely to see red kites effortless gliding in the sky, cross rivers and streams, pound through fields full of sheep, cross farm yards and down bracken strewn paths.
Your over night stop off is in Rhulen where you will find buckets of food and grooming brushes for the horses already set out in the stables. Once the most important creatures have been dealt with (the horses obviously), you can then look after yourself with a hot bath over looking the stunning scenery followed by a delicious three course meal that is strongly reminiscent of being at home. What more could you want after a long day in the saddle?

After a long and incredibly deep and peaceful sleep day 2 sees you heading back to your starting point to be reunited with your luggage and your car however it would be pretty dull if you went the same way you had come. Instead you head to Llanbedr Hill via rocky outcrops and glassy pools. Lunch is once again in Painscastle (there are 5 different pubs to head to) and then back home. Talk about a rewarding, tiring and exhilarating weekend away.

So, if you want to go further afield and somewhere slightly different where should you head to:

1) Botswana would be a good one although you need to be a pretty good intermediate level.
The vast plains of Botswana are perfect for the extra speed and distances covered by horses. You can go on a four day riding safari across the Kalahari meeting bushmen, learning how to gather food, have a go at animal tracking and even going hunting. You are accompanied with a “San” bushman who will guide and track all sorts of animals from springbok, leopard, wildebeest and even cheetah. If you are interested then check out Equine Adventures.

The second option is Morocco.
Although not strictly horse related how many people do you know have been trekking on a camel? Something different for sure, especially as you would be making headway through the seemingly mystical Sahara Desert. 7 hour days savouring the unique ambiance of the desert ploughing through sand dunes and kasbahs and spending nights under canvas. Unlike other trips you are required to have a good level of fitness. Conveniently enough head to Best of Morocco for more info.

Moving on from Africa I would also have a look further west in South America. There are so many great things to do in Costa Rica and riding is defintiely doable, although perhaps not quite how you thought. This trip is a family friendly one for kids and adults alike. Imagine the kids reactions as they plod on through cloud-forests, Savannah and plantation lands. You can also stay on a ranch allowing you all to try a loud of different activities including kayaking, snorkeling, wild life spotting and canopy tours. A real all action activity packed trip. Its not cheap but Equitour will sort you out.

For those of you who want to learn how to ride why limit yourself to doing it in rainy England? And while you are at it have a wee go at dolphin and whale watching coupled with some other fantastic excursions on the little known and visited Portuguese islands the Azores. While learning to ride you will stay in a traditional local quinta that has the riding school attached. To book have a look at In the Saddle.

Last up, riding but not quite how you or I would really imagine it….How does sitting astride the biggest beast of them all sound? Becoming a “mahout” in Laos learning to ride an elephant! Becoming a Mahout though is more than just riding, you become responsible for its upkeep including feeding it, bathing it and looking after it’s every whim. The 3 day course takes place in the ecolodge in Luang Prabang under the careful guidance of experienced Mahouts. If you are interested in something as different as this then head to the aptly named Mahout Lodge.

Remember if you decide to try any of these or other activities then please get travel insurance as it is pretty easy to fall and hurt yourself.

A) So, you are in the mountains at a resort and don’t want to go to another location what can you do?
Loads of people head out mountain biking in the summer but how about adding that extra little twist and element of danger by doing in the snow and ice, downhill? Snow Mountain Biking has got a certain je ne sais quoi extreme ring to it doesn’t it?
I am all for a bit of downhill in the sun but unfortunately there are a couple of small modifications needed for your bike to take it out in the snow. First up you need to add some wide rims and then some fat tyres and possibly take a touch of air out to increase traction. The best place to do this is up in the US or its becoming ever more accessible in the Alps now too. If you are interested in doing it then check out Undiscovered Alps who can sort everything out for you in Orcieres. This guys will provide you with a bike so you can keep yours nice and warm and wrapped up at home. If you want to try it home after one of the current cold snaps then remember that an ice base with a soft, thin layer of snow on top. Easy!

B) Something else with a strong non ski essence that has been adapted is Snow Kiting.

Imagine kite surfing but on snow and in the mountains. Pretty cool if you ask me. A few months back I wrote an article about the TRAD Film Competition. One of the Athletes in that, Laurent Niol, has a penchant for Snow kiting and it looks wicked, although a touch tricky! Rather than the open spaces of the sea, you are a finite amount of space namely becasue of the scenery surrounding you (i.e mountains!).

You can be dragged along on either skis or boards but either way you are going to get to hit some serious speeds going downhill, or copy those kitesurfers and get some massive lift off on otherwise dull flat plateaus.
Once again Scandanavia is a top place to do it, more specifically Hardangervidda plateau in Norway with Fluid Feeling or in Switzerland the Swiss Snowkiting School can help you out too. Lastly if you want a specific snow kiting holiday then Snow Kiter can sort out a trip for you to the Langjokul Glacier in Iceland.

C) Any “alternative activity list” wouldn’t be complete with that classic activity of being dragged around by a few dogs would it now? Dog Sledding is that archetypal winter activity, especially if you are trying to get to the South Pole! Seriously though having been sledding it is great fun and very exhilarating, although I couldn’t help bit feel a little guilty about the effort the dogs were putting in! It is pretty scary grabbing hold of the reins for the first time but needless to say you get a fair amount of guidance as to how to look after and control the dogs.

However once mastered the feeling is exhilarating. the sense of raw power that you get from being pulled by the dogs is something unique and they really do fly along. Due to the accessibility options and the distances you cover these trips allow you to see parts of the the snowy wilderness you would never normally get the chance to experience. You can do dog sledding in pretty much every snow laced country and trips last from between 4 to 16 days. The typical countries tough are Finland, Sweden or several other Scandinavian options.
If you want to stay closer to home then check out the Cairngorm Sled dog Centre or other UK options

D) Last up then is something that is high up on my to do list. What with the winter Olympics on the way there is always one event that makes me sit up and say, ooh wouldn’t it be great to have a go at that. The main problem though is there aren’t that many places to do it. Not many resorts have their very own Bobsleigh run on the doorstep!

With speeds of upto 70mph, running at almost vertical angles left and right you could be excused the fear getting top you. however if you are still tempted then Innsbruck in Austria is probably the place to go. You can have go at being part of a 2 or 4 man team or, if you are really lost for things to do, take the 5 day course and learn to be a driver. For more information on how the UK are doing as well as competition results and of course the winter Olympics check out the official UK Bobsleigh team site.. There is always the added incentive that they are always on the hunt for fresh blood…I mean talent so you never know!!

I hope you enjoy these different options and of course stay safe.
Until next time

Are you fed up with skiing and snowboarding (if that is possible). Are you lucky enough to go away on a two week winter holiday and want to do something a little bit different? Well after going to a friends house for dinner the other night I suddenly thought “Not everyone wants to ski every minute of their winter holiday”. So, what else is out there?
And this is what I found!! Although, given the different number of things I found I may have to split it into two different articles.

A) Ice Rally Driving:
Sound exciting hey…and it is. If you happen to be anywhere in France or Sweden you aren’t too far from somewhere that does it.
Everyone knows how cool Rally driving is…well imagine doing that on the ice. The back end kicks out, the wheels lock and the adrenaline most definitely kicks in! To give you a little bit of an advantage, as well as the studded tyres, you will learn how to do a decent power slide, opposite lock slides and lift off over steer (what?!).
If you are in France then you can have a blast in either the Three Valleys or Tignes with a company called Whitetracks:

Or if you happen to find yourselves in Sweden and want to fly around frozen lakes with a choice of two cars then Extreme Rally would be your best bet. These guys also give you the chance to have a shot on an ice karting grand prix and an instructor led passenger trip that will definitely get your stomach turning!

B) Most people probably have an idea as to what Snowmobiling is as it has featured on several different blockbuster films including some of the classic Roger Moore Bond, but actually, how many of us have actually done it? No I didn’t think so!

As with the previous idea, if you are a bit of a petrol head then this is totally for you. Again, those pesky Scandies have got it wrapped and so it is the place to go along with Canada. These beasts can get up to almost 70mph and go from 0-60 in about 4 seconds, which is pretty impressive especially given the crazy terrain that you will be covering. There are all sorts of ways to experience these bad boys from half day blasts around a track or long tours clocking up over 800km in four days. Its a great way to experience something a bit different and see some real fantasy scenery. For those looking for even more of a buzz then you can go on some extreme trips in Norway, Finland and Sweden.

For more information checkout the links here:
Action Snowmobiling and Aventure Nord Quebec Organisation

C) Next up something that doesn’t rely on petrol and will definitley get the goose bumps jumping… Have you ever heard of those people who for some reason think its a great idea to go for a dip in the sea everyday of the year? Ever wondered why they do it, especially in winter? Well if I am going to be honest, that will seem positively Caribbean once you have done a bit of Ice Diving!

This is not some kind of gimmick, I can assure you. They literally cut a hole in the ice and in you go. Well, not quite straight away but you get my drift. This is meant to be the best and most serene type of diving available. The only thing that comes remotely close is a night dive but even that is incomparable. The views are truly breathtaking and the calm quiet world is just mesmerizing.

There are a few different options out there for anyone interested in doing it but understandably it isn’t the cheapest past time. Have a look at The Polar People who can whisk you off to Antarctica. If you are in the Alps, more specifically Tignes, and want a rest from the slopes then a local company, Tigne Plongee, can help you out.

The last option and possibly the best if you consider price and location is in The White Sea. The White Sea is in Northern Russia and is the only European Sea that gets covered with ice, that in itself is pretty cool. You can go on 6 day trips out there and get totally submerged in the experience

D) Last up I have plumped for something a little bit more relaxing but no less chilly! Fishing is the most popular sport in the UK. Yes I know, Google it now and you will see that I kid you not. If you want to combine the relaxing with the winter then head to Canada and Scandinavia (a theme here?) again. This activity really takes you back to basics as you cut a hole in the ice and then use lines, hooks or even spears to land the fish. Depending on where you go you can catch rainbow trout, northern pike, walleye and whitefish in Canada.

I would recommend going with Hooked on Canada if you head across the pond while a good option for Norway or Finland is Exodus.

Hopefully these ideas are useful and of interest. You must remember though that especially in winter the risks are enormous so please make sure you have the right insurance for the right activity!

I will be back in touch again soon, now that Christmas is out of the way with a few more ideas to make your nose tingle!

Happy New Year

First things first then, the credit for this little list goes to the guys at the Lonely Planet, without whom I would be less informed and my email in box would be a lot lighter! But to explain these are the places that the Lonely Planet readers want to visit in 2010, not where they have been, recommend or anything else!

So starting from the top then here we go:

1) South Africa- Even with the apparent crime risks it topped the pole but is that to do with the world cup being hosted there and all!

2) India- the home or Delhi belly, trustafarians wanting to find themselves on gap years and an absolutely amazing place to go and visit.

3) Colombia- A veritable undiscovered jewel in South America famed for large mustaches kidnapping, and drug barons in wonderful villas.

4) Jordan- Apparently its friendly, accessible and loads of fun surrounded by sand, palm trees and amazing historical ruins and relics.

5) Italy- A gem in Europe whether it be for a summer holiday, a romantic weekend retreat or even a spot of skiing. Bella!!

6) Panama- Again an up and coming South American destination. Its not just all about the canal you know, it’s a fabulous country and crying out to be visited.

7) China- Post the 2008 Olympics, China suddenly seems far more accessible but be warned it is still tough in the countryside and their diets definitley need to get used to but the rewards are extra ordinary.

Cuba- The ever popular destination for cheapish winter package holidays, but believe me there is far more there for the more ambitious traveler. Beautiful, romantic and a step back in time.

9) Costa Rica- Stunning, unexplored and varied. Rain forest next to mountains on top of beaches. Awe inspiring.

10) Kyrgyzstan- I cant even spell it let alone know anything about it but it is apparently an undiscovered paradise in central Asia. Give it a go for sure.

Finally it would be very churlish of me not to add in the Planet Link as you should give credit where credit is due:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/asia/travel-tips-and-articles/42/18633?affil=lpemailcontent

So, all very interesting and fingers crossed it will get you thinking.
If you do visit any of these places, or have done let me know what they are like as I am always interested.

Happy traveling!

What inspires you more then, the location of the walk or the walk itself?
There are so many amazing places to go that i think I may well have to subdivide this into more than one entry but lets see how we get on and what I can and can’t cover.

First up is a jaunt over in Africa. It sounds more impressive that it is as the route itself is not particularly tricky having said that you get to see some rgeat wildlife and venture up to about 1000m high too. So, for a slow introduction head off to the Simien Mountains in Ethiopia. For a bit more information on the peaks have a look here:

http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/simien.html

Second up, keeping it in Africa we head over to Rwanda. The wildlife theme is definitely visible as the walk is more than justified by the end result. Remember “Gorillas in the Mist”? Well this is your chance to be in your very own movie. Rwanda has the highest number of habituated gorilla groups (seven to be precise) including the group made famous from said film. Don’t get me wrong, this is a seriously pricey trip but is a once in a life time opportunity. Furthermore permits are needed and consequently a fair amount of planning required, but by ek is it worth it!

check it out here:
http://www.rwanda-gorillas.com

Although there are hundreds of amazing treks elsewhere in Africa it would be remiss of me to miss out on other wonderful adventures.
A country that is often off the visit radar is Bhutan. Sandwiched between China and India it often gets over looked even though with its Buddhist culture and some of the best of trekking anywhere in the world it is a must see location. Near Thimpu there are a plethora of high altitude beautiful, picturesque lakes crying out to be seen. Even though it is pretty tricky there is the opportunity to see the Golden Trout as well as the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery too.

http://www.eorc.jaxa.jp/en/imgdata/topics/2008/tp080402.html

Another country that people have only just started to really hear about is Papua New Guinea. Over the last few years there have been a few programs highlighting both the country and the people there so if your interest has been piqued then why not check it out. It is a wonderland for anyone interested in indigenous peoples, wildlife, jaw dropping scenery and tough walking. it is a country that beggars belief and you can guarantee that not many of your piers will have been there either!

http://www.pngtourism.org.pg

And last up we have got an idea to get you to central America.
Mexico is well known for sea, sun and those Aztec ruins that featured so heavily in Star Wars…but there is so much more to this amazing country. Of course you can’t go to Mexico without visiting these ruins or some similar however why not scale Mexico’s highest, and North Americas third highest, peak? Pico de Orizaba is 5746m but as long as you are fit and have some experience then it is imminently doable for sure.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pico_de_Orizaba

So, I hope all of that was of interest and i look forward to doing another Trekking article soon
Have fun!!

There are all sorts of great places to go white water rafting and kayaking around the world but for most of us all we ever see of it is on a gap year in Australia or perhaps even New Zealand. Don’t get me wrong these are great experiences but settle back and check out a few more options off the beaten track.

So first up we have the Cotahuasi River in Peru. this gorge is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon and is a series of seriously wild and dangerous continuous rapids. It was only “first descended” 16 years ago back in 1994 so is a pretty fresh and unknown route and so consequently an unknown challenge with the first commercial routes set up in 2001. The river starts all the way up in the Andes Glaciers and heads all the way down to the sea. Down the route there are undiscovered Inca and even pre Inca ruins and burial sites that haven’t been surveyed yet.
In terms of some other useful facts, the water is cold, there are bugs a plenty and it is really hard work. But rest assured there are some really good guides in the region who will be more than happy to help you out.
Have a look at this for more information:

http://www.cotahuasicanyon.com/modules/news

The second option takes us off to Greenland for a spot of sea kayaking.
You will be following in the paddle strokes of the Inuit hunters as a way of tracking their prey, seals and whales. Obviously on your trip everything will be a bit less life or death but it is a thrilling trip none the less. The best time to go is in our summer (July and August) and it probably goes without saying that you should go on an organised trip with a knowledgeable guide to prevent any problems.

If you want some more info have a look here:
http://www.eastgreenland.com/database.asp?lang=eng&num=598

Finally how about somewhere even more off the beaten track…Nicaragua.
I know it conjures up images of drug dealers, guns and second rate shoot ‘em up movies but it has been a settled and developing democracy for over ten years.
The country has a nickname “land of lakes and volcanoes” which aptly describes the make up of the landscape and highlights exactly why this country is an adventure sports playground. There are two great lakes that occupy about 10% of the country and therefore offer a great opportunity to explore it by kayak.
Flights aren’t the cheapest from the UK but once you get there it is a truly beautiful and diverse country to go and see. If you want more information on the place then have a look here:

http://www.nicaragua.com/tourism

So, fingers crossed this is useful information.
Remember, be safe and get covered, X1 Sports Insurance covers everything including kayaking to give you peace of mind!

So what do you do to wile away the hours them and escape from this dark, cold cocoon surrounding us.
Plan your next trip away of course!!

At the moment if you pick up the weekend papers they are all jam packed with interesting things to do. Some are clearly focusing on the winter markets while others are spreading their wings a little further and giving advice for next summer and also interesting places to go this winter that doesn’t involve snow.
so, here are a few interesting options that i have dug up and looked into. There are so many different ideas out there that i am going to try and catagorise them. Obviously its definitely not exhaustive and there are loads of different and alternative options but perhaps these will give you just an idea.

First up is Mountain Biking:

So, close to home you have got Pembrokeshire. obviously the weather i snot ideal at the moment but do you really care if you are biking in the mud?
no i didn’t think so!
Park up at St Govan’s (or use the Coastal Cruiser) and then use the coastal path between Stack Rocks and St Govan’s Head. Admittedly this isn’t high end tip top mountain biking but it is a good weekend away in the wonderful Welsh countryside.
For more info on the area have a look at this link:

www.activitypembrokeshire.com

Next up Turkey.
If you are looking for something between April and October then head out to Cappadocia. There are numerous well marked trails for various different skill levels and fitness levels. Ad you hurtle down the routes be sure to have a glimpse of the local scenery as you are surrounded by rock pillars upto 40m high known as “fairy chimneys”.
If this floats your boat then check out:

http://www.cappadociaturkey.net

If you want somewhere a little bit further a field how about the lush, jungle world of Costa Rica?
It is definitely a country I want to go to as there is so much diversity, such much wildlife and so much to do.
There is an amazing 4 day bike trek, 389km, that crosses from the Pacific to the Caribbean. Oh and I forgot to mention its actually a race…! Ruta De Los Conquistadors.

http://larutadelosconquistadores.com/info

The last one I want to offer you is on the most random place I think.
Anyone I speak says this is the one of the most amazing places they have ever visited.
This trip allows you to go with the family, which obviously makes it a touch more pricey, but why not spend two weeks being active with the family.
Laos is one of the least visited country in East Asia. The only people who ever seem to visit Laos are a load of stoned backpackers who got lost on their way to Thailand or Vietnam.
This trip is fully supported and can be relaxing as there as several rest days to go swimming and even elephant riding.
have a look here:

http://www.grasshopperadventures.com/tours.php?country=Laos

So, fingers crossed this has given you food for thought.
Needless to say if you do any of these trips or one of your own make sure you are covered with the right insurance as it can be a really hard fall if you aren’t.

have a good weekend

That was the problem 6 lucky winners earlier this year managed to over come.
The Reel Adventure Diaries Film Competition gave them a platform to get out there and have some fun, learn some filming techniques and even bag a wicked trip away with a professional athlete.
But what is it I hear you say…

TRAD, as it is also known, asked wanna be film makers to send in 2 minute clips of their work and then sit back and wait. The 6 winners were then selected and then paired up a professional extreme sports athlete. The athletes they used were:

Tim Emmett- a base jumping, ice climbing adrenaline junkie who has featured on Top Gear and flying wing suit programes (http://www.timemmett.com)

Joharra Sykes-Davis- The UK Kitesurfing Champion and general all round god sort (http://www.joharafreedom.com/)

Laurent Niol- A French athlete who knows no limits, free skiing and jumping off pretty much anything he is and eve isnt allowed to (http://www.zapiks.com/_laurent-niol-1/)

Andy Kirkpatrick- A British Ice Climbing Legend (http://www.andy-kirkpatrick.com)

John Ross- AKA Shaggy who is a mountain bike guru based in Bristol, and has some serious stamina

Andrew Price- One of the UKs most up and coming survival and bushcraft guides (http://www.dryadbushcraft.co.uk)

The 6 winners were sent off to places as diverse as South Wales, Scotland, France and even a 10 day trip to Kenya to get to know, film and learn about why these athletes do what they do. They were given their kit, all their travel and expenses paid for as well as expert guidance before they were sent on their way. The film makers had to story board the films, film it, edit it and put the whole thing together. Not bad considering they were complete amateurs.

The 6 final films have now been put onto a DVD and can be picked up from the TRAD website.
If you need or want any more info on the event or the competition then take a look here (http://www.tradfilms.com/index.shtml) as there is a rumour that it is going to happen again next year.

To check out the trailer have a look at this page as it looks pretty cool:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIg753SAg4U

As I hear more about the 2010 event I will let you know