(BPT) – Heading on vacation? This year, instead of settling for just sitting on the beach, think about embarking on an experience-based adventure.
“Whether you’re traveling with family, friends or by yourself, there are all kinds of activities to enhance your vacation experience,” says Jeanenne Tornatore, senior editor for the travel booking website Orbitz.com.
Here are four ideas to get you started on planning your trip:
Expand your skillset
They say there is no time like the present. Your next vacation could be the perfect time to cross a lesson or two off your bucket list. The Hawaii Style Surf School offers training in surfing and paddle boarding in the calming currents off Maui’s coast.
Learn something new
Whether you are an expert or casual admirer of a subject, there is always more to learn. Consider vacationing where you can provide an educational experience for the entire family while still having a great time. The Ultimate Space Experience at Kennedy Space Center in Orlando offers an in-depth tour, lunch with an astronaut, and the chance to try the G-Force Simulator.
Travel “back in time”
Who says history can only be taught in school? Many historic sites offer activities and tours that immerse travelers in the sights and sounds of the past. The WWII Pearl Harbor Heroes Adventure in Oahu, Hawaii, allows groups to walk in the exact footsteps of America’s most courageous heroes, see genuine artifacts from the era, and visit the deck of one of the world’s most famous battleships, the USS Missouri.
Pump some adrenaline
For those seeking an adventure in the truest sense of the word, pushing yourself slightly out of your comfort zone can make for some great memories. So while the Grand Canyon is cool, you may want to try something even cooler. Try exploring one of the greatest sites in the world from a different perspective – a helicopter. The Grand Canyon Wind Dancer Helicopter Excursion, based out of Las Vegas, offers the opportunity to see the region like you’ve never seen it before.
Beach vacations can be great, but if you crave something new and exciting, it’s easy to find and book one-of-a-kind attractions, trips and tours – especially if you use online tools. So on your next vacation, why not try something you’ve never done before, and make some memories you’ll never forget?