From exploring Europe's last wilderness areas to sea kayaking, rock climbing to island hopping in Scotland, a holiday with a real sense of adventure is an exhilarating and rewarding experience. Britain may be a small island, and Europe a small continent, but both pack in a huge variety of dramatic scenery perfect to escape to and get back to nature on a physical level - all conveniently accessible by rail, ferry and other public transport. For more information, check out the British Activity Holiday Association's website and have a look at some of the best - and greenest - adventure holidays around that we've listed below...
Our exploration of the Sound of Arisaig is the perfect trip to sample the amazing beauty of the West Coast and Inner Hebrides. Journeying by sea kayak we discover this remarkable coastal landscape with its plethora of marine wildlife and birds.
Discover Loch Ness and see Scotland's most famous castle, walk around windswept Skye and the coast offering views of it on two full-day hikes and experience dramatic, unforgettable scenery.
An 8 day tour taking in the best of the West, from world famous Isle of Islay, a whisky connoisseur's dream, and a trip around the inner hebrides including Mull, the peaceful island of Iona, the dramatic island of Staffa and magical Skye.
From £398 per Senior/Student £428 per Adult excluding accommodation. Accommodation booked in local B&Bs/Hotels according to customer's budget allowing you to stay in smaller local establishments
This 9 day tour is the stuff of dreams - 4 stunning west coast islands and the prehistoric sites and rugged beauty of the northern Orkney islands.
From £428 per Senior/Student £468 per Adult excluding accommodation. Accommodation booked in local B&Bs/Hotels according to customer's budget allowing you to stay in smaller local establishments
A 2-day break discovering Glencoe and Loch Ness, with a night to explore Inverness, and a day's rejuvenation in the majestic Glen Affric wilderness.
From £55 per Senior/Student £59 per Adult excluding accommodation. Accommodation booked in local B&Bs/Hotels according to customer's budget allowing you to stay in smaller local establishments
By canoe, cycle and on foot, we discover tiny villages, ancient farms and a romantic château, all set in some of the most scenic landscapes in France. We also explore caves, gorges and there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy the local cuisine too.
From £417 (From £609 including rail travel from London)
8 days
2010 departures: 29 May, 24 July, 21 Aug & 28 Aug. 2011departurs: 28 May, 23 July, 20 Aug, 27 Aug
Journey through one of the most pristine wilderness areas of Scotland. This trip travels through the glacial lochs of Inverpolly in the North West Highlands, land of undulating heather moorland and peat bogs.
The 3rd May 1810 was instrumental in the dawn of open water swimming, with Lord Byron's epic crossing of the Hellespont! To commemorate this inaugural swim you have a chance to replicate his feat by swimming from Europe to Asia on the anniversary.
£450 in twin shared rooms. Single supplements are optional and cost an additional £100
A flexible and family-friendly experience combining self-catering accommodation in comfortable forest cabin with a choice of self-guided canoe day-tours on the surrounding lakes and rivers.
From £186/adult, £93/child. Min. 2 adults required.
Duration 4-8 days
Dates by arrangement between 15th May and 15th September 2010. Start or end day must be a Saturday.
La Source is a unique eco-retreat in the stunning scenery of the French Alps. With specially-tailored yoga, and lessons for climbers both advanced and beginner, this is the perfect chance to both relax and improve whilst enjoying great climbing.
€885 per person (€835 if you use 'green' transport to travel to La Source); €150 single supplement
7 days
16 May, 20 June, 12 September, 19 September, 3 October
