Adventure.  It’s different things to different people.  And when it comes to adventure holidays, those definitions are all over the map – literally and figuratively.  Fortunately adventure travel has become broad enough to include everything from cultural interactivity to adrenaline pumping action in a way that lets travelers create an experience that they’ll never forget.

Let’s explore the spectrum of adventure for a few ideas and possibilities, in turn getting you thinking about which adventures might turn into probabilities.

Adrenaline rush adventure. For me, this is climbing a mountain, scaling a rock formation, serious white water rafting, or some other high fitness, high adrenaline level activity.  (It often evokes thoughts of snow, very cold weather, and icicles forming on my eyebrows.)  This is not my cup of adventure tea, but I know several people who find these ideas exciting and I’ll eagerly look forward to seeing their photos and hearing all about it.

Active vacations. In this category I put the type of activities that would span the entire length of one’s holidays.  Whether it’s a week long rafting trip, horseback exploration in the jungle, skiing, or hiking or biking through a country, these travels are as much about the journey as they are the destination.  These trips are definitely not for the lying on the beach vacationer!  Some trips of this type seem fascinating, and although I have concerns about my fitness level, reputable tour companies will see to it that travelers are matched up with the right activity and group for their specific fitness level.  I’ll put this type of adventure vacation on the maybe list.

Mixed activity vacations.  For those that want activity, just not 24/7, combining the best of thrilling experiences with relaxation may be just what you need.  Trekking holidays that include some time spent in locations along the way, biking and wine tasting, or a rafting trip combined with slower explorations on non-river days, are all ways to combine action and culture.  I love these types of vacation, because they give me my fill of the relaxation that I need from everyday life, but keep me engaged with seeing and doing something new.  It’s the best of both worlds.

Luxury adventure.  A hybrid of mixed activity vacations, these let you have wonderful adventures during the day and pampering luxury every night.  These are more personalized experiences where you can enjoy your adventure without having to worry about the day-to-day issues of food and bed.  Think of luxury tents on a trek or safari, with all your needs handled by someone else.  I’ve not tried this type of adventure vacation – but I sure would like to!

Soft adventure.  These adventures are often suited for travelers who want a less strenuous vacation, and are often organized around a central theme or interest.  Wildlife and nature are two common themes, and you’ll often see adventure trips that take you up close and personal for a look at some of the most remarkable places on earth.  These trips seem to be more about the destination (and what you’ll see there) than on the journey itself, and are typically suited for travelers of a broad range of fitness levels.

Cultural adventure.  It’s more about a sense of adventure, rather than strenuous physical activity, and these trips focus on the destination, its history, its people, and their traditions.  Here’s a chance to learn about someplace totally different from home, as you take a close look at exotic locations.  Tour temples, pyramids, and other cultural and architectural landmarks as you learn the importance of these sites to the people who live there.

My adventure preferences are generally of the mixed or soft adventure type.  I want to enjoy the destination as well as the journey, and learn a little something in the process.

How about you?  How do you define adventure travel.

Photo credit:  SXC

NOTE:  This post was sponsored by The Adventure Company; the opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author.

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A question that I always get asked, and the answer is always different!

Q.  Where are you vacationing next?

A.  This is a question that every Flight Attendant loves to talk about, because there are usually so many places on our list of places to visit.

Here’s how my travel calendar is shaping up for the rest of the year:

• October will probably be a long weekend in southern California (most likely Palm Springs, but possibly San Diego instead).  I have vacation time coming the end of the month, so there may be time for another short trip somewhere close to home.
• In November I’m heading off for London for a week or so.  I’ll be taking in a couple days of WTM, and the rest of the time will be spent exploring, wandering the streets, visiting museums, going to the theater and shopping.  I’m very excited for this trip, so if you have a recommendation of a must-see (keeping in mind that I’ll only be there for a week), please leave a comment or send me an email.
• December will be about sticking close to home here in Seattle.  A few local hotels for a weekend, discovering some of the new restaurants around town, and finding all sorts of way to get into the holiday spirit.

Next year’s plans are still in various planning stages.  I’ve got three weeks for a Europe visit, that will mean one week back at La Montalla, with the rest of the time undecided.  I’m considering a return to Croatia, or maybe discovering something new in Turkey or Greece.  It seems a shame to be in that corner of the world, with so many interesting places, and not explore somewhere new.

I revise travel plans every time some new place or opportunity comes across my radar screen.  Remaining flexible, and open to change in plans, is part of what makes travel exciting and fun.

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You’re in a restaurant and see someone choking on a burger, do you know what to do?  You see a child choking on a piece of candy, do you know what to do?  You’re at the beach and see someone on the chaise lounge next to you gasping for breath and looking like they can’t breathe, do you know what to do?

It’s easy to forget that being on vacation doesn’t always mean escaping from the practical side of life.

And so today’s post is sort of a public service announcement.  A reminder of something that is important to know whether you are traveling or at home.  I urge everyone to take a bit of time and pick up some basic first aid knowledge, and especially to learn how to perform the Heimlich maneuver.

A choking victim cannot breathe, and needs you helps immediately.  If they can talk, they aren’t choking.  While the situation may progress to something more serious, if a person is able to talk and communicate with you, leave things alone.  A person who is choking will likely be grasping their throat and trying to get air, rather than talking.

If you an individual that is choking, DO NOT slap them on the back, as this could worsen the situation.  Instead, begin the Heimlich Maneuver and ask someone to call for additional help.

To perform the Heimlich Maneuver on an adult:

• Approach the victim from behind, and wrap your arms around their waist.
• Make and fist, place the thumb side of your first against the victim’s upper abdomen.  You should position the fist below the ribcage and above the navel.
• Grasp this fist with your other hand, pressing into the victim’s upper abdomen with a quick upward thrust.  (Do not squeeze the ribcage.)
• Repeat until the object causing the choking is expelled.
• Make sure that the victim seeks medical assistance right away.

Additional consideration and procedures exist for assisting an unconscious person and a child.

Basic first air training is offered by many fire and police departments, community centers, and through many work places.

Photo credit:  SXC

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Ah, vacation!  It conjures up all sorts of wonderful day dreams, grabs our attention and “forces” us to spend countless hours doing “research” on the internet at great travel blogs like Flyaway Cafe.    We pick up guidebooks, go to the library, we talk to friends.  Sometimes the planning is a great deal of the fun in arranging vacation plans.  Still, do you always find yourself going to the same old places and doing the same old thing?!

Maybe what you need to do to get out of your rut is to look at vacation through a different lens, and perhaps a vacation club will help you branch out and see the world.

Royal Holiday is a premiere vacation club, that allows you to purchase credits to exchange for accommodations over the life of your membership.  Unlike a traditional time share, which locks you into one location, the vacation club allows you to choose a different vacation spot each year.    (Okay, if you really want to do the same thing every year, you can still do that with a vacation club, but c’mon – live a little!)

For a warm weather destination you could choose the Paradise Beach Villas in Aruba, or maybe try a cultural destination like Paris or London.  If you’re ready to try something more exotic, try Morocco or Chiang Mai.   And if you really don’t want to get too far from home, there are plenty of locations stateside like Lake Tahoe, Orlando, San Diego and Vail.  There are over 180 destinations in 52 countries, so you know you’ll find somewhere you want to go!

Royal Holiday also has owns and operates a few all-inclusive hotels in Mexico in Cancun, Cozumel, Ixtapa, and Acapulco.  Blogging pal Jon, at The DC Traveler, visited the Park Royal Resort in Cozumel, so check out what he had to say about it.

Because they believe in their premium product, and want you to spend some time checking them out to decide if it’s an option for you, Royal Holiday has offered a GREAT prize for one Flyaway Cafe reader!

First, here’s the prize:

• Royal Holiday-branded polo shirt
• Royal Holiday-branded gym bag
• Royal Holiday-branded hat
• Royal Holiday-branded towel
• Flipcam Ultra

Yep, all that logo swag, AND a Flip video cam so that you can shoot some video on your next vacation.  How great is that?!

Here’s all you need to do:

Go to Royal Holiday and check them out.  Take a look at their history and what they offer. See if a vacation club offers good value for your personal travel style.  Then, go look to see if they have something to offer in your favorite vacation destination – or maybe somewhere that’s destined to become your new favorite location.

Leave a comment here telling me what that location is and why.

Deadline for comments is Tuesday, August 1st at midnight ET.  At that time, I’ll random select a number a match it up with the comment.  You must leave an email so that I can contact you.  This content is only open to residents of the United States, Canada, and Mexico (shipping requirements).

I’ll start it off with my choice of the Sheraton Casablanca in Morocco.  Why?  Morocco fascinates me – the culture, the people, the food.  But I don’t know that I’m adventurous enough to go it alone in the country.   I’d like the convenience of a modern place to stay, alleviating the stress of the unfamiliar place to stay, leaving me free to explore something totally outside by comfort zone during the day.

How about you?  Where do you want to stay and why?

Photo credit:  Royal Holiday

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Despite the struggling economy, people are still traveling.

We may make cutbacks in the length of our travels, where we go and what we do, but I’m glad to see that most of us still understand the importance of seeing something beyond our own backyard.

This month’s poll is my unscientific attempt to identify the type of experience  people are expecting on their next vacation.

So the question is: 

What type of destination will you be going to on your next vacation?

• Cruise – it’s a great value
• Resort – I need the rest & relaxation
• City – I love all that they have to offer
• The country I like the slower pace
• Camping – Let me get back to nature
• Europe – Did you see that exchange rate go down!
• Haven’t made up my mind yet

Head over to the side bar and make your selection!  Feel free to leave comments here about any specifics you’d like to share.

For the record, I haven’t made up my mind yet.  I have lots of ideas and options, but since I have the ability to make my plans at the last minute, I’m not rushing the decision.

How about you?

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