Our wide world provides great travel experiences
Ian Stalker
The travel industry certainly enables people to experience some interesting outdoor experiences.
And some of those experiences can be challenging, while others simply provide relaxation.
Here are some suggestions on how people can get some fresh air while having an enjoyable vacation.
Laura Nesteanu
Quito Tourism Board
Laura Nesteanu has a great suggestion for those seeking some middle ground.
The Quito Tourism Board representative notes that the Middle of the World monument is found a little outside the Ecuadorian capital and invites visitors to straddle the Equator. The Equator was discovered and mapped out by team of French explorers in the 17th century.
“This is one of the most visited touristic sites of Quito,” Nesteanu says. “One of the biggest thrills of visiting this site is taking a picture posing with one foot in either hemisphere.”
The Equator of course circles the globe but officials in Ecuador — which translates as Equator — believe their country provides the ultimate way of gaining insights into an important worldly feature.
“The power of the Middle of the World is in the uniqueness in how the physical forces work in the equatorial region. The latitude 0 has its own scientific fascination and its own legends,” Nesteanu states.
Photo credit Derek Crow
Shane Wally
Carcross/Tagish First Nation
Shane Wally enjoys a recreational activity that certainly has its ups and downs.
Mountain biking enthusiast Wally lives in Carcross, Yukon, and he’s part of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation, creator of Singletrack To Success (S2S) , which features 75 kms of mountain biking trials in the mountainous region.
One of those trails — Mountain Hero — has received coveted Epic Trails recognition from the International Mountain Bicycling Association. It’s one of only a handful of trails in this country to receive the ranking.
Visitors will find beginner, intermediate and advanced trails that work their way over varied terrain, such as pine forest and loftier treeless landscapes that even during summer may have patches of snow riders can cross. Particularly challenging Mountain Hero is a 28-kilometer track that retraces a 105-year old mule trail once used by miners. “Once atop, descending back to the treeline is a scream literally,” the S2S website says. “You and your brakes will be screaming on your way down and at the end of it you’ll most likely have the biggest grin on your face and your brakes will be hot. Stinking hot.”
Wally welcomes the fact that smallish Carcross is making its presence felt in mountain biking circles.
“I love the trails and what it brought for the community — the fact that Carcross is known for being a gem of outdoor fun! Makes me happy,” he says.
Renata Snidr
NARAT
Appealing outdoor experiences needn’t always involve huffing and puffing.
In fact, Renata Snidr of NARAT believes being outdoors can at times be downright relaxing, something reinforced by her travels, during which she discovered that almost all Maldives resorts “have dream-inducing beaches.
“My bias of the Maldives as a top beach destination is tied to a number of reasons. Apart from its world-class beaches, the country boasts of ‘a one resort per island’ policy; ensuring year-round uncrowded beach access and a reprieve from the mass tourism found in other sun destinations that travellers are familiar with. The white sands can be velvet soft, exquisitely complimenting the turquoise waters that surround islands. The Maldives being near the Equator and on the Indian Ocean, imbue the waters with the most ideal of sea temperature (20 C-28 C); bathwater warm. The underwater worlds to be discovered in the Maldives are genuinely mesmerizing and teeming with exotic fish and vibrant coral that are thrilling to encounter with every single visit.”
Snidr notes that those who visit the Maldives can continue to Sri Lanka, which has historic sites, culture and nature experiences that are “found in few places in the world.”
Snidr last visited the Maldives in November and is eager to return. “The whole experience of visiting the Maldives is rejuvenating in body, mind and spirit. Many of resorts have beautiful spas and offer wellness activities.”
She adds it’s easy to social distance while there. “The Maldivian beaches are spread throughout close to 1,200 islands that comprise the Maldives nation. Only a fraction of the islands have resorts. The deterrence of crowding through tourism policy, an isolated vacation on islands and the Maldives overall remote location in the Indian Ocean, coupled with COVID-19 health safety regulation enacted by Maldivian resorts and its government, all ensure optimal social distancing. In fact you may say that the destination is built for social distancing. For those wanting the best social distancing experience, most resorts have detached overwater villas that isolate you from other visitors for most of the stay. The Maldives were amongst the first beach destinations in the world to introduce the villa concept and the designs have advanced.
“Due to resorts situated on independent islands, most Maldivian resorts operate similar to independent towns with its own water filtration, on-location facilities and accommodation for all guests and resort staff, and in some cases, cultivating its own food — underscoring the destination’s authentic ‘seclusion’ attraction. The only way people and cargo arrive amongst resorts are by sea plane and boat, which are regulated with small passenger numbers,” Snidr continues.
Randy Snape
Korea Tourism Organization
Exploring the Great Outdoors is a breeze in Korea.
Randy Snape of the Korea Tourism Organization’s Toronto office says Korea is a great place for energetic sorts who enjoy fresh air.
“To start my list would be hiking,” he says. “This is a pastime loved by many Koreans as there are many, many mountain trails and hiking trails throughout the country. One of the most famous would be the Olle walking paths on Jeju island off the southern coast. This particular walking trail circles the entire Island and is divided up based on difficulty and length of time to hike.
“There are also walking/hiking trails in and around Seoul that are easily accessible via the subway and other public transportation. These are often visited by Seoulites. One of the most famous mountains in the south that also has a number of walking trails is Seorak Mountain. The hike can be long enough that there are overnight cabins set up for visitors to attend.”
Snape reports that skiing is also popular in Korea, which has hosted the Winter Olympics. “East of Seoul there are a number of ski hills and the destination continues to attract a number of international visitors from Asia and the rest of the world. “
Both men and women in Korea love golf and Koreans have been hugely successful on the professional golfing circuits. “Within major cities it is not uncommon to see green nets set up. These nets are indoor driving ranges. There are also virtual golf courses with the real feel of golf that are popular,” Snape says.
Snape adds that surfing has been building a following in Korea. “This is surprising given that Korea is not known as a surfing destination. However, where there is ocean, there is always a possibility for surfing. There are some very popular places along the east coast of Korea.”
