Early in November, Sunsail celebrated 50 years of yacht charter and sailing holidays and to explain their offering invited the press to a media presentation. The presentation given by Nicci Welgemoed described an alternate type of holiday that entails sailing to exotic islands by yourself if you are a registered skipper. Sunsail offers holidaymakers the chance to experience bareboat charters, skippered charters, flotillas, and regattas. With Sunsail, you can experience the ultimate family vacation, bachelor’s trip, or solo sailing venture (should you be that daring).
Being at the launch was inspiring and got me thinking about alternate vacation options. At peak holiday times, you often hear all South Africans going to the same vacation spots and locations, but what if you could experience a holiday different from anyone else? What if you open yourself up to unique adventures and holidays that will surely be remembered for life? Create the holiday of your dreams.
1. Sailing holidays: The thought of sailing yourself through calm seas after attending a sailing school to gain your sailing license should certainly be right at the top of your list. Imagine enjoying a beach holiday as a treat after learning such an important skill-sailing. The good news is that should you wish to take a sailing trip without putting in the work, you can opt for a sailing holiday that includes the expertise and guidance of an experienced skipper. Skippered charters are a great experience for the whole family and you surely will rest easy knowing that steady hands are sailing the ship.
2. Vacationing with another family: Generally when you go on holiday, you let your hair down and relax with your own family. However, you may find that the more vacations you take alone with your family, the more predictable the vacation itinerary becomes. Your family members won’t be daring enough to take chances or try something new. For this reason alone, you may enjoy the experience of holidaying with another family. Other families come with their own stories, adventures, and excitement.
3. Caravan or RV holidays: If the movie RV puts you off the idea of a caravan or RV holiday, it’s time to reconsider this option. Decide to take a caravan or RV and travel to new sights and destinations. A caravan holiday can be quite a treat. This is a great option if you don’t have enough to pay for different hotels in a variety of places because you are paying for an all-inclusive hotel on wheels.
4. Cultural trip: It’s time to get more open-minded. Travel to a country that celebrates its culture completely. Traveling around Africa or China is a great option should you wish to immerse yourself fully in the culture of a place. Make it a priority to learn all the beliefs, customs, and traditions of a particular culture and acknowledge the culture or cultures of a country. Take time to enjoy cultural foods and experience cultural diversity at its finest.
5. Daredevil trip: If bungee jumping, zip lining, and sitting on extremely fast roller coasters get your heart racing and your anxiety spiking, consider taking a trip where you can be the ultimate daredevil. From caged shark diving to river rafting, decided to do it all. It is important to prepare yourself mentally before you take the plunge. A daredevil trip will be well worth it no matter how frightening this may seem. Be sure to take photos to prove that you do have quite a daring streak.
6. The Zen trip: Holidays are the ultimate break from the humdrum of daily life hence it is a great suggestion to plan a trip where you can find your inner center and simply care for yourself. Whether it be a yoga retreat or the ultimate in-tune with nature holiday, you need to take a trip to experience pure peace, soulful serenity, and total tranquility. It is important to try a Zen trip that doesn’t require a jam-packed itinerary or allows you to get in touch with your inner spirituality.
7. A culinary trip: How about making pasta from scratch? What about learning to make sushi from a Japanese sushi expert? Take a journey where you can learn to cook different dishes and enjoy the food that you cook. One of the best kinds of trips is the trip where you get to enjoy good food and food that you would not normally eat. On your journey to satisfy your discerning palate, make sure to try food that you would not usually eat. Thankfully, many holiday destinations offer daily culinary courses.
8. Journey to nowhere: Have you heard the saying, “It’s not about the destination, it’s all about the journey?” Well, get in your car and just drive. You can take a map with you, but it’s most fun to see where the road takes you. Sometimes the unpredictability of where you will land is all the thrill that you need.
So check out of your normal holiday routine and check in to a holiday experience of a lifetime. Remember to carry your suitcase full of memories and tales back home with you.