When exploring Dubai, many travelers focus on the city’s iconic skyscrapers and luxurious shopping malls. However, the desert offers a different kind of allure, inviting tourists to witness dramatic sand dunes, vibrant sunsets, and traditional Bedouin culture, making a desert safari an essential part of any visit.

Diverse safari options abound, ranging from thrilling dune bashing in 4×4 vehicles to more tranquil experiences like camel rides and sandboarding. These excursions can easily cater to various tastes and preferences, whether visitors crave adrenaline-fueled adventures or peaceful moments in nature.

One of the most alluring aspects of desert safaris is the opportunity to experience traditional Emirati culture firsthand. Many packages include authentic Bedouin camps, where guests can enjoy traditional meals, watch folk performances, and try henna painting. This cultural immersion enhances the safari experience and allows visitors to appreciate the rich heritage of the region.

Moreover, the desert’s natural beauty cannot be overstated. As the sun sets over the dunes, the landscape transforms into a breathtaking palette of colors that is simply unforgettable. Photography enthusiasts will find plenty of opportunities to capture stunning images, while nature lovers will appreciate the diverse flora and fauna that thrive in this unique ecosystem.

Travelers interested in exploring the desert should consider the timing of their visit. The cooler months, from October to April, are the best for outdoor activities, allowing for comfortable temperatures and optimal conditions for exploration. However, even during the hotter months, early morning and late afternoon safaris can be pleasantly rewarding.

As the tourism industry continues to rebound, desert safaris are becoming increasingly popular, attracting both newcomers to Dubai and repeat visitors. With numerous tour operators offering competitive packages, planning a desert adventure is easier than ever.

In summary, a desert safari in Dubai is not just a recreational activity; it’s an immersion into the rich tapestry of Arab culture and the breathtaking natural world. Adventure and serenity await those who step away from the city’s hustle and bustle and venture into the mesmerizing desert.

What types of activities are included in a desert safari?

Desert safaris typically include activities like dune bashing, camel riding, sandboarding, and cultural experiences such as henna painting and traditional meals.

When is the best time to go on a desert safari?

The best time for a desert safari is during the cooler months from October to April when temperatures are more comfortable for outdoor activities.

How can I book a desert safari in Dubai?

You can book a desert safari through various tour operators online or through your hotel’s concierge service, often providing a range of packages to choose from.

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# 1 Go on a husky/reindeer safari

Longing for an ultimate winter escape? Finland`s thick snow and slippery forest paths are calling all intrepid travelers ready to explore them.

How about discovering Finland`s unspoiled nature while on a reindeer safari? Or you would rather prefer huskies? In any way, it would be fun to have a ride. Only you and the white wilderness. The charmingly majestic Arctic region is challenging you. Accept the challenge.

# 2 Visit Santa Claus

If you are a Christmas enthusiast, definitely pay Santa a visit. I`ve heard that he is a nice and merry guy who welcomes guests from all over the world. And he happens to live in Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland. Share some milk and cookies with him and have a chat about the presents you received last year.

Also, go to Santapark`s Elf School, where you can learn all about his little helpers and become one yourself.

# 3 Dance all night at the Flow Festival

Who said Finland can be fun only in winter? The next Flow Festival will be held between the 9th-11th of August. Save the dates for various artistic experiences like old school and new music, stylish design, arts, and imaginative cuisine. It has never been easier to succumb to blissed-out festival escapism. And it`s only a short walk away from the center of Helsinki.

#4 Trek across the Urho Kekkonnen National Park

The Urho Kekkonnen National Park is perhaps the most famous among the 40 official parks offering exciting trailers for hiking enthusiasts. The park is stretching over the impressive 200 kilometers. There`s no shortage of marvelous trails to walk through the day. At night, enjoy the solitude at one of the many campsites and cozy small huts.

# 5 Go rock climbing at Korouoma canyon

The more adventurous ones can head to Korouoma canyon in Posio – a place famous for ice climbing, but also a popular rock climbing spot in the summertime. If you are not in the mood for a shot of adrenaline rush, hike across the marked trails in the area.

# 6 Paddle a SUP board in Oulu

Would rather go for more of a leisure activity? Try paddling a SUP board through the calm waters of Oulu, a 400-year-old city located in Northern Finland. Also, the region offers some beautiful waterways and islands to explore.

# 7 Go rafting across Kuusamo rivers

Kuusamo`s rivers and rapids offer some unforgettable thrills for bold travelers. Don`t miss on the rafting and paddling adventures that are available there. Alternatively, check out the Ruunaa Rapids in Lieksa that are also a great option.

# Bonus Challenge

Make the most Instagrammable picture possible while completing any of the challenges. And prepare yourself for an uncountable number of likes!

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This kind of lifestyle has been used by many throughout history. There were, and still are, nomads who travel around with no constant place to stay. Or people who live on the boat and can sail away anywhere they want. One of the more popular styles of living on the move, that most people can afford, is living in a van. Find out what this kind of life has to offer with this short insight.

It does not come without challenges

People are often obsessed with this kind of living thinking it is totally carefree and that there is nothing that you need to worry about. This kind of ideal thinking needs to be toned down a bit with some real facts. There will be things that you need to take care of and it will not always be a smooth ride.

Before you start, it is better to start out reading or watching other people’s experiences. Finding beginner guides online, as the ones that can be seen over at optoutliving.com can help out a lot if you are starting with this alternative lifestyle. The power of the internet is very useful when it comes to doing research, as it is now easier than ever to find the pieces of information that you are looking for.

Sleeping

Even though sleeping comes at the end of the day, it is still important to think ahead of time about it. Sleeping is very important for many health reasons, and you need to get some good night’s rest in the van. You will need to be comfortable with the fact that where you are sleeping is going to be the place where you do everything else. Unless you have a very big van where you can have a separate room with a bed, your bed will be in the main part of your van. This is not a problem for some people, but for others, it may be a bit claustrophobic. 

Also, these kinds of beds may not be super comfortable or very big. So you will need to add some extra layers to make them softer. If you plan on sleeping in a parking lot, you will still be surrounded by other people. Only the walls of your van separate you from the outside world, even when you are sleeping. But if you are not, you will get some of the best sleeping sessions, far away from everyone, in your little moveable home. That feeling when you wake up from that kind of sleep will truly be worth it. 

Hygiene

Keeping good hygiene is very important when you live in a small space such as a van. Keeping your van clean may not seem like a big job, and it is not at all. You will just need to do the tidying up on a regular basis, so be sure to make that your habit. Especially if you are in a van with your pet companion, with a dog for example.

Being in a clean van does not mean that you can forget about your hygiene. Some vans can be equipped with a bathroom, but again that means extra space and more money to spend. Using public restrooms will probably be your go-to option for your basic needs. The best place to look for a shower would probably be local recreational centers. You can also put in a workout while you are there and you will be satisfied with the cleanliness that these centers often have.

These three points that were mentioned are just the tip of the iceberg. There are many more things that lie in this kind of lifestyle. It was important to mention these basics as they are often forgotten when you fantasize about selling everything you have and starting anew. These problems do not have to be something to be feared.

The challenges in the small things you take for granted will serve as something important to keep in your mind. You will become a lot more grateful for these everyday basic needs once you start getting them the hard way. Your perspective of life will change, and that is the point with this kind of life.

And one more thing – when you are alone or far away from your home, you change your mind, your vision and design for life :), your priorities, and you can find new skills, and a new 3D model for all around you 😉

The post Living In A Van: What Is It Like? appeared first on 203Challenges.

Boarding is no longer restricted to snow. Thrill seekers can now slide down far more interesting places, such as deserts and volcanoes. Here are a few basics about these adventure activities and where you can practice them.

Volcano boarding

Volcano boarding, also known as spoon boarding or volcano surfing, is a relative newcomer among the extreme sports. It originated in Nicaragua, a country also home to the most popular destination for practicing the activity – Cerro Negro volcano, the youngest active volcano in South America, only 728 m (2388 ft) high.

Enthusiasts walk to the volcanic crater before proceeding to the interesting part – sliding down the volcanic stones and ash with a special board at a speed of up to 75 kph (46.6 mph). Remember to take the necessary equipment – a helmet, glasses and special overalls to make sure the activity is not only fun but safe as well.

Sandboarding

Sandboarding sends you to another, similarly warm place – the desert. Sandboarding is a sport where you slide down a sand dune with your feet fixed to a board. It is practiced in Peru – Arequipa and Nazca as well as down Duna Grande (two routes – one of them 700 m (2296 ft) long, the other – 1 km (3280 ft).

In Australia, try the Dunes of Lucky Bay with its trained beginners instructors.

In Chile, go to Valle de la Muerte, they also practice sandboarding in Dubai Desert and Namib Desert in Namibia. Currently in Europe there’s one place for sandboarding – Hirschau artificial sand hills in Germany.

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”We need the tonic of wildness…At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough of nature.” – Henry David Thoreau

“Let those who wish have their respectability- I wanted freedom, freedom to indulge in whatever caprice struck my fancy, freedom to search in the farthermost corners of the earth for the beautiful, the joyous, and the romantic.” – Richard Halliburton

“Life is an experiment in which you may fail or succeed. Explore more, expect least.” – Santosh Kalvar 

“A life lived every day doing only what needs to be done may seem convenient but your heart and soul don’t live for convenience they live for exploration, imagination and the pursuit of dreams. Do what must be done but also do what your heart and soul want to be done.” – Avina Celeste

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

“If we were meant to stay in one place we’d have roots instead of feet.” – Rachel Wolchin

“Life is about the gray areas. Things are seldom black and white, even when we wish they were and think they should be, and I like exploring this nuanced terrain.” – Emily Giffin

“Exploring is an innate part of being human. We’re all explorers when we’re born. Unfortunately, it seems to get drummed out of many of us as we get older, but it’s there, I think, in all of us. And for me that moment of discovery is just so thrilling, on any level, that I think anybody that’s experienced it is pretty quickly addicted to it.” – Edith Widder

“We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” – T. S. Eliot 

“Adventure is allowing the unexpected to happen to you. Exploration is experiencing what you have not experienced before. How can there be any adventure, any exploration, if you let somebody else – above all, a travel bureau – arrange everything before-hand?” – Richard Aldington

”The purpose of life is to live it, to taste it, to experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” – Eleanor Roosevelt 

“A person does not grow from the ground like a vine or a tree, one is not part of a plot of land. Mankind has legs so it can wander.” – Roman Payne

“When you give yourself to places, they give you yourself back; the more one comes to know them, the more one seeds them with the invisible crop of memories and associations that will be waiting for when you come back, while new places offer up new thoughts, new possibilities. Exploring the world is one the best ways of exploring the mind, and walking travels both terrains.” – Rebecca Solnit

“We have to establish our credentials as an explorocracy; so to survive and rule ourselves, we have to explore.” – China Mieville

“Man can learn nothing except by going from the known to the unknown.” – Claude Bernard

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There are many attractions which stay open even when it’s dark outside. There are also events specially created to make your night more interesting. It’s a different world when you trade the light of the sun for the light of the moon and the stars. Here are a few examples just to kick off. 

Late night events:

European Night of Museums – This is the night when many museums and galleries in Europe remain open until midnight and host special events. All comes with a sweet free entry. It takes place every year on the Saturday closest to 18th May – the International Day of Museums. Official website is here. 

European Literature Night – Celebrities read excerpts from European works of art. It takes place in May. Official website is here. 

European Theater Night – Theaters and opera houses open their doors for tours and special events. Plays are sold at special prices. It’s held in November. Official website is here.

European Researchers’ Night – research centers and museums open doors to show their achievements (every year in late September.

Open-air cinema – enjoy a movie under the stars at the closest cinema near you.

Attractions open during the night:

The Colosseum – Every summer from May until October the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, is open until midnight on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (reservation necessary).

The Brooklyn Museum – In New York, the Brooklyn Museum has free admission until 11 p.m. the first Saturday of each month (except September).

The Top of the Rock observation deck at Rockefeller Center offers 70th floor views of Manhattan until midnight (last elevator up is at 11 p.m.).

The Empire State Building’s observation deck is open until 2 a.m.

Night markets in Thailand – in Bangkok, Thailand, every district has its own night market where you can find all kinds of food, goods and fun activities, at the same time immersing yourself the best way possible into local life. Try the biggest market, Rot Fai, or the bohemian JJ Green Night Market.

Other night adventures:

Join a night sky watch through a telescope – find the nearest astronomical observatory and check possible dates.

Organize a night picnic with lanterns/candles/campfire.

Go far from the city lights to watch the Perseid meteor shower in mid-August.

Take a night hike through the mountains – Under the only light of the moon or a headlamp – with an experienced guide or along trails you know like the back of your hand. 

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