Instead of trying to make your life perfect, give yourself the freedom to make it an adventure, and go ever upward. – Drew Houston

Jobs fill your pockets, but adventures fill your soul. – Jaime Lyn

Don’t die without embracing the daring adventure your life was meant to be. – Steve Pavlina

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!”. – Hunter S. Thompson

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

There is much more to life than following others’ prescribed path. There is so much more to life than what you experience right now. You need to decide who you are for yourself. Become a whole being. Adventure. – Roy T. Bennett

I have found adventure in flying, in world travel, in business, and even close at hand… Adventure is a state of mind – and spirit. – Jacqueline Cochran

To venture causes anxiety, but not to venture is to lose one’s self… And to venture in the highest is precisely to be conscious of one’s self. – Soren Kierkegaard

The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun. – Jon Krakauer

Until you step into the unknown, you don’t know what you’re made of. – Roy T.Bennett

Adventure isn’t hanging on a rope off the side of a mountain. Adventure is an attitude that we must apply to the day to day obstacles in life. – John Amatt

First you jump off the cliff and build your wings on the way down. – Ray Bradbury

Don’t settle down and sit in one place. Move around, be nomadic, make each day a new horizon. You are still going to live a long time, Ron, and it would be a shame if you did not take the opportunity to revolutionize your life and move into an entirely new realm of experience. – Jon Krakauer

One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time. – Andre Gide

So get out there and hunt and fish and mess around with your friends, ramble out yonder and explore the forests, climb the mountains, bag the peaks, run the rivers, breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air, sit quietly for a while and contemplate the precious stillness, the lovely, mysterious, and awesome space. – Edward Abbey

Anytime I feel lost, I pull out a map and stare. I stare until I have reminded myself that life is a giant adventure, so much to do, to see. – Angelina Jolie

My parents taught me honesty, truth, compassion, kindness and how to care for people. Also, they encouraged me to take risks, to boldly go. They taught me that the greatest danger in life is not taking the adventure. – Brian Blessed

Life experience is what defines our character, even if it means getting your heart broken or being lied to. You know, you need the downs to appreciate the ups. Going on the adventure or taking that risk is important. – Nev Schulman

Pin it for later:

The post 18 inspiring quotes on why life is nothing but a great adventure appeared first on 203Challenges.

There’s a lot of talk about the ubiquitous comfort zone and everyone’s efforts to escape from it, as if it’s Hell on Earth. But what does it really mean, and how can you turn that vague goal into specific actions?

First of all, getting out of your comfort zone has two distinct characteristics:

1. If you don’t want to do it, it is definitely out of your comfort zone and you should do it.
2. Often, the things that get you out of your comfort zone aren’t blissful and pleasurable at all while you are doing them. Some of them really suck. When time passes and your brain ‘polishes’ the memories, some of them may start to look like adventures, while others will always remain cringe-infusing images in your mind. In both cases, you will have cool stories to tell around the fire.

So, why is it so hard to get out of your comfort zone?

Making yourself do something that you don’t want to do is always hard. But it’s not impossible. You can make it a bit easier when you remind yourself that pushing your boundaries will ultimately bring you great happiness. According to an article in Psychology Today, happiness is maximized when you confront a crisis with grace.

Additionally, studies prove that it’s easier to step beyond your normal self when you have your more adventurous friends around. Their readiness to take risks can be contagious.

5 simple ways to get out of your comfort zone while you are traveling:

1. Eat something you wouldn’t normally eat. Don’t just stick to things that look delicious; at least once per trip, you should eat something that provokes thoughts in your head like “oh my, I would never ever put this into my mouth”. You may not like it, but you should at least try it.
2. Go somewhere you wouldn’t normally go. You hate museums? Visit at least one and make a genuine effort to find something enjoyable about the experience. Galleries? Make them interesting by getting this free app, which will tell you the story of every painting and naked ancient Greek sculpture. Don’t like baking on the beach? Go with a friend and ask them to help you make it fun (by trying water sports, boating, SUP…).
3. Haggle. Haggling at exotic markets can always go in a totally unexpected direction. No matter what happens, the experience will keep you alert and thinking of ways to win the battle of wills.
4. Swap your playlist for local music. You can listen to the latest Taylor Swift hit whenever you wish, but when you are abroad, mute Look what you made me do and try a local radio station to get a sense of what people listen to where you are. Ask around to find a local band/artist to add to your favorites. If you start every day of your trip with the same song, you will actually create longer-lasting memories.
5. Meet locals. If you are not particularly sociable, try to talk more with the receptionist at your hotel or ask a few personal questions to your tourist guide (like do they have a family? In what part of the city do they live? Is it a considered a good or a bad area? What do they do in their free time?). The deeper you delve into the lives of others, the greater the possibility that you’ll receive an unexpected offer that will take you somewhere unknown – and that’s an adventure in itself!

Pin it or save it for later, because you never know when you will want to break out of your comfort zone:

The post How to travel out of your comfort zone (and what it really means) appeared first on 203Challenges.

We’ve selected 8 creative and inspiring travel challenges that will turn your trips into personal adventures. Our source of inspiration is a book – “203 Travel Challenges. Travel the world. Explore Your Inner Self”.

Traveling is something personal, so take the ingredients of the following challenges, stir them, move them and change them to create your own challenges to spice up your trips.

1. Jump into a warm, open-air mineral pool while it’s snowing

There are plenty of warm, mineral pools in the open air around the world. However pleasant they may be in the summer, there is nothing like getting into one in the winter, when snowflakes are falling from the sky and you are soaking in warm, mineral water, not caring about tiny details like weather forecasts or an air temperature more suited to polar bears…

How to do it: Don’t forget to take a towel to dry yourself off as quickly as possible as you climb out of the pool. Also take your favorite warm drink in a thermos for pure bliss (coffee, cappuccino, tea and rum, etc.).

2. Night Challenge

There are many attractions which stay open even when it’s dark outside. There are also events 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.

A couple of ideas for night events: European Night of Museums (every year on a Saturday, around 18th May – the International Day of Museums), European Literature Night (in May – celebrities read excerpts from European works of art), European Theatre Night (in November). European Researchers’ Night – research centers and museums open doors to show their achievements (every year in late September). Open-air cinema to enjoy a movie under the stars.

A couple of ideas for attractions open during the night: Every summer from May until October the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, is open until midnight on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (reservation necessary). 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.), and the Empire State Building’s observation deck is open until 2 a.m. 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.

For seasoned travelers: Take a night walk 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. Night walks are an experience that is hard to forget.

3. Go out of range for 24 hours

Go out of range, see the sunrise, read a book, talk to people. 

You are constantly online. You follow the events on the social networks and sometimes it’s as if the real world has disappeared. We challenge you to go for at least 24 hours to a place where electronic devices are out of range. We challenge you to feel that you are here and you are here now, instead of drifting through virtual space.

For seasoned travelers: Deliberately turn off all your devices for a day. Get out of range for a week.

4. See a shooting star and make a wish come true

Seeing a shooting star to make a wish may seem to you like pure chance. The truth is, you can help chance come your way by being in the right place at the right time. Every year, around 12 August, the sky night fills with hundreds of shooting stars (or meteorites to be exact). The reason is the annual meteor stream called Perseids.

Fun fact… The meteors are called Perseids because when we look at the sky it seems like they come from the constellation Perseus. In fact, the shooting stars we see in the sky are part of the comet Swift-Tuttle.

How to do it: The Perseids peak around 12 August (look up the date for the year) when hundreds of meteorites can be seen every hour.

A couple more ideas: There are other meteor streams throughout the year (Geminids in mid-December, Lyrids in mid-April, Quadrantids in late December – early January) when you can see a shooting star.

5. Bathe in a waterfall

Enjoy a free shower from nature. If you try to find pictures of the waterfalls listed below, without a shadow of a doubt you will want to shower there next time.

A couple of ideas:

Skogafoss (Iceland), Havasu (Grand Canyon, USA + more ideas for waterfalls you can bathe in the USA), Ouzoud (Morocco), Skradinski buk (Croatia), Kempty (India). Or just visit the nearest waterfall to you.

6. Celebrate the International Picnic Day

On International Picnic Day (every year on 18 June), enjoy one of the best ways to be close to nature. The importance of picnics dates back to the Victorian Age when young men and women could spend time together in the open. Back in the day, they would bring fancy meals, sandwiches, sweets and crackers. Nowadays picnics require far less effort, but they can be a good reason finally to go somewhere you’ve been meaning to, but haven’t had the chance.

How to make it more interesting: You can give the picnic a theme – everyone to wear red, to bring only Italian cuisine, tea and board games, a candlelit picnic, etc. To make it more fun, you can throw in a kite, slackline, hacky sack, badminton or a frisbee.

Fun fact… According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the biggest picnic in the world was organized in Lisbon, Portugal, on 20 June 2009 with more than 20 000 participants.

7. See a shipwreck – without going underwater

It’s human nature – we are drawn to tragedy and decay. We roam around abandoned villages, enter buildings carrying legends of ghosts and dive to reach sunken ships. If diving is not your passion, we challenge you to visit one of the most famous shipwrecks in the world… without having to dive.

A couple of ideas:

Zakynthos, Greece – At Navagio Beach, you will see the remains of a vessel washed ashore. You can take a peek from the high rocks or reach it by boat.

Muynak, Uzbekistan – Outside the town of Muynak (or Moynaq) in Uzbekistan, in the direction of the Aral Sea, you will witness a sinister view along the road – the skeletons of ships and fishing boats abandoned long ago in the desert. Up until about 30 years ago Muynak was a sea harbor, but today it is in the middle of the desert, 50 km (30 miles) from the coast, after the rivers were diverted for irrigation purposes, and so the road leading to the Aral Sea turned into a ship graveyard.

Sydney, Australia – Homebush Bay in Sydney has become the final resting place of no longer operating ships. Some of them were swallowed by mangroves, growing over the rusty decks.

8. You want a raise? Take a holiday!

It is a proven fact that employees who use more of their vacation days achieve better results at work and have a higher chance of being promoted. Many people don’t use all of their vacation days as they fear that their long absence might show their bosses that the work can be managed without them. A study, however, shows that employees, who take all of their vacation days, show better results at work. Statistics in the USA and Canada reveal that for every 10 days off from work, the employee’s results improve by an average of 8%.

*

If you have used boat that you want to sell, you can use platforms like Grays.

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I am passionate about traveling and backpacking. My usual itinerary is as eventful as possible. As an avid traveller, when it comes to accommodation, hostels are my first option.

What do I look for in a hostel?

In general, I look for a good location, relatively good reviews and a variety of services that the hostel offers free of charge or in exchange for a small fee. After all, you’ve got to make your money count, especially when traveling on a tight budget.

During my recent trip to Colombia, the hostel that combined all three in the best possible way was:

Hostel Masaya in Santa Marta

©Masaya Hostels

Located in the heart of Santa Marta, the second oldest city on the Caribbean coast, Hostel Masaya offers the most perfect hostel experience you could ask for!

The hostel is situated in a National Heritage listed Colonial house with a spacious inside patio, three floors, and wooden staircases. The atmosphere takes you back in time. That’s not all – you can enjoy the two pools, a rooftop that has one of the best views of the Cathedral, relax-zones, hammocks, deckchairs, and a cozy bar where you can sip on late night drinks or have breakfast in the morning.

A place to gather and to share

© Masaya Hostels

Masaya aims at being not only a comfortable hostel, but a social place. The hostel offers a different 100% Colombian cultural activity every day. There are salsa lessons, cooking classes, live music and Spanish parties!

The first time I walked in Hostel Masaya I truly thought it was the hostel with the most unique atmosphere I have ever been to. I ended up staying there twice during my trip – once in a dorm, once in a private room. Both are comfortable, spacious, with nearly 5-meter tall ceilings. The private rooms are named after famous Colombians such as Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Shakira, Carlos Vives, Juan Valdez and more, and there is a catchy colorful theme going on in each one of them.

© Masaya Hostels

© Masaya Hostels

My stay at Masaya made me reconsider the way I travel. I decided that from now on I will put aside more time to dive in the local atmosphere and just to relax. Even for as little as two days, I enjoyed every minute of my Masaya experience drinking mojitos at the rooftop and swinging in the hammocks. The staff was friendly and helpful.

No breakfast is usually a deal breaker for me

I would definitely cross off my list a hostel that does not offer free breakfast (Cheap deals are acceptable). No wi-fi would also be an issue. It is the 21^st century, right? However, one of the best hostels we stayed in Colombia was a wi-fi free zone and it was just great. If you would like to tune off and relax, I highly recommend:

Casa Loma in Minca

No Wi-Fi, no problems | © Lina Kirilova

Casa Loma is the place to chill, relax, detox and go offline! It is an alternative hostel with open-air dorms and hammocks situated on a hill overlooking Santa Marta and the Sierra Nevada National Park. In order to reach the hostel, you first have to hike about 10 minutes up cobblestone stairs.

The view at the top is totally worth it, particularly at sunset!

The view from the top | © Lina Kirilova

The hilltop wooden house is the main building of the house. You will find the kitchen (maybe with quality kitchen counter or other stones for kitchen) and common area there, as well as a couple of terraces and a few hammocks to enjoy the view. Casa Loma is surrounded by tropical forest and you can hear birds singing everywhere! With no roads, cars, shops or noisy neighbors you will be able to fully enjoy the peace and quiet, reconnect with your inner self, just lie in a hammock, drink a beer or take a nap.

The hostel serves only vegetarian food and it offers a delicious set breakfast menu and a daily lunch and dinner menu. They are famous for their curry and Mexican nights.

Breakfast | ©Lina Kirilova

I was happy to arrive in time for sunset (I had a time for yoga retreat), so I could join the dozen lucky people on the terrace for happy-hour cocktails with an amazing view.  A couple of passion fruit Mojitos later we all watched in awe as the sun set behind the mountains.

Sunset vibes | © Lina Kirilova

The third place I would like to mention here is:

Casa del Ritmo in Santa Marta

© Casa del Ritmo

Casa del Ritmo is a typical colorful house located near El Rotadero – one of the famous beaches on the Caribbean coast. I spent only one night there on my way back from Minca. It was towards the end of my Colombia trip but the setting and atmosphere, and especially the friendly service made me feel at home.

The hostel was not busy at the time, so I was pampered by the staff’s full attention and hospitality. Sandra showed me around and recommended dinner and drink options. She is funny and just great! Every room is named after a different music genre – Pop, Jazz, Bossa Nova, Tango, Salsa and so on. I got Salsa!

© Casa del Ritmo

Talking about food, this is another veggie hostel that offers fresh local food. Don’t miss the happy hour of the Art bar! They use real fruit for their Mojitos, Margaritas and Caipirinhas. Casa del Ritmo is also one of the few places where I was able to find the limited addition coca-infused beer Happy Coca from the Nevada brewery.

© Casa del Ritmo

© Casa del Ritmo

If you have an extra day or two, consider joining some of the different activities the hostel organizes. They include sunset yoga for women on the beach, zumba classes, live music and open mic jam sessions, movie and popcorn, poker nights, salsa parties and many more.

© Casa del Ritmo

© Casa del Ritmo

“Life is not what one lived, but what one remembers and how one remembers it in order to recount it.” Gabriel García Márquez

Note: I was not paid to write this review and I did not receive a free stay in exchange. I paid for my room just like you… but I loved it so much that I felt it deserved this write-up!

The post 3 unique hostels in Colombia to kick back and relax appeared first on 203Challenges.

Who is Meg and what does she dream of? I am a 29-year-old travel addict, an outdoor adventure enthusiast and adrenaline junkie with an incurable disease called “the travel bug”. I am from Australia and have a degree in both journalism and law. My passion for traveling and writing overtook my desire to sit in a corner office, and instead, I am now a professional travel blogger, my office ranging from villas in the Galapagos Islands, to beaches on the Great Barrier Reef, bungalows overlooking volcanoes in Costa Rica, and everywhere in between!

Pros and cons of solo travelling are… A definite pro of solo travel is the freedom – you can make your own decisions, travel to your own timetable and schedule, and don’t have to compromise or follow anyone else’s rules. It also opens the door to making new friends, as when you’re traveling alone you’re forced to put yourself out there, while having a travel companion may mean there’s no incentive to meet new people along the road. Cons might include not having someone special to share incredible moments with, that it can be scary and intimidating heading out on your own, and you might not be pushed to do things which are outside your comfort zone.

Pros and cons of travelling with my spouse are… The pros and cons of traveling with my spouse are essentially the opposite of the pros and cons of traveling alone! Pros include having that special person to share moments with, it’s often cheaper sharing the costs between two people, as with sharing the planning, and you’re often able to see things from a fresh perspective having a second pair of eyes. On the flip side, you do have to compromise as it’s unlikely you’ll both love everything the other does, and traveling with a partner may mean you don’t feel the need to meet new people and make new friends.

Volunteering abroad taught me… I’ve long since been an advocate that volunteering abroad is one of the best ways to travel – not only are there a large number of placement opportunities which enable volunteers to travel and live overseas for free, but it genuinely does shape you as a person. And it’s not a cliché to say so. It broadens your worldview, it humbles you, and it forces you to put the needs of others before your own.

The one thing travelling and law have in common is… They both facilitate intellectual stimulation. I found that a career in law is one of the most mentally challenging and rewarding pursuits available. But then I found that travel was the same. Thrust into entirely new environments, immersed in entirely new cultures, translating new languages; I found that travel was just as much of an intellectual challenge as law, if not more so.

I never travel without… а spare change of clothes in my carry on – my father is a frequent flier, and taught me this hack on my very first trip in 2003. For 14 years I did this without fail, and the one time I opted to save the space, the airline lost my bag! Not cool wearing your husband’s clothes for 48 hours until they relocate it!

Before setting off I always… change my voicemail to let people know I’m away – I always switch off roaming when I’m overseas so I don’t rack up a crazy phone bill, so if you’re trying to reach me while I’m away, best not try the mobile phone!

The first thing I do when I arrive at a new destination is… hit up the local grocery store – we always book accommodation with kitchen facilities so we can self cater. It saves an incredible chunk of money if you can cook vs eating out for every meal, and is always a fun adventure trying to read food labels in Icelandic!

The strangest thing that ever happened to me on the road was… kissing a Giraffe while in Africa… well, actually she kissed me! We visited the Giraffe Sanctuary while in Kenya, and part of the experience was being able to feed the Giraffes. Pellets were provided and the normal way to go about feeding them was to let them eat from your hand. I, on the other hand, thought it would be fantastically funny to place a pellet in-between my teeth, not realizing that a Giraffe’s tongue is about as big as my face itself! (Slight exaggeration but that’s what it felt like!) I was wiping saliva off my face for what felt like a week!

The trip that changed me… I don’t think I can pinpoint one specific trip which had a transformative effect. I think I have changed as a person from my travel experience overall. Because of traveling I like to think I am a very grounded, well-rounded person, able to accept and listen to all points of view, appreciative of all world cultures. Travel taught me how to survive by myself – taught me to become street smart. It taught me that kindness exists in the world, and that strange cultures should be explored and not judged. It continually teaches me new skills, and has opened my mind to new perspectives on history and politics. Because of travel, I will forever be curious, and forever be intrigued by different cultural norms, and forever have a thirst for world knowledge and new experiences.

The most helpful thing I’ve learned on the road that could be used in everyday life… to be thankful. Thankful for having never gone hungry. Thankful for the comforts of the Western World we generally take for granted. The amazing opportunity to travel through poverty-stricken lands really gives you perspective as to what is truly important in life, and reminds you to be thankful every day for the life you were given.

The place that surprised me the most… Bolivia. It is like no other place on the planet. There are the breathtaking Andes, the daunting altitude, the lush rainforest, the too-small bowler hats worn by the indigenous women, the vast salt flat, the decorated llamas, the pink flamingos, and that famous harrowing mountain bike ride. Bolivia wasn’t even on my radar, though we decided to visit the Amazon here instead of Peru as it was more authentic and cheaper. We spend 2 weeks in the country outside of the Amazon and our hearts were captured by the diverse and perplexing nation.

The place I would come back again and again is… Italy. Because between the culture, the history, the stunning countryside, and the friendly, hospitable nature of the Italian people, who doesn’t love an excuse to eat pizza and gelato every day of the week?

The most friendly people are in… One thing travel will teach you is that friendly people exist all over the world. In every country and culture I have visited, the local people have always been warm and friendly to foreigners.

The most challenging trip I’ve been to… climbing to the top of Mt Kilimanjaro. I’m so proud that I managed to make it to the top and prove everyone wrong, as there were a large number of people who told me I wouldn’t make it. It was one of the most challenging experiences I have faced in my life – the first 6 days of the climb were difficult, but relatively easy in that it was straight walking with a little bit of dangerous rock climbing thrown in there. The final day, the summit climb, was what it came down to for me. We rose at midnight for 6 hours of straight uphill climbing, and when I say uphill I mean at very close to a 90-degree angle kind of uphill. It very was physically draining, and we were suffering from the altitude (19,000 ft above sea level will do that to you!), however, it was more draining mentally. You truly have to push yourself and stay focused and determined to get to the top. You have to keep putting one foot in front of the other when your body is screaming for you to stop. I cried when I finally made it to the top. Collapsed in a heap and couldn’t stop bawling, because it was truly one of the hardest things I’ve worked for in my life, and that overwhelming sense of incredible achievement is something I’ll never forget.

If I have to share something inspiring with you, it would be… It is possible. I started my travel blog with the intention of inspiring others to embark on their own adventure. Everyone has what it takes to travel – you just need to act on it, and you need to truly want to do it.  There’s no point in waiting for an opportunity to arise… MAKE one arise! Otherwise one day you will wake up and there won’ be enough time to do the things you’ve always wanted. So do it now. You would be surprised at how easy it is once you decide to let yourself do it. I think fear is what prevents a lot of people traveling, but once you push past that fear you realize that the possibilities are endless – and to hell with anyone who tells you you can’t achieve something or live your dream!!

One travel challenge for everyone reading this… Do something today that will make tomorrow jealous!

The post Inspiring travel bloggers: Megan Jerrard from Mapping Megan appeared first on 203Challenges.

Planning can take over all aspects of our lives.

Family. Social life. Friends. Relationships. Marriage. Children. In this day and age, it’s so easy to get carried away and let our anxiety for the future control our life, forcing us to over-plan. How often do you stress about a plan B or a worst-case scenario instead of just going with the flow?

As John Lennon once said:

“Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans.”

Traveling is one activity that can require meticulous planning, with flights, hotel reservations and itineraries all begging to be organized in advance. But if you get too caught up in planning, your relaxing holiday could turn into a stressful, inflexible experience. This begs the question: how do we keep travel fun, challenging and spontaneous?

Here are a few tips for enjoying an unplanned trip:

1. Be spontaneous! Follow an interesting sign and change your plan

We think the ability to abandon your plans and venture into the unknown is directly proportional to your enjoyment of traveling (and life) in general. So, even if you have a plan, the next time an unexpected sign or an intriguing place name piques your interest, follow your intuition!

2. Thinking of turning something down? Say yes at the last minute!

We challenge you to accept the next travel suggestion that you would normally say no to. Spontaneity goes hand-in-hand with an open mind!

3. Take the random stop challenge

Forget the destination – we challenge you to set out on a journey with nothing more than your starting point planned. This is your chance to be spontaneous and leave the rest to fate. We promise it will be a trip to remember!

How to do it:

By train – Go to the station and catch the next train. Get off at the third (or fourth, or tenth…) stop and explore.

By car – Take a friend, then once you hit the highway ask them to close their eyes and give you random directions, such as “take the third exit, then turn right after four streets”. Who knows where you’ll end up?

By plane – This option is for advanced travelers only! Go to the airport and get on the next available flight to anywhere. Have your luggage packed. You can go alone or with friends (if they’re brave enough to accept the challenge). The destination is not important, so you can aim for the cheapest or the most exotic – whatever tickles your fancy. Spend the weekend there and see what fate has to offer!

4. Embrace the slow return challenge

This challenge is all about taking the easy way there and the scenic route home. That could mean taking a flight to your destination then meandering back over several days by bus, train, or even sticking your thumb out on the side of the road. If you’re driving, take the highway there and the back roads on your return, stopping at every town or landmark on the way to really get a feel for the area. We’re sure you’ll enjoy every place, every encounter and every moment on the road!

5. Spend a weekend in the wilderness without bringing food or a tent

Mountain tourism is incredibly popular these days, partly because even the most casual mountaineer can find good equipment, tents and waterproof clothes. If you’re really in adventure mode, however, you might challenge yourself to spend two days close to nature without all of the creature comforts. Search for food and water, hunt, build a shelter, and start a fire the old-fashioned way without matches or a lighter.

6. Get lost on purpose

Getting lost in an unknown city is the best way to be spontaneous, to find exciting things and to meet interesting people (away from the crowds of tourists). You’ll be amazed how quickly you stumble upon unexpected treasures and off-the-beaten-track experiences.

7. Trust a friend to organize your trip

Set a budget and leave the organization to a close friend. Before you leave, you’ll simply receive an envelope with reservations, GPS coordinates and a list of necessary things to pack. Sounds quite spontaneous, doesn’t it?

8. Close your eyes and spin!

Still haven’t got plans for the weekend? You don’t need any. Just spread out a map of the country/continent in front of you, or, if you’re feeling particularly brave, grab a globe and give it a spin. Close your eyes and let your finger be the travel agent – wherever it lands is your next destination! We should point out that if your finger lands in the middle of the ocean, you might want to take a second stab at it…

9. Cure your boredom with an adventurous challenge

Stop. Take a deep breath. Grab “203 Travel Challenges” (it was designed as a travel book but it also acts as a random challenge-generator). Open the book to a random page and complete the challenge waiting for you there. Prepare to get out of your comfort zone and leave the rest to serendipity!

How many of these challenges have you done? Share your experience and become an inspiration to others. Send a story and a couple of photos to office@203challenges.com.

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If you don’t have the time, money, or guts for great adventures to unknown worlds, we challenge you to start off with something small. Go out of your comfort zone with one of the mini-adventures in the list below. And don’t forget that as you are walking out of your comfort zone, you are also expanding it.

1. Go out with someone new. It doesn’t matter if it’s a romantic date or just a new friend, it will put your ego in line. This experience can be as exciting as bungee jumping. You have nobody to travel with this weekend? Place a public ad on social media – you might receive some surprising replies (personally tested!).

2. Pitch a tent in your backyard. In some parts of the world, there is an entire modern movement called gamping (garden + camping). The idea is that people who cannot go camping in the wilderness, for whatever reason, could pitch a tent in their own backyard. Changing up your surroundings, your bed, where you wake up, can inject an unexpected amount of inspiration into your everyday life.

3. Dine alone, in a new place. Find an interesting eatery and enjoy a slow meal with a good dessert. You get some bonus points for sampling a new type of cuisine.

4. Discover new places in your neighborhood. Put on a pair of comfortable shoes and set off in a direction you’ve never been before. Just walk around, without a plan, and see what happens. Take your camera and shoot a set of photos of the most unexpected findings. The last time I did it, I came across a house with a gallery-like yard full of weird statues, just two blocks away from my own home.

5. Get dirty. Find your favorite way of getting dirty, muddy, and dusty. Sign up for mud running challenge, make a mud cake, or plant new flowers in your garden. You don’t have a garden? Do it in a friend’s garden.

6. Visit a local landmark. It is easy to underestimate the museums in your own town, as well as the parks and the other ‘tourist’ attractions, because you know that you can always go there. Swap ‘always’ with ‘right now’ and choose a local landmark to visit this weekend.

7. Get wet. Don’t run inside as soon as it starts to rain. Enjoy every drop of water, as you did when you were a child. Jump with both feet into a puddle.

8. Pretend to be a photographer. Get your camera or phone and go to a favorite place with an idea in mind – flowers, architecture, interesting details, food, older people, dogs… Take as many photos as you want.

Pin it to your travel board:

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If you have already read Alastair Humphrey’s previous book “Microadventures”, now it’s time to grow and plan your first grand adventure. Alastairs’s new book “Grand Adventures” will guide you through the process step by step.

15 years of adventure experience are more than enough to listen carefully to what Alastair says (trip around the world by bike, rowing across the Atlantic Ocean, Iceland adventure – glacier crossing and packrafting with 40 kg packs only, just to mention a few). The book also contains interviews with 100+ great world adventurers who will provide a gentle kick up your backside and show you that anything is possible once you have decided what you want.

Here’s Alastair:

“Consider this: if you saved up £20 a week for a year, you’d have £1000 which is more than enough money to cycle all the way to Japan… Dream Big, Plan Quick, Go Explore.”

This is just an example to show you how easy it could be if you just stop thinking “I don’t have enough money”. It s the same for “I don’t have enough time”, “I don’t want to go alone”…

If this is not enough, here’s what Alastair told us on how to overcome inertia and head for your first grand adventure:

– How would you describe your adventure self in three sentences?

– My adventure self is very different to my real self! My adventure self is curious, bold, willing to dice with failure. It also constantly battles against my lazy, wimpish side that wants to give up, go home, and watch football.

– How does adventure change you?

– It doesn’t change you so much as make you realise who you really are. Your strengths and weaknesses become brutally clear out in the wild when times are tough. And adventures make you realise that you are capable of more than you realise.

– Why is it so easy to dream about adventures and so hard to actually go for them?

– Because the reality is often hard work, repetitive, tedious, uncomfortable, expensive, painful and frightening! Of course, all these things are what makes it worthwhile and sweet in hindsight…

– What is the first step to overvcome inertia in life?

– To acknowledge it. Then to do something about it. That sounds obvious, but it’s actually hard yet crucial. Take the first tiny little step necessary to get yourself in motion. Then tomorrow do the next tiny little thing.

– Is it necessary to be an extraordinary person to complete an adventure?

– No! Very few adventurers I know are extraordiary people! The only thing that separates the adventurers from the dreamers are the steps in the answer above…

– You have included inspiring stories of adventurers of all kinds. Is there a common thing among them?

– See above! I mean it. Beginning. Acknowdleging you are scared, lazy, poor, inexperienced etc., etc., but then getting on and beginning anyway.

– What is the one thing that you never travel without?

– A camera.

– Where is the bench with the best view in the world according to you?

– The back of the Kop at Elland Road…

***

5 things we liked about “Grand Adventures” by Alastair Humpreys

> The definition of Grand Adventure – it is the most life-changing, career-enhancing, personality-forging, fun adventure of your life. Have you recognized yourself in these words?

> The easy to follow step by step guide

> Plenty of ideas for adventures of all kinds (bikes, on foot, rowing, motor, water, climbing…)

> Wise words on adventures by travelers

> Enough inspiration to make you stop and acknowledge you need a change.

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Where Dreams Meet Reality:

Imagine waking up to the sound of gentle waves, feeling the golden sun warming your skin, and embarking on a day filled with unforgettable experiences. Rise Up Surf Retreats materializes these dreams, presenting a week-long all-inclusive escape that’s so much more than your average surf holiday.

A Symphony of Surfing and Wellness:

Rise Up Surf Retreats crafts an exquisite blend of adventure and relaxation, catering to all levels of experience, ages, genders, cultures, and religions. Their hallmark all-inclusive week-long stays beckon at four stunning oceanfront locations across Central America. Whether you’re a beginner seeking new horizons or an experienced surfer seeking a revitalizing escape, Rise Up welcomes you into its fold.

Beyond the Waves: Rise Up Kids:

But here’s where Rise Up’s beauty truly shines—its commitment to creating positive ripples in local communities. Meet Rise Up Kids, the NGO born from the hearts of founders Phil Southan and Corina Weibel. Rooted in gratitude for Nicaragua—the land they’ve called home for over fifteen years—Rise Up Kids empowers local Nicaraguan children through various programs. From surf and English clubs to supporting school infrastructure, food aid, and community initiatives, Rise Up Kids extends rays of hope to the next generation.

Nicaragua: A Canvas of Authenticity:

Nicaragua is more than just a destination; it’s the vibrant canvas where Rise Up’s journey began. This enchanting land, marked by untouched beaches, swaying palm trees, and distant volcanoes, has shaped Rise Up’s authenticity. Drawing from local knowledge and community connections, Rise Up creates a genuine surf retreat experience—one that’s deeply ingrained in Nicaraguan life, culture, and camaraderie.

A Wellness Tapestry: Nourishing the Mind, Body, and Soul:

Wellness takes center stage at Rise Up. It’s not just about catching waves; it’s about cultivating an enriched lifestyle. Rise Up beckons with wholesome, locally sourced meals that tantalize taste buds and fuel your adventures. Guided hikes and community activities knit bonds and create memories that transcend the retreat itself. Yoga classes, set against panoramic landscapes, offer a serene complement to surfing, allowing your body and mind to rejuvenate.

Surf’s Up, Mindfulness In:

Rise Up beckons novices and pros alike to embrace the waves. From beginner-friendly breaks to expert-level challenges, Central America’s coastlines offer an array of options. Rise Up fosters a spirit of inclusivity, celebrating the joy of surfing with all who dare to explore. And alongside the roar of the ocean, find tranquility in Rise Up’s yoga sessions, where green jungles meet the endless blue sea—a harmonious dance that resonates within.

Where Beauty and Benevolence Converge:

The sheer beauty of Nicaragua’s landscapes is a sight to behold. Gaze at untouched shores, azure skies, verdant palm trees, and majestic volcanoes. Sunrise and sunset create a dazzling kaleidoscope of colors, painting the sky in hues that even dreams can’t conjure. Nicaragua’s wild allure is an everlasting impression—a testimony to the beauty that exists beyond imagination.

A Surf of Change: Embrace the Good:

Each wave you ride with Rise Up echoes far beyond the shoreline. By joining their retreats, you’re contributing to Rise Up Kids’ transformative work. The NGO crafts projects that revolve around education, conservation, and community empowerment, channeling hope into tangible change. Your surf vacation takes on a profound purpose, leaving a positive impact that extends to local lives and the generations to come.

Embark on a Central American Surf Odyssey:

Rise Up’s influence spans across Central America, encompassing:

• Costa Rica: Nestled amidst virgin rainforests and perfect waves, it’s a rendezvous with abundant wildlife.
• Guatemala: Immerse yourself in a coastal village, where black sand beaches and unexplored surf spots beckon.
• Barbados: Discover founder Phil Southan’s birthplace—a journey of local insights, off-the-grid surf, and hidden gems.

Embrace the Waves of Transformation:

Rise Up Surf Retreats isn’t just a surf holiday; it’s an odyssey of self-discovery, wellness, and community impact. The waves you ride will forever be intertwined with the lives you touch. A week with Rise Up isn’t merely an escape; it’s an invitation to awaken your soul, ride the waves of change, and leave an indelible mark of positivity on the world.

Ready to ride the waves of transformation?

By Erin Carey

The post <strong>Rise Up Surf Retreats: Unveiling the Soul of Surfing, Wellness, and Community Connection</strong> appeared first on 203Challenges.

Talking about “traveling”, for some people a “vacation” means lying on a tropical beach or staying in an expensive hotel and there is nothing wrong with that.  As the saying goes:

“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us”.

But now, we challenge you to think outside the box and look closely into these trip ideas. They will help you relax and grow as a person at the same time.

1. Travel back to your roots

You are always looking forward to the next trip in your calendar. What if you look back in time for once? Do you know what part of the world your ancestors come from? In order to move on with your life, you should find out where you started from. What’s more, you never know what secrets you will discover. You might be the heir of a royal family or an ancient kin! Take your parents or grandparents along. Traveling through places where they grew up may prove to be an emotional experience.

2. A long-distance trek

You love the outdoors and staying active or you would like to complete a pilgrim trek because of religion. Whatever the reasons, to conquer hundreds of miles on foot or by horse is an impressive accomplishment!

A long-distance trek offers you the chance to tune off, detach and clear your head. Surrounded by nature, you will be rewarded with plenty of time alone to figure out where you’re at in your life. An open mind and a backpack is all you need to start.

Here are some worldwide trek ideas:

Camino de Santiago or just El Camino  for short is a pilgrimage that begins in France and ends in front of the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, Northern Spain. For many years now, pilgrims from around the world take part in the 500-mile/800-km picturesque trek.

When in the United States, you might get inspired by the story of Cheryl Strayed, (author of Wild). She took on a 1000-mile self-discovery hike following the Pacific Crest Trail all the way from Mexico to Canada. Cheryl set out on her journey all alone with barely any hiking experience, but we recommend you gear up well and fully prepare before you go.

Following the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru is on top of my bucket list. Even though this site has become Peru’s most popular attraction and one of the most visited in the world, I still believe it is worth it to see the 15th-century archaeological ruins. There are a few options for hiking to Machu Picchu. Just bear in mind there is a 200-people daily limit on the trail for conservation reasons. Find out more here.

>>> Read more: 8 Unique Things to Do in Peru for First-Time Visitors

3. Live with locals

You might have planned the perfect trip abroad – to use a map, wander around the streets, get lost, and eat a local dish. Yet there is something missing. What you really need is a local who will spend some time with you. A local who will tell you about history, show you all the off the beaten track spots or just have an interesting conversation with you over coffee or beer. You can meet up with locals through emerging social platforms like Courchsurfing and GlobalGreeters or you could simply join a free tour.

>>> Read more: 7 Free Travel Tools You May Not Be Using (Other Than Couchsurfing)

I have lots of experience with locals. My favorite one so far was during an university exchange program in Portugal. I shared an apartment with 3 Portuguese girls for 6 months and had the best time of my life!

4. Become a volunteer

You want to do something valuable with your time? Become a volunteer! You just need a cause that suits you. Volunteering as a way of travel allows you to spend from a few weeks up to a couple of months in a foreign country. You will have the chance to improve small communities, interact with locals, gain priceless experience and make new friends at the same time. You can even become a volunteer in your hometown – plant trees, clean up parks or organize music festivals. Whatever you choose, remember that an act of kindness made for someone else will immediately boost your happiness.

You will find good volunteer trip ideas almost anywhere in the world. Building houses in Costa Rica, teaching English in Nepal or caring for abused elephants in an Elephant Nature Park in Thailand. There are endless possibilities. I personally have the latter on my bucket list. If you’re also against riding elephants as a tourist attraction, visit the Park’s website and learn more here.

5. Go on a big road trip

One of the most beautiful and picturesque roads in the world are also the curviest ones. But they are totally worth it! Going on a big road trip without a specific travel plan is somewhat liberating and challenging even for experienced travelers. To have an authentic experience, you could eat in diners and sleep in motels along the way!

A few road trip ideas:

US Route 66 is probably the most famous road you can take. Established in the early 20th century, it originally ran from Chicago all the way to Santa Monica, California, covering a little less than 4000 km (2500 miles).

Another scenic road in the USA is the Pacific Coast Highway also known as Highway 1. It runs for 1000 km along the Californian coast passing attractions such as Santa Barbara, Big Sur, Monterey, San Francisco Bay Area. What’s more, Highway 1 connects two of the largest cities in the state – Los Angeles and San Francisco. Get ready for rocky cliffs, wild nature and stunning views.

You can find similar scenery of the ocean, clear blue skies and green fields on the Southern coast of Australia where the Great Ocean Road stretches for as long as 243 km (151 miles).

>>> Read more: 13 Useful Tips Before You Head on a Road Trip in Australia

6. Overcome your fears

Do something that scares you! Skydive, bungee jump, scuba dive, rock climb, talk to foreigners or ride a bicycle. Whatever gives you the creeps, face it! The first and most important step is to give it a try.

When it comes to traveling, adventures and extreme sports, people have this common “What if something happens…” fear. What if, what if… but what if nothing happens? It’s natural to be afraid of something you have never done before. You are afraid not because it is scary, but because you have no idea what to expect. If that is the case, just remind yourself there are thousands of people around the world who have done it before you. And they are normal people, just like you!

Fear means you are about to do something mind-blowing! After you do it and the adrenaline rush kicks in, you will feel silly for previously being afraid.

7. Find out where your food comes from

In the time of GMOs, altered foods and artificial products, we challenge you to find local venues where you can see for yourself where our food comes from. It could be a winery or a brewery where you could get acquainted with the production process – from picking up grapes through fermentation to bottling. When in South America, be sure to visit a coffee plantation and do a coffee tour. Pick up, dry, roast and grind coffee beans for your own cup of coffee.

A challenge for advanced travelers would be to visit a farm or a ranch and do some volunteer work. Once you learn what it takes to make cheese and butter out of milk, you will definitely appreciate food more. Wherever you travel, do as the locals do – drink wine in Tuscany or Provence, whiskey in Ireland, espresso in Italy. And simply enjoy every bite!

8. Travel solo

Travel solo at least once per year

At least once a year set out on a trip planned especially to fulfill you and you only. Solo travel enriches you in a way companion travel cannot. Make sure you choose an activity or a destination where you feel safe enough, but still outside your comfort zone. It could be a week in a foreign city abroad, a digital detox or a camping weekend. Be ready to feel the self-confidence, creativity and clear mind that will come along.

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