#1 Bathe in a waterfall

Enjoy a free shower from Mother Nature while exploring unforgettable natural attractions.

Where: Havasu and Mooney Falls (Grand Canyon, USA). Twin Falls and The Seven Sacred Pools (Mawi, Hawaii). McWay Falls (Big Sur, California). Or just visit the nearest waterfall to you.

McWay Falls, California

>>> Read: 5 American waterfalls to bathe in this summer.

#2 Go white water rafting

Let the rapids boost your adrenaline as your inflatable boat bounces up and down along the river. Swimming is not a necessary skill – as long as you’re not afraid of water. 

Where: Along the Colorado River.

#3 Cross ‘via ferrata’

In Italian ‘via ferrata’ means “iron road”. If you are afraid of heights, you will need nerves of iron (pun intended) to cross this rocky route, although it’s completely safe and you will be secured the whole time. The system of ladders, metal ropes, suspension bridges and railings make the rock formation accessible to everyone, not just professional climbers. After this ‘appetizer’, you may want to try out actual rock climbing.

Where: Telluride (in San Juan Mountains, Colorado).

#4 Hug a very special tree

…and get fresh energy from nature.

Where: It won’t be so easy to hug the largest living tree on the planet – the giant sequoia General Sherman (which soars to 275 ft [84 m]) – because its circumference at ground-level is 102 ft (31 m) The tree is located in Sequoia National Park, California.

One more idea: In many cultures, trees are a symbol of family and kinship. Get the whole family together and plant a tree in a place where you all love going to. Then you’ll have a reason to go there even more often.

General Sherman Sequoia tree | Jim Bahn/Wikipedia

#5 Get close to an animal in its natural habitat

Our lives are so dominated by concrete and steel that an encounter with an animal in the wild is a rare and exciting experience. This challenge will push you to discover the natural habitats of your favorite animals and find a way to arrange a meeting with them.

Where: Take a whale-watching boat trip from Boston Harbor to catch a glimpse of a humpback whale or dolphins. Or just visit the nearest national park.

#6 Run a (crazy) marathon

There are marathons you run simply to prove that you can do it. Start with them. Then you can try your hand at a crazy marathon.

Where: Santa Speedo Run, in Boston or Atlanta. To run the annual Santa Speedo Runs across the USA you need a Speedo bathing suit (holiday colors are preferred). You will also need some Christmas flair (Santa hat, beard, Christmas socks, etc.). A warning: December weather in Boston is far from the ideal temperature for bathing suits. So runners are allowed (recommended even) to have a drink or two before the run.

Atlanta Speedo Run | TimotyJ/Wikipedia

#7 Drink whiskey straight from the source

Whiskey is a religion with its cults and rituals. If you also pray to this particular god, visit a distillery.

Where: Jack Daniel’s. Lynchburg, Tennessee is a legendary place to take a good walk while listening to stories about Jack and where, without any judgement whatsoever, you could share your very own personal encounters with him. If you don’t drink whiskey, you can join a ‘dry tour’ and delve into the distillery’s history fully sober.

#8 Ice skate at some of the world’s most beautiful ice rinks

Strap on your skates and show us a double axel (or triple fall on the ice – it depends on your skill level) at some of the most impressive ice rinks this planet has to offer.

Where: One of the world’s most famous ice rinks can be found just in front of the Rockefeller Center in New York.

#9 Discover a beach in the middle of the city

Life is better in flip-flops, they say. If the first thing that comes to your mind when someone mentions the beach is a solitary bungalow on a remote island, we challenge you to find some of the best city beaches in the world.

Where: Venice Beach, Los Angeles, is perfect not only for sunbathing but also for renting roller skates or a bike and going down a seven-mile bike alley to Will Rogers State Beach.

>>> Read 5 beaches in the middle of busy cities

#10 Sweat in a valley of geysers

There are slightly more than 1,000 geysers on Earth, many of which form boiling valleys. As it seems, the influence of hot water over the human mind hasn’t been well studied yet, because people tend to think of weird stuff to do when they see a geyser. Like boiling eggs (there are hundreds of videos of that; check them out if you plan to conduct a experiment).

Where: Yellowstone National Park houses thousands of hot springs, mud pots and at least 300 geysers – one-third of the planet’s total.

Yellowstone National Park | Ashley Knedler/Unsplash

Fun fact… Geysers exist on other planets. If you’re planning a trip to outer space, you can stop by Saturn’s moon Enceladus for a water vapor eruption or go to Neptune’s moon Triton for nitrogen eruptions.

#11 See the Northern Lights

Unsurprisingly, catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights is a dream experience for millions of travelers around the world. If the aurora is also on your list, here’s how you can see it:

When can you see the Northern Lights? Unfortunately, you’re at nature’s mercy. The Northern Lights like to play hide and seek, so you’d better stick around the observation area for at least a week, at best – two weeks at worst. Your best chance is from late August until late November and in February and March. However, the truth is, no one can guarantee when the lights will appear.

Where: The best places in the world to observe the Northern Lights are Alaska, Norway, Canada, Greenland, Lapland, Iceland, and Sweden.

#12 Drive along picturesque winding roads

Some of the most picturesque roads in the world are, unfortunately, some of the most unbearable for your inner ear. But, oh, they’re worth it!

Where: Big Sur, California, or Interstate 1, is one of the best-known roads in the States. You’ll see why when it leads you to the breathtaking viewpoint over the Pacific Ocean. The Interstate spans 90 mi (145 km) from San Simeon to Carmel and offers wild nature and steep rocks, overlooking the waves crashing against the shore.

Drive on! | adrian/Unsplash

#13 Have a drink at an ice bar

Put on your snow boots and fluffy headphones and order a drink at a bar where you won’t need any extra ice…

Where: Some of the world’s best ice bars are in the USA – like Bar Minus 5 (New York) and Aurora Ice Bar (Alaska).

#14 You want a raise? Take a holiday!

It’s proven 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. However, statistics in the USA and Canada reveal that for every 10 days off from work, employees’ results improve by an average of 8%.

How to do it (if your boss won’t give you a holiday): Show this article to your boss (or an employee who urgently needs to take a break)…

#15 Spend 45 minutes in a soundproof room

Imagine a room that isolates 99.9% of sound. Imagine you’re in that room, alone. You can hear your heartbeat and, after a few minutes in the room, even your lungs! In the soundproof room you become the sound. According to Guinness World Records this is the quietest place on Earth.

Where: This is a really serious challenge. Such rooms can be found in the USA, and more and more are opening in different places around the world. Usually, they announce several visiting days throughout the year, as the main purpose of these rooms is to test technological products. Google “anechoic chamber” + the country or town closest to you.

Could you spend 45 minutes in a soundproof room? | Malte Wingen/Unsplash

#16 Join some of the craziest festivals in the world

If you feel like doing something really crazy, there are hundreds of festivals around the world created just for people like you.

Where: Burning Man – this festival is a must for every free spirit. It’s hard to put the experience into words; you have to be there to understand it. For two weeks every year, tens of thousands of people gather in the desert near the city of Reno, to create a temporary metropolis dedicated to exchanging knowledge, skills, creativity and art. Nothing is sold; there are only acts of gift giving. The culmination of the event is the symbolic ritual burning of a large wooden effigy – “the Man”, which lends its name to the festival.

Source: the book 203 Travel Challenges. Travel the World. Explore Your Inner Self. 

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The trail and the legends

Krali Marko Trails is the largest trail running event in Macedonia (this year taking place for the seventh time), named after a Balkan historical and legendary figure, Krali Marko, known for his heroic feats. He ruled from Marko’s Towers, the hill and fortress above the city of Prilep (where all the trail running races pass). All the races lead you through Marko’s Towers, a natural rock formation that consists of giant granite stones scattered all over the hills. A lot of these rock formations have their own names inspired by real-life objects and animals: the Elephant, the Turtle, the Lion etc.

In 2016, more than 300 runners from 13 countries and and 100+ kids participated in the races.

The races

There are a handful of different all-ages races, as well as a special kids’ race.

– Krali Marko Ultra Trail: 110 km, 5300 m of denivelation, start 22 September, 2017, 11 pm local time, 5 points for UTMB – Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc – ITRA verified.

– Kozjak Trail: 65 km, 3000 m of denivelation, start 23 September, 2017, 8 am local time, 4 points for UTMB – Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc – ITRA verified.

– Kamena Baba Trail: 31 km, 1250 m of denivelation, start 23 September, 2017, 10 am local time.

– Treskavec Trail: 16 km, 800 m of denivelation, start 23 September, 2017, 10 am local time.

– Markukule Trail – Kids’ race: 1 km, start 23 September, 2017, 10:30 am local time.

The trails are quite technical and distinctive, sometimes carved into stones and granite boulders.

When and where: 22/24 September, starting and finishing in the city of Prilep in the southern part of Macedonia. Registration is open from April 1 until September 1.

Courtesy of Krali Marko’s Trails

Courtesy of Krali Marko’s Trails

Courtesy of Krali Marko’s Trails

Courtesy of Krali Marko’s Trails

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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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Great Wall Marathon

How about running along one of the biggest attractions in the world? Run 42 km (26 miles) of the Great Wall Marathon in China. Despite the arduous course on the iconic Great Wall of China, you will be rewarded by its breathtaking panoramas. As the route leads you through the lower valley and into the villages, onlookers will be cheering and the festive atmosphere is a real energy boost!

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Marathon Des Sables in the Sahara Desert

When you mention the Sahara Desert, a marathon of 251 km (155 miles) is hardly the first thing that comes to mind. What makes it even harder to believe is that under the baking sun, marathoners have to run the distance of six regular marathons in six consecutive days.

Marathon des Sables | tent86/Flickr

Antarctica Marathon and Half-Marathon

Where else can you run among seals, penguins, whales and icebergs? The 200 participants in Antarctica Marathon and Half-Marathon and their supporters have the unique opportunity to visit the ice continent and test their stamina while ticking off one of the continents from their to-race list. History and biology lectures and excursions to remote areas are among the bonuses of this trip.

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The Maldon Mud Race in the UK

Few marathon runners around the world boast the enthusiasm of those who take part in the Maldon Mud Race, along with the enormous amount of mud they get covered in. The race through the natural mud, which could easily be defined as a ‘swamp’, requires nerves of steel to complete the route of 400 m (1310 ft) – running, falling, getting up and even crawling.

The Maldon Mude Race | pg tips2/Flickr

Lake Baikal Ice Marathon, Russia

This extreme race is the regular distance of slightly more than 42 km (26 mi) but along the frozen surface of Lake Baikal, in conditions that only Siberia, Russia can offer in early March.

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A post shared by Влада Тарасова (@vlada28)

Santa Speedo Run, Boston, USA

To run the annual Santa Speedo Run in Boston you need a Speedo-like bathing suit (holiday colors are preferred) and some Christmas flair (Santa hat, beard, Christmas socks, etc.). December weather in Boston is far from the temperature suitable for bathing suits, so the runners are allowed (recommended even) to have a drink or two before the run.

The post Would you run these crazy marathons? appeared first on 203Challenges.

Or, in other words, don’t postpone the good stuff for the time you might not be able to do it. Use your best years to collect memories, to make friends all over the world, to learn to fly, to climb peaks, to dive into oceans and to eat a loooot of ice-cream.

Here’s a list of 30 amazing travel ideas to complete before you turn 30. There’s a lot of time to go and the best way to keep track of how the challenge is coming on is to print the list and hang it on the wall.

Recent research shows that having photos of your dreams somewhere where you can see them every day increases the possibility of making them true. Sooooo >>>>

You can download a printable pdf (A4/8.5 by 11.0 inches) here.

Here’s a list of the ideas:

1. Hug a kangaroo.
2. Climb a peak.
3. Sail.
4. Bathe in a waterfall.
5. Ride a camel.
6. Fly in a balloon.
7. Volunteer.
8. Dive into a coral reef.
9. Bungee jump.
10. Make friends abroad.
11. Take part in a marathon.
12. Dance at a carnival.
13. Drink rum in Cuba.
14. Live abroad.
15. Travel without a plan.
16. Sleep under the stars.
17. Hitchhike.
18. Travel with no money.
19. Explore a cave.
20. Camp in the wild.w
21. Eat 1 kilo of ice-cream.
22. Swim with dolphins.
23. Paragliding.
24. Spend a day in a hammock.
25. See the Northern Lights.
26. Try snowshoeing.
27. Do some night swimming.
28. Step on 7 continents.
29. See 1000 sunrises.
30. Join a local celebration.

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#1 Go stargazing. With no city light bleed, this dark Northern California sky showcases millions of stars—a rarity in most cities. Outfitters provide guided stargazing hikes and tours with high-powered telescopes for planet tours.

Stargazing in Tuolumne. Photo Credit: Kyle McLaurin

#2 Walk in California’s largest underground cavern. Enjoy a 45-minute Family Walking Tour or a 3-hour Wild Cavern Adventure Trip including the historic 100′ spiral staircase.

#3 Go gold panning. Although the Fandango Halls and gun fights are but an eerie presence found in the ghost towns the miners abandoned, the boom of the 1849 Gold Rush left nuggets and frontier adventures behind. In Tuolumne County, several mines are still open that allow visitors to pan for gold, and there are several gold panning adventure companies that teach prospecting courses for adventurous miners who seek a true Gold Country experience.

#4 Travel back to the 1850’s at Columbia State Historic Park. Today the town still has the atmosphere, shops and activities of the olden times. Gold was discovered in Columbia in 1850. By 1870, the “Gem of the Southern Mines” produced more than $1 billion (in today’s figures).

Columbia State Historic Park. Photo credit: Michael Sharps

#5 Go cider tasting. Wine tasting is cool but cider tasting is even better. Indigeny Reserve is located in the hills of historic Sonora. Hard ciders and spirits produced in small batches are produced from the organic apple orchards here. Enjoy the shaded picnic areas for a lazy afternoon.

#6 Go whitewater rafting. Trips range from 1/2 to 3-day on the Merced, Tuolumne, Kings, Stanislaus and American Rivers and offer everything from float boats to Class 5 runs.

#7 Ride a steam train at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park. Hundreds of movies and TV shows have been shot here. Join 45-minute a ride from the backyards of Jamestown to the rugged hillsides of California’s Mother Lode country.

Railtown 1897 State Historic Park. Photo Credit: Tuolumne County, CA

#8 Discover your wild self at Stanislaus National Forest. Here you can fish in over 800 miles of rivers and streams, stay in a campground, or hike into the backcountry in search of pristine solitude. You can swim near a sandy beach or wade into cold clear streams.

#9 Make your own candy canes. Get your fingers sticky and join a candy cane making lesson at Nelson’s Candy Kitchen. 

Candy cane making. Photo Credit: 2018 Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau

#10 Head on a road trip (giant sequoias included). Venture along Highway 120 for the “front door” entrance to Yosemite National Park from the San Francisco Bay Area. The Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias is one of three groves to walk among these giants that can live to more than 3000 years old! You will have to hike just about 1.5 miles to reach the Tuolumne Grove but it will be well worth the work to enjoy these massively beautiful trees with a lot less crowds than the Mariposa Grove at the south end of the park.

#11 Escape the crowds of Yosemite Valley. Far from the crowds of Yosemite Valley, you can experience the abundance of waterfalls up-close and personal in the Hetch Hetchy section of the national park, easily accessible from Rush Creek Lodge’s location on Highway 120.

Escape the crowds, Yosemite. Photo Credit: Kim Carroll

#12 Get in shape to see the iconic Half Dome in Yosemite. You can hike the 16-mile round trip to the top of the dome, but it is only recommended if you are in a shape for an extremely rigorous hike, and you need a permit. You will gain nearly 5000 feet during the climb, most hikers take 10-12 hours to complete the trip. Do you accept the challenge?

Read more: 9 unusual things to do in Southern California

Feature image: Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau 

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Organized bike tours are cool, but it’s much more exciting to plan your own bicycle adventure. You only need a good idea and a good friend/partner to join the party (although at least once a year I take my bike and go somewhere for the weekend by myself, which is just as good). Here are a few bicycle trip ideas for your next free weekend:

#1 Ride your bicycle slowly between villages or small towns

With a smile on your face, cross villages and talk to locals about this year’s apple harvest and how much a piglet costs (I bet you have no idea). Have a beer with one of those locals who spends the day scanning passers-by in cafes on the main square.

Photo: © Maria Angelova/ 203challenges.com

#2 Swap the bike lanes and village roads for dirt tracks

You can enjoy a little bit more seclusion by escaping the main roads and hitting the dirt tracks. Some people prefer a preconceived route, but personally I’m happy to just head into the forest and see where that seductive trail leads.

#3 Try to bike as far as you can in a day

You don’t have to cycle so hard that you drop dead at the end; just keep it pleasant but still challenging. If you’re in the mood to push yourself, however, try riding as fast and furious as you can.

Cycling at Larnaca Salt Lake, Cyprus | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

#4 Try mountain biking

The exciting thing about mountain biking is that a smooth descent can turn into an adrenaline-fueled obstacle course in a heartbeat. If you’re trying it for the first time, you might be about to discover your latest passion. 

#5 Organize a themed day tour in your city/neighborhood

Photo: © Maria Angelova/ 203challenges.com

We often forget that our own neighborhood is someone else’s tourist destination. Pretend to be a tourist and choose a theme (cathedrals, museums, historical buildings) around which to rediscover your surroundings. Calculate the cycling route that best allows you to visit several attractions in one day. Plan a lunch stop in a park or try out a new eatery.

#6 Organize a bike picnic

Choose a green picnic spot not far from the city and ride there. Load your backpack or basket with plenty of water, a bottle of wine and some sandwiches. Here you can find a list of creative themed picnic ideas.

#7 Bike for the sunset

A memorable sunset is a great reason to hop on your bike and head to a beautiful vantage point. Don’t forget lights and a headlamp for the way back.

#8 Cycling & camping

Photo: © Maria Angelova/ 203challenges.com

Mount your bike on your car rack (or transport the bike by train or bus if possible) and go to a secluded spot where you can spend the rest of the day cycling. When night falls, instead of rushing back home, pitch your tent or go to a campsite. Let the chirp of the crickets soothe your mind. Get the ​authentic cycling information from ​the Experts here.

How to really immerse yourself in the moment: For a moment, simply imagine what life would be like if you stayed home and slept in your bed every night instead of occasionally venturing into the wild. Listen to all the noises and soak in all the sights that you’d never have otherwise seen: the starry sky, the smell of the pine trees, the sound of the creek flowing by…

#9 Bike your way to a musical venue

Most open-air concerts and festivals have special bike parking zones where you can safely stow your two-wheeler while you enjoy the night. It’s good for your health and the environment!

#10 Load up with vitamins while you pedal

Your weekly fruit and vegetable shop might turn into an old-school, French-inspired experience if you don a beret and load your basket with goodies from the nearest farmer’s market.

#11 Join a quirky ride (vintage bicycles in Tuscany, anyone?)

Why not take part in a vintage-themed cycling event, or an eco-friendly bike race? This isn’t really DIY, but these events are so cool that they’re worth mentioning. Just check your local calendar for the next notable cycling event near you.

L’Eroica, Tuscany. Every year, thousands of cyclists put on vintage leather pants, hop on their vintage bikes, don a fancy cap and embark on a journey into the past. L’Eroica vintage bike ride is one of the most exciting ways to get to know Tuscany on two wheels. The event aims to preserve the romantic beauty of cycling’s past, without the competitive aspect. Eroica cycling events are also held in other places around the world, including California, Japan, Spain and Great Britain.

>>> Do you love your bike? (Of course you do!) Here’s our fun bike-themed playlist to listen to while you’re pedaling.

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We challenge you: Explore the forbidden – enter an abandoned building

Have you ever passed by a crumbling building and wondered what the atmosphere of a place long forgotten would feel like? If the answer is yes and you’ve been even slightly compelled by the idea of actually checking these places out, then urbex is your new greatest discovery. Short for urban exploration, urbex represents the activity of exploring abandoned or seldom seen components of man-made structures. In other words, it’s the thrilling act of satisfying the curiosity for everything veiled from view. And though being driven by different motives, the daring souls, who practice urbex, all have something in common. No matter whether you will be doing it as a photographer, as someone appreciating architecture or willing to experience the past, all urban explorers are inevitably adventure seekers!

© Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

So how to do it:

Finding the right location – go out and explore your city. Take notice of any old buildings and other decaying structures. These are most likely to be found in suburban areas and industrial regions. For more ideas, there are now numerous apps and sites mapping the location of such sights. For more info visit www.forbidden-places.net, opacity.us or check the ‘Abandoned’ iPhone app.

Safety comes first – bear in mind that urbex lies on the margins of legality and should therefore be a conscious practice. Take the risks into consideration and explore places only if they seem completely abandoned. Beware of cameras and motion detectors.

P.S. Never enter a building if there are clear signs of hazardous structures such as unstable floors or rotten roofs! Also, watch your steps and make sure to wear shoes with thicker soles! You don’t want to have rusty nails stuck in your foot, do you?

Don’t forget a flashlight – even if done in the daylight, urbex would most likely lead you to poorly lit places. In that case, wandering in the dark is not the brightest idea.

Bring a partner in crime – аs with every other recreational activity, urbex is more fun when done with friends. It’s also much safer to have somebody watch your back in case of any danger.

Comply with the motto: “take only pictures, leave only footprints…” – it’s perfectly possible to explore a place in a respectful way without leaving any signs of your presence. Let time be the sole vandal and leave the location as if you’ve never actually been there. This also means that no souvenirs are allowed.

© Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Did you know that…

…astounding historic buildings are torn down every single day. Take the Belgian Château Miranda for instance. Built at the end of the French revolution and left to the ravages of time in 1991, the visionary castle had until recently been a top urbex destination. Sadly, despite the arrangement of a formal petition and the vehement protests of locals, this year the chateau was completely demolished. So… What are you waiting for?

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