#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. 

The post 16 fun travel challenges to experience the USA in a unique way appeared first on 203Challenges.

The Northern Venice, and what once was the glamorous capital of Russia, today is a destination you should not miss out on. A winter wonderland or a midsummer dream during the White Nights – St. Petersburg has plenty to fill an entire month with, let alone a weekend. Here are some of the key landmarks in St. Petersburg:

A walk by the Neva River: During the day, you can take a walk around the beautiful parks that complement the Neva River, and at night – enjoy the sparkling lights of the city, the passing ships, and the drawbridges. You will also see the Winter Palace, the Hermitage Museum, the Peter and Paul Fortress, as well as the gilded domes of many churches. You can also tame the river s waves, by going on a boat trip and enjoying a romantic dinner on board.

State Hermitage Museum (Государственный Эрмитаж): What once was the winter residence of the royal Romanov family is now the largest art gallery in the world. In 1764, Catherine the Great created a museum, where she displayed here personal art collection. Today, the Hermitage houses over 3 million pieces of art, displayed on a territory of over 46,000 km2. You ll see works by Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, and many more. It is located in the palace s main square. Here you can find the exact address, visiting hours, and ticket prices.

The Palace Square (Дворцовая площадь): This is the city’s main square. It houses the Winter palace, a few churches, the headquarters of the Russian army, as well as the column of Alexander the Great, erected as a celebration of Napoleon’s defeat, in 1812. Take a walk and experience the rhythm of the city, become one with the hurried crowds of people, or simply take a cup of hot tea in one of the cafes.

Saint Isaac’s Cathedral (Исаакиевский собор): The church’s large dome is covered by 100 kilograms of gold. Its interior is lavishly decorated in mosaics and murals, and behind the main altar is a stained glass display with the resurrected Christ. The walls and floors are covered in Russian, Italian, and French marble, in 14 different colors. The cathedral s construction was completed during the 19th century. Don’t forget to climb the 300 steps leading up to the cathedral’s top where you’ll find a mesmerizing view of the entire city. The cathedral is located close to the West end of Nevsky Prospect.

Marrinsky Theatre (Мариинский театр): This is one of the best theaters, of opera and ballet, in the world. It began to host performances in 1860. Its stage was the place where many of Tchaikovsky’s creations premiered. The main hall is U-shaped and sits 1625 people. The theater is located in the West Mariinsky district.

Yusupov Palace (Юсуповский дворец на Мойке): See the luxurious apartments, numerous paintings, and the emperor’s chambers. The palace’s halls often host classic music concerts and plays. In this palace, in 1916, the spiritual guide of Nicholas II – Grigori Rasputin, found his death. Today, this occurrence and the subsequent events have been recreated in the palace s museum, with the help of photographs, documents, and even wax figures.

Peter and Paul Fortress (Петропавловская крепость): This is the oldest building in the city. It was built in 1703, by Peter the Great. Its purpose was to protect the city from Swedish invasions, but it never had to serve that purpose. In the fortress’s courtyard is the Peter and Paul Cathedral – the largest one in the city, and also the first one to have been crafted out of stone. Peter the Great, and all the Russian monarchs after, have been buried in the cathedral.

Peterhof Palace (Петергофский дворец): Built in 1705, by Peter the Great. Apart from its beautiful architecture, the palace is primarily famous for its spectacular water cascades, numerous fountains, and gorgeous gardens. The halls of the palace have been decorated with fine art pieces, marble, lavish chandeliers, and gilded carvings. It is located 30 km outside of St. Petersburg.

Peterhof Palace | Pixabay

The Cruiser Aurora: This is a war ship that took part in battles with the Japanese Navy, and started the October Revolution. Today it is a museum. You can take a tour of both the decks and the inside of the ship, where you will find different cannons, nautical maps and tools. If you don’t hire a tour guide, you can enter without paying a fee. The ship is anchored by the shore street of the Neva River.

The Alexander Pushkin Museum and Memorial Apartment (Мемориальный Музей-квартира „А.С.Пушкина”): This is part of one of the oldest houses in the city, where the famous Russian writer lived, from 1836, until his death in 1837. Here you will find household items, related to his life and work, including his personal ink pot and the original couch, on which the poet drew his last breath. Most of the other furnishings are not the originals that belonged to Pushkin in his family, but copies.

Museum of Cosmonautics and Rocket Technology (Музей космонавтики и ракетной техники): The museum opened its doors to visitors in 1973. The display follows the evolution of rocket technology, from Soviet Union times, until today. You will see rocket engines, astronaut gear, and the city’s flag, which was part of the Mir Space Station for 161 days. The museum is located in the Peter and Paul Fortress.

Catherine Palace (Екатерининский дворец): Located in Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin), 25 km away from St. Petersburg. The palace was built in luxurious Russian Baroque. Alexander Palace (Александровский дворец), which Catherine the Great gave to her grandson Alexander I, is located in close proximity. In the halls of both palaces you will find bountiful exhibitions of fine art, cutlery, furnishing, and jewels, which belonged to noble families. Don’t forget to take a walk in the beautiful royal gardens.

Pavlovsk Palace (Павловский дворец): This was the summer residence of the Russian emperor Pavel I. The palace was built in the 18th century. It was erected on top a large rock, 26 km south of St. Petersburg. Inside, you can see the emperor’s rich collections of porcelain, gold, sculptures, silks, furnishing, and paintings. The grounds around the palace, which once were a game park, have now been turned into a huge garden, with lakes and large meadows – the ideal place for a leisurely stroll, playing outdoor sports, or a picnic.

Saint Petersburg, Russia | Pixabay

Russian Museum: This is the first public fine art museum in Russia. It was created in 1895, by the monarch Nicholas II. Here you will find rich collections of religious icons, paintings, graphics, sculptures, as well as creations by contemporary Russian artists, famous worldwide. The museum is located on Nevsky Prospect.

Museum of Water (Музей воды): Located in a water tower, which was the first one in the city and was built in 1860. Here you will have the opportunity to try different water pumps first hand, you will see ancient toilets, sewage systems, steam boilers, and an attractive multimedia display, where you will learn about the various applications of water: as a medication, as music, as mystery. The tower has a panoramic glass elevator and a viewing platform on the last floor, where you will find a wonderful view of the city.

Russian Vodka Museum: We can’t talk about the Museum of Water and then neglect the Russian Vodka Museum. This is the place where you’ll learn when and where Russian vodka came to be, what to eat with it, and all kinds of other useful alcoholic facts.

White Nights: Every year, from the middle of June until the beginning of July, the sun never sets. This is because of the city’s Northern geography and its close proximity to the Arctic Circle. Enjoy the magical light and the unique the atmosphere it creates in the city. However, you should also be careful, because the White Nights can cause insomnia and drowsiness.

>>> Read more about the White Nights in Saint Petersburg.

Eat borscht: Soups are an important part of Russian cuisine. This particular soup, always contains beetroot, meat, and cabbage. You can eat borscht both hot and cold, with whipped cream or mayonnaise.

Eat pirozhki: This is dough-based dish, which can be either sweet or savory. You can find pirozhki with meat and vegetables, just vegetables, apples, jams, or cheeses. Just pick and enjoy!

Drink vodka: What more can we say about the traditional Russian alcoholic beverage, other than having to drink at least one while in St. Petersburg, if you don’t want to be cold. Just don t overdo it. Cheers! Or, as the Russian say: ‘Nazdarovye!’

Shopping in St. Petersburg: The main street – Nevsky Prospect (Невский проспект), has plenty of luxurious boutiques, leather and souvenir shops, antique shops, galleries, as well as large bookstores with books in all kinds of languages. A typical souvenir to buy from Russia is the Matryoshka doll – it is made up of several dolls with different sizes, that fit into one another. On Bolshoi street (Большой проспект), at Vasilievsky Island, you will also find many shops, as well as outdoor markets with fresh goods.

Gostini Dvor Shopping Center (Гостини двор): This is the oldest mall in Russia. Since the 18th century, it has been the primary shopping location of the city. Today, it has over 300 shops – for home appliances, clothes, jewelry, sports goods, toys, souvenirs, and plenty more. It is located on Nevsky Prospect.

Nightlife in St. Petersburg: Start off the evening with a drink or a delicious dinner, then dance the night away, or simply enjoy some great live music. The main street Nevsky Prospect has many night clubs with live music, dance clubs, casinos, and restaurants. The smaller alleys in the center of the city are where you will find bars, strip clubs, pubs, bowling alleys, and restaurants serving European cuisine.

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