Do you find yourself longing for an adventure, but feel a little… daunted? If you’re new to adventure or perhaps still finding your feet when it comes to exploring wild and remote places, we’ve got you. With brilliant local guides and no need for previous experience, these trips will boost your confidence and ease you in, but still never fall short on the adventure front.

On the other hand, if you’re confident in the wilds, but looking for more chilled vibes - but also don’t want to get bored, read on...

1. Kayak, Hike and Tree Camp in Costa Rica

A woman walking across an hanging bridge in the cloud forest of Costa Rica.

Sea kayak tropical shores and tangled mangroves, then relax on the gorgeous beaches of Golfo Dulce. Hike through mountainous jungle and virgin rainforest in one of the country's most remote corners - the Piedras Blancas National Park. You'll camp in a tent suspended above the trees, falling asleep to the calls of monkeys, toucans and frogs. A balanced blend of nature, adventure and beach downtime.

Kayak, Hike and Tree Camp the Rainforests of Costa Rica | Much Better Adventures
Get off the beaten track on a small group adventure: trek through lush jungle teeming with exotic wildlife, kayak vivid coastline and fall asleep in the trees.

2. SUP, HIKE AND PARAGLIDE IN SLOVENIA

Stand up paddleboarders in Slovenia

Get off the beaten track and explore the wilder side of Europe’s adventure capital. Kick things off with an urban SUP experience through the heart of Ljubljana – one of Europe’s greenest and most photogenic cities – before heading to the mountains to hike through the stunning Soča Valley, Slovenia’s adventure playground. Finish it all off with two nights in wine country, complete with hiking, caving, and a tandem paragliding experience that you’ll never forget.

SUP, Hike and Paraglide in Slovenia | Much Better Adventures
Explore the wilder side of Europe’s adventure capital. With local guides you’ll urban SUP in Ljubljana, hike in the mountains and paraglide above wine country.

3. BEAR WATCHING AND CASTLE HOPPING IN ROMANIA

This long weekend in the wilderness requires just one day off work. Head into the wild Carpathian Mountains to scout for Brown Bears and explore famous Transylvanian castles. You'll hike to an isolated hide in the Carpathian Mountains – home to 60% of Europe’s remaining Brown Bear population – and try and spot these incredible creatures up close and in the wild. You'll also spend a night in the bars and bohemian cafes of buzzing Bucharest.

Bear Watching and Castle Hopping in Romania | Much Better Adventures
Head to Romania for a spot of bear watching and explore famous Transylvanian castles: perfect for adventurous travellers who want a little bit of everything.

4. The Ultimate Arctic Adventure in Finnish Lapland

A man takes photos of the northern lights. Photo: Getty.
Taking photos of the northern lights. Photo: Getty.

An adventure through the snow-laden wilderness in Finnish Lapland. You'll navigate wilderness trails via electric snowmobiles, gliding by frozen lakes and stopping for campfire snacks. You'll lead a team of huskies as you pilot a dog sled. Go on night hikes into the Arctic forest and look out for the northern lights - earning how to photograph them as you go. You might even glimpse them from the warmth of your glass-roofed aurora cabins. Finally, plunge into Lake Pyhäjärvi through a hole in the ice before warming up in a rustic, wood-heated Finnish sauna.

The Ultimate Arctic Adventure in Finnish Lapland | Much Better Adventures
Join a small group adventure to sleep under the glow of the aurora in glass-roofed cabins, ride snowmobiles and husky sleds, and relax in the sauna.

5. ISLAND HOPPING ADVENTURE IN THE GALAPAGOS

Snorkel, swim, hike and bike the famed archipelago on an action-packed adventure immersed in the natural world. You'll hike to the otherworldly Sierra Negra Volcano, home to one of the largest, and most active, volcanic craters in the world; snorkel with white-tip reef sharks, manta rays and turtles at the islet of Las Tintoreras; and meet the Galapagos’ famous residents, including marine iguanas, penguins, sea lions, blue-footed boobies and of course, the giant tortoise.

Island Hopping Adventure in the Galapagos | Much Better Adventures
Join local experts for a Galapagos Islands adventure. Hike, bike and snorkel the unique archipelago on an action-packed adventure immersed in the natural world.

6. HIKE AND KAYAK WILD THAILAND

Sunset behind the karst towers of Thailand's seas with a boat silhouetted in the foreground.

Adventure through lush jungle, explore tropical islands and relax on palm-lined beaches along the way. Over 10 days, you'll kayak the otherworldly Khao Sok Lake, circumnavigate the mangrove-fringed Ao Phang Nga National Park, hike the jungle trails of Khao Sok National Park and Kao Yao Yai Island, and tackle the 1237 steps up to Tiger Cave Temple. En route, you'll also kick back in longtail boats (peepers open for incredible wildlife), hang out on white sandy beaches, bed down in a jungle lodge, drift off on a floating bungalow, and rest up in idyllic boutique hotels.

Kayak and Hike Wild Thailand | Much Better Adventures
Take a trip to Thailand to explore lush jungle, tropical islands and palm-lined beaches. Floating bungalows and treehouses make unforgettable places to sleep.

7. ISLAND HOPPING ADVENTURE IN THE REAL MALDIVES

Aerial view of two paddleboarders on the clear blue waters around the Maldives.

Relax into authentic island life on this marine adventure in South Ari Atoll, and uncover the real Maldives by hanging out with local islanders. You'll explore an incredible marine world teeming with life – swimming with whale sharks and snorkelling over kaleidoscopic reefs – as well as hiking, kayaking and SUPing your way around these pristine tropical islands, discovering dazzling sandbanks and beaches.

Island Hopping Adventure in the Real Maldives | Much Better Adventures
Relax into authentic island life on this easygoing adventure in South Ari Atoll, paddling in tropical waters away from the resorts with a local guide.

8. REWILDING ADVENTURE IN ITALY'S ABRUZZO MOUNTAINS

Track the 'Big 5' species of the Central Apennines Rewilding Area on foot in this biodiversity hotspot, on an exclusive adventure created in partnership with Rewilding Europe. Guided by expert wildlife trackers, you'll ramble through mountainous valleys and beech forests on the lookout for brown bears, wolves, wild boar, chamois and golden eagles. Long long days in the wilderness will be bookended with classic Italian food and tasty local wines in atmospheric mountain villages.

Rewilding Adventure in Italy’s Abruzzo Mountains | Much Better Adventures
See a wilder side of Italy on this exclusive adventure tracking bears, wolves, boars and eagles. You’ll recharge with Italian feasts in atmospheric villages.

9. SNOW AND SAUNAS IN ESTONIA

People gliding across the snow, backed by forest, on kicksleds in Estonia.

Stomp, sled and fat bike through snow-blanketed forests, stopping off for steamy saunas and ice dips on this Baltic winter adventure. Explore fairytale Tallinn before you head to the winter wonderland of Lahemaa National Park. You'll experience the best of Estonian winter fun – ploughing through snowy forest trails on fat bikes and kicksleds, all the while letting off steam as you hop between hot tubs, ice holes and traditional smoke saunas.

Estonia in Winter: Snowshoeing, Hiking and Sauna Trip | Much Better Adventures
Join a small group tour to hike, sled and fat bike through the snow, stopping off for steamy saunas and icy dips on this Baltic winter adventure.

10. HIKE, KAYAK AND CYCLE IN KERALA

Cyclists on a tarmacked track pedalling through lush green landscape in Kerala

Ramble through lush hill stations, paddle serene backwaters and pedal along the coastline of the Indian Ocean in beautiful Kerala. Take a week off work to trek through Munnar's tea plantations, hike high-altitude cloud forests to reach the stunning peak of Meesapulimala (2640m), paddle the network of languid lagoons and lily-strewn canals that make up Kerala's tranquil backwaters, and cycle along the palm-lined waterways and sleepy fishing villages along the coast. Come nightfall, you'll bunk down in heritage hotels, traditional Keralan houseboats and peaceful waterside retreats.

Hike, Kayak and Cycle in Kerala | Much Better Adventures
Ramble through hill stations, paddle serene backwaters and pedal by the Indian Ocean - snoozing in a Keralan houseboat and heritage retreats along the way.

11. EXPLORE MOROCCAN KASBAHS AND CAMP IN THE SAHARA

Berber camp at night

Get to the heart of Morocco as you stroll through remarkable gorges, explore ancient kasbahs and ride camels through the dunes to a Berber camp. Wander the winding streets of ancient, walled kasbahs and through the pathways of dramatic deep gorges. Spend a night at a traditional Berber camp and sleep under the huge desert sky spotting shooting stars. Experience the best of Moroccan culture and nature as you soak up vast landscapes, sleep in riads and learn about ancient traditions.

Explore Morocco’s Kasbahs and Camp in the Sahara | Much Better Adventures
Join one of our small group tours to discover the real Morocco. Explore remarkable gorges, ancient kasbahs and ride camels through the dunes to a Berber camp.

12. HIKE AND BIKE IN ITALY'S PROSECCO HILLS

Enjoying wine in the Prosecco Hills

Now this is an adventure which is all about the good life - delicious Italian cuisine and award-winning Prosecco, all unfolding in Italy's beautiful Prosecco Hills region. You'll hike a section of the Prosecco Trail away from the crowds, amongst verdant vine-covered terraces and valleys. Pedal country roads and rolling hills on e-bikes to reach panoramic views and picturesque hamlets, then cool off in Revine Lake. In the evenings, you'll relax in beautiful, family run agriturismos. Bliss.

13. KAYAK AND WILD CAMP THE WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND

Kayakers at sunset

Paddle the remote bays, rugged coastline and crystal clear waters of the dramatic West Highlands – surely one of the UK's most beautiful regions. Over a long weekend you'll kayak along stunning volcanic coastline, discovering hidden bays and wild skerries. Remember to keep your eyes peeled for otters, porpoise, seals and sea eagles. En route, you'll forage for shellfish, seaweed and coastal plants and brave the Atlantic Ocean for a cold water wild swim, before bedding down to wild camp on white sand beaches and islet-studded sea lochs. Unforgettable.

Kayak and Wild Camp the West Coast of Scotland | Much Better Adventures
On this proper adventure holiday, you’ll paddle remote bays, rugged coastline & crystal clear waters in the West Highlands, wild camping on white sand beaches.

14. ADVENTURE HIKING IN SLOVAKIA

Adventurous hikers at the bottom of a ladder in a gorge

Explore the perfectly named Slovak Paradise National Park via a network of trails, ladders, bridges and catwalks. Traverse forests, meadows, plateaus, canyons, caves and waterfalls as you travel through one of Europe’s most beautiful National Parks. You'll cross canyons and ascend gorges using network of ladders, catwalks and bridges and spend time in Levoca, a charming and little-visited medieval town that's surrounded by natural splendour. Whilst you may need a moderate level of fitness and a head for heights, this adventure requires no special skills or training to join.

Adventure Hiking in Slovakia | Much Better Adventures
Join good people to explore the perfectly named Slovak Paradise National Park with an expert local guide, via a network of trails, ladders, bridges & catwalks.

Inspired? See more of our easy to moderate trips for a true taste of adventure, completely hassle-free.

Stay safe out there: Our guides are well-researched, short summaries, designed to inspire but not for navigational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee completeness. Outdoor activities come with serious risk, and individuals must take full personal responsibility for their own safety. Much Better Adventures, and the authors, disclaim any liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of the information from this article.