Date: February 5, 2015 | By: bigfive | Category: Travel Blog
The Spring Break vacation period in early spring is celebrated at universities and schools throughout the northern hemisphere as well as many countries from England to Guatemala, Japan to Germany. It is often tied into Easter, and is also known Easter vacation, Mid-Term Break, and study week. It’s a great time to revitalize and stimulate body, mind and spirit by doing something utterly different. Here are just a few ideas.
Explore the caves of San Ignacio, Belize
Cave Exploring in Belize San Ignacio, Belize Explore Actun Tunichil Muknal (also called simply ATM) Cave in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve in the rainfirest of Belize. You hike a trail in the jungle to the cave, then swim into the cave. Once inside, you crawl through tunnels and narrow passageways to one of the most preserved and protected Mayan sites in the world. The cave was once the exclusive terrain of Mayan priests, who came here to perform rituals, including sacrifices. Become immersed in the history and the ceremony of a significant period of Mayan civilization. Kao Gu Belize, also introduces you to Guatemala’s Mayan complex Tikal.
Sailing the Whitsunday Whitsunday Islands, Queensland, Australia The Whitsunday Islands sit off the central coast of Queensland, Australia, some 900 kilometers/560 miles north of Brisbane. The area is one of the most popular yachting destinations in the Southern Hemisphere. There are some 74 islands in the Whitsunday group – with names like Heart Reef and Daydream Island. One of the best ways to soak up the sun-drenched beauty of these islands is to sail onboard a self-skippered or crewed catamaran or yacht. You can also dive in crystal waters and lounge on amazing beaches. Explore the Whitsundays on our 18-day Australia adventure.
Sky Biking in the Rainforest Mashpi Rainforest Biodiversity Reserve, Ecuador
Mashpi Lodge is designed for exploring the biodiversity of its surroundings. One option for discovering the forest canopy is the Sky Bike! It makes for an original and exciting way to travel the tree tops. Designed for two people – one person pedals the bike along a cable stretched between two points in the forest, around 200 meters/655 feet apart, crossing a gorge above a river flowing between rocks and trees below. Silent, easy-to-use and fun, it’s a great activity for children over eight years-old accompanied by an adult. Discover the Private Sanctuaries of Ecuador.
Abseiling from a Table Cape Town, South Africa Consider the heart-pounding thrill as you ascend to the top of Cape Town’s most recognizable icon – Table Mountain, about 1,000 meters/3,281 feet above sea level. Step off the top and rappel into pure vertical space. This is the world’s original highest commercial abseil. You are surrounded by awesome views and the deep blue Atlantic at your feet. The origin of the abseil is attributed to Jean Charlet-Straton, a Chamonix guide who lived from 1840–1925. You can add this abseiling quest to any of our South Africa programs that include Cape Town such as this 10-day Speed Collection South Africa.
Giving Gratitude and Alms Mandalay, Myanmar In the temples in Myanmar, Laos and other locals, you have the opportunity to reach out to people that otherwise you would likely never meet. One of the graceful things to do is the giving of alms to the monks as they pass you in on their way to their temple. While many come to see this remarkable parade, we insure that you have an authentic experience in the pre-dawn hours that few others do. We can arrange this for you in one of our Myanmar or in Laos programs such as in this Myanmar, Cambodia & Laos: Minority Tribes of Indochina