Extreme sports are a good way to make you feel more alive than ever. And what better way to jumpstart the senses again, after the humdrum existence we’ve had in the past few years? Getting out of your comfort zone and exploring the great outdoors are among 2023’s top travel trends. So, if you’re looking to finally try your hand at a new outdoor sport, follow our suggestions and do it at these grand, awe-inspiring settings.
Surfing the waves in Uluwatu
Location: Bali, Indonesia
Stretching from the scallop-shaped Jimbaran Bay to the limestone cliffs and windswept beaches of the famed Uluwatu, Bali’s Bukit Peninsula is teeming with sublime beaches, secret coves and stellar surf breaks. With its hilly, rocky terrain and water supply issues, it was one of the last areas in southern Bali to succumb to mass tourism and development, and while luxury resorts and beach clubs have for several years been luring in a new crowd, the region has retained its cruisey surfer vibe.
Uluwatu is a huge, thrilling reef open to all swell directions, with perfect, consistent waves almost every day from March to November – little wonder then surfing luminaries such as Gerry Lopez and Kelly Slater are return travellers to this dreamy spot. Whether you’re beginning your surfing journey or a pro, it is still by far the place to go in Bali to catch the perfect wave. —Claire Knox
Paragliding in the Bavarian Alps
Location: Munich, Germany
Experts agree: among 2023’s top travel trends are getting out of your comfort zone and exploring the great outdoors, and what better way to tick both off your list than by gliding through the fresh air over some of Germany’s most beautiful natural landscapes. Fifty kilometers south of Munich, towering over the crystal clear Lake Tegernsee and surrounded by the rocky peaks of the Bavarian Alps, Wallberg mountain offers endless opportunities for bracing activities such as summer hiking and winter tobogganing. Thanks to its magnificent views and excellent thermals, the mountain is also well known for its paragliding and hang-gliding opportunities. If you’re not ready to fly solo, the Gleitschirmschule Tegernsee (Tegernsee Paragliding School) offers tandem flights in which you’ll be connected to an experienced pilot via a high-tech harness. An unforgettable way to experience Bavaria’s dramatic landscapes.
—Christie Dietz
Skiing in Hokkaido
Location: Sapporo, Japan
When skiers talk of Japow, they’re referring to the almost mythically fine and fluffy snow that falls in generous quantities over Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, where entire towns are devoted to the singular sport of zipping down the mountain. While Niseko is the best known of the island’s ski spots, just 40 minutes further west and towards the coast is Iwanai, an equally majestic landscape that offers electrifying ski holidays without the crowds.
Situated along the western coast of Hokkaido, the area is home to Mount Iwanai (Iwanai-dake), rising about 1,498 meters above the bay. The mountain is a glorious setting for adrenaline junkies who get their thrills from swooshing through arguably the finest untracked powder in the country, against the most incredible views of the Sea of Japan. To experience the splendor and magic of Mount Iwanai, plan a visit to Iwanai Resort, set to open this month. Among the resort’s planned offerings is cat skiing, or off-piste skiing that involves a ride on a snowcat into the back country. —Tara FT Sering
Amazing trails through the mountain pass on foot
Location: Nagoya, Japan
There’s nothing like discovering a country slowly, one step at a time. Among the many rewarding hikes you can do in Japan is the Nakasendo, which translates to “the road in the mountains” an ancient highway linking Kyoto to Tokyo, then called Edo. During its heyday in the 17th century, nobles, samurai and traders traveled this route, up steep slopes, through deep valleys and thick forest, stopping at one of 69 post towns along the way for a hot meal, a soak in an onsen and a snooze at a ryokan. Following in their footsteps on a guided tour introduces the land and its history – 500 years leading up to the present – in a way that few other experiences can. The most scenic stretches of the Nakasendo are in the Kiso Valley, where the cobbled streets and wooden house of well preserved post towns such as Tsumago and Magome, transport you to a different time. Kisoji is accessed most conveniently from the bustling port city of Nagoya.
—Tara FT Sering
Ride from Saigon to Hanoi on a motorbike
Location: Saigon to Hanoi, Vietnam
If cycling hundreds of kilometers between Vietnam’s largest cities doesn’t appeal, a scenic route by motorbike is a less grueling option involving no coach transfers. First, follow the road from Saigon to Vung Tau towards the eastern coast, take the “Ocean Road” to beach resort Mui Ne, past Ho Tram and Ho Coc’s beaches, and veer inland towards Central Highlands idyll Da Lat, stopping to admire its waterfalls and colonial architecture.
Heading for the coast again, enjoy views of Ninh Van Bay, Hong Gom Sandbar and Vung Ro Bay, interspersed with relaxation at cosmopolitan Nha Trang; more beaches await at Quy Nhon. Recharge in peaceful Kun Tom before hitting the Ho Chi Minh Highway and the Hai Van (“Ocean Cloud”) Pass, which brings you to the Unesco-fêted city of Hoi An. Passing through Danang city, it’s a short ride to former capital Hue. Northbound again, stop at Dong Hoi for Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, with the world’s largest cave, Son Doong. Then keep following Ho Chi Minh Highway, stopping in Vinh city on this longer stretch; further north in Thanh Hoa province, cruise through emerald paddies, limestone peaks and riverside roads before finally arriving in Hanoi.
Navigating this long country’s improving main roads never felt easier, and motorcycling this sinuous route that skirts grinding urban traffic – while still taking in many major destinations – is a magnificent way to appreciate Vietnam through a fresh lens. —Jonathan Evans
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