The next time you want to travel and stray off the beaten path, why not get off that beaten path altogether? There is a world full of countless unique and unusual holiday ideas awaiting you. The following are just a few suggestions (and remember to bring your camera!):
Dare to ride a 14-storey, double-looped indoor roller coaster (dubbed The Mindbender) at West Edmonton Mall (located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada). Should you want tamer activities, the mall, sprawling over the equivalent of 48 city blocks (that’s a lot of football fields …), is home to over 800 specialty and department stores as well as restaurants. Mind you, the touted “Eighth Wonder of the World” also boasts a NHL-sized ice arena (open year-round) and the world’s largest indoor waterpark and wave pool. Should you ever tire of exploring the mall, you can return to your guest room at the on-site Fantasyland Hotel. The hotel boasts 354 rooms with 118 specialized theme rooms. There is far more to Edmonton than just West Edmonton Mall … non-stop festivals entertain audiences throughout the summer months, a magnificent river valley welcomes walkers, hikers, cyclists and rollerbladers and the city is just a few short hours drive from the scenic Rocky Mountains.
For a rollercoaster ride of another sort, whitewater rafting down the Colorado River could be just the trick. Novice to expert rafters can shoot the rapids with accompanying professional and experienced guides. Can you just imagine the fresh air and cool water splashing in your face? Numerous trips for various skill levels are available; the Colorado River Outfitter’s Association (CROA) is a great place to start. Check out their website at http://www.croa.org/.
Yet another option might be to drift peacefully and experience the world from above in a hot air balloon. Virgin Balloon Flights, based out of England, offers thrill-seeking tourists the chance to climb to over 6,000 feet in the air. Flights, of course, are weather-dependent but balloon riders can be treated to rare views of the countryside below. Currently, Virgin Balloon Flights has the largest fleet of passenger balloons as well as the largest passenger balloon in the entire United Kingdom. And all of this isn’t just hot air! Check out their website at http://www.virginballoonflights.co.uk/.
So, why not get creative with your next holiday plans? Think outside of the box and you could just experience a trip of a lifetime!
article by Rick Lauber
