| To get a lot more out of your European adventure, | | | | be hired in even the smallest mountain resorts so |
| veteran travelers suggest you factor some of your | | | | there's no need to bring boots and poles around. You |
| interests within your route. This could range from | | | | can also ski and small resorts in Scotland, Spain, |
| adding activities like hiking, skiing, white water rafting, | | | | northern Greece and Turkey. |
| or cycling or more relaxed pursuits like art | | | | For surfers, opportunities aren't great but they do |
| appreciation, wine tasting, or bird watching. Before | | | | exist in Europe. Windsurfing is more popular along the |
| you arrive in Europe, consult the activity section of a | | | | Mediterranean coast. Windsurfing is also extremely |
| good guide book or research your options on the | | | | popular in Greece, southern Italy and Croatia. You can |
| Internet. Some of the more popular activities and the | | | | hire boards and equipment on the beach or in the |
| best places to do them are featured below. | | | | resort towns. North Cornwall in England is a chilly but |
| Hiking or trekking are great ways to leave the cities | | | | popular surfing center. Believe it or not, Scotland also |
| behind and explore Europe's mountains, lakes and | | | | has some good waves. Great areas to windsurf |
| forests. If you plan to hike, make sure you | | | | include Ireland and both the North and South coasts |
| adequately prepare your outdoor gear and equipment | | | | of Spain. |
| and inform someone else about your plans. Also | | | | There are also plenty of things of interest for scuba |
| make sure you get yourself in shape by walking with | | | | divers around Europe. The best scuba diving and |
| a backpack before you leave home, gradually building | | | | snorkeling is off the coast of southern Europe, |
| up to the distance you expect to cover in Europe. | | | | Turkey and Greece. Other good diving spots are |
| Some of the best and most scenic hiking is in the | | | | Cyprus, Malta, Portugal and parts of Italy. |
| mounting areas like the Alps of Austria, Switzerland, | | | | There are also hundreds of organized adventure |
| France and Italy. In some regions like England, you | | | | activities that you can take part in while in Europe. |
| can make shorter hikes from village to village without | | | | These can include canyoning, white water rafting, |
| needing to camp or cook your own food. | | | | ballooning, parasailing, bungee jumping and hang gliding. |
| If cycling is more of your hobby, you will enjoy | | | | Always keep in mind that these activities carry an |
| Europe. Europeans love cycling and there are lots of | | | | element of risk so always check the safety record |
| dedicated bike paths all over the continent. This is | | | | and the reputation of the company you use. Make |
| especially true in the Netherlands and Belgium. Other | | | | sure your equipment is in good condition and that |
| good areas for cycle touring are Tuscany in Italy, | | | | your travel insurance covers is the type of activity |
| Provence in France, southern England, anywhere in | | | | you want to try. Always listen to the local warnings |
| Ireland and southern Germany. | | | | on weather conditions. |
| If you plan on skiing, some of the best ski resorts | | | | If you're not into the adrenaline rush, there are also |
| can be found in Austria, France and Switzerland. | | | | good bird watching and fishing spots. River fishing |
| Though skiing is not a budget pastime, it is still | | | | throughout Europe is subject to all sorts of |
| possible to hit the slopes cheaply if you avoid the | | | | restrictions so you might have to buy a license and |
| Alps and head to some of the lesser-known | | | | your catch can be limited. Many stretches of river or |
| mountains in Andorra and Eastern Europe which offer | | | | also privately owned, so it can be extremely |
| some of the cheapest skiing packages. Ski gear can | | | | expensive to fish there. |