Four Fabulous Vacations For The Adrenaline Junkie
If you're the type of person who loves getting an adrenaline rush, your ideal vacation probably doesn't involve lounging around at an all-inclusive resort. Instead, you may be more interested in a vacation package that replaces relaxation with adventure.
Swim With The Fishes
Most people are terrified at the idea of swimming in shark-infested waters, but if this just gives you a rush, there's no shortage of places around the world willing to help you out. South Africa, Guadeloupe, Mexico, Australia, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, the island of Fiji, and North Carolina's Outer Banks all offer the opportunity. Some areas, such as South Africa, have divers enter a metal cage for protection from the Great White sharks that get up close and personal. In North Carolina, scuba divers can swim with the relatively innocuous sand tiger or nurse sharks as they glide around the shipwrecked Papoose, a 412-foot tanker that was shot by a German submarine during WWII around Cape Hatteras.
Fly High
If you've always wanted to get your pilot's license, there's plenty of vacation hot spots you can get your wings at. Just search for a flight school similar to CalAir Aviation in state you're interested in visiting. For a recreational pilot certificate, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires 30 hours of training in addition to about 20 hours of classes on the ground. Florida is a popular option as they have lots of schools and fun in the sun when you're not training. Once you have some flying experience, future vacations can include playing a fighter pilot and flying in mock aerial dogfights. Be sure to check with a travel agent for the best deals.
Feel The Rush Freefall Skydiving
Maybe rather than learn to fly the airplane you'd rather learn to jump out of one. Most initial classes are a weekend of classes followed by your first jump. Some facilities even offer an 8-hour accelerated course before you get to go up and out.
Take The Plunge And Go Bungee Jumping
If you have no problem with heights and love the adrenaline-fueled feeling of your heart in your throat, bungee jumping is the extreme sport for you. One of the most scenic options is jumping off of the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge in Taos, New Mexico. This bridge is approximately 650-feet above the Rio Grande River, making it one of the highest bridges in the United States. When you're not busy bungee jumping, you can hit the water and go whitewater rafting down the Rio Grande or horseback riding in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
