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