Everyone looks forward to traveling – no matter how much of a homebody you are, there comes a time when you just want to get away to someplace new. This can entail your run-of-the-mill amusement park visit, or something that takes you out of your state altogether.
Another, more exciting option is the vacation that involves something different from the norm. This could be as common as a city guide tour bus through an especially entertaining city, where you can view the bustle and festivities down below from a high perch. Or, you might go whitewater rafting at Yellowstone Park or take a train through Arizona’s Grand Canyon. The possibilities are nearly endless; we’ll just look at 6 of the types of tours that are available.
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London’s Homeless Guided Walking Tour
Yes – you read the title correctly. London’s unique take on the stoic underbelly of its centuries-old streets and attractions is led by one of the city’s “residents.” The company is Unseen Tours, and they employ formerly homeless people to lead you through the neighborhoods of Shoreditch, Camden, Covent Garden and the London Bridge. It’s an enlightening stroll through the land’s rich history, led by someone who knows it better than just about anyone else. The highlight of the long stroll is at the end, where the group sits at a cafe and chats about the experience.
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Morocco’s Essaouira Gnawa Music Tour
First of all, what is Gnawa? They are an Afro-Moroccan music group that epitomizes the longing tunes and beats that are considered the quintessential Moroccan experience. You’ll travel in a small group of eight tourists, not including the Gnawa music masters, and stroll through sites such as the UNESCO World Heritage Medina (also called the Arab Quarter) in the middle of Essaouira, where you’ll learn about the local culture and customs amid the musical jams.
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Amsterdam’s Longboarding Tour
This one’s for the really adventurous traveler. It’s very much a community-oriented type of travel tour, in which the company Vayable.com provides you with a long skateboard and unleashes it in the center of a populous park. This longboard is attached to the back of a bicycle troupe, so you’re not using much energy to enjoy it – other than holding on. The power of locomotion is provided entirely by the cyclists. It’s the ride of a lifetime, and it lasts for quite some time; the package is for two hours but you can certainly get off sooner if you please.
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Whitewater Rafting Tour in the Baja Peninsula
Breathtaking in scope and beauty, Mexico’s Baja Peninsula stands out amidst the Sea of Cortez and the endless blue of the mighty Pacific Ocean. In addition to the whitewater rafting that can be had on the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez, there are also whale watching tours on the other side of the so-called Mexican Galapagos where the North Pacific dominates the landscape. Similarly, sea kayaking is a very popular alternative to rafting – but of course, you can do both.
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North Carolina’s Yoga Tour
The well-received, ancient mind and body-cleansing art has somehow been incorporated into a walking tour. The tour begins with the stretches characteristic of the art, and then the 1.5 hour trek through North Carolina’s downtown area begins. You’ll conduct yoga poses through Pritchard Park and beyond, listening to the instructor’s tales about the history of Asheville. There are plenty of other art-minded street performers along the way – so you won’t feel out of place as you waltz down the Chicken Alley district and admire the architecture.
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Aspen Colorado Mountain Tour
Aspen is well-known for its soaring, ice-capped mountains, and the ski resorts and lifts that guarantee a full day of fun and exquisite views. In particular, the Highlands is a favorite of the locals and tourists alike, the half-hour hike to the summit is rewarding in its own right. Alternatively, you can choose the tours where lifts carry you up the 45 degree slope to the gorgeous Maroon Bells.