This July Tripadvisor increased their donation to up to 5.5% so if you are thinking of booking something fun for the summer now is a great time to do it. Here at TheGivingMachine we have put together our favourite must do experiences for an adventure of a lifetime:
If you love the sea, you’ll love this kayak tour in Lagos. It’s one of the best ways to see Ponta da Piedade—a famous cluster of rock formations near Lagos in the Algarve. Sure, you can take a boat, but kayaking lets you get closer to the golden caves and cliffs. The experience also includes a visit to a remote beach, where you can swim, snorkel, or just chill out. Travelers recommend signing up for the morning tour to escape the crowds and midday heat.
Visiting Marbella in Spain? This canyoning tour in Guadalmina Canyon—just 20 minutes away from the coastal city—is a must-do. Think rappelling down waterfalls, going down a natural water slide, and the optional cliff jumping. The tour is available all year round, but summer is the best time to check this off your bucket list. Water temps are warmer, making it more pleasant to swim in.
Fabulous views of the island, the sea breeze in your face, the rush from landing on a beach—that’s paragliding at Tenerife. If you’re vacationing in Costa Adeje, this tandem paragliding experience is a summer must-do. Depending on weather conditions, you could reach heights of almost 3,300 feet—high enough to soar through clouds. Adventure seekers can go for this acrobatic paragliding flight. Expect a roller coaster ride with twists, turns, and spins in the air.
There’s more to Bali than sandy beaches and award-winning resorts. Enjoy a dose of action with this full-day ATV ride and whitewater rafting adventure. Start by paddling down the Ayung River, dry off with a quick lunch break, before roaring through jungles and rice paddies on a powerful ATV. Now’s a great time to go, dry season is on till September. Some tips: wear water shoes, bring socks, and stuff your phone in a waterproof carrier. You are going to get wet and muddy!
Spice up your next vacation with some of the coolest stays in the world, that’ll have you sleeping inches away from the ocean, or right in the middle of it.
The Maldives has some of the most beautiful overwater bungalows and at the top of the list is Gili Lankanfushi. This eco-friendly resort on the private island of Lankanfushi is just a short speedboat ride from Male International Airport. You can relax in one of the resort’s 44 palm-thatched villas–each with private sundecks and stunning ocean views—or for ultimate privacy, stay in one of the seven stand-alone Crusoe Residences, only accessible by private boat.
Picture this: You’re soaking in a marble bathtub while watching sharks and stingrays glide past. Experience this in the underwater suites of Atlantis The Palm in Dubai. The floor-to-ceiling windows bring you inches away from the 65,000 marine creatures in the Ambassador Lagoon—one of the world’s largest aquariums. The luxurious suites span three floors and come with a private elevator and 24-hour butler service.
Spend the night 16 feet beneath the Indian Ocean in a 180-degree curved acrylic dome at The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. The two-level villa, or The Muraka (meaning “coral” in the native language of Dhivehi), houses up to 9 people, and has a private outdoor deck with an infinity pool on the top floor. Don’t miss the resort’s award-winning Ithaa Undersea Restaurant too, an intimate 12-seater underwater restaurant serving fusion cuisine and fine wines.
The fun never stops at Coco Key Resort and Waterpark in Orlando, Florida. The whole family will enjoy the dozens of outdoor water slides, heated pools, kid-friendly splash pads, and a poolside tiki bar, just steps away from your hotel room. You can also refuel at one of the resort’s restaurants and visit the state-of-the-art indoor arcade.
Nestled in the heart of Positano, Le Sirenuse Hotel is housed in a beautifully restored 18th-century villa on cliffs overlooking the Amalfi Coast and Mediterranean Sea. No two rooms are alike, each of its 58 rooms is individually furnished with hand-made tiled floors, antique furniture, and fine fabrics. Plus, enjoy complimentary activities like wine tastings, pilates sessions, cocktail-mixing lessons, and even daily boat excursions to the coast during the summer months.
Thinking of visiting London this summer? Here are some great things to do in this wonderful city.
Admire the unparalleled 360-degree view of London’s cityscape as you rise up over the Thames aboard the London Eye. Summer’s clear weather doesn’t just make for prime selfie opportunities—the lack of clouds or fog will ensure you’ll see all the way to Windsor Castle. Being the U.K.’s most popular paid attraction, you’ll bump into plenty of other tourists clamoring for a spot on the Eye. Speed things up with a fast-track ticket that will have you up in the air in a jiffy.
Every year, on the last weekend of August, the streets of Notting Hill burst into a vibrant sea of colors. The Notting Hill Carnival is one of the world’s largest street festivals and celebrates Caribbean culture in a multi-sensory display. Feast your eyes on the carnival’s elaborate floats and lively performers and move your feet to the pounding rhythms of steel bands and calypso music. The delectable smell of grilled meat and spices will make your mouth water.
Summer is one of the rare times you can swim in London without feeling like you’re about to turn into an icicle. Make the most of it by taking a dip in the Serpentine Lido, London’s most iconic open water “pool.” The man-made lake in Hyde Park opens for swimmers from May through September. If you prefer to stay dry, hop onto a pedal boat and sail alongside the swans, ducks, and geese.
Surrounded by lush foliage, the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is one of London’s largest theaters. Its season runs for only four months a year, so watching a play at this outdoor landmark is a must if you’re in London between May and September. Catch a matinée or go in the evening to sit under the stars. From classic Shakespearean performances to modern musicals, the theater promises an enjoyable time for adults and children alike.
Escape the summer heat with a leisurely cruise down the Thames River. Feel the wind whip through your hair on the open-air deck as you sail past a string of top London attractions. Admire the Tower of London and the historic Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre while learning more about their stories and secrets from your guide. Need a break from the sun? Retreat into the indoor deck, where you’ll still get to enjoy the panoramic views of London’s iconic skyline.
