Interested in seatrekking, swimrunning, or bodypainting? These unique outdoor activities, along with more traditional options, are available at various destinations across Europe, from northern Norway to the Greek islands
‘Slow happiness’ in Italy, Finland, Sweden or Iceland
Slow Adventure, a Scotland-based company, promotes a mindful approach to activity holidays. Their offerings include climbing and yoga in the Italian Alps, mountain biking in Sweden, and horse riding and rambling in Iceland. The Finnish Happiness trip features accommodations in log cabins by a lake in Lapland, where guests can enjoy activities like canoeing under the midnight sun, hiking, swimming, swamp foraging, and daily saunas. Additionally, 5% of the trip fee is allocated to local conservation projects. In Finland, this could mean contributing to the protection of the rare Saimaa ringed seal, preserving forests, or supporting a children’s environmental charity.
Swim, snorkel and hike in Croatia, Italy or Sweden
The emerging sustainable activity of seatrekking combines coastal exploration through water and land without leaving a trace, encompassing swimming, snorkeling, hiking, and sleeping under the open sky. Companies like SeaNomads now offer guided tours in various locations such as Cres, Croatia; Kullaberg, Sweden; and Portofino and Elba, Italy. A typical day includes morning yoga and breathing exercises, followed by swimming and hiking, setting up camp, dining around a fire, and sleeping on an airbed (or under a tarp in rainy conditions).
These tours often feature free-diving and cliff-jumping sessions. For beginners, there’s an additional introductory day, and all necessary equipment—wetsuits, fins, snorkels, sleeping bags, mattresses, stoves, and water bags—is provided.
Boots or bike – and a raft, France
Another emerging adventure sport, packrafting involves hiking with a portable inflatable one-person boat for crossing lakes or navigating rivers. Secret River Expeditions offers two-day trips around the Verdon Gorge in southeast France. These trips may involve exploring lakes just north of the gorge or entering the canyon itself for a more advanced journey with rapids and abseiling.
The company also organizes two- or three-day bikerafting adventures in Annecy and Aix-les-Bains, where participants cycle instead of hike, and paddle along rivers, canals, and lakes (the bikes are carried on the boats). Some trips include bivouacs or camping, while others offer options to stay in lodges or a hotel. One-day or half-day tasters are also available, starting from £73/£43.
On the ropes in Poland
“Aerial movement” is a blend of acrobatics, fitness training, pilates, and yoga, utilizing a hammock for body support. Beginners can experience it during a week-long retreat in the Beskid Mountains of southern Poland. The retreat includes daily skills sessions featuring silks, hoop, trapeze, rope, and bungee, as well as daily aerial yoga or pilates classes.
Guests can also explore forest trails, including a possible hike to the summit of Barania Gora (1,220 meters). Participants follow a 16/8 intermittent fasting diet, having brunch at 11 a.m. and dinner at 7 p.m., followed by a 16-hour fast. The newly constructed retreat center offers shared and private rooms.
Paddleboarding Norway’s fjords
Standup paddleboarding (SUP) is experiencing a surge in popularity, and SUP-focused vacations now offer a variety of experiences from mindfulness to fitness. The Norwegian retreat by SUP & Soul combines paddleboarding with nature immersion in a forest near Ekne, north of Trondheim. SUP sessions are held on fjords and a mountain lake.
The retreat also includes hiking, swimming, forest yoga, qigong, as well as art, music, and dance workshops. A summer solstice ceremony is part of the experience, and guests can stay in tree tents, yurts, or cabins.
Spain’s three peaks challenge
For those who have completed the British Three Peaks Challenge (Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon), the Spanish equivalent, Los Tres Picos, offers a tempting adventure, with considerably higher peaks. Adventurous Ewe offers a four-night trip in Sierra Nevada, home to the three highest mountains in mainland Spain: Alcazaba (3,371m), Veleta (3,394m), and Mulhacén (3,482m).
Participants climb one mountain each day, trekking for seven to 10 hours daily and staying in remote huts. While the challenge involves some scrambling, no climbing experience is necessary. The breathtaking views over mountains to the Mediterranean make the effort worthwhile.
Horse riding in Albania
Equus Journeys offers horseback trail rides across Europe (and worldwide) designed for adventurous, intermediate-level riders. Riders typically travel almost daily, either camping or staying in modest accommodations. Trips range from short breaks in Ireland to eight-day treks across Iceland.
On the Ancient Mountain Trails adventure in Albania, riders explore hills, valleys, and forests, visiting medieval villages, ruined castles, and Byzantine monasteries. The trip begins and ends in the UNESCO-listed city of Gjirokastër, with nights spent at homestays, where guests cook and dine with local families.
For beginners, a center-based holiday might be more suitable, with options available in Poland, Portugal, Ireland, and Italy, some of which are family-friendly.
Surfing for newbies in Portugal
Beginners can immerse themselves in a supportive, small-group environment during this week-long women-only surf camp in Lagos, Portugal. The camp offers five full days of surf coaching, with one instructor for a maximum of four students, as well as one-to-one video coaching and group theory lessons. The package also includes two surf skate sessions and one surf-inspired yoga class (additional daily yoga, massages, and a SUP tour are available for an extra cost).
Accommodations are provided in a surf lodge featuring a pool, whirlpool bath, and gardens, with options for private or shared rooms, safari tents, or cabins. Most meals are included, with highlights such as a welcome dinner with wine-tasting and an end-of-week barbecue. The camp is also suitable for intermediate surfers.
Body art on the Lofoten islands
The ancient practice of bodypainting is experiencing a revival, with a bodypainting weekend scheduled in Hvar, Croatia, on 8 and 9 June, and the World Bodypainting Festival in Klagenfurt, Austria, from 17-21 September. A new retreat on Norway’s Lofoten Islands combines bodypainting with nature and movement. Participants learn basic body art along with techniques like camouflage, abstract, UV, and face painting. The retreat offers hula-hoop classes, moving meditations, hiking, swimming, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), and a live bodypainting show. Accommodations are provided in beachfront cabins with access to an outdoor hot tub and sauna, and guests enjoy locally sourced vegan/vegetarian cuisine. No prior art experience is necessary (but participants should be comfortable with nudity).
Swimrun camp, Spain
Swimrun is an endurance sport typically undertaken by teams of two, combining trail running and open-water swimming. The inaugural race, held in 2002, was an island-hopping challenge in the Stockholm archipelago. What started as a drunken bet among friends has evolved into the Ötillö Swimrun World Championship.
In April, a training camp led by swimrun champion, personal trainer, and yoga teacher Sarah Hansson will take place in Calella de Palafrugell on the Costa Brava. Participants will cover 12-18km per day, running and swimming through national parks, mountains, beaches, and villages. Afternoon yoga sessions will aid in recovery. Accommodations are in a four-star hotel with a pool, just a short walk from the sea. The camp targets intermediate levels and above, but beginners can explore workshops in the UK at swimrun-advice.com.
