Lazing your days away on a white sand beach is all well and good, but sometimes you need a little more getup in your getaway. Luxury hotels across the globe are heeding the call of adventurous travelers looking to up the ante on their vacations, all while communing with the world around them.
Whether meeting wild animals face to face or exploring an ice cave so remote that it requires a helicopter, these bucket-list adventures might inspire your nature-loving spirit to explore further, farther and faster.
Meet Giraffes in Kenya
Embark on an epic adventure to encounter some of the planet’s most elusive animals during a new 10-night excursion from The Safari Collection in Kenya. Join some of the leading giraffe conservation experts in the field as they track three of the world’s four giraffe species — the Rothschild’s/Nubian, reticulated and Masai — and even enjoy hands-on activities with the remarkable creatures.
Accommodations at Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Giraffe Manor, which include breakfast with the fun-loving giraffes, photo opportunities with the resident warthogs and time in the relaxing Retreat day room, will help etch the journey in your memory for years.
Explore the Wild West in Utah
Among the most majestic sites in the United States, Moab is a nature lover’s dream. Red rock formations as far as the eye can see invite endless adventures, and that’s precisely what you’ll find at Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa. The rustic-chic escape offers nearly every activity, including whitewater rafting, UTV riding, hot air ballooning, canyoneering and skydiving. Guided hikes through top Utah attractions like Canyonlands and Arches national parks are also available for those looking to take it slow.
Rejuvenate from your outdoor adventure with a pampering session in the hotel’s stellar spa.
Soar Through the Jungle in Puerto Rico
Your beach vacation meets the bucket list at Puerto Rico’s Five-Star Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Not only is the resort stunning, but it boasts a full roster of locally inspired adventures that help you connect with the Caribbean island’s unique natural surroundings. Hiking, stargazing and sailing are all available through the luxury hotel, though one awe-inspiring activity soars above the crowd. When you book an excursion to Toro Verde Adventure Park in the mountainous region of Orocovis, you’ll fly above the jungle canopy on the longest zipline in the Western Hemisphere.
Don’t leave without checking out the souvenir photo of your flight, which you can purchase (along with post-adventure paletas, or ice pops) in the gift shop.
Discover a Remote Ice Cave in British Columbia
Take a trip back in time when you explore Whistler’s remote ice caves, courtesy of Five-Star Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver. The luxury hotel ensures that the journey is extra comfortable thanks to a private chauffeur from Vancouver to an airfield where you’ll transfer via helicopter to the isolated caves. After landing, you’ll take a guided trek of the spectacular natural formation complete with a photographer to capture every Instagram-worthy moment.
If that itinerary isn’t exciting enough, reserve a private five-course lunch inside the cave, a two-hour post-excursion spa treatment or a mixology lesson with 12,000-year-old cave ice collected during your out-of-this-world outing.
Experience the Desert in Jordan
One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Petra is a must-visit on any dreamy jaunt to Jordan. But while you’re discovering the desert’s mysteries, take some time to connect with your natural surroundings and the people who call the region home. Five-Star Four Seasons Hotel Amman offers just this opportunity with a cultural excursion to the ancient desert city of Umm Qais.
There, visit local women who will show you a day in their life (including how to forage in the mountains and weave baskets) before helping to revive the arid landscape via a handmade seed ball and relishing in a sunset picnic overlooking the desert landscape.
