If you are anything like me, then there are a plethora of exciting adventure activities and experiences from around the world that are on your bucket list! Don’t get me wrong, there is something nice about sitting on an exotic beach, with a fruity cocktail in your hand, as you listen to the ocean. But in all reality, I am an active traveler who loves all kinds of outdoor adventures! That is why the country of Turkey is definitely on my bucket list!

In doing my research for the Bucket List Project, I found unbelievable outdoor adventures in the mountains, on the water, and even in the skies. Many people don’t realize the beauty and rich culture that Turkey has so we hope after reading this, you’ll add it to your bucket list too! Since traveling without your Turkey visa is a big mistake, gather up the proper paperwork because you are going to want to check out the 10 best outdoor adventures in Turkey!

10 Best Outdoor Adventures in Turkey

1) Hot Air Ballooning

There is no doubt that taking a sunrise hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia’s amazing landscapes ranks as my top outdoor adventure to do in Turkey! There is just something about hopping in the basket and lifting up above one of the most striking yet bizarre landscapes in the world. Plus, with the 40+ Hot-Air Balloon Rides in Cappadocia offered by Viator, you are bound to have a once in a lifetime experience!

From the amazing waters off the coast to hiking in the mountains, there are some amazing outdoor adventures in #Turkey. See the 10 Best Outdoor Adventures in Turkey for any type of traveler! #OutdoorAdventures #ActiveTraveler
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2) Soaking in a Geothermal Pool

If you followed our adventures through Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, then you know that one of our absolute favorite outdoor activities to do is to soak and swim in any geothermal pool or river. So when I discovered geothermal pools of Pamukkale where you can actually take a soak, I was sold! Whether you just put your feet in or fully submerge yourself, you will love your time amid the white cotton candy looking pools.

HOT TIP: (See what I did there? Hot Tip?!?!) Make sure you take a dip in the antique swimming pool where Cleopatra is rumored to have bathed.

3) Go Hiking

From the country’s highest Peak at Mount Ararat to the 509-kilometer Lycian Way, there is a wide array of areas to hike in Turkey. No matter if you are a total beginner or an experienced climber, you can easily find opportunities to suit whatever level of difficulty you desire. Now, we can’t guarantee you will find Noah’s Ark but there is no shortage of breathtaking views whether you are in the mountains or along the coast.

4) Sailing the High Seas

Surrounded by four different seas and endless coastline, there is no doubt that you will find some amazing outdoor adventures in Turkey on the water. From taking a dinner cruise around the Bosphorus Strait and Black Sea to a full day sailing around the nearby islands of the Mediterranean, you will have some great opportunities to take one of the top Turkey Cruises or Sailing Tours.

5) Paragliding

If the idea soaring heights of 9,000-10,000 feet above sea level are on your bucket list then you are in luck. Turkey is a paraglider’s heaven. This is perhaps due to the light clear air that offers some of the best opportunities for stunning photos. The most popular place to paraglide is over Ölüdeniz. But wherever you decide to paraglide in Turkey, you will be greeted with views overlooking turquoise waters and sandy beaches.

6) Kayaking

If paddling is your idea of fun then, kayaking in Turkey needs to be on your bucket list! If you prefer a more relaxed environment, then head not to far from Kas to a small island known as Kekova along the coastline. Here you can easily kayak over the sunken ruins of an ancient Byzantine town called Dolchiste. For those looking for a bit more activity, then you will want to try sea kayaking along the Lycian Coast. Here in the beautiful waters of the Mediterranean, you can explore the amazing coastlines as you paddle the secluded inlets & secret coves.

7) Canyoneering

If the idea of hiking, climbing, or swimming through canyons all in pursuit of amazing landscapes like gorges or waterfalls is on your bucket list, then Turkey won’t disappoint you. Places like Saklıkent National Park outside of Kas, offer some amazing views and fun outdoor activities as you explore the canyon.

Hot Tip: Make sure you bring a towel and some old shoes for wading across the river in the gorge to protect your feet as it is rocky and the water is known to be ice cold!

8) Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is another popular outdoor activity throughout Turkey. For example, if the idea of soaring through the air in a hot air balloon is not your thing, you can still discover intriguing landscape and hidden troglodyte dwellings in Cappadocia with a horseback riding tour. There are plenty of other horseback riding tours that will allow anyone to explore anything from the beautiful beaches to hidden mountain villages.

9) Snorkeling or Diving

With the warm waters of the Mediterranean, it is no shock that snorkeling and scuba diving are extremely popular outdoor adventures in Turkey. The best part is that since the water is relatively clear and calm that any level of diver can enjoy exploring the waters. Perhaps the two spots that are on most people’s underwater bucket lists are diving the World War 1 wrecks off of Gallipoli and diving the Blue Cave and surrounding underwater rock formations near Kas.

Hot Tip –There are plenty of places around Turkey to learn how to scuba dive & even get PADI Certified. However, we strongly recommend that you consider getting Scuba Diving Travel Insurance from World Nomads! It is simple and flexible insurance to keep you safe on your next dive trip.

10) Whitewater Rafting

If you are looking for some adrenaline pumping outdoor adventures, then white water rafting in Turkey should definitely be on your bucket list! Whether you raft through narrow limestone gorges of the Korpulu Canyon or hit up the thrills and spills of the Dalaman River you are sure to experience some exhilarating white water.

Other Outdoor Adventures in Turkey

Do you say Turkey or Türkiye? 

Well, we personally still say Turkey but either way, there is no doubt that this beautiful country is the ultimate outdoor playground. But we’d like to know your opinion too.

Have you ever wanted to check out the best outdoor adventures in Turkey before? Have you already been? Which of the outdoor adventures in Turkey is your favorite? Have we left out other outdoor adventures that you would recommend? Let us know in the comments below!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your favorite Bucket List Travel or Adventure Board!

Disclosure: This post, “10 Best Outdoor Adventures in Turkey”, may contain affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

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When it comes to travel it can often feel like there’s so much to do in such little time – and the trend of “slow travel” in someway seems a little backward, as today, we are focused on experiencing more, more, more and packing as much into our time as possible – particularly our holidays.

See, we often treat travel like a Chinese takeaway rather than a slow and luxurious Sunday Brunch; meaning we are dashing about here there and everywhere in order to satiate our quest to explore as many parts of the world as possible – in fact, we can be running around so fast that we barely get chance to enjoy our travels and truly absorb the experiences we are having.  This is where “slow travel” comes in.

Slow travel, basically means one will spend a reasonably long period of time in one place; such as a month, often working and fully integrating with the culture of the destination.  Some could argue that slow travel allows for the the best holiday possible as you get to truly know your destination, whilst for others, they might argue it’s limiting and perhaps even lazy, or boring, on the basis you aren’t experiencing the whole world – just one little pocket of it.

The thought behind “slow travel” is that by spending more time in one location, be that a few weeks or a few months, you can experience the place in more depth and perhaps more authentically, than the veneered view of a tourist.

The term “like a local” is often used to describe the enhanced experience a traveller has when getting beneath the surface of a city, however it takes time to get to this level, and isn’t something a guidebook can point out.

Slow travel, be it a few weeks or a few months, helps you experience anywhere in more depth & more authentically! Read some destination inspiration as to where to head to in order to engage in slow travel. #slowtravel #travelslow
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Whereas, if you were to spend, let’s say a month, integrating with the local culture you will experience a whole new side of the city that is much richer than the limits of the typical tourist trail.

Slow travel may or may not be up your street, but if you’re curious as to where to head to in order to engage in slow travel and integrate with the local culture, here’s some destination inspiration:

1. THAILAND:  CHIANG MAI

Many people would describe Chiang Mai as a land of temples, rice paddies, monks and natural jungle.  This is true for the areas around Chiang Mai, but the city itself can be a pretty bustling place that is like a much more relaxed version of Bangkok.

Finding somewhere cheap to live in Chiang Mai is pretty simple.  There are several modern apartments available on www.airbnb.com at a cost of just $10 per night (presuming you are renting for over a month).

Chiang Mai is a great place to have as a base whilst exploring the rest of Thailand as there are direct flights to beautiful islands such as Krabi, Phuket and Koh Samui meaning you can go on mini breaks to more exotic locations, whilst benefiting from being in the cheaper and some could argue friendlier North of the country.

2. TURKEY: ISTANBUL

Whilst there are the occasional political demonstrations in Istanbul, on the whole Istanbul is a very safe, peaceful and calm city that is tourist friendly and extremely polite.

Istanbul is a lot like London, New York and Paris – but a lot warmer, both in terms of the weather and the people.  It’s also a lot cheaper. Istanbul is unlike any other city in the world due to the fact it is separated by the Bosphorus Strait meaning the city is split into two sides, each on a different continent (Europe and Asia).

The European side offers well known brands occupying prime real estate on busy high streets with independent hipster bars and coffee shops found closer to the river, akin to the vibe one might find in San Francisco, whilst the Asian side has a much more rustic and raw vibe, where in parts, you could feel like you were in modern day Morocco.

3. MOROCCO: MARRAKECH

Talking of Morocco, Marrakech is an incredibly colourful and vibrant city that has a lot to offer tourists – yet most will visit only for a few days.

Whilst you may not choose to live in Marrakech for a whole month, it can be a fantastic place to base yourself for a few weeks whilst exploring the hidden gems of Morocco such as the Sahara Desert and Atlas Mountains.  Indeed, a more relaxed and much nicer alternative to Marrakech is Essaouira which has a far more chilled out coastal vibe akin to Portugal.

4. INDONESIA: BALI

Made famous by the film Eat Pray Love, Bali is a spiritual hotbed of hippie travelers all trying to make ends meet on the beautiful island of Bali.  That said, it isn’t all hippie creativity, there’s also a lot of pollution, congestion and club life; as Bali serves the same purpose for the young Australian crowd that the likes of Ibiza does in Europe.

Admittedly, Bali isn’t the cheapest destination in SE Asia, though it is one of the nicest – particularly if you head toward the Northern part of the island, away from the trashiness of Kuta.  Moreover, Bali is a good starting point to explore other parts of Indonesia, and these parts can be incredibly cheap yet equally as beautiful as Bali.

In fact, the lesser known parts of this country made up of hundreds if not thousands of tiny islands are in some ways even more magical than Bali because they retain their true essence without being corrupted by tourism.

5. SINGAPORE

Singapore is a melting pot of cultures with an incredible foodie scene.  Whilst Singapore isn’t particularly cheap as a place to travel long-term, you can earn a decent wage here, meaning if you were travelling long term and looking for a way to top up your travel fund this could be a good option.

Hotels can be pricey, but there are some great deals to be had on long term apartments; particularly through AirBnB.  That said, due to how polite people are in this region, it would be just as easy to live with someone on a roommate basis rather than renting an entire apartment.

Singapore makes a great place to have as a base for exploring other parts of Southeast Asia as there are very cheap flights to the majority of popular tourist destinations with flights just a few hours long.

You can ensure that you get the best out of your Slow Travel experience with a bit of simple planning. Check out some destination inspiration for a great slow travel adventure! #slowtravel #travelslow #SeeTheWorld
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Though some people might worry that slow travel could be boring, you can do a lot to ensure that you get the best out of your travel experience with a bit of simple planning. Where else would you consider as a great place for those looking to experience slow travel? Let us know in the comments below!

 Don’t forget to Pin this to your Bucket List Board!

The post Slow Travel: Is It The Way Forward? appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

Everyone should have a bucket list and on that list there should be some amazing holiday destinations you’d love to visit. But how do you decide what locations will make your list? The world has so much to offer – you’ve got to choose your favourites, based on what you love doing. To help, we’ve picked five destinations we don’t think you’ll be expecting. Hopefully, some will make your bucket list. Check them out:

• Isles of Scilly

An archipelago off the Cornish coast, in southwest England, the Isles of Scilly are covered in beautiful heathland, and lined with sandy beaches. 2,200 people are lucky enough to call this place home on the five inhabited islands – St. Mary’s, Tresco, St. Martin’s, Bryher and St. Agnes. But there are countless uninhabited ones to explore.

Whatever the season, there are wildlife and habitats flourishing. You can go on several different boat excursions to see as much as possible. Out on the water, it’s more than likely you’ll be watched by the many curious eyes of Atlantic grey seals (who is watching who?), see puffins and maybe even dolphins, according to the official tourist board. It’s a little spot of the world relatively untouched by tourism.

• Japan

When you think of Japan, skiing probably isn’t your first thought. But there are some popular spots including Niseko, Hakuba and Nagano. But the place worth adding to your bucket list is Appi. It’s only got 21 trails and a few of the mod-cons you’d expect in a fancy ski resort. But, if you’re looking for a foreign experience, seasoned travellers say it’s the place to go. If you’re a keen skier, head there before everyone realises how good the snow is.

Reading the 5 unexpected holiday destinations that should be on your Bucket List!
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• Chicago

When it comes to US cities, New York is probably on more people’s bucket list than Chicago. But if you love great food, craft beer, a spectacular skyline, impressive shopping, live music and theatre performances, galleries, and much more, you should consider visiting Chicago.

Something you probably didn’t know about Chicago is it’s also a beach vacation. In the summer, the lakefront’s 26 sandy beaches are buzzing. In these epic reasons to visit the city, they suggest dipping your toes into the cool blue waters of Lake Michigan, kicking back with a cool beverage at Montrose Beach, and playing volleyball at lively North Avenue Beach. If you’ve got kids, let them run wild at 31st Street Beach or soak up the sun at peaceful 63rd Street Beach.

• Istanbul

City breaks offer great holiday opportunities – few of which are more impressive than the chance to see two continents in one city in Istanbul. Visiting Turkey’s largest city allows you to visit Europe and Asia in one trip. But in addition to that claim, you get to have a traditional Turkish bath, visit the Blue Mosque or take a ride on the Bosphorus strait.

• Tristan da Cunha

Last up, we’ve got a destination that’s sure to give you some bragging rights. As the world’s most remote destination, it can only be reached by a week-long boat trip from South Africa. Or, if you’re lucky, a couple of cruise ships pass by every year.

Unsurprisingly, there’s pretty much no tourism infrastructure – including no hotels, so you’ll have to fully immerse yourself in local life. But, as this video of a day on the island will show you, meeting the locals is one of the best things about visiting.

Where destinations do you hope to visit? Share your bucket list places with us.

Don’t forget to Pin this to your Bucket List Board!

This was a guest post written by Isabel Leong from belaroundtheworld.com 

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