My Top 3 Outdoor Travel Destinations
I love the outdoors, and travelling is one of my greatest passions. That’s why every year, I travel to off-the-beaten-path destinations where nature reigns supreme. In this blog post, I’m sharing some of my favourite outdoor travel destinations and unique activity ideas to help you discover them. Just a heads-up: this isn't about packing an overstuffed rolling suitcase or lounging at all-inclusive resorts. With me, we travel light and venture beyond the usual tourist spots!
Hiking in Argentine Patagonia
Patagonia is a wild region of South America located between Chile and Argentina. A true paradise of untouched wilderness, it is home to majestic mountains, crystal-clear rivers and breathtaking landscapes. Hiking is therefore a must-do activity for discovering this corner of the world.
One of the advantages of visiting Patagonia from the Argentine side is that you can access the famous Los Glaciares National Park from El Chaltén, a small mountain village in the south of the country. El Chaltén offers hostels, restaurants and pubs, making it a great place to stay while planning your hikes according to the weather. This is particularly important in Patagonia, where conditions can be harsh, even in the summer. It’s best to allow yourself a few days of flexibility.
El Chaltén’s most famous hike is without a doubt Laguna de los Tres. Stretching roughly 20 kilometres, the trail leads to the base of Fitz Roy, one of the world’s most famous peaks. It’s a fairly challenging trail, but the spectacular view at the end is definitely worth the effort.
Although Argentine Patagonia is a popular destination for hiking, it also offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including camping, kayaking, via ferrata, rock climbing, fishing and horseback riding. It’s a must-visit destination if you enjoy getting away from it all to take in the beauty of the wilderness.
Things to Know About Argentina
- The best time to visit Argentina is between December and February.
- El Chaltén can be reached by air from Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital city. It’s about a 3.5-hour flight. From the airport, you’ll need to take a bus or shuttle service to El Chaltén. Once you arrive, you can get around on foot, since it’s a small village.
- The Perito Moreno Glacier is another must-see attraction in the region.
3 Tips for Travelling Light
Whether you’re travelling for a week or two months, packing light is always a great idea. It makes getting around easier and helps save on checked baggage fees.
Here are 3 tips for travelling with just a carry-on bag:
- Go for versatile, comfortable basics that you can wear for sports activities as well as for dining out or a night on the town. Opt for lightweight, quick-drying technical fabrics, and avoid jeans and cotton.
- Pack more tops than bottoms, and choose neutral-coloured pieces that can easily be mixed, matched and layered depending on the weather.
- Use a local laundromat to do your laundry; it will only cost you a few dollars.
Scuba Diving in French Polynesia
French Polynesia is a true tropical paradise. This overseas collectivity of the French Republic is made up of 118 islands divided into 5 archipelagos in the South Pacific Ocean. Its best-known islands are Tahiti and Bora-Bora.
I was fortunate enough to live in French Polynesia for over a year and to visit ten islands by sailboat across three of its archipelagos. It’s one of my favourite places, not only for the beauty of its wild landscapes, but also for the kindness of the Polynesian people and the richness of their culture. The turquoise lagoons, the sound of ukuleles drifting through the air, the hand-woven flower necklaces, the traditional tattoos… It’s a unique destination that has left me with unforgettable memories.
French Polynesia is a warm, sunny destination with plenty to offer outdoor enthusiasts. You can enjoy mountain hiking and surfing there. The most recent Olympic surfing event, held during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, took place in Teahupoʻo, Tahiti. It’s also a scuba diving paradise.
Do you dream of trying scuba diving for the first time—or, better yet, taking a course to get certified? Tahiti is the place for you, with scuba diving schools where you can earn globally recognized PADI and SSI certifications. Plus, French is spoken throughout French Polynesia, which makes things easier if you’re not very comfortable with English. Once you’ve earned your diving certification, you can explore other nearby islands, such as the Tuamotu Archipelago, home to the small island of Fakarava.
Near Fakarava lies one of the world’s most beautiful scuba diving sites: the legendary Wall of Sharks. Known for its stunning multicoloured coral garden, the site is home to an impressive concentration of marine life. In addition to its population of 300 grey reef sharks, you can also spot blacktip sharks, turtles and rays, an impressive variety of tropical fish and sometimes even dolphins. An unforgettable experience!
Things to Know About French Polynesia
- The best time to visit French Polynesia is from May to October.
- To travel between the islands and archipelagos, you can take a ferry or hop on short flights.
- Once you're there, the best way to get around is to rent a car, since public transportation is limited or nonexistent.
- In addition to scuba diving, snorkelling is also very popular throughout French Polynesia. It’s an easy activity, perfect for families, and doesn’t require any certification.
- I also recommend visiting a vanilla plantation or a black pearl farm, attending a traditional dance performance and trying the local specialty: raw fish in coconut milk.
What coverage do I have if my belongings are stolen or damaged?
Items you bring with you when travelling, such as diving or camping gear, bicycles and laptops, are generally covered by your home insurance. However, your policy may include certain conditions, limitations and exclusions. Before travelling, I recommend checking with your damage insurance representative to see exactly what your policy covers.
Road Trips, Camping and Thrills in New Zealand
New Zealand is an archipelago in Oceania made up of more than 600 islands, the main ones being the North Island and the South Island. The North Island is home to the country’s two largest cities: Auckland and Wellington. However, it’s the South Island that I recommend you visit, since—with its wild landscapes, mountains and fjords—it’s a favourite among adventurers, as well as fans of The Lord of the Rings trilogy (that’s where the movies were filmed!).
The South Island is especially popular among vanlife enthusiasts. There’s no shortage of scenic drives to enjoy, along with national parks to explore along the way. If you enjoy long hikes, you’ll have plenty to choose from, as the country boasts a network of trails renowned around the world: the Great Walks. You’ll follow trails that wind through lush tropical forests, idyllic beaches and breathtaking rocky cliffs on hikes lasting 3 to 6 days. You can choose to camp along the way or stay in fully equipped mountain huts.
The city of Queenstown, on the South Island, is also a popular destination for adventure tourism. In addition to hiking, there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, such as mountain biking, river kayaking, rafting, rock climbing, bungee jumping and fly fishing. In winter, skiers flock to the Remarkables, a mountain range offering spectacular views.
If you're looking for a thrill, try jet boating—a quintessential New Zealand experience. Capable of reaching speeds of up to 80 km/h, these boats are powered by Formula 1-style engines, allowing them to perform spectacular manoeuvres, such as skimming past cliffs less than a metre away along rivers winding through canyons. It’s scary, fun and dazzling… an unforgettable rush. Try it at least once in your life!
Things to Know About New Zealand
- The best time to visit New Zealand is from December to April.
- Many people choose to explore the country, particularly the South Island, in a camper van. Keep in mind, however, that this way of travelling in New Zealand is quite expensive and that campgrounds are often crowded.
- I personally chose to travel around New Zealand by train and bus. From Auckland to Queenstown, I was able to travel across the country from the North Island to the South Island without renting a car or taking taxis. I really loved this approach—it’s perfect for people who enjoy walking and travelling light.
A World of Destinations to Discover
Fortunately for us outdoor enthusiasts, our planet is full of wild places where outdoor activities take centre stage. Here, I’ve suggested three outdoor travel destinations that have left a lasting impression on me over the past few years, but I could just as easily have mentioned Japan or Australia—two other favourite destinations where people come from all over the world to ski, surf or go on long hikes. I hope my suggestions will inspire you to pack your backpack and set out to explore these unique places. Safe travels!
This article was written by an external contributor. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Promutuel Insurance.
