Those who are bohemians at heart can travel the world and make new friends using the couch-surfing system. Couch-surfing networking sites allow travelers to research and connect with people in cities around the world who offer up their couch (or guest room) to strangers. Staying with the people is free of charge, though you will be expected to pay for your own food and entertainment. The goal of this system is for the traveler and the hosts to learn from each other, while offering the traveler a more supported way to experience the local culture.
As with any travel situation, travelers should keep safety at the forefront. Research the hosts as much as possible and offer the hosts enough information about you to make them feel comfortable, as well. Most hosts will accommodate a pair of travelers, and the buddy system is safer for inexperienced couch surfers.
The Shongololo Express is best described as a cruise on land. A fleet of air-conditioned, luxury trains transport travelers through Africa, starting in South Africa and heading north. The Express stops at prearranged locations of interests, similar to a cruise ship stopping at a port, and allows travelers a chance to get out and explore with the security of a group behind them. Meals and drinks are served on the trains, and there are common areas for socializing. Stops on the route include Bushman settlements, Zambia and Mozambique.
Go under Down Under with a stay in the White Cliffs Underground Motel in New South Wales, Australia. The 30 guest rooms (called "dugouts") are carved from supportive soft sandstone and ventilated with drilled shafts. The temperature is naturally regulated year round for a comfortable stay. The hotel includes an on-site restaurant and bar. Guests may tour the two national parks in the area, experiencing the wildlife of Australia, or request a personal tour of dugouts local citizens have built for their own homes.
Adventure vacations are travel ideas that suit travelers who want to truly interact with the environment. The National Geographic compiles lists of the best adventure vacations around the world and also helps travelers book the vacations. You don't have to leave the country to have an adventure. Paddle through the Florida Everglades. Backpack through Glacier National Park in Montana. Row a boat through the Grand Canyon. Ride horses through the Gila Wilderness in Nevada. There are adventure vacations to suit the young and the young at heart.
