Unusual combinations travel guide

Our unusual combinations travel guide allows you to undertake different activities that complement each other – walking and yoga, for instance, or cycling and archaeology. This leads to a better-rounded, holistic experience as well as introducing you to local people away from tourist hot spots.

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Unusual combinations travel guide

This type of vacation gives travelers a chance to enjoy two (or more) different activities and environments as part of the same trip. Activities are often very complementary, they overlap so one leads directly into the other and skills can be transferred. It's usually a pretty fluid experience. For example, you could be sailing in the Cyclades before swapping sails for saddles and cycling around a Greek island. Yoga and walking vacations, also. What could be more beneficial after a yoga session than following your flow outdoors for a walk in fresh alpine air or warm Mediterranean sunshine? Cake would be more beneficial, obviously, and, ta da, you can have that too.

Embark on each activity and appreciate unique aspects of local life. For instance, you could learn Spanish in a language school before walking on mountain trails with a native Spanish speaker.

It's these sorts of complementary aspects, in different settings, that help inspire interaction with your instructors, guides and local people, as well as creating camaraderie with fellow travelers. Also, as the majority of our unusual combination vacations take place away from tourist hot spots and outside of busy summer seasons, you'll be easing the burden on already overcrowded areas as well as enjoying a far more authentic experience with local people living in more remote regions.

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Unusual combinations map & highlights

Our tried and tested combos will take you along the tow paths of the Netherlands and Belgium by barge and bike as well as to the archaeological sites of Jordan, including the sandstone city of Petra. Elsewhere you'll be offered the chance to hike and learn Spanish in the Picos de Europa or discover the real language of Italy on a cooking and walking trip in the Italian Alps. But don't take your head out of the clouds, just yet. We also off outdoor adventures in Finland where you can enjoy winter activities and the Northern Lights; whilst, over in Austria, hiking at altitude always adds to the alpine ambience after early morning yoga sessions surrounded by snow-capped scenery.

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1. Biking & barging, Belgium
2. Cycling & archaeology, Jordan
3. Languages & walking, Spain
4. Walking & cooking, Italy
5. Winter activities & Northern Lights, Finland
6. Yoga & walking, Austria

Biking & barging, Belgium

1. Biking & barging, Belgium

There's nothing unusual about bikes or barges in Belgium and the Netherlands but blending both, as you travel from Amsterdam to Bruges, is a unique way to experience local life on and off the water. Slow down, say 'hoi!' and go with the flow. A peaceful week of pedalling and floating through Gouda, Willemstad, Kinderdijk, Antwerp and Ghent, invites time to explore, relax and socialise.

Biking & barging, Belgium

Cycling & archaeology, Jordan

2. Cycling & archaeology, Jordan

First things first, you can't cycle on sand. You can, however, cycle from Amman to Petra and Wadi Rum through the foothills of the Rift Valley and along the Kings Highway. Cycling to archaeological sites, such as the preserved Roman ruins at Jerash and the Byzantine mosaics at Madaba, is the best way to get close to Jordanians and ancient architecture that have both withstood the tests of time.

Languages & walking, Spain

3. Languages & walking, Spain

Conversations happen more easily whilst walking. Just the same as language learning is best undertaken in the country of origin. So you can imagine how combining Spanish lessons each morning and walks with native Spanish speakers, in the cool of the late afternoon, is going to be a really immersive experience. Explore the Picos de Europa and chat to Spaniards in Spanish.

Languages & walking, Spain

Walking & cooking, Italy

4. Walking & cooking, Italy

What better way to gain a deeper and more interactive travel experience in Italy other than combining two of the country's greatest passions: eating and exploring. Walking and cooking vacations in the Italian Alps, for instance, encourage a look at life away from tourist towns. Join local hiking and cooking companions as you start to understand la dolce vita from an Italian perspective.

Winter activities & Northern Lights, Finland

5. Winter activities & Northern Lights, Finland

Getting to grips with winter activities in Finland, such as ice climbing, cross country skiing, husky sledding and snowshoeing, offers an authentic Arctic experience. But, as night falls across Oulanka National Park, Finland's skies give way to the main event: the Northern Lights. Traditional outdoor activities by day and Aurora Borealis observations by night – a perfect combo if ever there was one.

Winter activities & Northern Lights, Finland

Yoga & walking, Austria

6. Yoga & walking, Austria

Just try to feel anything other than relaxed on a walking and yoga vacation in Austria and I'll eat my Tyrolean hat, feather and all. This unusual alpine combination lets you breathe in the clear air and soak up the snow-capped scenery on foot and from a yoga mat. Follow daily stretches with organic meals and freshly baked cakes, and your mind, body and spirit will soar as high as the Grossglockner.

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More about Unusual combinations

Spanish language & walking in Spain

The Picos de Europa region in northern Spain is an area where walking and talking are part of the landscape, so imagine being able to walk with a native Spanish speaker after a morning of Spanish language lessons.

Yoga & walking vacations

Not only will yoga and walking vacations in Spain and Austria invite you to stretch your legs in sublime scenery but you’ll also be reducing the risk of injury by unwinding tight muscles and increasing flexibility. And cake is allowed too - winning!

Cycling & archaeology vacations

First things first, you can’t cycle on sand but you can, however, make the most of the smooth tarmac roads leading to the archaeological sites of Jordan and Greece.

Cruising & cycling vacations

The combination of cycling and sailing takes you to some sublime settings, Montenegro’s Adriatic coast and the islands of the Greek Cyclades, for instance.

Yoga and sailing vacations in Greece

Sailing to the lesser-visited Ionian islands of Greece is a remarkably relaxing experience, especially when combined with daily yoga sessions and scenic strolls on dry land.

Top ten unusual combination vacations

Our top ten unusual combination vacations have been hand-picked to help responsible travelers make the most of their time away.

Unusual combinations travel advice

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Written by Chris Owen

Unusual combinations travel guide