Glacier Hiking in Alberta

With plenty of pulsating activities available all year round, Alberta is a definite must-see for adventure addicts everywhere. You may choose to marvel at the unusual landscape of cliffs and rifts at Medicine Hat, discover impressive wildlife, alpine meadows and emerald lakes in Banff, or hear the lion-like roars of the bull bison on a summer night in Elk Island. If you are more of an ice explorer, no need to fret. Here you can discover the Athabasca Glacier, a six kilometre strip of ice, located in the Canadian Rockies and enjoy the opportunity to touch ice formed by snow that fell 400 years ago. You may also savour the beauty of glaciers moving under your feet and immerse yourself in a landscape beautifully painted with ice.

What to watch out for in 2014: Set to open in May of this year, the Glacier Skywalk in Jasper National Park features 300 metres of glass-floored platform that hangs above the Sunwapta Valley. Prepare to be in awe as you take in a bird’s eye view of glaciers, mountain crags and wildlife along the cliffs below.

Volcano board on Cerro Negro

Cerro Negro is a volcano located in Nicaragua, which is the largest country in the Central American isthmus – with Honduras bordering on the North and Costa Rica on the south. Featuring sweeping rainforests, top surfing beaches, active volcanoes, and jaw-dropping vistas, the unspoilt destination of Nicaragua will be a great addition to any adventure traveler’s bucket list.

What to watch out for in 2014: Proceed with caution. Volcano Boarding isn’t for the faint hearted. There’s nothing like traversing down an active volcano in Nicaragua, while your feet are strapped to a retrofitted snowboard and volcano ash and pebbles tousling your hair. Every moment of this action-packed dare will certainly get your heart racing. But hey, if every bit of this sounds inviting to you, go ahead. I urge you to indulge.

Cycle Jordan

Jordan, also known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is a fascinating land of contrasts. From the ever-changing Jordan Valley to remote desert canyons, this land will bring the adventurer out of even the stiffest of travelers.  Here, you can take a moment to float in the Dead Sea, climb Mt. Nebo, retrace the journey of Emperor Hadrian from the north to the south of Jordan, or scuba dive in the Red Sea. While in Jordan, you can also visit the site where Jesus was baptized and see where he first prayed to the gods and gathered his first disciples. With plenty of activities to choose from, there is something here to heighten your intrigue and keep every ounce of adrenaline rushing.

What to watch out for in 2014: With the Cycle Jordan challenge taking place from September 20 to 28, avid cyclists will have the perfect excuse to set forth on an unforgettable journey to the Middle East. During the challenge, participants would pedal alongside the Dead Sea, venture past the Crusade Castle of Kerak, witness the phenomenal Rose Red City of Petra, and experience the beautiful nightscape in Wadi Aravana desert.

Swim with sharks in Cocos Islands

A lush, green island resting 550 km off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, Cocos Islands is a major stopover for pelagic species such as hammerhead sharks, white-tip sharks, mantas, tunas, and whale sharks. It is paradise to any divers and marine life enthusiasts. As an island that formed after a volcanic upheaval roughly two and a half million years ago, it also presents a striking coastline with cliffs rising almost vertically from a narrow shore and numerous rivers and streams which plunge over stunning waterfalls.

What to watch out for in 2014: This year, join Cocos liveboard cruises and discover the magic of its underwater safari. Note that the best time to see and swim with squadrons of hammerhead sharks, whale sharks and manta rays are from June to December, when rains are heavy and seas tend to be rougher.

Orcas and Grizzlies Wildlife Tour

There is a reason why Vancouver is constantly listed as one of the greatest places to live in the world. With its vibrant urban centres, colourful neighbourhoods, stunning beaches, breathtaking snow-capped peaks, and dense waterfront forests, everything about Vancouver just screams magnificence. Vancouver also offers a variety of ways to satisfy thrill-seekers, from zip-lining through lush forests to bungee jumping head-first into a canyon, every moment spent here promises to be madly entertaining.

What to watch for in 2014: Off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island, you will find magnificent orcas, the symbol of Canada’s west coast; while in its deep forests, you will discover the domain of massive grizzly bears. This year, view both of these spectacular creatures in their natural habitat by partaking on a guided boat trip. Depending on the tour inclusions you select, you may also explore the village of Alert Bay – one of the few remaining authentic First Nations communities and satisfy your thirst for worldly knowledge.