Are you also tired of always seeing the same type of trips on your computer screen or smartphone? Are you looking for a more unique and adventurous travel experience and go on a once in a lifetime trip in Europe?
Over the past years I had the pleasure of exploring our beautiful world as much as I possibly could and along the way you do realise something. It’s not always the destination that matters… Most of all it’s the experiences that end up making a trip absolutely spectacular.
For instance, Iceland is one of my absolute favourite countries to travel to but not just because of its astounding and compelling nature. It’s the feeling of freedom that I get every single time I set foot on this particular island. The idea to simply drive around and go exploring at will is so liberating that it has me singing along every damn song that comes on the radio in the car.
With this blog post I carefully hand selected some of the best unique and adventurous travel experiences in Europe. Not only will you have the trip of a lifetime but you’ll also get to meet likeminded people who are also looking for the ultimate escape from reality.
Unique And Adventurous Travel Experiences in Europe
1. Go on a 5 Day Hiking Adventure in the Balkan
The Balkan Trail is a unique and once in a lifetime hiking adventure where you’ll be crossing “The Peaks of the Balkan“! From Montenegro to Albania and Kosovo, you’ll be walking amongst some of the most beautiful landscapes Europe has to offer! This trip is an absolute dream for every hiking enthousiast and has won a World Travel & Tourism Award for the most beautiful hiking trail in the world.
In this 7 day hiking adventure you’ll see the best of the best and the ultimate highlights that this trail has to offer. A few years ago this trip wouldn’t even have been possible due to closed off borders! But now thanks to the new border crossings you can experience the amazing mountain ranges of Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro.
This is one of the most unique travel experiences in Europe and it’s still so brand new that you don’t need to worry about mass tourism. Unlike in the Alps you’ll be able to enjoy this hiking paradise in tranquility and solitude.
During you trip you do not need to worry about bringing or buying your own camping gear. You can add all of that including, hiking poles, a tent and special meals to your list.
Click here to check for rates and current availability for The Balkan Trail.
2. Go Kayaking between the Norwegian Fjords
The Kayak Trip is a unique travel experience that will have you paddling along the deepest fjord of Norway, the by UNESCO World Heritage protected Sognefjord. Centuries ago this was the area were the Vikings’ headquarters were located from which they terrorised the rest of Europe.
No worries, even if you’ve never been in a kayak before you’ll be able to enjoy this adventure! On the very first day you’ll be taught the real techniques of sea kayaking so you’re completely set to go out into nature and enjoy this 6 day kayaking trip.
In total you’ll cover approximately 120km and every kayak comes with a waterproof storage space to keep your belonging and camping gear safe.
Norway is also known for its Wild Camping possibilities and as long as you keep to some rules you can pretty much set up your tent anywhere you want. Just imagine waking up in the middle of these beautiful fjords and having the freedom to go anywhere. Sounds like the trip of a lifetime to me for sure!
Click here to check for rates and current availability for The Kayak Trip.
3. Go on a Husky Safari and see the Northern Lights
Lapland Travel is the ultimate unique travel experience in Europe during Winter time and one of my personal bucket list destinations!
Lapland is the most northern and magical region in Finland. And while every season is uniquely different and during wintertime, it’s as close as reality gets to those who dream of a winter wonderland.
During this trip you’ll spend 7 days in Äkäslompolo, the most cosy village in Finnish lapland. From here you’ll be going on a new and unique adventure every single day!
Discover the northern lights, go on a husky safari with a sled, drive a snowmobile… There are so many activities to choose from that you won’t know what to do first! I already know what I’ll be doing next winter!
Click here to check for rates and current availability for Lapland Travel.
4. Hike The Laugavegur Route in Iceland
The Iceland Trail is an adventurous and unique travel experience in one of my favourite countries in Europe! For 5 day you’ll be hiking from shelter to shelter and go past volcanos, hot springs and follow one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world!
I’ve never been able to put my finger on it but if I had to try to describe the feeling Iceland always gives me… It would be that here you actually see how nature came to exist.
Every day you’ll cover distances from 11km to 16km and some shelters even have a hot spring close by where you can relax after a full day of hiking.
You don’t need to worry about bringing along your own camping gear either. For a small extra fee you can simply rent your own tent, hiking sticks, special meals and you can even have all of your luggage transported by a jeep. This means no dragging around with a much too heavy backpack! You can literally hop and skip a beat while discovering the most beautiful and diverse country in the world.
Click here to check for rates and current availability of the Iceland Trail.
5. Cruise around Italy on a Vespa
The Vespa Trip is a unique travel experience in the South of Europe! Which country do you think of when I say Vespa? That’s right, Italy! You’ll be able to escape reality and enjoy the feeling of pure freedom whilst cruising through the Italian landscapes with your own authentic Vespa.
Discover the Amalfi Coast, Sicily or Tuscany in a more unique and adventurous way and enjoy the historic villages, the cuisine and landscapes on this once in a lifetime trip!
The choice is all yours! Cruise along the winding road of the Amalfi Coast and enjoy some of the most incredible views. You’ll be able to experience this wonderful region in Italy like no other and go back home with another unique experience under your belt.
Or maybe you would rather go cruising through the vineyards in Tuscany? Nothings screams Italy like enjoying a glass of red whine while watching the sunset over the sunflower fields.
Then again there’s also Sicily and probably the biggest adventure of all. This small island is mostly known for it’s active volcano Mount Etna but has a ton of hidden gems to explore as well!
Click here to check for rates and current availability for The Vespa Trip.
6. Paddle through the unspoiled Swedish Nature by Canoe
The Canoe Trip is an adventurous and unique travel experience in the South of Sweden where you’ll be able to feel one with nature. It’s where you find some of the most pristine natural reserves in Scandinavia and you’ll be to paddle through them while also camping in the wild!
There are several destinations in Sweden where you can go paddling and all are equally as beautiful. There’s Immeln, Värmland and Glaskogen and the easiest way to decide is to simply look from where you wish to depart and go from there.
During your trip you’ll be surrounded by lakes, islands, forests, moose and sometimes you’ll even be able to try your best at fishing!
If you’re not feeling too adventurous no need to worry! There are several routes available and perfectly pre made for you that are different in length.
Click here to check for rates and current availability for the Canoe Trip.
7. Hike through the Hardangervidda National Park in Norway
The Norway Trail is another one of those unique and incredibly adventurous travel experiences in Northern Europe! For 7 days you’ll explore one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Norway where you’ll see the raw beauty of nature.
The Hardangervidda is a height plateau that extends over more than 8000 km² of untouched nature. Here you’ll hike from shelter to shelter and enjoy the most breathtaking views. You will always camp at unique places, carefully selected along the route, close to a shelter with sanitary facilities and wide panorama’s.
Every departure date there will be experienced guides present that know the trail and will give you all the information you need.
Click here to check for rates and current availability of the Norway Trail.
Discover Iceland or Norway with a 4×4 Jeep
Nordic Nomads lets you discover both Iceland and Norway in the best way possible: by cruising around in a 4×4 jeep and sleeping in a tent on top.
If you’ve followed my adventures for a while you know that I am a sucker for a good road trip and that I say exploring Iceland by camper van is the way to go! Well here you get a 4×4 which will also allow you to drive off road and explore the more hidden and unique places where not everyone goes.
It doesn’t even matter which country you choose cause both of them are considered as some of the most beautiful countries in the world when it comes to nature.
Every trip comes with its very own road book that has all the information you’ll need. You’ll know exactly which places to visit and it includes both the most famous landmarks as those off the beaten path places.
Click here to check for rates and current availability for Nordic Nomads.
If you have any questions in regards to any of these trips feel free to shoot me a message through the comment section and I’ll make sure to get back to you as soon as possible!
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Charlotte Lint is the founder of Charlies Wanderings.
Charlotte has traveled all over the world and is based in Belgium where she also owns her very own dental practice.
She is an expert on writing efficient travel guides and finding unique places to stay.
Every month she helps over 134.000 people discover the most beautiful places in the world through her detailed travel guides.
Katie says
I think we will stay in Sweden this summer but paddling in Dalsland Canal has been on my bucket list for years now!!