Adventure Holidays

check Visa requirements for your destination and make sure your passport has at least 6 months of validity from the date of departure.
2. check vaccine requirements and that the country you're travelling to is both safe and politically stable.
3. consider travel insurance options, this is mandatory if you are travelling with a company

Fitness

An adventure holiday needs a little more thought than a beach break. You will need to be fit for the trip. Sport-specific training is key: mountain biking and trekking require leg and cardiovascular strength while kayaking and rafting rely on a strong, upper body. Check with your tour operator, or do your own research, to find out what preparation exercises are best for your chosen style of adventure. Being fit can - and often does - make the difference between having a wonderful trip or not.

Different activities and sports make specific demands on your body, so it pays to know which muscles you are going to need and how to make them stronger long before you leave home.

If you've booked an entirely new experience - rock climbing, scuba diving, surfing or horse riding, for example - it pays to get an introduction to the sport before you go. A taster session will give you an idea of the muscles you need to prepare, the clothes and equipment you need to pack and the skills you may want to hone before travel.

If your chosen holidays involves trekking, then the best preparation is to get out and start walking. Go for long weekend walks in hilly areas and gradually increase your pace. It is a good idea to walk with a backpack of a similar weight that you would be carrying on your trekking holiday.

Most adventure travel companies have their treks graded from easy that involves about four to six hours' walking a day, through moderate with the occasional steep path to expedition grade. Different tour companies use different terms.

Packing

Only take what you need, but pack what is advised. Technical clothing, geared to your adventure, will enhance comfort and enjoyment, so is worth the investment. A rash vest or wetsuit will be necessary for water-based activities, padded cycling shorts are a must for mountain biking, and tried-and-tested hiking boots are essential for trekking, for example. Trip organisers should give you a checklist of compulsory items of clothing and equipment; pack them all to avoid regret.

It is amazing how much space you can save in your bag by rolling your clothes instead of folding. I have been rolling for years, clothes pack easier and crease less.

When travelling with your spouse, partner or best friend, split the contents of each travel bag/backpack so that you have some of their items and they have some of yours. Then, if one of your bags goes missing, you will have enough clothing to get by.

It is easier to travel light and take only one piece of hand luggage. But always carry a spare fold-up travel bag for additional purchases. On the trip home, check-in the spare bag with clothes and carry the treasured items onboard the plane. If your luggage is lost, the memorable souvenirs are still safe.

Zippered mesh inserts for the bags make packing and sorting easier. They come in various sizes and are suitable for a range of clothes such as underwear, T-shirts and so on. Keeping groups of clothes separate is great if you're travelling through a range of seasons or temperatures. They make packing and unpacking very easy and keep you organised on the road, minimising travel stress.

Clothing

The way you dress can affect your safety. It can affect your social interactions. It can make or break your travel adventure. (And, if you pack too much, carrying your bags can make you very tired, very cranky and very vulnerable!)

Remember that you are a guest where ever you go so dress like one. Be modest, elegant and comfortable. The locals have had generations to develop a typical dress that suits the climate and the culture of their country. Take your cue from them. A smile and an open mind should be your constant accessories.

Keeping warm with layers

Even if the weather calls for clear skies and warm temperatures make sure to pack at least an extra layer, usually including wind and/or rain gear. Weather can change quickly, especially in mountain areas.

Practical

The practicality of T-shirts and pants made from quick-dry material outweighs fashion in my traveller's wardrobe.

Chiffon scarf

When travelling abroad, always pack a very long oblong chiffon scarf. It is the most versatile item. It can dress up a simple black dress draped backward around the neck for evening; it is useful as a head covering for visiting shrines and temples and being appropriately respectful, even if you're not quite sure of the local protocols and traditions; in a pinch it can be an evening wrap and it takes up no space in a bag.

Sarong Basics

Ladies, always take a sarong on trips, in your carry-on. It can be used as a sheet, towel, skirt, dress, headdress (for mosques, etc), beach coverup, curtain, just about anything. Use your imagination!

Boots

How to fit trekking boots

Reviews and product information can help in your search for quality outdoor footwear, whether you're in the market for lightweight trail shoes or sturdy backpacking boots. But ultimately the most important aspect of choosing a hiking boot is a good fit.

Here are some tips to help you properly fit hiking boots:

· Try on boots at the end of the day, when your feet are their largest.
· Wear the socks and any insoles or inserts you would normally use with the boots.
· One of your feet is probably larger than the other. Size boots to the larger foot. Better to have one shoe a little loose than the other too tight.
· Walk around in the boots for at least 15 minutes.
· Toes should have a little room to wiggle, and shouldn't jam into the toe box.
· Heels should feel firmly in place with no heel slippage.
· Walk up and down an incline to check for heel slippage on the uphill and any toe jamming on the downhill.
· Try different styles and widths. You may be a different size in different brands.
· Women should consider footwear that's built on a women's last, instead of models sized down from a men's last. · Boots should feel like they fit initially. Don't rely on breaking them in to make them fit. If they don't fit now, they won't stretch to fit later.
· While you want to pick a boot that fits from the start, you can tweak boots with custom orthotics and insoles (to fill up extra space), professional stretching of the boot (to add space), and different lacing techniques (to reduce foot movement).
· No matter how well they fit, don't forget to break in your boots around the house or on some easy day hikes before you embark on that weeklong trek.

How to care for your boots

Now that you've shelled out money for your new boots, you want to make sure they'll support you for countless miles on and off the trail. Below are some steps you can take to help your boots last longer.

Periodically treat boots with a waterproofing treatment (like NikWax) appropriate to the boot's materials (full-grain leather, Nubuck leather, suede, fabric, etc.) and according to the boot manufacturer's recommendations and instructions. (Warning: oil-based products soften leather, which can lessen support.)

Dry your boots between hikes. Don't try to rush the drying process though. Close contact or proximity with heat sources, like a fire, radiator, or hair dryer, can permanently damage boots.

Keep them clean. Yes, we know you're going to take your boots outside and through rocks, mud, and streams. That's part of the fun. But after every hike, brush that abrasive dirt and debris off your boots (preferably when dry). If your boots are otherwise in good condition, but need minor repairs or to be resoled, consider the value of getting them repaired rather than replaced. Check the warranty and repair services offered by the boots' manufacturer, or head to an experienced cobbler.

The outdoor kit

Sun protection

Sunglasses, sunscreen (for skin and lips), and appropriate clothing is necessary for sun protection year round, but is especially important when on water, ice, snow, and at higher altitudes. The higher you go the more ultraviolet rays you're exposed to, increasing your risk of serious sunburn and skin damage, including cancer.

Sunglasses protect your corneas from ultraviolet light year round. Sunglasses, glacier glasses, and goggles also can help prevent snow blindness from sunlight reflecting off snow.

Sunscreen should be at least 15 SPF (though 30 is preferable), block UVA and UVB rays, and be applied anytime you go outside, even on cloudy days. Reapply frequently, including lips, particularly if you're sweaty or wet.

Clothes supply varying degrees of sun protection depending on their material, weave, color, and moisture content (a wet, cotton T-shirt is practically useless). Some clothes are treated to absorb more UV radiation and come with specific UPF ratings, which can be useful for desert hikes and other very sunny treks.

Hats are a must. A wide brimmed hat or at least a peaked cap for protection of your face from the sun.

First Aid

First-aid kits range from the basic, suitable to treating blisters and minor cuts on a day hike, to expedition-worthy kits geared toward extended travel and large groups. You can make your own or buy a pre-packaged one, but at a bare minimum you'll want: bandages in various sizes, gauze pads, disinfect...