Information On Activity Holidays : Before Booking

We look at what to take into account before booking an activity holiday in this installment of our activity holidays guide.

A wide variety of activity holidays are available to fit a broad range of interests, experience and fitness levels. Little or no experience is required to participate, simply an eagerness to get out there and try something different.

Enthusiasm is only half of the equation though, with your level of fitness being the other half. You have to know what you are capable of doing, since the fitness level you have will have a lot do with the activities that you chose. To be able to enjoy yourself they must match each other. It is not fair for the other people in the group to be slowed down or put in danger, since your instructor/guide can only do so much for you.

Age limits are rarely in place but you should contact the activity holiday company prior to booking if you feel your age might be a hindrance to performing an activity. As for disabilities, these may or may not be barrier to participation, normally an activity holiday company will find a workable compromise but with some activities this may not be possible.

Websites and brochures normally display a rating for each trip that they offer, along the lines of leisurely, moderate or intense. These are made for your benefit, and they are rated from accounts of past guests. You shouldn’t choose a moderate or intense one only because taking a leisurely one will make you appear weak, only do so if you really are up for the challenge.

Other important factors to take into consideration when deciding upon which activity holiday to book are the level of comfort in terms of accommodation, traveling, available facilities, temperature range and likely weather conditions, and the remoteness of the area, likely terrain, altitude and access to emergency services.

Although the tour operators spend a lot of time researching destinations, the routes they take, the equipment and operations, as well as making sure that everything has been tested, there is no way for them to guarantee your safety.