10 Fresh Ideas for a Unique Vacation

10 Fresh Ideas for a Unique Vacation

Vacations are an important opportunity to relax, but if you take vacations regularly, they can eventually seem common or predictable. Heading to the same getaway city for the tenth time or going to yet another beach may not provide the thrill or novelty that it once did.

Fortunately, the world is enormous, and if you have the time and money to spend on a vacation, there’s no shortage of options available to you.

Ideas for a Unique Vacation

Try one of these stimulating ideas to see a side of the world you’ve never seen before:

  1. Find unexplored areas of nature. There are always remote parts of the world to explore, some of which might never have been seen before. If you venture deep enough, or long enough, you’ll get to see them. For example, you can venture deep into a forest, or off the beaten path of a rocky canyon. You might discover some breathtaking sights, but even if you don’t, you’ll be breaking away from the norm and finding something new. Always be careful when exploring new territory, and if you’re inexperienced, bring along a guide.
  2. Attend an F1 Grand Prix. If you’ve never been to an F1 Grand Prix, you’re in for a treat—even if you don’t have much of a history with auto racing. Grand Prix events are held over the course of a weekend in different countries all over the world, with practice rounds, qualifying, and of course, the main event. The 2020 Grand Prix in Monaco, probably the hottest race of the year, is the perfect opportunity to see what it’s all about.
  3. Skydive (or base jump). Never underestimate how adrenaline can reshape how you see the world (as well as how you form new memories). Going skydiving, or base jumping, or both, can be an invigorating addition to your vacation. If you’re afraid of heights, this might be a major challenge for you, but you’ll usually have an instructor at your side the first time you try it.
  4. Scuba dive. About 95 percent of the world’s oceans, and 99 percent of the oceans’ floors are currently unexplored. Under the water is an enormous, unseen world, oftentimes teeming with life. You’ll need to learn the basics of scuba diving before you venture off on your own, but the learning experience can be a mini vacation in its own right.
  5. Sleep overnight in a haunted house. If you’re a thrill seeker who loves Halloween, horror movies, or the occult, consider sleeping in a haunted house overnight. There are dozens, if not hundreds of thrilling historical locations rumored to be alive with spiritual activity. If you dare, you can spend the night in one of these places.
  6. Camp in a yurt. Yurts have become more popular lately, but they’re still a type of vacation that most people haven’t tried. Stay in one of these unique tents, and get back in touch with your natural surroundings.
  7. Witness an astronomical event. If you’re fascinated by the stars and planets of the night sky, consider planning a trip around an astronomical event, like a meteor shower. In the middle of nowhere, with no artificial lights or cityscapes to interfere with your vision, you’ll be able to witness an event in the night sky like no other.
  8. Take a wandering road trip. Road trips are a classic vacation, but they typically have a destination, or multiple destinations, in mind. Instead, why not drive around wherever your intuition takes you? You’ll undoubtedly find some tucked-away, charming cities, and some roadside attractions you never would have imagined existed.
  9. Incorporate random decision making. You can also spice up your vacation with some random decision making, rolling dice or generating random numbers to direct your next actions. If you’re bold, you can purchase a plane ticket to a random country. If you’re feeling more modest, you can use randomness to help you discover a new restaurant.
  10. Discover something new in a staycation. Chances are, there are many areas in your home city that you haven’t fully explored. Take some time to talk to your neighbors and friends, and try to see your hometown in a new light; you might be surprised at what you can find in a staycation.

Finding Something New

If you’re constantly looking for novel experiences, and things you’ve never tried before, it’s important to talk to the people around you. Go out of your way to meet new people, or have deeper conversations with the people you already know; you might discover a new travel destination, or a new type of event you haven’t considered before. At the very least, you’ll be able to see the world through a different set of eyes—and that can help you discover something new about yourself.