5 Things you can only do on a sunny holiday

While I’ve been embracing everything the British summer has to offer, there is still a part of me that is harkening back to the beauty of Split in Croatia and the beaches of Sicily anytime it starts pouring down. There’s no denying that given a chance most of us would swap a 99 by the pier on an overcast day for something special around the Med. And while we seemingly can do almost any outdoor activity here at home, there’s a little more magic in the air when we can try out some exciting activities while on a sunny holiday.

If you read the recent post on activities for thrill-seekers, you’ll know trying new things is exhilarating, and is something everyone should have an open mind about when planning their summer holidays.

So what kind of adventurous things am I talking about that you should have a go at when you’re getting ready to jet off for a week in the sun? Here are some of the activities I believe you should try or at least give a go while you’re on a sunny holiday.

Snorkelling in Ibiza

The white isle may be seen as a dance haven by many, but if you venture out of tourist hotspots like San Antonio, you’re going to be met with a stunning island that is just asking to be explored. One of the easiest activities to try for the first time is a spot of snorkelling.

It’s an activity that doesn’t require any training and only one piece of equipment to get you exploring bays and beaches tucked away in little corners of the island. Spots to go seek out for a spot of snorkelling include S’Estanyol beach (not the bay, it’s further out of town), Cala Xarraca right up in the north and Portinatx where fishers sometimes take up residence on the left side of the bay.

Camel Riding in Gran Canaria

I find this activity as something so funny you just have to do it. How many times in your life, are you going to get asked: “would you like to ride a camel?”

In Maspalomas in the south of the island, just beside the Playa del Ingles, a large section of the beach is essentially a mini desert of dunes. It’s a rare spot in that it’s a coastal area on a major tourist island with nothing built on it.

For 30 minutes, you can feel like Lawrence of Arabia and navigate the dunes (with a guide of course) on a camel.

Sailing in Turkey

It’s a little baffling to me that more people don’t jump at the chance to go sailing on holiday. It can look difficult when you’re watching from afar on the beach, but getting to grips with sailing can be easy, especially if it’s free.

Anyone flying to Turkey with Mark Warner in the near future is going to find themselves in the enviable position of getting to learn to sail for free in a lovely little bay at Phokaia Beach. You won’t be expected to perform Olympic level turns and navigation the water but taking a few afternoons to learn sailing is much better to me then floating on a Lilo in the pool.

4x4ing in Cyprus

Sitting by the pool is great and all, so how can spending half the day in the back of a jeep with no air con sound appealing?

Well, if you didn’t know, much of Cyprus and very hilly and rocky. This makes some gorgeous parts of the island hard to reach. That is, of course, unless you have a 4×4 tour guide to take your around.

There are a few companies on the island that offer such a service, with Jimmy’s Jeep Adventures one of the highest rated on TripAdvisor.

You’ll be able to visit tranquil bays and abandoned villages you won’t find on any traditional tour.

Eating the freshest fish in Malta

I’m sure many of us Brits love the chance to sample some top tier fish and chips. But if you’re a bit like me and can’t stomach the smell of fishmongers, you could find yourself skipping much of the menu in a local Mediterranean restaurant and going for something plain like a burger or chicken and chips (we’ve all done it).

If you just so happen to be going on holiday in Malta, take the risk and order something you’d consider a bit crazy from the seafood section. Malta is a tiny little island sort of cast-off on its own at the edge of the sea and is just chock full of delicious seafood. It’s so bountiful in parts that a recent storm seen it raining fish during a storm this year.

I suggest taking a gamble with your family or whoever you’re on holiday with by ordering a full fish when eating out. If you find a nice local restaurant (one that doesn’t have pictures of the food on the walls), you’ll be able to ask for a fish big enough to split around the table. Chefs will usually cook the fish whole, and the server will cut it at the table.

When you’re feeling really brave, dishes to look out for include grilled swordfish, spaghetti with octopus sauce and Aljotta; a sort of fishy tomato soup. It’ll blow the socks off of your average fish fingers.

Are you looking to keep it local?

Sometimes you don’t have to go far to have a great holiday. Whether it’s your budget or time limitations that will see you stay on these shores for your holidays, take a look at my post on Five Places To Escape To For A Staycation In The UK.