Travel blog by web-hotels.com

With the state of our economy fairly uncertain over the past couple of years, you may have opted to squirrel away some money for a rainy day (you know, in preparation of looming layoffs).  But with business finally starting to turn around, it may be time to consider a much-needed vacation.  And after all the gloom and doom of the recession, what could be better than a travel adventure to some exotic destination?  You will no doubt be tempted to stay close to home to preserve your nest egg, but don’t limit yourself prematurely!  With travel agencies, airlines, and resorts looking to reclaim some of the business they’ve lost, you can find some pretty good deals in unexpected places.  So here are five adventurous destinations you may want to consider when you travel.

• 1. Barcelona, Spain.  With tasty cuisine, beautiful architecture, a view of the Mediterranean Sea, and plenty of nooks and crannies to get lost in, this Catalonian city is sure to excite the adventurous traveler.  As evidenced in the film Vicky Christina Barcelona, which captured the spirit of a culture, it is a city built on a rich heritage of art, history, and romance.
  2. Galapagos Islands (off the coast of Ecuador).  If you’re looking for a tropical paradise where you will find yourself beset on all sides by lush flora and fauna, indigenous land animals, and rare sea creatures, then you could do worse than to visit these geographic gems.  You can explore the wilderness to your heart’s content and come face-to-face with wild animals that are just as interested in you as you are in them.
  3. New Delhi, India.  If you want to experience the best of India, then you should plot a course for their capital city.  You can find a wide array of architecture to spice up your photos (from Hindu and Arab to British Colonial and modern Western influences).  And while you’re looking at structures that date back to the reign of Shah Jahan, you might just want to take a short jaunt to the Taj Mahal (just be aware, although it’s only about 120 miles away, it can take up to five hours to get there by car…and you will certainly want to hire a driver rather than attempt to learn the rules of the road on your own).
  4. Cape Town, South Africa.  For many years, South Africa has gotten a bad rap.  But the civil unrest of Apartheid is no more, and a thriving tourist trade offers travelers seeking adventure a lot of options.  If you want some action, you can head out on a safari tour, go abseiling on Table Mountain, or windsurf in the bay.  Craving some quiet time?  Check out the marine life at the Two Oceans Aquarium instead.
  5. Monteverde, Costa Rica.  This rain forest, also known as the Cloud Forest, sits atop the continental divide at a height of nearly a mile.  It is a wildlife refuge of almost unmatched proportions, so if your idea of adventure involves a lot of hiking and unparalleled animal sightings, this is the destination for you!