Top 5 places to get the adrenaline pumping

You only live once, right? So why not try something totally crazy on your next trip. Put down the teacup, step away from the sandwich, kick off your sensible walking shoes and just go nuts!

Here's five ideas to get the adrenaline pumping:

Hang-gliding the mountains of Bariloche, Argentina
If you want an activity that combines adventure and incredible views, this is the one for you.  San Carlos de Bariloche is located in the province of Río Negro, Argentina. It is one of the top ten most visited cities in Argentina and boasts a spectacular setting.

Most of the city is built on the Andean foothills rising up from a series of enormous alpine lakes, most notably Nahuel Huapi. Its beauty is best viewed from the sky, taking in the beauty of its shores and its highest peaks. Many describe hang-gliding here as one of life's great experiences.

Hang-gliding (or paragliding) is suitable for all ages, and is practiced all year round. You don't need to have any special skills or fitness levels, but beginners are encouraged to start with a two-seat gliders, accompanied by an experienced instructor.  To get the most out of your time in Bariloche, it is recommended you try hang-gliding in summer. 

Bungee jumping at Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe

What makes this the best bungee jump in the world? We'd say it's the combination of the incredibly unique setting, the funny and amazing staff and the quirkiness of being smack bang in the middle of Zimbabwe and Zambia.

The bridge you will throw yourself off is 105 years old. It was constructed in England and then shipped to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) to form part of the great Cape-to-Cairo railway envisaged by Cecil John Rhodes. The bridge crosses the full expanse of the Batoka Gorge and sits 120 metres above the Zambezi River.

This is one of the most jumped spots in the world, and you are encouraged to find your own spot on the 1.7 kilometre-wide precipice, before plummeting 111 metres into the deep curtain of water. Go in November, when the Zambezi river rapids are running at their best.

Paragliding Mount Baba, Turkey
Part of the turquoise coast, this region of Turkey is one of the best places to have your first soaring experience. Paraglide from Mount Baba to the beach at Olundeniz and enjoy a stunning view with a soft landing.

Mount Baba is located in the Oludeniz region, which celebrates the art of flying each October with its annual Air Games week.  There are a total of three runways in Mount Baba, which sits at 1969 metres high. Paragliding is a major spectator sport on the beaches and during summer, experienced pilots can soar aloft for up to five hours in near-ideal conditions.

Cave-diving in the caverns of Cenote Dos Ojos, Mexico

Sixty five million years ago, a huge meteor hit Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, leaving a 284km-wide crater in the land's surface. Over the years, rainwater filled the cavities below the crater's surface, creating a system of underground river and pools.

Dos Ojos means "two eyes" in Spanish, and gets its name because of two caverns that are close together but connected by a common area.

For those playing along at home, the Dos Ojos underwater cave system was featured in a 2002 IMAX film, "Journey Into Amazing Caves" and the 2006 BBC/Discovery Channel series Planet Earth. Parts of the Hollywood 2005 movie The Cave were also filmed here.

Safety is paramount, so you'll only dive with an instructor and a group of four divers. The dives are shallow, with depths that range from several to twenty feet. You will be swimming over and around boulders and stalagmites so be careful not to bump your head!

There are several places you that are totally dark except for the light from your flashlight. But for much of the dive you can see some light in the distance. You'll be awed by this eerie underwater world of stalactites and stalagmites.

Sandboarding, Middle East
It's rumoured that  ancient Egyptians used planks of pottery and wood to ride the dunes back in the days of the pharoahs. While that can't be confirmed, there's no denying that some of the best sandboarding in the world is on offer at the Great Sea of Sand near Siwa, Egypt.

With dunes rising as high as 500 feet and sloping at angles of 70 degrees or more, it is no amateur course. This a highly isolated area that requires transport and guides to find the best dunes, but once you're here you'll find soft sand and amazing views as far as the eye can see.

For those looking for a place that's a little more acessible, try Dubai.  Dubai is home to “Big Red,” one of the largest and steepest sand dunes in the Middle East, and it is quickly becoming a popular tourist destination. 

What's the craziest thing you've done overseas? Tell us about it in the comments section below. Or head to twitter and Facebook to share your stories and upload images. 

If you want to get the adrenaline pumping and take an overseas adventure, take a look through all our trips and find the one that makes the hairs on your neck stand on end!

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