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Adventure travel


From top: Kayaking in Halong Bay, Vietnam; Waitukubuli National Trail, Dominica


VIETNAM For those who prefer to cycle


on-road, there’s perhaps no better destination than Vietnam. Sitting with its sinewy back to the South China Sea and its metaphorical lap cradling Cambodia and Laos, this 1,025-mile-long South East Asian country is perfect for both short and long-distance rides due to its relatively fl at topography. Suggestions include the iconic


Highway 1, which runs the length of the country and takes two to three weeks to complete. Travelers short on time can opt for single sections, with highlights including the 13-mile Hai Van Pass or the T i Nai Bridge — the longest sea bridge in Vietnam — both best undertaken in the cooler, drier months of November through March. Other active types will fi nd


much to please them, with hill tribe village treks, street food tours, and kayaking or junk boat cruises along Halong Bay proving big hits among soft adventurers. For more intrepid souls, there’s rappelling and caving in the Marble Mountains, canyoneering at Da Lat, spearfi shing in the stunning Nha Trang Bay, and trekking — typically combined with memory-making homestays — in the Pu Luong Nature Reserve. vietnamtourism.com


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DOMINICA It’s with good reason


this country — set between Martinique and Guadeloupe — has adopted the epithet of ‘nature island’. Volcanic Dominica is largely covered with verdant rainforest, boasts a UNESCO- listed national park and is home to the world’s second-biggest hot spring: Boiling Lake. Touted as the Caribbean island


for people who don’t ‘do’ the Caribbean, Dominica’s paucity of white sand may put off travelers intending to combine an active break with relaxation on the beach. But, the sun-worshippers’ loss is the adventurers’ gain. Activities range from trekking the


Caribbean’s fi rst long distance path, the Waitukubuli National Trail, through horseback riding and mountain biking to canyoneering and river-tubing, so there’s a plenty to choose from. It’s also getting easier to access.


While there are no direct fl ights from the U.S. to Dominica, the Puerto Rican hub of San Juan will enjoy increased uplift in the coming months. New routes include a triweekly service from Atlanta and a daily fl ight from Miami — both via Frontier, commencing October 5. From here, there are up to three daily connections to Dominica, depending on the season. dominica.dm ▶


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