There is no better time to travel than when you are in college. After the last final exam you have no more obligations and you can just go where your feet take you. You probably have a few travel ideas, but here are a few cool things to do that you should add to your bucket list:
Kayak the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is magnificent and is a place that you simply must see before you die. While you can get a good idea of the grandeur of the canyon from the rim, and get all the information you ever wanted to know from the Visitor’s Center, there is nothing like experiencing it from the middle of the Colorado River. The Grand Canyon was carved out by this river over millions of years, exposing layers upon layers of rock in the canyon walls. This powerful river still keeps to it’s course, snaking through the canyon and diving through rapids. Rent a kayak or bring your own and see just what the Colorado River can do.
Dive in Cenotes in Mexico
A cenote is a deep natural sinkhole resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock which exposes hidden groundwater pools. The Yucatán Peninsula has almost no rivers and only a few marshy lakes, so the widely distributed cenotes are the only reliable source of potable water and have been for centuries. Cenotes also played an important role in Maya rites. Believing that these pools were gateways to the afterlife, the Maya threw valuable items into them, and sometimes sacrificed people. Cave divers have documented extensive flooded cave systems in the cenotes, some of which have been explored for lengths of 100 km (62 mi) or more. Take a dive, see the sacred, and maybe find an artifact if you are lucky.
Zorbing in New Zealand
Created in New Zealand in 1994, zorbing is the sport of rolling downhill inside an orb, which looks like a giant hamster ball. The zorb is usually transparent and double-sectioned, with one ball inside the other with an air layer between, which acts as a shock absorber for the rider. Many orbs have straps to hold the rider in place, while others leave the rider free to walk the orb around or be tossed about freely by the rolling motion. Sometimes a small amount of water is placed inside the inner orb so the rider can slide around during the ride. Zorbing is generally performed on a gentle slope, but can also be done on a level surface, permitting more rider control. Return to where zorbing was born and spend a day rolling the slopes.
Swim in the World’s Largest Swimming Pool
San Alfonso del Mar is a private resort about 100km west of Santiago, Chile. The resort is recognized as having the world’s largest swimming pool. The pool is 1km long (about ⅔ of a mile), covers 20 acres and contains 66 million gallons of water! With a maximum depth of 115ft, this pool uses seawater from the Pacific Ocean that is pumped, filtered and treated. The water also has the transparency and color of tropical seas despite it’s location on the western edge of South America. Make sure to take a few selfies to show your friends you’ve swam in a pool like no other.
Attend the Isle of Man TT Races
The International Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man. It was the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world for many years. The race dates back to 1907 and takes place annually in late May and early June. The TT used to be part of the World Championship and is still considered one of the greatest motorcycle sporting events of the world. Taking place over a two-week period, it has become a festival for motorcycling culture. If you love racing, or just want to see how it is done in Europe, head to this island nation off the coast of Britain and get your fill.