Unusual guide
This unusual holidays guide takes you on a journey of eclectic adventures, one of which is guaranteed to wow you into doing something different.
Unusual combinations travel guide
This type of holiday gives travellers a chance to enjoy two (or more) different activities and environments as part of the same trip. Activities are often very complementary, they overlap so one leads directly into the other and skills can be transferred. It's usually a pretty fluid experience. For example, you could be sailing in the Cyclades before swapping sails for saddles and cycling around a Greek island. Yoga and walking holidays, also. What could be more beneficial after a yoga session than following your flow outdoors for a walk in fresh alpine air or warm Mediterranean sunshine? Cake would be more beneficial, obviously, and, ta da, you can have that too.
Embark on each activity and appreciate unique aspects of local life. For instance, you could learn Spanish in a language school before walking on mountain trails with a native Spanish speaker.![]()
It's these sorts of complementary aspects, in different settings, that help inspire interaction with your instructors, guides and local people, as well as creating camaraderie with fellow travellers. Also, as the majority of our unusual combination holidays take place away from tourist hot spots and outside of busy summer seasons, you'll be easing the burden on already overcrowded areas as well as enjoying a far more authentic experience with local people living in more remote regions.
Our Unusual combinations Holidays
Senegal rare wildlife safari
Safari into Senegal's wild Niokolo-Koba National Park
From
£1395 to £3400
8 days
ex flights
Yoga and sailing retreat in Greece
-A week of relaxation and yoga while sailing the Ionian sea!
From
£850 to £990
7 days
ex flights
Kayaking holiday in Indonesia, Komodo Dragon tour
Sea kayaking to some of the most remote beaches on earth
From
£1950
10 days
ex flights
Yoga & surfing holiday in the Algarve, Portugal
Nourish yourself with yoga, surf and deliciously healthy food
From
€895 to €1425
7 days
ex flights
Spanish course & walking holiday, Picos de Europa, Spain
Walk and talk on this small group language holiday in Picos de Europa National Park
From
€830 to €965
5 days
ex flights
Madagascar trekking and rafting expedition
Raft the Benahy river in remote Madagascar
From
£3350
13 days
ex flights
Unusual combinations map & highlights
Our tried and tested combos will take you along the tow paths of the Netherlands and Belgium by barge and bike as well as to the archaeological sites of Jordan, including the sandstone city of Petra. Elsewhere you'll be offered the chance to hike and learn Spanish in the Picos de Europa or discover the real language of Italy on a cooking and walking trip in the Italian Alps. But don't take your head out of the clouds, just yet. We also off outdoor adventures in Finland where you can enjoy winter activities and the Northern Lights; whilst, over in Austria, hiking at altitude always adds to the alpine ambience after early morning yoga sessions surrounded by snow-capped scenery.
1.
Biking & barging, Belgium
2. Cycling & archaeology, Jordan
3. Languages & walking, Spain
4. Walking & cooking, Italy
5. Winter activities & Northern Lights, Finland
6. Yoga & walking, Austria
2. Cycling & archaeology, Jordan
3. Languages & walking, Spain
4. Walking & cooking, Italy
5. Winter activities & Northern Lights, Finland
6. Yoga & walking, Austria
Biking & barging, Belgium
1. Biking & barging, Belgium
There's nothing unusual about bikes or barges in Belgium and the Netherlands but blending both, as you travel from Amsterdam to Bruges, is a unique way to experience local life on and off the water. Slow down, say 'hoi!' and go with the flow. A peaceful week of pedalling and floating through Gouda, Willemstad, Kinderdijk, Antwerp and Ghent, invites time to explore, relax and socialise.
Cycling & archaeology, Jordan
2. Cycling & archaeology, Jordan
First things first, you can't cycle on sand. You can, however, cycle from Amman to Petra and Wadi Rum through the foothills of the Rift Valley and along the Kings Highway. Cycling to archaeological sites, such as the preserved Roman ruins at Jerash and the Byzantine mosaics at Madaba, is the best way to get close to Jordanians and ancient architecture that have both withstood the tests of time.
Languages & walking, Spain
3. Languages & walking, Spain
Conversations happen more easily whilst walking. Just the same as language learning is best undertaken in the country of origin. So you can imagine how combining Spanish lessons each morning and walks with native Spanish speakers, in the cool of the late afternoon, is going to be a really immersive experience. Explore the Picos de Europa and chat to Spaniards in Spanish.
Walking & cooking, Italy
4. Walking & cooking, Italy
What better way to gain a deeper and more interactive travel experience in Italy other than combining two of the country's greatest passions: eating and exploring. Walking and cooking holidays in the Italian Alps, for instance, encourage a look at life away from tourist towns. Join local hiking and cooking companions as you start to understand la dolce vita from an Italian perspective.
Winter activities & Northern Lights, Finland
5. Winter activities & Northern Lights, Finland
Getting to grips with winter activities in Finland, such as ice climbing, cross country skiing, husky sledding and snowshoeing, offers an authentic Arctic experience. But, as night falls across Oulanka National Park, Finland's skies give way to the main event: the Northern Lights. Traditional outdoor activities by day and Aurora Borealis observations by night – a perfect combo if ever there was one.
Yoga & walking, Austria
6. Yoga & walking, Austria
Just try to feel anything other than relaxed on a walking and yoga holiday in Austria and I'll eat my Tyrolean hat, feather and all. This unusual alpine combination lets you breathe in the clear air and soak up the snow-capped scenery on foot and from a yoga mat. Follow daily stretches with organic meals and freshly baked cakes, and your mind, body and spirit will soar as high as the Grossglockner.
Our top Unusual combinations Holiday
Kayaking holiday in Indonesia, Komodo Dragon tour
Sea kayaking to some of the most remote beaches on earth
From
£1950
10 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2023: 10 Jun, 17 Jun, 1 Jul, 8 Jul, 22 Jul, 5 Aug, 12 Aug, 2 Sep, 7 Oct, 21 Oct, 28 Oct
2024: 23 Mar, 6 Apr, 20 Apr, 4 May, 13 May, 18 May, 1 Jun, 10 Jun, 19 Jun, 29 Jun, 8 Jul, 17 Jul, 27 Jul, 5 Aug, 14 Aug, 24 Aug, 2 Sep, 11 Sep, 21 Sep, 2 Oct, 9 Oct, 21 Oct, 30 Oct
2023: 10 Jun, 17 Jun, 1 Jul, 8 Jul, 22 Jul, 5 Aug, 12 Aug, 2 Sep, 7 Oct, 21 Oct, 28 Oct
2024: 23 Mar, 6 Apr, 20 Apr, 4 May, 13 May, 18 May, 1 Jun, 10 Jun, 19 Jun, 29 Jun, 8 Jul, 17 Jul, 27 Jul, 5 Aug, 14 Aug, 24 Aug, 2 Sep, 11 Sep, 21 Sep, 2 Oct, 9 Oct, 21 Oct, 30 Oct
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Unusual combinations or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
01273 823 700
Call us tomorrow after 10am
Calling from outside the UK
More about Unusual combinations
The Picos de Europa region in northern Spain is an area where walking and talking are part of the landscape, so imagine being able to walk with a native Spanish speaker after a morning of Spanish language lessons.
Not only will yoga and walking holidays in Spain and Austria invite you to stretch your legs in sublime scenery but you’ll also be reducing the risk of injury by unwinding tight muscles and increasing flexibility.
First things first, you can’t cycle on sand but you can, however, make the most of the smooth tarmac roads leading to the archaeological sites of Jordan and Greece.
The combination of cycling and sailing takes you to some sublime settings, Montenegro’s Adriatic coast and the islands of the Greek Cyclades, for instance.
Sailing to the lesser-visited Ionian islands of Greece is a remarkably relaxing experience, especially when combined with daily yoga sessions and scenic strolls on dry land.
Our top ten unusual combination holidays have been hand-picked to help responsible travellers make the most of their time away.
We asked our responsible travellers and specialist tour organisers why they think holidays with unusual combinations work so well.
More relevant guides
