Valle Verzasca, hydroelectric dam, Switzerland by Martin Abegglen

The Best Place to Go…Bungee Jumping

In Valle Verzasca, in the Italian region of Switzerland, you can jump from the famous hydroelectric dam where the James Bond film Goldeneye was filmed. The dam stands at a whopping 220 m. If you wish to match the daring-do of Mr. Bond, you’ll need to make an advance reservation, have a medical evaluation and fit the proper height and weight requirements.

The Best Place to Go…Paragliding

France is home to the highest number of paragliding sites in the world. Perhaps the most thrill-inducing is the site on top of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe. Other good places include Annecy and Treh.

Alternatively, you can also paraglide over the castle in Neuschwanstein, Germany. This flight provides stunning views of the iconic castle, set against the backdrop of beautiful green scenery.

Mont Blanc paragliding by Yves Jusot

The Best Place to Go…Mountaineering

The sport of mountaineering was born on the slopes of the Matterhorn in Switzerland, a snow-covered crag of rock stretching up into the sky. To successfully complete this 9-hour climb, you’ll need to be in good physical condition, have reliable gear for climbing and also the funds to hire a guide. You’ll also need to find a reputable tour operator to make sure you have a safe climb.

The Best Place to Go…Skydiving

Skydiving can be a rather pricy sport, but for the bargain price of 205 euros, you can jump from 15,000 feet over the orange trees in Seville, Spain. Other great places to dive include the mountainous regions of Interlaken, Switzerland and Le Marche, Italy.

The Best Place to Go…White-Water Rafting

If you’re looking for Class V waves, then the Noce River in the Italian Dolomites is the place to go. You can also try your hand at kayaking on these fantastic waves. Just make sure you go with a guide if it’s your first time.

White-Water Rafting by Ian Armstrong

The Best Place to Go…Cliff-Diving

Also known as “tombstoning” because many unfortunate participants have found their way to a tombstone earlier than expected, the best places to try it in Europe are the cliffs near Santorini, Greece. Afterwards, join the partygoers on the beach for a well-earned cocktail.

If you attempt any of these death-defying activities, just make sure you are going with a reputable tour operator and that you have the necessary training. You don’t want to have to hire a head injury solicitor at the end of your trip.

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Loket has 3 000 inhabitants and it is located in the Sokolov District in the Karlovy Vary region of the Czech Republic. Most people visit Loket as a day trip from Karlovy Vary, but it’s also a sleepy place to ease off the travel accelerator for a few days.

Loket means “elbow” in English. The town is named this due to the town centre being surrounded on three sides by the Ohře River, and the shape the river takes is similar to that of an elbow. The town centre itself features Loket Castle, a 12th century gothic castle. The town centre is a national monument and as such is preserved from modern developments.

There is an annual opera festival in an open air amphitheatre with the castle as a backdrop.

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