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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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Iain and Sarah

The Romans called it Arx-Arcis (high fortress), the Arabs renamed it to Medina-Arkos. And it was just Arab civilization that created an unmistakable appearance of the village. At this time Arcos became very important and prosperous town. In the 19th century there were a number of policy changes. Arcos was also a home to José I Bonaparte for some time. Today the village is a very important breeding cattle and agricultural centre. It has a strong aroma of olive trees, orange trees and fruit orchards.

The historic center of Arcos is really rich in monuments. One of the most important ones is Basilica de Santa María de la Asunción which is the oldest in Arcos. It was built at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries on the ruins of Arab mosque. A visit will costs you €1.50.

Another interesting sight is Torre de Santa Maria. This tower offers a really wonderful view of the city and its surroundings. It is a place where you can find the ancient bells of the 15th century, which are valued as the most beautiful in Andalucia. The tower is opened every day from 10:30 to 18:30.

The village has also the castle Castillo de Arcos that served as the fortress during the Arab period, although its appearance looks more like it was from the 15th century.

View Arcos de la Frontera – white Andalusian village Spain in a larger map

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