Activities
Five countries beyond beaches and temples
Activities in Turkey, Japan, Switzerland, Germany and Austria with honest costs, the best places for each and tours you can book directly.
Country:
Trekking and Hiking Turkey · Japan · Switzerland · Austria · Germany From a coastal path with sea views to high mountains on the Black Sea, pilgrim trails and alps in Japan, plus SAC huts, the Lechweg and the Malerweg on the doorstep: five hiking countries compared honestly. JFMAMJJASOND Cycling and Bike Tours Turkey · Japan · Switzerland · Austria · Germany Turkey is not a cycling country like Switzerland, Japan on the other hand is a surprisingly good one, and between Lake Constance, the Danube and the Moselle lie the flattest river routes in Europe: if you know the right routes, you experience all five countries better from the saddle than from any bus. JFMAMJJASOND Camping and Vanlife Turkey Through Turkey with a tent or camper: more freedom than in most of Europe, cheaper than any hotel, and a few rules you should know. JFMAMJJASOND Diving and Snorkelling Turkey · Japan Kaş is rated the best dive site in the Mediterranean, Okinawa is Japan's coral paradise, and both cost less than a course in Lake Zurich. JFMAMJJASOND Paragliding and Tandem Flights Turkey Glide from Babadağ at 1900 metres over the Blue Lagoon: one of the most famous tandem flights in the world, and more affordable than any flight in the Alps. JFMAMJJASOND Skiing and Winter Sports Turkey · Japan · Switzerland · Austria · Germany Powder at 3000 metres in Turkey, legendary deep snow in Hokkaido and, on the doorstep, the Alps from Zermatt via the Arlberg to the Zugspitze: five ski countries compared honestly, with prices that are worlds apart. JFMAMJJASOND Surfing, Kiting and Sailing Turkey Reliable wind in Alaçatı, waves on Gökçeada and a week on a wooden sailing boat through the Lycian coves: the Turkish coast is a first-class water sports area. JFMAMJJASOND Golf in Belek Turkey Over a dozen championship courses in the pine forest, all-inclusive hotels and green fees half the price of the Costa del Sol. JFMAMJJASOND Rafting and Canyoning Turkey From a family float in the Köprülü Canyon to Class IV whitewater in the Fırtına Valley: rafting in Turkey is cheap, close to the resorts and seriously good. JFMAMJJASOND Onsen and Ryokan Japan Naked in hot volcanic water under the open sky, then yukata, tatami and a twelve-course dinner: onsen and ryokan are the part of Japan you keep in your body. JFMAMJJASOND Train Travel and JR Pass Japan From Tokyo to Kyoto at 300 kilometres an hour, punctual to the minute, with a bento box on your lap: in Japan the train is not transport but part of the journey. JFMAMJJASOND Temples, Shrines and Pilgrim Trails Japan Ten thousand red gates in Kyoto, monks at morning prayer on Koyasan, 88 temples around Shikoku: Japan's temples and shrines are not a museum but living everyday life. JFMAMJJASOND City Breaks Switzerland · Germany · Austria · Turkey · Japan Three nights, one train, one city: Zurich, Basel, Berlin, Hamburg, Vienna or Salzburg, plus Istanbul and the Japanese metropolises as long-haul options. What the journey costs, when a city pass pays off and where to stay without paying trade-fair prices. JFMAMJJASOND