Each time you go on holiday, you’ll have a different set of requirements depending on who you’re going with – a family trip with the kids and grand-parents will have a different vibe than one where you’re spending a week with a bunch of friends, for instance.
Below, we’ve rounded up a few ideas for those times when you want your holiday to be so packed with exciting activities that you’ll feel like you need another holiday at the end of it to recover!
Theme park overload
No matter how old we are, there’s a kid inside all of us. And where better to let that ‘child inside’ out than in a theme park? If you want a holiday where you can get your fill of theme park thrills without having to travel too far, then Orlando is still one of the best options.
Of course, no trip to Orlando would be complete without seeing Mickey and Minnie at the Magic Kingdom Walt Disney World Resort, but there’s also Universal Orlando, where you can go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Busch Gardens in Tampa, where all the thrill rides are based on an African animal theme.
It’s not just about rides, though. If you love to see wild animals up close, head to attractions such as SeaWorld, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Discovery Cove.
There are loads of different ways to organise a theme park holiday in Florida, but for the best value, look out for a ticket that buys you multiple entries to different parks, and then take a deep breath before embarking on a week or two of adrenaline-filled, roller-coaster highs!
Partying in Vegas
For decades, Las Vegas has been the ultimate destination for people who want a holiday that has that ‘off the leash’, hedonistic feel to it. It’s why so many hen and stag parties take place there, but, this city in the Nevada desert can also a suitable venue for a family holiday.
Of course, one of the main attractions is gambling at one of the many casinos. You get the chance to feel like James Bond as you saunter up to the blackjack or poker table, cocktail in hand. Alternatively, you can choose to just soak up the atmosphere and watch other people take a gamble with the big bets while you stick to the penny slots. Vegas is as much about people-watching as it is about gambling – but, of course, you’re bound to have a flutter or two while you’re there. Get some practice in on any games you’re not familiar with before you go, by playing online at a site like Betway Casino so that you know what you’re doing when you arrive in Vegas.
Aside from the gaming tables, there’s plenty of other fun to be had in Sin City. The shows there are amazing, and generally all produced on a larger-than-life scale. Catch one of your favourite singers – whether they’re doing a residency there like Celine Dion at Caesars Palace or just performing a few nights in Vegas as part of a bigger tour. Vegas is also the place to see amazing magic acts such as Penn & Teller or the impressionist and ventriloquist Terry Fator. For acrobatic genius, go to one of Cirque du Soleil’s eight Vegas shows or watch Le Rêve at Wynn Las Vegas, an in-the-round theatre experience which features synchronised swimmers, gymnasts and aerialists.
Carnaval in Rio
Rio de Janeiro is the host city for one of the world’s most famous carnivals. In Brazil, Carnaval is such an important event that people tend to think of the year as being in two parts – either before and after Carnaval. In 2017, Carnaval will take place on 26 February – the date varies to be always exactly 40 days before Easter Sunday – originally it was a food festival to use up all the food stocks before the frugality of Lent began.
There’s an underlying theme of ‘pretending’ in today’s Carnaval, and it’s when social conventions are turned on their heads. People revel in the idea of being something or someone they are not during the festivities – hence the amazing costumes that you’ll see in the parades. Anything goes on Carnaval and people jump at the chance of escaping into a fantasy world.
Of course, it’s not just Rio where Carnaval takes place – every town in Brazil will have its own. But for a visitor, it’s probably the Rio one that is the most exciting as it’s done on the largest and most extravagant scale. And after the excessive partying, you can catch your breath with a few days’ rest and relaxation on one of the world’s most beautiful beaches – the Copacabana.
All of these destinations can provide you with a giddying amount of excitement and entertainment on your holiday. Just make sure to book a couple of extra days off when you return home, so you can catch up on the sleep that you’ll have missed while you’ve been away!