Life as a Holiday Thrill-Seeker: Hiking, Biking, Surfing
A Guardian feature by Sam Haddad, published on December 19, 2025, explores the appeal of adrenaline-filled holidays involving rafting, surfing, and mountain biking as a path to heightened relaxation.
Highlighting popular surf destinations such as Bondi Beach in Sydney and Seminyak in Bali, the article also notes Copenhagen as an ideal location for leisurely cycling.
Haddad draws on personal travel experiences including mountain biking in South Africa's Western Cape, biking near Bali’s Mount Batur, hiking canyons in Chiapas, and exploring the Tatra Mountains in Poland.
Family travels mentioned include a surf-and-safari adventure in Sri Lanka, ferrata climbs in the French Alps, and plans for rafting combined with an overnight bivouac hike in the French Pyrenees.
Research cited in the feature suggests that biking and hiking remain among the most popular activities for adventure-seeking holidaymakers, with expectations for this trend to grow in the coming decade.
The article is a paid promotional feature for the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card, which offers key benefits such as earning 2 points per £1 on eligible purchases, 6 points per £1 at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, and redemption options at 9,500 properties across 30 brands in 144 countries and territories, as well as flights on over 150 airlines.
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