With today’s busy lives, “microadventure” breaks have become a popular way for travellers to enjoy active and challenging experiences without the commitment of a long trip. With both affordable and premium hotels located in major cities across Europe, NH Hotel Group provides the perfect place for travellers to wind down after adrenaline-pumping activities. And to help thrill-seekers find their next challenge, NH Hotel Group has chosen its top destinations for a daring city break in 2018.
Kayaking along Lisbon’s Coast
Kayaking is a popular choice for those looking for a taste of adventure during a city break to Portugal’s cosmopolitan capital city Lisbon. Oeiras by Kayak is a kayak tour that begins at Oeiras Marina, the last harbour between the Tagus River and the Atlantic Ocean, and continues along the stunning Portuguese coastline, taking in the magnificent sights along the way. For those who want to mix in a spot of hiking, the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park is the place to go. With multiple walking routes to choose from, adventurers can explore 145km2 of natural beauty, as well as the historic Castle of the Moors.
Situated in the heart of Lisbon’s lively Baixa district and just a 30-minute drive from Oeiras Marina and the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, the NH Collection Lisboa Liberdade is the perfect retreat after a long day. The hotel’s 83 rooms and suites come complete with soundproofed windows, luxuriously thick mattresses and a choice of pillows. Adventurers who have worked up an appetite after a day on the water or on the trails, can also look forward to traditional Portuguese dishes, pizzas, salads and pastas, in the hotel’s Restaurante Do Teatro.
Diving and volcanic ventures in Taormina
Situated on the east coast of Sicily and near to Mount Etna, the hillside town of Taormina promises travellers a break to remember. Visitors can try their hand at canyoning in the gorges of the Alcantara River, which is approximately 40 minutes from Taormina, whilst marvelling at the stunning landscape that has been carved into Mount Etna’s lava rocks over the years by the river. Visitors are provided with wetsuits, helmets and harnesses and encouraged to explore the creeks and rocky jumps and dive into the lakes. In addition to canyoning, Taormina is also a delightful diving destination, as it has multiple beautiful dive sites and diving schools and its waters are rich with fish, colourful clams and sea sponges.
NH Collection Taormina offers all the comforts needed to unwind after a long day of canyoning or diving. Guests can relax in the hotel’s sauna, steam room and spa, indulging in a treatment to sooth any aching muscles, or enjoy a serene dip in the hotel’s seventh floor infinity pool, which has picturesque views of Taormina’s rooftops. The hotel’s Zagara Restaurant offers regional specialties and Italian dishes that are sure to satisfy even the hungriest of explorers at the end of the day.
Soaring in the skies over Seville
Anyone wishing to take to the skies should head to Seville where they can enjoy a tandem skydive or hot air balloon ride over some of Spain’s most beautiful scenery. Heading just 20 minutes south of Seville, adrenaline seekers will find a one-minute freefall experience that sees them jump from 15,000 feet and reach terminal velocity at around 130mph. Once the canopy opens, divers enjoy a beautiful five-minute descent to earth, allowing them to take in the scenery as they go. Heading towards the outskirts of the city, visitors can sail the skies with a wonderful hot air balloon ride over the countryside’s rivers, forests, parklands and fields that stretch out towards the mountain peaks – the perfect way to experience Andalucia from above.
NH Collection Sevilla provides a comfortable base for those seeking an Andalucian adrenaline adventure. With 252 elegant rooms, each stylishly decorated and boasting the latest technology, as well the hotel’s serene summer terrace, contemporary bar and outdoor pool, guests will find the hotel has all the essentials to unwind after an adventurous day. To set guests up for the day, NH Collection Sevilla offers a fantastic buffet breakfast featuring a range of pastries, meats, cheese, fruit, yogurt and hot dishes cooked to order.
Taormina, Seville and Lisbon are just three destinations perfect for a 2018 microadventure but, with nearly 400 hotels in over 30 countries, thrill-seekers searching for their next active escape can rely on NH Hotel Group to offer plenty of choice.
