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The pressures of parental responsibility should be rewarded with at least a long weekend of awesome activities, right? Well Iceland is the destination of choice for adrenaline junkies, and just close enough for a whirlwind weekend break – perfect for Father’s Day!

Dog Sledding

An awesome activity that won’t take up much of your day, but will definitely get the adrenaline pumping! The great thing about booking a sledding experience is that while it is weather dependent, it can be done in snowy, and non-snowy conditions.

Where: Most tour pickups are from Reykjavík.

Ice Caving

The most popular ice cave experience happens in Vatnajökull, but only during wintertime. So, this time of year, the best option is to head to the Kötlujökull glacier to experience a beautiful ice cave with blue/black walls sat atop a volcano! While this sounds a James Bond experience of a lifetime, the tour is labelled as easy.

Where: Katla,Kötlujökull

Ice Climbing

This activity is available all year round, and suitable for both beginners and experienced climbers. It can be a long day out on an Ice Climbing tour, around 10 hours, but only 4 or so of that will be spent scaling an incredible glacier!  The beauty of going this time of year is that you’ll get to see a couple of fabulous waterfalls on your journey!

Where: Sólheimajökull in South Iceland

Paragliding

Adrenaline junkies who have a passion for being airborne will love the many summer paragliding tours available. Tours on the south coast are particularly popular, delivering unforgettable birds-eye views of unique landscapes such as black sand beaches, basalt stacks, ocean waves, lunar lava fields, waterfalls, and glaciers.

Where: South Coast, Iceland.

Skiing in The Midnight Sun

In North Iceland the ski season runs until the end of June, which gives the lucky visitor a chance to ski in the midnight sun! Gentle slopes and the lack of trees make it the perfect place for a beginner. There are 7 ski areas, most of which can be found in the Sauðárkrókur-Tindastóll ski area.

Where: Sauðárkrókur-Tindastóll,North Iceland

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Scuba Diving In Hot Springs

Ok, so you have to be a bit of a pro to take this on, but it is an incredible experience only available in the summer months. Scuba Diving into a hydrothermal vent has been likened to diving into an earthquake. Apparently the air bubbles coming out of the vent create a pressure so intense it makes the rocks vibrate, a sensation which the divers feel deep in their bones!

Where: Lake Kleifarvatn

Trekking, Hiking and Mountain Biking

June is the perfect time to take to the many varied landscapes of Iceland on foot, or on two wheels.  Tours can take in beaches, hot springs, mountains, valleys, glaciers, waterfalls – you name it. And because the sun doesn’t set at this time of year, you’ll feel like you have all the time in the world to explore.

Where:Anywhere and everywhere in Iceland!

White Water Rafting and Whale Watching

Because the two go hand-in-hand right? Well, they do in Iceland! This tour starts in Reykjavik’s old harbour, goes out to sea to see the wildlife then back up the Hvita River for a white-knuckle white water rafting adventure. If that wasn’t enough, tour guides encourage a leap into the glacial waters before a warming sauna and hot choc experience. Just what you’ll need after 11 hours of aquatic activities!

Where: Reykjavik

Don’t forget your travel insurance! We cover a huge range of activities and sports as standard, and even more can be added to your policy if you need!

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If you are a thrifty traveller, you’ll love finding free things to do on holiday. Here are some of the best things to do for free in Amsterdam!

Visit the floating flower market on Singel Canal – There are loads of open-air markets around the city, but this is probably the most extraordinary because it is actually floating on the canal!

Take a walking tour – There are free audio tours available to download, or if you can spare a tip book yourself on the Sandemands Free Walking Tours.

Watch some open air theatre – All of Amsterdam’s parks and gardens are free to enter, but head to the Vondlepark at the right time and you could watch a play, performance or even a festival all for free.

Catch a concert – This city is very fond of culture so it should come as no surprise that you can get free entry to a classical or jazz concert somewhere in Amsterdam nearly every day of the week. Check local listings and larger establishments like The National Opera and Ballet, and The Royal Concertgebouw.

Take a river tour – Believe it or not, there is free public transport by boat in Amsterdam. The free ferries are behind Central Station and have three routes crossing the IJ River.

Go to the beach – Even though Amsterdam isn’t on the coast, there are three beaches that can be enjoyed for free. Head to Blijburg, Muiderlaan 1001 Amsterdam if you want to swim too.

Take a tour of the Diamond Factory – There are free tours that share the history of Amsterdam’s reputation as the City of Diamonds, as well as everything you need to know about the sparklers themselves.

Go to Cannabis College – This is a not-for-profit establishment in the city that aims to educate visitors about Cannabis, including the medicinal benefits. Entry is free, but if you want to experience the indoor garden, a paradise of fully-flowering organic cannabis plants, you’ll have to pay a small fee.

Can’t decide how to spend that extended bank holiday weekend? Here are some top spots in the countryside and on the coast to help you make up your mind!

Countryside

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Snowdonia National Park

This area is blessed with a hugely varied landscape of valleys and mountains, river gorges, lakes and waterfalls, so you can imagine the wealth of activities that come with this! As well as the usual suite of outdoor activities there are 150 attractions packed in too. Late spring and early summer are the driest times here, so perfect for the spring bank holiday break.

The Lake District

As the home of British mountaineering, and with the highest concentration of outdoor activity centres than anywhere else in the UK, you can be assured that the Lake District will deliver a fabulous slice of outdoor life. The area combines lakes, rivers, fells, woodland and small towns, so you’ll be spoilt for choice deciding what to see and do.

The Cairngorms

This is the largest National Park in the UK, is home to over a quarter of Scotland’s native forest, and the high plateaux are more like the landscape you’d find in Greenland! The Cairngorms is an inspirational place where visitors can connect with nature, but be warned it’s not the place to go if you want to get warm – temperatures are unlikely to rise above 8 °C in May.

New Forest

While these ancient woodlands are a tamer option than mountainous regions, it is still blessed with wonderful wildlife, and lots of opportunities for embracing the great outdoors. Highlights include miles upon miles of cycle tracks and forest footpaths, all of which have cattle and horses wandering freely around. It is the ideal location to set up camp, but if roughing it in a field isn’t your idea of fun, you’ll love the many quintessentially English villages nestled amongst the glades and moors!

Give your getaway an upgrade and hire a car for your journey!

Whether it is a super car, campervan or SUV that you’ve got your sights set on, make sure you get Car Hire Excess Insurance so you are not left with the bill if the vehicle is damaged or stolen.

Coast

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Sanna

If you are looking for a remote coastal experience, Sanna Bay is a must. There is very little here but white sandy beaches, turquoise seas and spectacular sand dunes. In fact, you’d be mistaken for thinking you are on a tropical beach. Apart from the temperature of course! The drive to Sanna is also extraordinary, a single track road through what has been described as some of Scotland’s oddest scenery – it is in fact the crater of an extinct volcano.

Lulworth Cove

If you are looking for warmth, your best bet for the Spring Bank Holiday Break is to head to the south coast, Dorset in particular. The Jurassic coast is said to have more hours of sunshine and be warmer than anywhere else in the UK. Lulworth Cove, and further down the coast at Durdle Door you will find shelter from cold northerly breezes whilst being blessed with sunny blue skies. This area also has spectacular coastlines, far-flung views, and wonderful beaches where you may find a fossil or two.

Southwold

The mix of sand dunes, marshlands, and sensationally genteel historic town is just gorgeous. Add to that the fact it has it’s own brewery, and you’ll see why Southwold is a go-to for a wonderful long weekend! As well as delightful scenery, first class eateries and up-market shopping opportunities, Southwold also lays claim to having the quirkiest pier in England, a nice nod to the many artists that have been drawn here, and of course reside here.

Swansea Bay

This is billed as the best beach in Wales – a vast sandy stretch of coast hugged by gently sloping hills. From the top of these hills you can see the Pembrokeshire coast, and a wealth of natural wonders. This is a great place to catch some gentle surf, which might be tempting as the temperature is creeping up at this time of year, or relax in natural surroundings – but it will also appeal to those of you who like to be near the hustle and bustle of city life too!