Composed of five small villages perched above the Ligurian Sea, the towns date to the late medieval period and are still, in 2012, unable to be reached by car.
While one can access them by train and boat, neither transport provides the same experience as the hike between the towns: slowly descending from the rocky cliffs into each brightly painted fishing village is an experience unlike any other in the world.
The 18km hiking trail from Riomaggiore, the southernmost village, to the fifth town, Monterosso, is quite a work-out and usually takes about five hours, depending on how fit you are.
However, many complete only the first leg of the trip, from Riomaggiore to Manarola. This section is commonly called the "Via dell' Amore" and is both paved and level, so it's a great 1km stroll for travellers of all ages.
2. Stand-up paddle-boarding in Milford Sound, New Zealand
The sport of stand-up paddle-boarding has been growing in popularity exponentially in recent years, and few places provide the gorgeous scenery and flat waters of Milford Sound in New Zealand.
The expansive beauty of South Island's Fiordland National Park makes the five-hour journey by car or tour bus from Queenstown a necessary feat to keep crowds at bay. While the weather is slightly unpredictable, rain means the mountain's waterfalls will be going off, creating even more features to paddle towards.
If you're not up for trying a new sport, there are also many kayaking guides in the area, making the sound and its beauty accessible to everyone, no matter their physical shape.
3. Snorkelling in St John's, US Virgin Islands
Few options are as convenient and cost-efficient for Americans as a quick trip to the US Virgin Islands, and equally rare are the options with the unbridled natural spectacle of St John.
The island, accessible only by ferry, contains the Virgin Islands National Park, which encompasses two-thirds of the island's area.
Visitors have more than 35 beaches to choose from, including Trunk Bay, which has an underwater snorkelling trail that guides swimmers while informing them about the various species of fish.
Other notable snorkelling spots on the isle are Hawknest Bay and Cinnamon Bay, which also has outstanding camping facilities. Sea turtles and rays can be found in Waterlemon Cay, accessible by the Leinster Bay Trail from the Annaberg Sugar Mill ruins.
4. Rollerblading along 'The Strand', Los Angeles
Only a handful of locations can provide a pedestrian-only route the length of which is almost a marathon - and none can do so while providing a view of one of the most beautiful beach areas in the world.
The Strand is a 35km bike path that runs from Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades, California, to Torrance County Beach. The route passes landmarks such as the Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach's infamous boardwalk.
If you've seen people rollerblading on TV or in movies, most likely it was filmed along The Strand. Rental locations and public toilets pop up almost every half-mile.
5. Hiking in Patagonia, Chile
Visiting Chilean Patagonia - with its more than 2000 km of paths, spectacular vistas and unique natural phenomena - is a great idea for novice hikers or experienced trekkers alike.
Torres del Paine National Park in Southern Chile provides more than 181,000ha to explore, with many of the more seasoned hikers choosing the "W Route", which can be broken up into a series of day hikes.
VirtualTourist members noted the highlight of the first leg of the "W" Route is Mirador Las Torres, the iconic four-stone peaks so often featured in photographs of the region.
If you are looking for another amazing trek in the area, the Fitz Roy Trek just over the border in Argentinean Patagonia is also incredibly beautiful, and thought by many to be a bit easier than the Torres experience.
- MCT
