Swap Your Travelcard for the Adventure of a Lifetime

LONDON, January 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With January 2011 heralding train and bus fare increases the cost of an annual London Underground Travelcard for Zones 1-6 has risen to GBP2,016. Adventure Travel Live, the UK's biggest adventure travel event, asked a panel of travel industry experts, adventurers, explorers and writers if they were given GBP2,016 - the price of a Travelcard - how would they turn it in to an adventure?

Those polled suggested destinations as diverse as Cameroon, Libya, Rajasthan, Sudan, Lebanon, Egypt, Argentina, Australia, Zambia and Bolivia - with Alaska proving particularly popular with the panel. Adventurer Alastair Humphreys said: "Big skies, wild rivers, beautiful mountains - Alaska definitely beats the Northern Line."

Once at their chosen destination those polled would pack in as much adventure as possible - climbing mountains, trekking, exploring ancient ruins and deserts, helping with development projects, seeing wildlife, shopping in local markets, scuba diving, horse riding and rafting.

Perhaps the most unusual suggestion was from explorer Dave Cornthwaite who said: "I'd swap tubes and buses for a Stand Up Paddleboard and navigate my way down the Mississippi River from source to sea. The 2,500 mile journey would take three months but I'd take standing alone on an iconic river over being a sardine on the Underground any day!"

Overland trips were recommended as good value for money for those who want to get off-the-beaten track and cover greater distances. One industry insider said he'd happily swap his Travelcard for a 60 day overland trip through Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, which would come in well under budget.

Another panellist said he'd max out his mileage with a multi-stop flight ticket stopping in Asia, Australia and America, which would set him back GBP800, leaving enough cash to bargain in Bangkok markets, scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef and road trip across the States.

"Adventuring is more to do with your approach to life in general than an assault on your bank balance," confirms the Telegraph's Adventure Travel Editor, Richard Madden. "As these ideas from some of the UK's most experienced adventure travellers show, it's amazing how many new life experiences are possible when you swap a crowded tube train for the back of beyond."

So if you are considering trading in your Travelcard for the adventure of a lifetime - or just want a more exciting holiday this year - visit Adventure Travel Live where you'll find over 60 specialist companies offering information and practice advice, plus many free talks given by explorers, adventurers and industry insiders.

Editor's notes:

Details of panel available on request.

Adventure Travel Live takes place at the Royal Horticultural Halls, Greycoat Street, London SW1P 2QD.

    
    Opening times:

    Friday 28 January 6pm-9pm
    Saturday 29 January 10am-6pm
    Sunday 30 January 10am-5pm

    Price:

    Advance: Adults GBP8
    On door price: Adults GBP10
    Under 16s Free.

For tickets call +44(0)871-230-7159 or visit http://www.adventuretravellive.co.uk.

For further information please contact: Emma Dowson on emma@escapeevents.com.