The Year's Top Destinations for Adventure Seekers

Adventure travel has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. In 2016, the global adventure tourism market was valued at about $445 million and it's projected to reach $1.3 billion by 2023, according to one report. Further underscoring that growth, more than 70 percent of adventure tour operators who participated in the Adventure Travel Trade Association's 2018 trends study said their businesses are growing, with at least 40 percent of respondents linking the uptick to an influx of new travelers.

So what adventure experiences are generating all of the demand exactly? Experts say hiking, eco-tourism, culinary and cycling trips are among the most popular choices with thrill seekers these days. With such data in mind, adventure experts from around the globe share their top destination choices for the year ahead.

Adventure seekers can travel to Belize and hike the country's tallest mountain, Victoria Peak or perhaps participate in snorkeling activations to preserve the Belize Barrier Reef, which is the world's second largest barrier reef (removed from the UNESCO endangered list). Still more options include biking through lush jungles or diving at the world-class Great Blue Hole, says Andrew Ashcroft, a Belize resident for more than 20 years and developer of Alaia Belize. Looking for a place to stay while visiting? The beachfront resort, Banyan Bay Suites works with Belize Pro Dive Center (ranked one the top shops in the world) to curate top experiences for its guests.

While likely not the first place that comes to mind when thinking of adventure travel, the luxe, wellness resort Inns of Aurorais offering an Adventure Aurora package that includes a customizable four-day itinerary incorporating a variety of activities and "summer camp" style fun. Groups can select from a list of curated activities such as lakeside yoga and meditation with the Ayurveda yoga specialist-certified "Director of Serenity," a lunch cruise featuring winery hopping on Cayuga Lake; massage and body treatments; private cooking classes; guided hikes with nature basking sessions, tarot card readings and private wine pairing dinners.

With more than 400 miles of navigable canals and waterways, the under-the-radar destination of Cape Coral, Florida sits adjacent to the prestigious Tarpon Point Marina and offers both a relaxing and adventurous tropical escape, from private fishing charters to kayaking, paddleboarding and dolphin and sunset cruises offered through the Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village.

The Finger Lakes region offers 70-plus hiking and biking trails, as well as white water rafting down the "Grand Canyon of the East," air gliding, sea plane rides and 40-plus waterfalls to view or swim by across renowned state parks. Those looking to camp can opt for one of the area's major glamping sites, which offer safari tents with private porches. In search of an all-around extreme adventure? Check out the North Country Trail, which takes hikers across 430 miles from the eastern to the western end of the Finger Lakes region, suggests Lisa Burns, executive director of the Finger Lakes Regional Tourism Council.

Home to the highest proportion of protected land in all of Europe, Slovenia has been named the world's first green country by Green Destinations. The hidden gem of Koroska meanwhile, located on the eastern edge of the Alps, provides the ideal place to stop for those who are exploring the country via the Drava Cycling Route. In addition to picturesque bike paths, Koroska boasts hiking and horseback riding through the breathtaking mountains. Want to spend a night or two? Check out the Green Resort, an eco-friendly glamping property in Koroska. The resort, which can be booked via Pitchup.com, features cozy wooden cabins on the bank of the Drava river.

Yet another destination that isn't likely to be the first one that comes to mind when thining adventure travel, Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo is working to change that. Located right off the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix racetrack, the hotel offers guests the chance to get behind the wheel of an F1 racecar and zoom from 0 to 186 mph in less than three seconds. To ensure a smooth ride around the Circuit du Luc track in Provence, guests take a workshop led by a certified Formula 1 driver and don traditional racecar gear before hitting the track.

Take a walk on the wild side with Dennis Atencio, the Crocodile Bay Resort's full-time director of expeditions and rainforest safaris. Guests can experience incredible eco-tours in Costa Rica's off-the-grid Osa Peninsula, known as the world's most biologically-intense region. The Jungle Night Walk, for instance, showcases the amazing creatures of Corcovado National Park who come alive after the sun sets. Night hikes move at a slower pace and require participants with sharp eyes to see red-eyed tree frogs and other amphibians, exotic insects, night birds, caimans, snakes and more.

Adrenaline junkies seeking the ultimate adventure this year might want to consider climbing Africa's most famous mountain: Kilimanjaro, a dormant volcano in Tanzania. Original Travel, a tailor-made luxury travel company, offers "The Kilimanjaro Climb Adventure" giving audacious travelers the opportunity to ascend 19,341 feet to the glacier-covered summit of Uhuru Peak. Following such rewarding exertion, travelers may combine the Kilimanjaro adventure with one of Original Travel's luxury glamping experiences for the ultimate R&R.

For a no-passport-required Caribbean vacation, Key West is an ideal destination. The island offers a variety of aquatic adventures. Casa Marina Key West, in particular, features snorkeling amongst America's only living coral reef; kayak eco-tours to mangrove islands teeming with stingrays and a jellyfish garden; and boat charters for a deep-sea fishing excursion.

Offering access to the most visited national park in the Great Smoky Mountains, the famed Appalachian Trail, and ancient Bristol Caverns, Bristol makes an ideal adventure destination. Thrill-seeking travelers can take part in a myriad of invigorating leisure activities including hiking, fly fishing and whitewater rafting. For an unexpected outdoor experience, head to one of the oldest and most spectacular attractions in the region, Bristol Caverns, and tour the vaulted chambers of Bristol's ancient underground river. As for where to stay, consider going off the grid at The Bristol Hotel and while there utilize the property's curated hiking maps, ideal for navigating the winding paths of the nearby Appalachian Trail.

An adventure seeker's paradise, Los Cabos attracts surfers from around the world with its fresh waves. (The Baja Peninsula is known for offering the most consistent long rides of the summer.) In addition, travelers can partake in nature walks through pristine desert landscapes, enjoy camel safaris or even go blamping (mountain biking and glamping). Looking for a hotel with a swimmer-friendly beach? Check out Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort, which overlooks the Sea of Cortez.

Home to breathtaking natural wonders like Mystic Mountain, Dunn's River Falls and the Martha Brae River, adventure seekers can hike, raft, zip line and even bobsled their way through Jamaica's stunning northeast coast, says Matthew Tulloch, Jamaica representative for Chukka Caribbean Adventures. True thrill-seekers might even arrange for shark encounters, swim on horseback and explore the countryside on an ATV. Accommodation options here meanwhile are diverse, ranging from the family-friendly Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa and Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, to the adults-only Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall or the luxury wellness oasis, Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa.

A mountain city that's ideal for daredevil travelers looking to escape into the great outdoors, Asheville offers a multitude of adventure activities including hiking and camping in picturesque Great Smoky Mountain National Park, known to be the most visited national park in the nation. Travelers hoping to take in Asheville's picturesque scenery can also cycle along "America's Favorite Drive," the Blue Ridge Parkway, and enjoy unmatched views of the Appalachian Mountains. Complete the outdoor vacation with a stay at the city's newly opened The Foundry Hotel, which is featuring an Indulgent Preparation package, which includes a hearty pre-hike breakfast, hiking gear from outdoor outfitter Hunter Banks, and a guided hike along a nearby trail.