Five thrills for outdoor enthusiasts

1. Hiking down Samarian Gorge, Crete. At 18km in length, the Samarian Gorge is the largest in Europe, descending dramatically from the Omalos plateau. The walk down the gorge takes between four and seven hours, depending on how fit you feel and how much scenery you stop to take in. You can also walk up the gorge if you’re a contrarian at heart; it’s six or seven hours at a reasonable pace. The single most rewarding part to a descent of the scenic gorge is the cold sea water which awaits at the bottom - your dive in is likely to live long in your memory.

2. Surfing in Thurso, Scotland. Unlikely though it may seem, Scotland is fast gaining a reputation as a surfing destination, with a good selection of quality breaks. It may not have the sunshine of Hawaii, and the water is generally steely-gray rather than turquoise-blue, but Thurso is a definite surf spot and boasts one of the finest reef breaks in Europe. However, Scotland’s northern coastline lies on the same latitude as Alaska and Iceland, so the water temps are very low - you’ll need a good wet suit.