The Thrillseeker's Checklist

From swimming with sharks to camping out with wolves, make 2010 the year for trying something truly different, says Mike Peake

Make like a fish

CIRKEWWA, MALTA
There aren’t many European waters that feature on World’s Best Dive lists, but those around the tiny island of Malta are an exception. Its crystal-clear waters are teeming with fish, and at Cirkewwa dive fans flock to see impressive wrecks, alongside barracudas, sharks and the occasional dolphin. Family-run firm Paradise Diving will take you into the depths from about €364 (four-night stay, including diving kit).
WWW.PARADISEDIVING.COM

FLY TO MALTA (LUQA) FROM 12 DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING BARI, LEEDS AND MADRID.

Go somewhere sexy

BERLIN, GERMANY
Berlin is a laid-back, historical place where anything goes. Klaus Wowereit, Mayor of Berlin for almost a decade, describes it as “poor but sexy”. He’s not wrong, and the sexiest spot in town is the super-cool design hotel Bleibtreu. Rooms are minimalist yet inviting, and state-of-the art lighting creates just the right ambiance. Remarkably, there’s a free mini-bar in each room. Weekend breaks (based on two people sharing) cost €532, including breakfast, transport passes, guided tour and dinner.
WWW.BLEIBTREU.COM

FLY TO BERLIN (SCHONEFELD) FROM 10 DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING DUBLIN, EDINBURGH, MILAN (BERGAMO) AND STOCKHOLM (SKAVSTA).

Go back to nature

BERGSLAGEN, SWEDEN
Just west of Stockholm is the mineral-rich Bergslagen region, a place of lakes, forests, few people and lots of wildlife. It’s not oft en that you can put yourself in the arena of some truly wild animals, but here you’re in wolf territory, and you can hike right into the thick of their kingdom in a small, guided group. You bed down in a teepee, but not before cupping your hands to the sky and letting out an almighty howl. The chances that a neighbouring wolf pack will respond are said to be nigh on 100%.
PAY ABOUT €200 FOR THE NIGHT, INCLUDING MEALS AND GUIDE. VISIT WWW.NATURETRAVELS.CO.UK

FLY TO STOCKHOLM (SKAVSTA AND VASTERAS) FROM 38 DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING ALICANTE, BARCELONA (GIRONA) AND LONDON (STANSTED).

Feel the wind in your face

MERIBEL, FRANCE
Pierre-Francois Papet, a former member of the French ski team, was entombed in snow after an avalanche in Meribel four years ago. It was a terrifying experience, from which he emerged a lot wiser, and arguably the safest person in the Alps with whom to try out the range’s awesome off-piste runs. “This is the best skiing in Europe, and I can show you how to get the most out of slopes that most people never even get to see,” he says. But he warns: “It’s not for the faint-hearted!” A full day’s one-on-one tuition on Meribel’s off-piste slopes costs €460. WWW.SNOW-SYSTEMS.COM

FLY TO GRENOBLE FROM SIX DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING BIRMINGHAM, LIVERPOOL AND STOCKHOLM (SKAVSTA).

Scare yourself silly

KAROSTA, LATVIA
The 100-year-old Karosta Naval Port prison in western Latvia describes itself as escape-proof, and even more impenetrable than Alcatraz. The only way you can spend a night on Alcatraz is to join the boy scouts and hook up with the local ranger service (true story!), but at Karosta anyone can hand over 8 Lats (€11) and bed down in a cell. It’s a horrific-looking place, like something out of The Silence of the Lambs and is, naturally, very haunted.
WWW.KAROSTASCIETUMS.LV

FLY TO RIGA FROM 14 DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING BREMEN AND LONDON (STANSTED).

Go for a skinny dip

VALALTA, CROATIA
Croatia is one of the nuddy-resort capitals of the world, and the Valalta camp is frequently named the best spot in the Balkans to let it all hang out. It’s a sun-seekers’ paradise, and your suitcase will be refreshingly light. Pay from about €350 per couple, bed and breakfast, for five nights. If skinny-dipping sounds a bit 1970s, try wild swimming — an increasingly popular way to splash about anywhere other than a pool, and where clothes are optional.
WWW.VALALTA.HR

FLY TO PULA (CROATIA) FROM LONDON (STANSTED).

Eat something amazing

ROSES, SPAIN
Every year, more than a million people try to get a table at the acclaimed El Bulli restaurant in north-east Spain, but less than 1% actually manage it. This is not eating out – this is a table at the most exclusive culinary theatre on the planet. Times food critic AA Gill gave his 38-course meal 5/5, saying: “This is just very, very good cooking: intense, and obtusely original.” WWW.ELBULLI.COM

FLY TO BARCELONA (GIRONA) FROM 64 DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING FEZ AND IBIZA.

See the world from up high

ALGODONALES, SPAIN
Fly Spain has been teaching people to paraglide in Andalucia for the past 10 years, and boasts that its base in the village of Algodonales is blessed with perfect weather for flying. The company offers courses for total beginners so, if all goes to plan, you’ll be up there with the vultures and buzzards in no time. The school is approved by the British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, and five-day beginners’ courses cost €783, including accommodation and transfers. WWW.FLYSPAIN.CO.UK

FLY TO MALAGA FROM 39 DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING FRANKFURT (HAHN), LONDON (STANSTED) AND PARIS (BEAUVAIS).