Most people simply want to relax and catch some rays whilst on holiday – other people want to achieve and conquer something or other, why else do we climb mountains? For those of us who want a challenge and experience above and beyond the beach and pool, here’s our guide to some ultimate adventures – travel insurance essential!

Diving in Egypt
Diving holidays are notoriously popular, offering up both beach action but also a gateway into a secret underwater world. The resort of Sharm El Sheikh sits at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula, with the Gulf of Aqabar to the East and the Red Sea to the West. The miles of natural coral reefs around the coastline offer up unrivalled diving opportunities, with huge reef walls, coral gardens and old wrecks. The Blue Hole has seen better days, with a lot of the coral dead at the much trampled entrances, but the 130m deep cavern offers up a lot for all abilities, including a 26m tunnel into the open sea at a depth of 56m.

Swimming in Greece
The islands of Greece have long been popular for island hopping, but more recently swimming treks have established themselves in the area. Serious swimming enthusiasts need only apply, as the treks take in up to 5km of open water swimming per day as tourists make their way around the island circuit. Guides and safety support are included in the tours.

Cycling in Morocco
Get off the beaten track and head up into the hills of the High Atlas to climb stunning single track. With a mountain line that tops out at 4167m, steep declines and hard climbs, the High Atlas offer a stunning ride through the Berber homeland of Morocco with vistas over the largest desert in the world – head into the medieval city of Marrakesh for a hammam to ease out the calves post adventure.

Climbing in Nepal
What more of a challenge do you need than the great Everest itself? Whilst tackling the summit might be above and beyond many peoples abilities (and travel money allowance – with an estimated cost in the region of £28,000 for an expedition…), base camp is a good challenge that follows the footsteps of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, sitting at 5,380m taking in vistas of the Eastern Himalayas.