Both to bolster their local economies and as a means of combatting overtourism, an increasing number of global destinations are charging tourists taxes or fees just for visiting. You’ll frequently find them tacked onto your hotel bill, but sometimes they’re collected immediately upon arrival.
Plunging In Freezing Water, The Hottest Winter Trend In Europe: Would You Do It?
20.12.2023 - 00:39 / forbes.com
Call it “Viking swimming,” “freezing plunges,” "polar plunge," “ice swimming” or “bear plunges,” among other names. It can be done in groups or by yourself, naked, in swimsuits or in costume and generally wearing a warm hat since, after all, it is a winter activity and very popular at this time of the year. Even a Santa hat seems appropriate.
The place doesn’t matter as long as the water is frigid, preferably below zero. The sea, a lake, river, ice hole or frozen pool can do the trick.
What matters is that it is an activity for the brave at heart — and testing such bravery has become a craze among many over the age of 16 the world over, from China to Portugal, Turkey to the United States.
There are associations and groups of enthusiasts that travel around the world in search of the best ice swimming destinations and serious athletes dedicated to making their mark in different international cold-water sports competitions.
Here you can find some of the better known ones.
There’s nothing new in Viking swimming. It’s been practiced for centuries in the Scandinavian and Eastern European countries, Russia, Canada as well as in China and other countries, that organize competitions, festivals, camps and celebratory programs around it. In many places it’s a longstanding New Year’s tradition that has spreaded around the globe.
“A Renaissance” is what the ‘experts’ are calling this renewed cold-water craze that, apart from its daring quality and the ‘simple’ thrill of immersing oneself into freezing water for one or two minutes at a time, (many aficionados are pushing the limits of how long they can stay in the water) is being touted as having “powerful” and “transformative” beneficial effects for body and soul.
The activity got a big push during the Covid pandemic, when people unable to perform their usual activities took to cold-water immersions with enthusiasm and it reached bigger heights as it entered the overpopulated space of the wellness world in social media as celebrities, influencers and a myriad of health “experts” extol its invigorating effects.
But it’s not just internet hype as the benefits have been scientifically studied.
This is the way NPR explains the main effects of cold plunging:
“Your body's first reaction to a plunge in chilly water is the "cold shock" response. Your heart rate jumps. Stress hormones spike. You gasp suddenly, and may hyperventilate. Your reward if you stay in long enough to endure these initial excruciating moments? You start to shiver.
But those who've embraced the cold water craze — be that in a frigid lake, the ocean, or an ice bath in their backyard — frequently describe powerful, even transformative effects on their state of mind and sense of wellbeing.”
An icy dip
The website maxtravelz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
Top Autors
Popular Topics
travelandleisure.com
03.01.2024 / 20:01
There's a New Flight to Greece From This U.S. Hub Launching in May — and Fares Start at Just $249
It just got easier to visit Greece from the United States. Norse Atlantic Airways, a low-cost airline based in Oslo, Norway, announced a new route between New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) and Athens International Airport in Greece on Wednesday. The flight will operate five times per week from May 30, 2024 through Oct. 26, 2024, the airline shared withTravel + Leisure. The new flight has a duration of 9 hours and 35 minutes. Currently, the airline operates service between New York and Athens with a stopover in London’s Gatwick airport for a total duration of 18 hours. “This launch underscores our commitment to meeting the evolving travel needs of our passengers," Norse Atlantic Airways’ CEO and Founder Bjorn Tore Larsen said in a statement shared with T+L. «We believe this route will not only cater to the demand for travel to Greece but will also create opportunities for cultural exchange and business collaborations between these two vibrant destinations,”
traveldailynews.com
03.01.2024 / 12:40
Luxury and experiential trips lead HBX Group’s 2024 travel trends
HBX Group reveals the trends which will shape the travel industry in 2024.
traveldailynews.com
03.01.2024 / 12:39
AirlineRatings.com names its top-25 safest airlines for 2024
AirlineRatings.com Names Air New Zealand As Its Safest Airline For 2024
traveldailynews.com
03.01.2024 / 09:32
Norse Atlantic Airways opens ticket sales for new route between Athens and New York JFK
Flights will operate up to five times a week throughout the busy summer season from 30th May 2024 until 26th October.
traveldailynews.com
03.01.2024 / 09:10
Park City's popular apres destination, The Vintage Room, opens for ski season at St. Regis Deer Valley
Completely Clear Structure Thrums with People Watching, Food, Libations and Music!
cntraveler.com
01.01.2024 / 15:23
In Athens, History Shapes the Future
Everywhere I turn in Athens, my past rises up to meet me. That café was once a pastry shop where our babysitter would buy us treats when I lived here as a child—pain au chocolat for my brother, lemon-filled doughnut for me. We moved to the US when I was seven, but I've returned to Greece nearly every summer since I was 14. This square is where I scored scalped tickets to the 2004 Olympics. That church is where I lit candles every year on my annual trip, in hope or gratitude: Let me do well on that exam, find a job, get pregnant.
euronews.com
31.12.2023 / 00:09
Sensory hiking and ancient wine: Why you should visit these European villages in 2024
From Venice to Athens, Europe’s most popular destinations are buckling under the weight of unsustainable tourist numbers.
forbes.com
30.12.2023 / 10:13
This Could Be One Of The Biggest Travel Trends Of 2024
Private group travel may be one of the biggest travel trends of 2024. A recent survey by luxury travel advisors at Embark Beyond found that 61% of Americans are interested in traveling with extended families or a small group of friends next year.
forbes.com
29.12.2023 / 22:43
10 Of The Best Places In Europe To Spend New Year’s Eve
According to professional travel organisation, European Best Destinations, the Portuguese island of Madeira is the best place to see the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display. The travel experts polled a panel of 11,963 travellers from 112 countries, mainly from the United Kingdom (22,42%) and the United States (18,91%) and found the top destination to count down the 2024 New Year is Madeira, followed by Marbella (Spain) with London ranking number three. Here are the top ten.
forbes.com
22.12.2023 / 15:35
Take A Trip To Some Of The World’s Most Beautiful Shops
While shopping on Amazon is great – and super convenient – for some people, there’s nothing like actually going into a brick-and-mortar store. Especially if it is incredibly beautiful.
lonelyplanet.com
22.12.2023 / 08:21
10 of the best things to do in Thailand
People may think of Thailand as a food-focused destination, or a place for great nightlife or even a wellness center and somewhere to go and be pampered.